Hiking

Lots more pictures and stories from vacation to come, but here's a few to start. We took a ~three hour hike earlier in the week and Claire amazed us by walking the whole thing. Lise surprised us by wanting to walk quite a bit. (During another hike she insisted on walking the whole hike, but that one was shorter.)

I said to them one night during dinner: "You girls sure are great travelers and hikers!"
Claire responded: "Yep! We're good at everything. We do everything except drink beer."

Taking names

Claire loves to do what I am doing. She puts her baby down for nap or bed when I put Lise down for bed, pretends to sew or iron if I am, and grabs a notebook and 'takes notes' while I am writing a shopping list or something.

The other day Lise found a pen and business card on the floor and proceeded to flop down on her stomach and pretend to try to write on the card with the pen and then carried it around for a while "taking notes" just like Mom and Big Sister do.

Onesie blocks

Putting blocks down your onesie is a hilariously-funny game when you are almost 15 months old, and equally so for the older sister who is helping you.

Schedule

Last night we were coming back from test-driving a car (that we bought this morning) around dinnertime and Claire announced that she wanted to ride her bike when we got home before dinner.

Looking at the clock and listening to Lise already sounding hungry from the back-seat, Will and I made a quick decision to stop by Arby's for dinner before heading home. It was late and we were happy to have finally made our car decision - time to celebrate with no cooking dinner!

I told Claire we were going to eat where "somebody else cooks for us !" (as she once put it) and that she would have plenty of time to ride her bike after dinner when we got home instead.

She was very upset! "But Mama!" she wailed loudly. "That's when I was going to color!"

Cars

Cars have been on our minds a lot here lately. Due to some (good) life-changing circumstances, we suddenly found ourselves in the market for a second vehicle. We (okay, mostly me because Will was working) test drove 10 vehicles yesterday, had dreams about cars last night - when we were able to sleep, and took the whole family (yep, two car seats) on a couple more test drives today.

We think we've decided, but we'll keep you in suspense until we have it.

Also, one of Claire's favorite games lately has been playing with a few of Will's old Matchbox cars. They just don't make them like they used to! Claire's (current) favorite is the green station wagon with the rear tail gate that opens. (side note - I am very glad I will not be riding rear-facing in the back of a station wagon through the mountains of Colorado on this upcoming trip like several years back on family vacations.)

Holiday weekend

The holiday weekend had good cookouts, fun with family and friends, but maybe the best parts of all were spent with just our little family, playing in the backyard, sharing chairs, or eating watermelon. (Only a few days later and I've already almost forgotten all the fussing and whining over who has more space or the certain toy of the moment, etc.)

Watermelon

A cousin!

Claire was very excited to meet her new cousin Elsie. She is pretty cute! No close-ups of the baby here, but plenty on the proud parents' blog. Congratulations, Andy and Josie!! (and happy anniversary today, too!)





Claire loved holding Elsie. Lise... well, Lise didn't really stop moving long enough during our visit to get a picture of her with her cousin. I'm sure they'll be best friends in a few years, though!