Unruly Hair

 Our Sweet Clare has crazy hair!

Ever since she was little, her hair has been all over the place.

 

Point in case!

Thankfully, she's doing a much better job 

of keeping in her clips and hair ties.

 But...with all of these hot Florida days, 

we're thinking of going in another direction...

What do you think???

Clare's a fan!

St. Augustine

It's already been well over a month since Phil and I enjoyed our little getaway to St. Augustine, Florida...the country's oldest city.
We had a terrific weekend!

This was overlooking the Fort.

We had dinner at a place called Salt Water Cowboys, and we enjoyed the sunset while feasting on oysters and shrimp.

This cross (15 stones long and 13 stones wide) represents when Ponce deLeon came to Florida in 1513.  Phil and I sampled water from "The Fountain of Youth," so we'll probably live to be 122 years old.  

Thanks to the wonderful reciprocity that Phil has with Busch Gardens, we had free admission to many of the local attractions...including the Wax Museum and Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum.

This one was for Keith.

This one was for Tory. 

 

This one was just for fun. 

 

Test Your Passion Factor.  Ha!

 

 This was at the Alligator Farm.  Phil was in heaven with the collection of hundreds of birds, gators, and crocodiles.  I really thought I deserved "Wife of the Year Award" after spending a few hours touring the "farm." 

 

These birds (can't remember their name...sorry, Phil) were doing something special (can't remember the term...sorry, Phil).  

It was pretty spectacular.  :)

 

Our "Little Keeper" stayed home with Grandpa and Grandma, but she certainly enjoyed her souvenirs: stuffed alligator and Alligator Farm t-shirt. 

 

 St. Augustine was definitely TWO-THUMBS-UP.  I didn't expect to enjoy it so much, but I'm excited to get back there someday.  If you're ever in north/east Florida, check it out!!!

Sesame Safari

Busch Gardens just opened a new area of the park.

Sesame Safari is a Sesame Street themed play area for little ones.

 A few weeks ago, we were able to check it out 

during a special employee and family night.

She loves the train...despite the horrified look on her face.

Kisses for everyone!

Our little climber needed a better view.

Waiting in line for the carousel ride.

Her shirt, with an alligator on it, says, "I'm a Keeper."

Daddy's little protege!

Who's having more fun?

Driving in the dark!

Who was in charge???

We don't allow Clare to stand on furniture...

including chairs.

Her face appears to show that she knows 

she's doing something that she shouldn't be doing.

Ooo...ooo...ooo..."Look at ME!"

YEAH...now I've mastered it!

Can you see the reflection of her caretakers in the hood of Phil's car?

It isn't Mommy or Daddy!

Who could he/she be???

Papa

A few posts ago, I showed how much Clare loves Mema.  

Now it's Papa's turn!

I really think that Clare would choose Papa over anyone else in the world.  They have such a special bond.  I'm not sure if HOURS at the park and countless cookies from the Publix bakery have anything to do with it, but their connection is undeniable!

My dad literally spends HOURS at the park with Clare...every day.

Even though my parents have been gone for a couple of weeks now, Clare still wakes up in the morning asking for Papa.   She'll repeat, "Papa...park...Papa...park...Papa...park" until I break the news to her, yet again, that Papa is back in Michigan.

She knows who butters her bread.  

You don't see me giving her a fresh beater of cookie dough.

This picture says it all....Clare loves Papa!

Sisters and Brothers...

I love my sister!  We've always had a special relationship, 

and I wish that we could see each other more often!

Phil loves his brothers!
Every year, they go on a "Brother's Trip" together, 

and they remain close despite the distance.

We are thrilled to announce that Clare is going to have a brother or sister in November!  The following picture is NOT current...rather it is from two years ago when I was pregnant with Clare.   Even though my belly hasn't popped yet (I'm only ten weeks along), and the baby is only the size of a prune, we are SO EXCITED about the miraculous life growing inside of me.  Stay tuned for baby updates. 

Some time with my girl!

Clare and I spend a lot of time together, but we don't usually have pictures to document it.  The following pictures are not from my camera.  A couple of friends sent them to me from different play dates, so now I can do a post with my little peanut!

This picture was at one of our favorite parks...
right after doing an Egg Hunt.

Clare created a plate at the Pottery Patch.

After putting her hand print on the plate, 

she wanted to leave her mark everywhere.

Since I can't find my camera, these may be the last Mommy-Daughter pictures we have for a while.

Mema

 Clare affectionately refers to my Mom as Mema (or Mima...I don't know how to spell it...but it's the opposite or backwards pronunciation of Mommy).

My Mom LOVES giving Clare her bath, and they developed quite a routine over the last few weeks.  Clare, who's never been a cuddler :(, would snuggle up in my Mom's arms as she sang different songs.  I tried to replicate the process, but Clare looked at me like I was an alien...as if to say, "You're doing it ALL WRONG, Mom!" 

Cozy little fort!

Want to join them?  There's room for a few more!