First Day of Pre-School

Authentic ponytail and magical Hannah hand-me-down backpack for the school going girl.
Ready to go to school!
This is what Claire had planned for herself as a first day outfit.

Claire started school yesterday. She still likes the concept of school but has found it a bit frustrating to have extra authority figures introduced into her very independent life. Each day I pick up a very cross little customer who informs me, "Thunder wouldn't have frightened me on the playground if you had been with me!" or "A horrible dog wouldn't have bitten me if you had been with me!" Apparently they aren't to the anti-confabulation bit of a Montessori education...

Claire's 3rd Birthday

We had a rainbow activity party with a playground parachute, bubble machine and all of Claire's favorite outside activities. After the initial obligatory tantrum, she had a great time!
Soap takes down a legion of cupcakes with her NEW TOOTH!
Claire opens her "Ultimate Sparkle Disney Princess Doll" collection and gives me a gratifying "Squee?! Gnrghh!" All the beauty after-Christmas sales can buy...
Claire wanted to go camping for her birthday and Uncle Hans accompanied us. We camped in Targhee/Caribou near our favorite mushroom and huckleberry spot.
Claire, excited for her first overnight camp-out.
Authentic campers
Soapy thought an activity where we basically sit around together and eat for nearly a day was an awesome idea.
Claire helps hunt for Russula xerampelina.
Daddy lights the special purple-with-mermaids-and-bubbles-and-also-my-name-please-mom cake.
Sophie was thrilled to be officially invited to the backyard party.
Tree top Sophie. Based on her current daily proportional caloric intake, she'll probably end up being about 20 feet tall.

July Yellowstone

Artist's Point, Yellowstone Canyon
Fairy Falls
Paint Pots
Adam caught the first fish of the season at the cabin--a delicious Brook!

It's great that we hang out in Yellowstone Nat'l so much now that I have to note the month rather than the year! We are having a great time hiking, fishing and generally exploring this awesome part of the world. Did you know that if your baby daughter wakes you up at 5am anyway, you can slide your waders on and stand in Henry's Lake as the sun comes up and the mist on the water rolls over you? The next time you do that, make sure you turn around too--because a bald eagle is probably sitting a few yards away watching to see if you catch anything he might borrow.