The Walker Extraordinaire

Munchie waits at the front door for something fun to happen.
Claire is surprisingly steady. I think we're going to need a "leash" by the holidays. She has no compunction against tearing off down unknown hallways at playgroup.

Claire Video Potpourri

All created during the cabin fever most children endure for General Conference...


Claire was so exhausted from being naughty that when we went mushroom hunting after conference, she fell asleep in the pack. Note the little arm coming out of my head. Also check out the awesome cauliflower mushroom I found--it was fantastic sauteed in butter with these Chanterelles!

Dance Dance Revolution

Claire also digs Cajun zydeco, Viennese waltzes and Polynesian drum music---she is absolutely hilarious!

The Ranchus are Here!

Wee Chicken Tikka (Orange) and Moist von Lipwig (Gold) check out their digs.
Panda was acquired as a sort of aquarium canary. He didn't kick, so the water's fine!
Claire does all her own stunts and make-up.

In this clip, selected for cuteness rather than clarity necessarily, note the four tank stars: "Rowsdower, Zap Rowsdower" the Emerald Corydora who is too fast and furious for still shots elswhere, "Panda" the Comet Goldfish, various nerite snails, and of course "Moist von Lipwig" in gold and "Wee Chicken Tikka" with a yeller belly. Ranchus are especially awesome because they don't have dorsal fins and therefore swim more like marine mammals. These two are very young. In a couple of years, they'll be the size of Russet Burbanks and have a bulbous mane called a "wen." A Ranchu is called the "King of Goldfish" in Japan for the breed's awesomeness.

Example of an adult Ranchu. Note the rosy chubby cheeks!

Claire the Dog

Thank you to Hooma and Hannah for this fantastic Halloween costume! Claire thinks it should be everyday wear (literally). She likes to bark at our fish and she carries the cardboard picture of a model child wearing the suit like it's a holy relic. Strange but darling...

Random Redwoods Vacation Moments