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!

An Apple a Day...

Clare recently showed an interest in biting off of my apples. It didn't take long before my apple was covered in Clare juices and slobber, so I just turned the whole thing over to her. Double-fisted, she shows the apple who's BOSS!

Making progress!

Devouring the whole thing!

This is a test to see of this video works!

Not Afraid Anymore!

Clare and I go to playgroup on Tuesday mornings. They have a tunnel that she refuses to crawl through. She crawls next to it and around it, but she doesn't' like to go through it. Therefore, we created our own "practice tunnel" at home.

Checking things out...

Getting a little closer...

Success!

The FUN news was that she actually crawled through the real tunnel this past week. I don't have any pictures of that, but I was pretty excited. Oh...the little things! :)

The NEW Discovery Toys

Discovery Toys (educational toys, books, games, and music) have always been a part of my life. I grew up with them, and now I sell them. They've always been GREAT, but now they're even BETTER! If you've never heard of Discovery Toys, or you haven't seen them in a while, check out my website.

Be sure to check out the terrific SALE as well. Let me know if anything catches your eye OR if you have ANY questions.

If you contact ME with an order of $25 or more, I will give you 10% OFF your entire order!

Showing off...

...my cleavage!A bit scandalous, eh?