The end of the summer...

Summer is winding down. It's been a really delicious summer. Katie is amazing.



We got some family pictures taken today by an old friend. She took us out to a lovely apple orchard where it was quiet and cool, and the air smelled sticky sweet. My baby girl came home with toes smelling like fresh cut grass. Now that's summer.

One, two, three!

Katie has started counting... sort of. She is imitating her Daddy to get him to throw up up in the air, or let her climb on his back, or to fly on my feet. We always say "One, two, three!" and then get her up. Katie uses this deep gravelly voice, and says something that today sounded remarkably like "One, two, three!"

Please excuse my huge rear end. I don't think Jared could have gotten a better angle on it if he had tried.


Also, that's not a skirt she's wearing. That's a shirt that Katie pulled out of the drawer and decided to wear as a skirt. She's nothing if not resourceful!

Kickin' it ragamuffin style

Katie is getting to an age where she is starting to have opinions. And she's getting to an age where she wants to try dressing herself. Sometimes, those two forces collide in inexplicable ways.

I've always given her choices about what she wears. I'd hold up two shirts, and whichever one she grabbed first, that's what she wore. Now, we'll tell her to get her shoes, and she'll pick them out of the pile. Lately, she's been wanting to wear her rainboots, because she can put them on herself, with no help.



I love that shirt. It was mine when I was little. I think the girl on the front looks a little bit like Katie.

This is Jared's Trailblazers hat. She found it in a closet and wore it all day. In the middle of July. I know.



She just makes me laugh, and watching her become a person, with ideas and opinions, has been a joy. Of course, her ideas and opinions extends to laying down on the floor in the middle of Best Buy and refusing to move, as well. I'm trying to keep it in perspective.

Summer fun

We have been spending so much time at the park by the library. It's so close to home, there's no excuse not to go! I love that there is a big toy and sprinklers to run in. The whole thing keeps Katie pretty well entertained for an hour or more!

For some strange reason, even though the park is so great, it's hardly ever crowded. It's really nice.

Finally made a decision

And it only took me two weeks!

Which I consider pretty good for a decision of this magnitude. It sometimes will take me a week to decide to buy a pair of shoes I like.





2008 Hyundai Sonata

Happy Independence Day!

This morning, we went to a bike parade. Since Katie is obviously too young for a bicycle, I decorated her pink pony with tissue paper flowers, curling ribbon, and raffia sparklers. She had a great time being part of such a big group of kids!

















A highlight for my was reconnecting with one of my mom's friends, Laura. It was wonderful to be wrapped up in a hug like that!

Tacoma visit

Dinner with Marc and Rachel


Visiting with Aileen, Mike, and Aunt LoRene




Dinner at Aileen's with Rocky and Caesar


And we made some time to go to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. Here's Katie looking at the meerkat.


Watching the show


My little monkey


At the aquarium




The petting zoo


This monkey was putting on quite a show, climbing around and sliding down poles. Jared also like the porcupines.


Just checking to see if Katie is as big as a 2 year old polar bear


Reindeer trying to pretend it's not hot out


Katie liked the seals. They were swimming all around.


Jared really liked the eagle. This was part of the show, and he got some great pictures of it.


I really liked the elephants!


I hope we get to go again soon!