Backyard Bananas

These bananas have been growing in our backyard for months. It was finally time for them to be picked.
Bananas GALORE!

This was after a couple days of ripening.

Banana BLISS!

Clare's Mama is a monkey,

and the banana doesn't fall too far from the tree.

Chronicles of Daytona!

Phil and I just got home from our first get-away since Clare was born. My parents stayed at our house with Clare, and we had a TERRIFIC time! We drove over to the other coast to spend a few days in Daytona.

This is a quick picture (taken from the car) of the raceway where the Daytona 500 is held.

Phil was trying to soup up his car for a big race.
Our first meal was at The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

We played lots of games:

12 rounds of Yahtzee

5 rounds of Racko

3 rounds of the 3-Letter Game This was the view from our room at

The Inn On The Beach.

I enjoyed reading on our "private" beach.

I earned this mini-vacation from Discovery Toys,

so we didn't have to pay for our hotel.

Phil enjoyed swimming and catching the waves.

We went to the MOAS (Museum of Arts and Science)

We walked through the nature trail, and that was right up Phil's alley.

We visited the "tallest lighthouse in Florida." We enjoyed dinner, with live music and a view of the inlet,

at a restaurant called Down The Hatch.

I spent most of the meal watching a family

with a little girl about Clare's age.

We missed our little girl, but we had a TERRIFIC trip.

New Swing!!!

My husband, the master of wonderful surprises, built a swing set while I was at a Discovery Toys show last week. I came home to find this terrific addition to our backyard. Clare is OBSESSED with the swing. We made a "baby sign" for "swing," and she stands at the window pleading to go outside. She signs, "swing please, swing please, swing please" until we take her out there or distract her with something else.

Underdog!!!

This has revolutionized our daily routine.

Only a few more days...

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I nominated The Holland Peanut Store for a national award. They are currently in 1st place of the endorsement phase, but there are only a few days left to help them advance to the second round.

Check out the "Shine A Light" website to see the official nomination. Then take two minutes to "REGISTER," then "Login," and then "ENDORSE" the nomination called "The Holland Peanut Store."

The Peanut Store has received some terrific press in the last few weeks. Check out these links, and pass along the information. Support a great family, a wonderful business, and a local favorite!

News Link on WZZM: Click here!

(I welcome your jeers and jokes in reference to my "brilliant" quote about "how you like your nuts.")

Story in Grand Rapids Press: Click here!

Website with video and interviews: Click here!

Story in Holland Sentinel: Click here!

Thanks for your support!!!

Special Pictures

Clare had some pictures taken by the super-talented Stacey Clack. The pictures on this post are from my camera. If you want to see the professional pictures, check out Stacey's website. 1. Once on her page, enter the "website."

2. Click on "clients" tab...at the bottom of the page.

3. Enter Clare as the password.

4. Let us know your favorites! :)

Stacey also took our maternity pictures (check out this link). She lives in G.R., and she is VERY talented and FUN! Keep her in mind if you ever need a photographer.

Brrr...All Bundled Up!

It was CHILLY when we were in Michigan, so we had to bundle up. Apparently, our blood has thinned out from living in Florida. Clare is wearing a hand-me-down jacket, and I am wearing my mom's fleece robe. Even though it was chilly, Phil couldn't resist wakeboarding on the glass lake. I made sure to stay warm as the spotter.

He braved the water...but only with a wetsuit.

Since we live it such a HOT and HUMID climate, we really didn't mind having a few days of cool, Michigan weather.

Time with Grandparents and Cousins!

We just got home from 11 days in Michigan. It was the longest trip that we've had in years, and it was fun to spend a lot of quality time with our families.

Grandpa and Grandma holding down the cousins.

Clare and Grant waiting for their daddy's to come back from the annual brother's trip.
Phil eating breakfast at the kids table. Snack time in Fremont.

Clare with her cousin Will. All of the 2nd generation Hillary cousins.

The immediate Hillary cousins:

Gabe, Jeb, Clare, Grant, Maria, and Will Hanging in the hammock.

Grandpa and Grandma Durham Nice outfit, Clare. Who dressed you???

A little ride with Grandpa Hillary

Grandpa and Grandma Hillary

KISSES!!!

Wiped out after lots of excitement!

Napping with Grandma!

We had a GREAT trip. More pictures to come!