Claire says Goodbye to Pony Rootbeer

Claire's First Birthday

Adam and Grandpa Fritz were in Eugene moving our belongings on Claire's first birthday, so we saved cake and presents until the next day. For Claire's real birthday, we all enjoyed sherbet cones. Claire was pretty proud to be able to wield her own pink ice cream.

Claire is ready to have some cake. I made both cakes. The large one was for everyone and was a double layer cardamom with vanilla stripe. The little one was from the same batter but I baked it in a measuring cup to make the shape of the doll's dress. I used orange frosting and pink spray to get the salmon color.

Claire and Hannah share a laugh as Claire does in her dolly cake (on the grass, with a bib and in very washable clothes!).

It was a pretty great birthday!

Claire asks if she can really have the sherbet (although I'm sure she would have eaten it even if I declared it contraband).

We sing to Claire.

Claire's first birthday was lots of fun, just like Claire. We partied practically all week and it was really great to have all her food restrictions expire at the magic one year mark. After visiting the doctor yesterday, Claire tried cheese for the first time (and declared it awesome) and we let her have more birthday cake. She always feels terrible after shots--so much for "they don't make children sick anymore." She's getting very tall, about 30 inches and is still built like a ballerina at 18 lbs (that makes her 75th percentile for height and 5th for weight). For Claire, that's right on track. She's exceeding expectations for speech and dexterity and we're probably just a few days away from walking without rolling toys.

More Camping!

Claire enjoys her first marshmallow around a campfire at the Madison County Twin Bridges Park.

Claire, Adam and Chris at Menor's Ferry with the Grand Teton in the background.

Jenny's Lake and Hidden Falls

Claire didn't quite make the summit.

Here we are about half way to the falls at a vividly green-blue whirlpool.

The boat was very windy. Here, Claire's hairs are running wild!

Claire points to Daddy as Hooma and Uncle Chris look on.

Claire and Adam mug as we prepare to set off on a hike around Jenny's Lake in the Grand Teton National Park just a few days before Claire's first birthday.

Claire's first farm encounter...

Update, July 2009

Claire meets a pony at her first trip to Reed's Dairy (or any farm). She thought it rocked and she hooted and pointed at the cows especially. Her comment on them as we left was a solemn, "Moo."

Beautiful wild Idaho. Taken in the hills east of Idaho Falls.

The Idaho Falls city scape at dusk. This evening was the first dry one in many days, so the grass was plush and sweet. The wind was warm and Claire voted that we camp out for the night, but we had to get back to Aunt Hannah.

Cat Mischievous in her getaway car.

Momma and baby enjoy a beautiful sunset.

Handsome Adam

On our way to Ashton, the Tetons were so clear and I made Adam roll his window down while he was driving in order to let me take this picture. We went to Ashton partly for a lark, and mostly for the great ice cream at 511 Main.

Adam discovered a secret US Forest Service zip line in the woods near Cave Falls (it was locked, don't worry---we checked!).

This was taken in the SW corner of Yellowstone Park, accessible only via Ashton roads. The mosquitoes were insane this day, so you won't see Claire anywhere! The blue wildflowers created an optical illusion of more lakes when you crouched just so.

The Tetons from the perspective of the Bone area wind farms. We think the turbines are flat out awesome. Their impressive size and quiet whirring create quite a unique beauty (especially for tree huggers like us!).

Hiking with Hannah along Willow Creek at High Creek Bridge. We were out fossil hunting on a tip that ancient fern specimens can be found here. The creek was running too high to get down and really look that day. We'll try again.

We ripped a tire coming out to Willow Creek. The guys do their Scout thing.

Claire's first Yellowstone trip. We made the traditional park rounds, and even got to witness the rare eruption of Pink Cone Geyser. It was extremely awesome. Claire wore her hoodie to supplement the SPF 50,000 I had on us both.

Video Portrait