Park Time

I love our neighborhood. When I was in high school, I used to drive across town just to walk around our (now) neighborhood park. It is the best. We know every inch of the place. The rose garden, the duck pond, the perennial garden, the duncan gardens, and the two playgrounds. Today we walked through some of the gardens with Clara in her (okay our) favorite summer dress. We basically plopped her on the grass and followed her with the camera, watching her explore and capturing her many faces.

Life doesn't get much better than laid-back Sundays as a family. This whole weekend was Quiet. Relaxing. Not busy. Wonderful.

P.S. You may notice that Clara has a necklace (or "necky", according to Clara) in nearly every picture. I did my best to confiscate it for photography purposes, but it just wasn't going to happen without a fight. I guess we will always remember this necky phase.

Slice of Heaven.

As far as I'm concerned, s'mores = summer. They have since my childhood. There is nothing better than a toasty marshmallow on a melty-chocolate graham. Yum. I don't think I've ever turned one down. But then again, I don't think I've ever turned dessert down in my life either.

Imagine a s'more-less existence. And then you realize that is the life of every Australian. No marshmallows (that I could find on the continent, at least, besides these pink berry-flavored puff things). No graham crackers. Only the finest quality of thick, Cadbury chocolate bars. It's no wonder that as hard as we tried to explain a "s'more", they just couldn't wrap their minds around the notion. You may want to take a brief moment and reflect on how thankful you are that you were born in the good ol' US of A.

So last summer, I experienced my first s'more bar, or the goodness of s'mores in the form of a gooey, delicious bar. My mom made them first, although I believe she received the recipe from my aunt, who got it from somewhere. I'm not quite sure. Wherever it came from, it is good. Really good. In fact, I might even be bold enough to say it's better than a s'more. Just ever so slightly.

Layered S'more Bars

18 whole graham crackers

2 c. rice krispies

1 c. light corn syrup

1/2 c. brown sugar

2 T. butter

1/2 t. soda

1/2 t. vanilla

9 milk chocolate bars

10 oz. bag mini marshmallows

1/3 c. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Crush graham crackers. I place them inside a ziplock bag and roll away...

Add the rice krispies, mix well, and set aside.

In a medium saucepan, combine corn syrup and brown sugar. Cook 4-5 minutes until mixture just comes to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in butter, soda, and vanilla.

Pour syrup over crumbs and mix well! Press firmly into a well greased 9 x 13 pan.

Place chocolate bars in a layer on top of graham mixture.

Sprinkle with marshmallows and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until marshmallows turn golden brown. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and return to oven for one more minute.

Cool to room temperature, then place them in the fridge for an hour or so. The last time I made the recipe I actually refrigerated them overnight. The most important part is that you wait to cut them until the hersheys chocolate layer has cooled and hardened. Cut them and serve. And watch them disappear, like this...

I know, I know. Summer is nearly over. The weather is turning and we're grasping for our last few days before the fall routine begins (it actually began for me this last week with volleyball try-outs - and it may have for you too). So think about making yourself one last summer treat. A last hurrah in honor of good ol' summer. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Over Exuberance

This is my new favorite progression of pictures, taken at Quinn's first birthday party gathering.

Since she's the only little one at home these days, Clara does not get knocked around all too much by others. Thankfully, she has some good friends to toughen her up from time to time.

Cousins Unite

My cousin Barry grew up some 7,000 miles away, as a missionary kid in the Phillipines. I saw him about every four years, when his family furloughed in the U.S.

Now he lives in Denver with his lovely wife, Alyssa, and their sixteen month old daughter, Kendyl. We are lucky enough to see them much more frequently than I saw Barry growing up. We love Denver. They love Spokane + Priest Lake. We love them. They love us (we think?!). We're bound to get together more often!

The last time we saw them, Clara was four months old and Kendyl was five months. Here they are then...

Now the girls are fifteen and sixteen months. They are all over the place! Especially Miss Kendyl, who flew all around, looking as if she was on the edge of wiping out constantly (yet never did). She ran laps around the Claranator. She may have been walking a bit longer but I'm not sure Clara will ever quite catch up.

We enjoyed some time at my parents' pool. This first one captures Kendyl's personality completely. She laughs and smiles so easily.

And here is her serious cousin, Clara. It looks as if she is contemplating something important.

Clara experienced her first bath time buddy.

Then we took off for the lake. Here are the girls w/ binkys ready for the late night car ride up to Priest.

We enjoyed one perfect sunny day before the cooler weather came in. Both girls loved the beach and all the sand toys. Plus climbing in and out of the blue "butt".

When it cooled down a bit Saturday, we decided it was the perfect day for a hike. I don't remember the trek being quite as grueling last time. Alyssa said it was a "Hook style hike", but I'm not sure what that means ;). Both girls liked it eventually, but Miss Kendly may have prefered walking. She wasn't too thrilled with the initial prospect of the unfamiliar hiking backpack.

For every challenging hike, there is always a reward. Ours? A lovely view of the lake. They don't call it the Lake View Trail for nothing.

And alas, they don't make up cheers for you in high school (like, "number nine is sweaty") for no reason either. I did wear a pack + a gray t-shirt (devistating combo), but us Hooks are a sweaty bunch.

What is a trip to Priest without a waffle cone with Huckleberry ice cream (for Alyssa & Barry at least - I still have a hard time passing up the chocolate variety)? We used the ice cream as bait and let the girls run around the golf course greens, chasing us for their next bite. Here are the girls after a full day and ice-cream induced commas.

What a lovely time we had. Thanks for making the trek, Meisels. We love you and can't wait to see you and precious Kendyl soon!

Fifteen Months

Clara turned fifteen months while we were in Hawaii, but we went for her official doctor check-up today. It was not the world's best appointment. For many reasons (50 minute wait between nurse & doctor coming to our room, no nap, shots, and parking ticket. Yuck.) it was not a day I'd like to repeat. But, my little girl is healthy and growing strong and I am so thankful about that. Lately I've had numerous people tell me just how tall she is. And the appointment confirmed it. Here are her stats.

Head: 18 1/2 cm (75%)

Weight: 23 lbs. 8 oz (60%)

Height: 32 inches (90%)

*Her sweet little personality seems to come out more and more every day. I could go on and on about her latest this and latest that (we have finally started to make a list of her words and are at 33...most of them are Clara adaptations and often make us laugh). Instead, I will add two pictures that I took today and yesterday (please notice the source of her smiles in the pink dress pictures: Tylenol. Yes, she officially asked for more after each dose. Either I have a potential druggie on my hands or a seriously deprived of sugar little girl)

A-Camping We Go

There are few things in life that I love more than friends + good food + a beautiful setting. In fact, if I were to make a "top ten list" of some of the best moments in life, they would likely involve all three things.

This summer, we've seemed to enjoy a nice dose of all three, which would help explain why our house/yard/life is in a bit of disarray. I guess you can't have it all, right? There is always a sacrifice. Mine comes every Monday when I have five loads of laundry, no food in the refrigerator, and an ever-growing presence of dead flowers in the yard.

Maybe someday I'll be able to effortlessly plan trips, pack quickly and efficiently, unpack with ease, remember to find someone to water our yard & flowers (and maybe make some $ to pay them), make record-breaking trips to the grocery store, and learn to fold laundry in my sleep. Until then, I will just have to embrace the madness. I guess.

So yes, we did go camping this weekend. We went to Priest Lake (favorite spot on planet Earth). We went with the Rockwells, Gutmans, and Pickerings. Wonderful friends. Yes, a lady in the campsite bathroom did ask us how many kids under the age of 5 we had in our group. To the rest of the camping world it may have felt like more, but it was just five. Plus four kids over the age of 5, nine adults, and two very content dogs. It was a great group.

Unlike the past two years of August camping, the weather was perfect. Warm enough during the days at the beach to make you want to jump into the lake. Cold enough at night to make you bundle up and snuggle. That's a great combination, as far as I'm concerned!

We spent our camping days doing lots of important things like...

Hanging out at the beach:

Playing bocce in the water (who knew this was possible?):

Diving after frisbees:

Hiking to the playground at Hill's:

Jumping. Essential:

Being forced to look cute, which wasn't too difficult:

And so they cycle continues. No matter how bad my house looks, I will make memories this summer. Laundry schmaundry. Food schmood. Flowers schmowers. They'll grow again next summer, right (at least in your yard)?!

Hawaii Part II: Sara + Andrew

After spending the week in Maui with the Hook clan, I did something incredibly exciting AND terrifying. I left the island and flew to Oahu. By myself. For three days and nights.

What would prompt such a thing (after all, I have yet to leave Clara for more than 12 hours. Ever)? The wedding of my dear friend, Sara, of course. She and Andrew got engaged over Christmas, and when I found out the date, we planned the trip as a double whammy. It really was an ideal situation. My mom has the summer off so she could watch Clara while Jonathan went back to work Monday. Jonathan had his whole family to assist in the 10+ hours of travel time. I got to spend three whole days with some ladies that I rarely see and LOVE hanging out with. Oh yes, and be part of the celebration where Sara Toguchi became Sara MacDonald!! (Plus enjoy the six hour flight home alone, reading and sleeping) ;)

The weekend was a blast. Of course this was to be expected, given the participants. One thing I was sad to have missed was the bride vs. groom ultimate frisbee match. Sara & Andrew met while playing ultimate at Central Park, so it had to be a part of the wedding weekend. Although I consider myself pretty athletic, I really don't hold a candle next to these ladies.

I did arrive in time for the bachelorette party on Saturday night. We had a great night out. I look pretty excited in the picture below, though, don't I? The picture may have been snapped just after one of the many crazy guys tried to slither into our circle. So maybe I don't have the most dance club experience (nil, actually), but I was a little freaked out by the sheer volume of scary dudes and their tactics. We hung together in a pretty tight pack.

The next morning, Sara took the bridal party girls to a darling little nail salon for manicures and pedicures. It was such a fun, relaxing morning. I can't remember the last time I got a manicure or pedicure! P.S. If you're wondering which toes are mine, look for the third toe that resembles a pinky finger + rainbow sandals that need replacing.

The picture above is of the six ladies who made up Krista (Clegg - Johnson)'s Bible study from high school (We wish you could have come, Krista!!!). All of us ladies started meeting at Encore Espresso (no longer in existence) at 6am Thursday mornings. We were all fourteen or fifteen years old. Holly was a major tomboy. I was shy. Sara was (and still is) crazy. Janie was dependable, even then, and Kim only came when we woke her up at her house ;). It is just amazing to think that this many years later, we still love each other - and we always seem to pick up just where we left off.

I just have to add that these ladies are really so much of the reason I am who I am today (as a friend, wife, follower of Christ). They are the best. In fact, on the plane ride home, I was reflecting on each of these women, and I started to make a mental list...

One math teacher in the bronx. One accountant in Seattle. One pediatric NICU nurse at LA Children's Hospital. One surf shop owner in San Diego. One YL staff member/crisis pregnancy center employee. One stay at home mom/volleyball coach. (I'm sure it's hard to figure out which one is me) In high school: four soccer players, one cross country runner, one volleyball player, three ASB members, two senior class officers, a homecoming queen, a liliac princess, and two valedictorians.

Yep, these girls are amazing. And I count myself very blessed to have them a part of my life. I only wish they lived closer!!

Now, on to the wedding ;). It was beautiful. Or maybe that is an understatement. Sara & Andrew got married here. It may look familiar, as it was the site of filming for Jurrasic Park, Lost, and Pearl Harbor. Sadly, I did not have my camera with me (I left it on Maui with Jono), so I didn't capture any pictures of the whole wedding party -or any of the rehearsal dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse either. Bummer. Here is what I do have, thanks to some bridal party gals (thanks Shannon & Jocie!)...

I also just got ahold of the video link from Sara, if you're interested. Especially if you're my mom or my sister, or maybe Krista? Or if you happen to know the bride and groom, here's the link. It'll give you a better glimpse of the day!

What a packed three days it was! Exciting. Relaxing. Fun. I will hold those memories dear for a very long time!

And I was also very relieved/excited/blessed to make it back to my wonderful husband and Clara the terror. Oh, how I missed you both!