Good Reads

Clark loves books and magazines. He flips through the pages one by one and we read the stories together over and over. This morning he was pretty excited about Little Texas.

Traveling with Baby

This is my boy in one of his favorite playplaces. I let him play in the car for a few minutes after we run every day. He gets a real kick out of standing on the seat and checking things out. Speaking of cars & traveling...

I love traveling--specifically via air--with this guy. I feel so VIP and here's why:

• airport security spots the stroller and they open a special line through security for me, allowing me to completely bypass the long line. I always feel guilty here, but refrain from complaining.
• we get to board earlier than most passengers, regardless of our seat, ensuring there is still enough room in the overhead to store our bag.
• if seat selection is an option we often end up with our own row. plush! something about people spotting a baby and avoiding him/her like the plague on an airplane. 
• planes are the only time Clark will fall asleep in my arms. aw. LOVE that.
• people are so kind and offer to help me stow a bag, carry something, set up my stoller, etc. Someone even gave up their first-class seat to me once.

Not to say I haven't had my moments of frustration, but the good has outweighed the bad. 

Nix the Naps

We were having dinner with friends on Sunday and one of them remarked how Clark is so busy. It's true--he's got a whole world to learn and discover. This week he's taken his learning to new levels and decided he's too busy to sleep so this is what his naps have been looking like...plus a bunch of toys he pulls into bed from a nearby basket:

Shower Fascination

Clark is fascinated by our shower. He crawls in and out of it 20+ times a day. He loves pushing the door open, knocking on the glass, shouting inside to hear his voice echo, and enthusiastically telling me all about it by using the word "da!" in different tones.

Little Red Wagon

Clark got his first ride in a wagon--the one my siblings and I grew up with--while on a walking tour of his cousins' neighborhood.

Our rugged adventure guide

Clark and his cousin comparing vehicles

When she first told me she usually hops in and rides down the hill I thought she was joking. A skirt doesn't stop this grandma from having fun!

Toilet Talk

Valuable Lesson #156: do not attempt to recline on a toilet. Leaning back on your throne may cause one or multiple bolts to sever, resulting in a gushing of water from the tank and rudely interrupting your bathroom break. 

Typical

This is what it looks like when we're all together, doing what we do best.

Forever

My little sister Karlee was sealed--married forever--to her husband Chris last Saturday in the Salt Lake Temple. Clark and I flew in for the weekend to surprise her and she was definitely surprised. The ceremony was lovely, as was the happy couple.

Someone picked up Chris's brother's brand new shoes by mistake so he got to stroll the temple grounds in stocking feet. 

The newly sealed couple emerging...

Everyone who came, except two sisters with cameras hastily capturing memories.

side note: Kara and I chatted with Sheri Dew in the marriage waiting room. Let's pretend we weren't awkward or silly at all, and that our dad didn't introduce us to her like a couple of shy 5 year-olds. oh dear.

Clean Slate

My computer got a fresh start today after 4.5 years of service. It's had a long history of missing .dll's, script errors, driver issues, and finally contracted a terminal case of paralysis yesterday. I had no choice but to reformat and start over. 

After the facelift things are going better, but not exceeding expectations. sigh.

11 Months

At 11 months there's a stair-climbing, faucet-turning, toilet-flushing, cabinet-raiding, piano-playing, basket-pushing child in our house. and oh how we love him! It always amazes me that such a small person can do so many things!

p.s. I promise we have toys. lots of them, actually.

Forts

Steve and Clark have a favorite new game Steve calls "forts." I don't know the rules or how to play but it looks like a game of parachute with a sheet. Judging by all the giggling and shrieking Clark does, forts is really, really fun.