We’ve been BUSY this weekend. My Aunt Marci and Uncle Richard came to visit from Bakersfield. Here’re some fun pictures.
Breakfast with the lions again!
Meeting a Walaby!
(great camera skills, eh?)
Feeding the giraffes:
The zebra!
The butterfly exhibit:
Just being freaking cute:
Silly Daddy/Uncle Shaun:
What a fun time!
I can’t believe that I haven’t been home on a weekend in 5 weeks. Even though it was all fun stuff (vacation, camping, etc.), I cannot tell you how nice it was to have a weekend at home with nothing big on the agenda.
Friday night we had a BBQ at Megan and Luke’s for Megan’s Mom’s birthday. It was HOT that night but we still had a blast.
Playing Frisbee!
You can see Lu’s new haircut in these pictures:
There were flowers from Megan’s garden that I arranged. Arranging flowers is not my strong suit but I thought these turned out really nicely.
We had a HUGE salmon!
Everybody enjoying the feast!
Porter’s Gramma and Lucy hanging out:
Fireworks!
And Lu’s reaction!
Porter’s initial reaction:
Lucy continued to love them:
Porter, not so much:
Then we had musical entertainment!
And then last but not least, “cake” for the birthday girl. Megan got this recipe out Sunset and it was for grilled strawberries and angel food cake. It was apparently delicious.
On Saturday, Lu and I went to the Farmer’s Market with Lissa and Tessa, then the park and then out to lunch with Shaun at the Crow’s Inn. He was on the way back from an epic mountain bike ride and liked the restaurant so much that he called us to join him for lunch. I’m glad we did (but I didn’t get pictures).
On Sunday I attacked the garden or as Shaun lovingly called it, “Chelsea’s Jungle”:
Most of that is weeds!
In the middle of weeding, I took a break to get some pictures of Lu. She picked out her entire outfit.
It was finally done!
It looks so much better, don’t you think?
Lu and I harvested some veggies-the garden is about to EXPLODE!
Lu LOVED everything that we picked:
Then, later, to beat the 100 degree heat, Daddy and Lu ran through the sprinklers!
What a FUN weekend AT HOME!!!!
Father’s Day Camping:
“Breakfast” with the Lions at the zoo. We ate, the lions played:
Feeding the Giraffes:
On the plane to PA. Daddy got Lucy-fied:
Sticking stickers is serious business!
PA!
Camping!
Caught up!
The weekend before Lucy and I left for California we went on our first Idaho camping trip. We went about 67 miles away but it took a good 3 hours to get there because 50 miles of that looked like this:
Dirt road!!!
On the way up we saw a heard of deer!
Shaun thinks that big one is an elk. I have no clue.
Our camp site was right by the river and incredibly remote. We saw 4 other cars on the main road all weekend!
On Saturday we went on a beautiful hike. I was 100% sure that I would die on the drive to get to the hike but thankfully we didn’t. That road was scary!!!
I did get some beautiful pictures of flowers!
There was still a lot of snow!
The river was the focal point of our trip!
Doesn’t Lucy look jazzed?!?!?! (she had just woken up from a nap)
The whole family 
Sawtooth hiking!
Awesome sights!
River crossings!
Our destination was a big, beautiful meadow.
Lucy loves camping!
Mommy loves camp cooking-cobbler!!!
Men playing dominoes. Aren’t they manly?
Lucy and one of her favorites-Miss Sarah!
Lucy got over her fear of dogs this trip (there were 5!). It was great. Here she is hand feeding Mateo:
Her first s’more!
It was an awesome trip! Numerous times while we were in CA, Lu asked to go camping-she loved it. We’re off for another one in a few weeks!!!
We just got back from California. One of the reasons we went to visit my ‘rents was because it was my Mom’s birthday and she wanted to go to Disneyland. Go to Disneyland we did!
We started on my Mom’s favorite ride, the Carousel!
I hate that this one is blurry 
Cousin Luke got in on the action too. As did Mimi (my Mom) but all of my pictures of her did not turn out.
Next up was Dumbo!
Lu waiting to get on (one of my favorite pictures from the trip):
Luke and Papa were behind us:
Lu loved it!
Next up was my Mom’s other favorite ride “Small World”. My Mom and Lu putting a penny in the water:
Then we went to Toontown to meet Mickey and Minnie!
I will spare you the pictures of Minnie since Lu got sunscreen in her eyes moments before meeting her and was in tears
Lu also REALLY wanted to drive a car!
Then it was the train all the way around the park!
Last was the Jungle Cruise but I didn’t get any pictures of that unfortunately.
Before leaving the park, Lu got a balloon, ears, and ice cream! She was a happy girl!
And TIRED girl!
Luke had a blast too. He and Papa went on some of the more age appropriate rides and then when Papa needed a rest, his Mom (Aunt Sheri) went on others. He had quite the day and got to do basically all he wanted to do. Something that the youngest of 3 boys doesn’t get to do very often!
Luke and Sheri:
Mimi, Luke, and Papa:
I think Lucy has had it:
Love this picture though:
These too:
It was a blast! Happy birthday Mom/Mimi!
Sorry, I’ve been slacking big time! Here are some great Lucy pictures for you!
At the Zoo Boise Easter Egg Hunt a few weeks ago:
Easter was SO FUN this year because Lu was SO excited about the Easter Bunny. She just thought he was the coolest! It was incredibly fun to experience the holiday through Lu’s eyes. I LOVE that she’s getting to an age where everything is fun and exciting and new. It’s awesome!
Both Lu and Tessa really wanted to SEE the Easter Bunny, but sadly, this was as close as they got:
My Mom made them princess bunnies that they can dress up-SO CUTE!
Our friend Rebecca came over for the egg hunt and brought these cute little paper mache eggs that she and her son Ollie made and filled with candy.
It was egg hunt time!
Found some!
Lu was very particular about the type of eggs she wanted. “Where are the small pink eggs Mama?”
“There’s one!”
“You mean, these things have treats?!?!?!”
“Lu-Smile!” “CHEESE!”
Look at the loot!
“mmmm…Candy bracelet!”
Two Cousins…and Ollie!
We’re in trouble with these two.
I love these two pictures of Lu:
Trouble!
And finally, Mother’s Day!
A few months ago I sent Shaun some links to camera bags that I’d like for Mother’s Day. Last week, he emailed me saying that they were out of stock and asked if I wanted anything else. I told him that I really, truly don’t want anything other than a day with Shaun and Lu, some Lucy artwork, and to not cook. Yesterday I got all of that and more. Best Mother’s Day ever!
First, I got to sleep in and then we went to a few local nurseries to get supplies for the garden. After that we went to 13th Street Pub and Grill for a yummy lunch including a free mimosa and yummy bloody mary. We then had a (much needed) family nap followed by an afternoon in the garden. The night ended with a dinner out at the Ram. We were supposed to go to our friend’s house for Friend Dinner but they had to cancel. I told Shaun that we could just have leftovers but he said absolutely not and that we were going out. Okay then! It really was a nice family day AND my husband built me a trellis for me peas!
Evidently I had a hard time with the focus yesterday 
Look at that hand made trellis!
I also got some garden markers:
And Lettuce!
Last weekend we went to a native plant sale and Shaun terraced an area in the backyard for it. Here’s our native plant garden
And the reason my day was so wonderful!
It’s been snowing! But we’re hopeful that spring is finally on it’s way. I took these pictures about a month ago when we got enough snow for Shaun and Lu to sled in the backyard.
I also got some great videos around that time:
This one is a great capture of Lu’s personality right now. She is now talking a little bit better but this one is worth watching! She spells her name!
She loves to give Shaun "BIG Hugs" where she runs down the hall and crashes into his arms:
Here she is playing with her cousin Tessa in a tunnel that she had me make:
And the last video is of her this morning making Shaun and I eggs. She loves to help Mommy cook and is getting really good!
I’ve been playing with my camera more and have gotten some wonderful shots of her. Here she is watching Super Why! (the only cartoon she watches).
This picture is not in focus but I love it:
Model Lu:
What’s life all about?
Airplane!
Hi Mama!
“Smile for Mommy”
“CHEESE!!!!”
Mmmmmm….cookie!
CHOCOLATE!
Lu is, as ever, so.much.fun.
Just this weekend, she declared “No more bipers!” She went all day yesterday (except rides in the car and nap) with no diaper and no accidents. Today we had an accident of the number 2 variety (ick). Rather than insist on wearing a diaper after that she decided to not wear one-which is a really big deal for our little perfectionist (a trait we are trying to not encourage).
I think Shaun and I say at least once a day, “Lu-you are awesome.” We love her so much and she gets more awesome every day.
It’s been too long! Shaun and I were talking the other day about the things that Lucy says and how she’s starting to correct herself as she becomes a better talker. We wanted to write it down so that we wouldn’t forget.
-She calls herself “Soosy”. She can say “Lu” but she is adamant that her name is “Soosy”. In the past week or so, I’ve heard her say “Lucy” but she’s still saying “Soosie” more often than not.
-She calls glasses “Eye Sees”. She’s started to say “Sunglasses” but they were “Eye Sees” for a very long time. (The transition to “Sunglasses” is what prompted this post.)
-She LOVES to read and loves to say “BE END!” at the end of books instead of “The End.”
-She really likes wipes but calls them “whites”. I’m guessing because they are white?
-Her dolls names are Baby, Mo, Pink Bow, and Two Bow. I asked her today if Pink Bow (who she calls Pink for short) and Two Bow were sisters and she confirmed that yes they are sisters. Good to know. She also loves sleeping with her “BIG Atterpillah” (Big Caterpillar) and uses him as body pillow of sorts. When she wakes up in the morning she asks for “ALL Babies/Dolls and BIG Atterpillah” that means that we need to bring them all upstairs.
-Diapers are “Bipers”.
-She can now spell her name “L-U-C-Y LUCY!!!!” and then tries to spell other people’s names “T-U-C-Y Tessa!” or “W-U-C-Y Willy!” At night she tells us “No Mommy. No Daddy.” meaning that we’re not allowed to spell her name (we have since she was 6 months old using the letters on her wall) and that she’ll do it herself.
-She has started writing “W” and says “W!”. That’s the only letter she writes so far 
-She sings “Rock a Bye Baby” to all of her babies in the morning before we come to get her.
-She sings the ABCs and has them almost completely memorized.
-For awhile she would count to 10 but skip 4. Now she counts to 10 but skips 5.
-She loves to “pat” Mommy and Daddy. This has turned into more of slapping and hitting so we have to remind her to be “gentle”. Sometimes she gets it. A hard slap is almost always followed by, “I pat Mama. I pat.” Yeah it’s cute but doesn’t fly anymore!
-She likes to have 2 wa-was (water) with her at all times. She’s had a cough recently and honey water helps that. She asks for “1 honey wa-wa and 1 regular wa-wa”. Yes, she says “regular”!
-She LOVES to tell you that “Tessa is 1 and Soosy is 2!” That will change in about a week 
-She absolutely LOVES to cook. She pretend cooks in the kitchen that Papa made her but she also pulls up a stool and say “I watch Mama cook.” She then helps me with dinner and even got out an ice cream scoop the other night to beat eggs! “I stir eggs Mama!” She can name almost all the ingredients I use and knows that onions are “picy” (spicy) before they get cooked. She knows to stay away from knives and the hot oven and stove. She makes Daddy “rice and sauce” in her play kitchen almost daily and has been known to make “meat” and “mac n’ cheese” as well. This morning she got bibs out and was putting them on her babies one at a time and feeding them “gapes” (grapes).
-She calls dark purple grapes, “Blueberry Gapes”.
-About 4 months ago she was stuck on “The Potty Book”. We read that thing every night for about a month. Then she switched to “Lady Bug Girl”. Then “Nigh Nigh Moon” (Goodnight Moon). Now it’s “Atterpillah Book” (The Very Hungry Caterpillar) and “Sushi Book” (A book about sushi). She likes to sit in the rocking chair and look through the Sushi Book while Daddy or I sit on the footstool and read The Very Hungry Caterpillar to her. She now tells you what is happening on every page and does understand the basics of a story. It’s pretty impressive
-She LOVES to color and will do it at any chance she gets.
-She uses “Please” and “Tankyou” all the time and has even started saying “You’re welcome.”
-She loves to pick out her jammies and clothes every day and tells you “I chose!”
-She intersperses “Mama” and “Mommy”. “Mommy” just started about a month ago.
That’s everything that I can remember right now but I will leave you with some pictures that I’ve taken recently.
(that is grape seed oil, not wine!)
Check out her “Atterpillah!”
(Farida does know how to spell “work” it just looks like “werk” )
Daddy dressed her-dots match dots, right?:
We started the year off just getting home from visiting Cousin Tessa in the snow!
Lucy got a trim!
Had a school performance:
Discovered her love of bananas:
Mama’s underwear:
And artichokes!
And Mommy’s camera:
And she just looked cute!
We started February with a hike:
Started wearing headbands:
Ate more bananas:
We flew to Idaho for cousin Tessa’s birthday (and Mommy started getting some ideas):
In March, she got her first fat lip:
And got a cute Spring dress:
Took swim lessons:
Visited the beach:
Ate breakfast naked 
Got some skinny jeans:
Went to the aquarium:
In April, we were back in Boise (wonder why?):
When we got back “home” Lu got her first bike:
In April, Lu also got a visit by many friends!
And then we dropped our bomb-we were moving!
Somewhere where there is a backyard!
In May, Lu went to her first Major League Baseball game:
She had her second school performance:
Watered our garden:
Got better at Legos:
Went to the zoo:
Discovered her style:
Then we went to LA to visit family:
And swim:
Saw one of her favorite people:
And was just plain cute:
In June, she played with her friend from Kansas:
And then WE MOVED!!!!
We had no furniture in July:
We hiked with Lala:
And Daddy:
We had a FUN fourth of July:
Hung out with Aunt Megan:
In August, we went to the fair!
In September, we went to Pennsylvania!
And DC!
When we got back, Lucy turned 2!
In October, we went to a pumpkin patch:
And picked out her pumpkin!
She worked on her style some mere!
She started at a new school:
And got a big girl bed!
And went trick or treating!
In November, we went to Mexico for Jake and Amy’s wedding!
Where there is junk food!
She discovered vaseline!
We had an awesome Thanksgiving:
Froze to death at a Christmas parade:
Then in December, we learned what snow really was!
And we cut down our Christmas tree!
And we visited Santa!
Finally we had Christmas!
Santa really did come!
Lucy says, “I NEED MORE SUGAR!!!!”
Then there was the ball pit!
We ended the year with Mr. Crab.
Yom!
