Auntie Ann's IN TOWN

Clare Ann loves hangin' out with Auntie Ann. Notice the Annie shirt...one that my mom has saved for the last 20+ years.
Tea Time

Oops!

We love having Ann home from the desert!

Flying on the Clareplane!

Kisses!

Clare's own camel from the desert. :)

Baby Barrettes

As you can see, barrettes have made their way into our home. After months of banishment, Phil finally turned a corner and realized how cute and functional they are for our hairy little peanut. In the last two days, we've had to pry a stray barrette out of Clare's mouth. Therein lies our quandary! How can we continue using the barrettes without creating a choking hazard?
P.S. Thanks for this adorable outfit, Rachel and Mandy! We LOVE it!

Christmas in June!

June has been a GREAT month for us: family, friends, fellowship, fun, and faith formation. How is that for an alliteration?
Today, June 25th, is half-way to Christmas. Maybe that can be our "excuse" for the addition of this new shed to our backyard.

I don't have any pictures of the finished product (as it has taken its permanent home in our backyard), but I like to call it the "Man Hut." I may have to point Phil in the direction of this "barn" when December 25th comes around.

Phil's last time mowing the area that now houses the Man Hut.

Clare loves watching her Daddy.

Where is he???

Once again...HARD at work...trimming the palms.

Daddy's little helper girl.

Happy Father's Day...a bit late!

We had a TERRIFIC weekend with all of our family in Florida! Phil and I are blessed with wonderful fathers, and Clare is obviously in good hands as well. :)

Laughing with Grandpa Hillary

Hugs from Grandpa!

Waving to Daddy!

Swimming with Grandpa Durham

Emptying the garbage with Grandpa's supervision.

Feeding Grandpa Durham!

Sampling the scraps.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all of the wonderful men out there!

Inquisitive Little Peanut

I've learned that I can't turn my head for even a minute because Clare will "sneak" into something messy or find a way to tear something apart. It obviously doesn't bother me too much because I always rush to find the camera to capture the adorable moment.

She works her way into this little corner and finds magazines, playing cards, and everything else that will dissolve within moments of reaching her mouth.

Exhibit A

I think I was done with those magazines. :)

New day...new corner...new target!

Many of these pictures reveal her love of the written word. Daughter of an English teacher.

Just Like Old Times...

My dear college friends, Mandy and Rachel, made a trip down to Florida for five days. Other than the addition of two "babies" to the mix, it was just like old times. We played in the pool, sat around and talked for hours, ate lots of chocolate, and solved all of the world's problems.

Clare and Jabin hit it off right away, and it was so much fun watching our little ones get to know each other.

If it were up to Clare and Jabin, we would have been in the pool
ALL DAY LONG!

Just chillin' in the 90 degree water on the 99 degree day!

I wonder what they were saying to each other at this moment?!

Jabin is teaching Clare how to play with Castle Marble Works.

"Okay...we destroyed the tower. What's next?"

I feel incredibly blessed to have such terrific friends. Thanks, Mandy and Rachel, for making the trip down here.
It was a very special connection. :)

Little did we know, we we started college ten years ago, that this is what our lives would look like "ten years down the road."
What a blessed journey!

Playing at the PARK!

Clare enjoys many things. On this day, it was the PARK and Daddy!
Holding on tightly...with the wind in her hair!

Ready for an Underdog!

Higher Daddy, Higher!

Sheer anticipation!

Weeee...
Notice that Clare has her hands up, and Phil is holding on tightly.

A picture with Mommy so that she wouldn't feel left out. :)

Who wants a NAP?

In the first picture, it is "kind of" hard to determine who wants a nap.
Phil still looks content. Clare is slightly less cuddly.

Now Clare's trying to escape!

"Let me GO, Daddy!"

So much for nap time!