More Midwest!

Rosie had so much fun visiting her cousins. She even got to take pictures with the handsome boys before Homecoming!

Big Girl!

We've graduated! We're on to forward-facing carseats with holders for sippy cups and snacks!




Here are some fun ones of Rosie and Ron in their Minnesota Gophers gear!

Midwest!!

We're home from our whirlwind trip to the Midwest to see family. The first portion of our week was spent in Wisconsin with Great Nana and Great Papa Bordeaux, Mimi and Papa, and Auntie Erin and Lucy. Then, we were off to Minnesota to spend time with Uncle Steve, Auntie Lori, Allison, Marcus and Logan. We had a great time. Rosie was a star traveler. I would take her anywhere.

We got a fancy new camera! Ron is turning into Ansel Adams... and I am just learning how to not cut people's heads off.. the bad thing is that we turned it on a special setting and some of our pictures won't download. I am trying to figure it all out so that you can see MORE pics from the Minnesota portion of our trip.

Rosie's 1st Birthday

I can't believe that I have not posted pictures of Rosie's Birthday(s). She actually had 3 little parties. We had a wonderful celebration with our YSSC family, a trip on the boat to Miller's for a special birthday dinner, and a birthday bash at home in San Clemente 2 weeks later. Rosie was given the royal treatment with a beautiful cake made by our friend, Joyce. Rosie must have known that Joyce's masterpiece was just to spectacular to destroy, and would have nothing to do with tasting it. What 1 year old does not like the taste of cake? She baffled us again 2 weeks later when she wanted nothing to do with the lemon cupcake with cream cheese frosting that Mommy made and Auntie Erin frosted. Here are some highlights from Rosie's birthday month!

You're One!!

Rosie is going to be1 tomorrow. I can't believe it. Right now she is out with Daddy buying a birthday present. (We're still in that small window where you can shop for them WHILE they're in the cart and they never know). In some ways it feels like this year has flown by; but in another way, I really can't remember what life was like without Rosie.

So, Happy Birthday to you, my dear Rosie. I have learned so very much and delighted in (most) of your short 365 days on this earth. I hope that you continue to grow into the little character that you have already given us glimpses of. While your little cousin, Lucy is a "teacup," you're a "mug". You're our hearty, busy girl. You laid calmly for just a moment before you rolled, scooted, flopped, crawled, crawled faster, climbed and stood before our very eyes.... I anticipate your first steps any day now. You enjoy life moving. You love being tossed, swung, wrestled and tickled more than anything else. You've proven yourself brave and courageous; enduring shots with few tears, smiling through bumps and bruises, laughing through even bigger bumps and bruises, and receiving more than your share of licks from Wrigley.

I love you so much that it hurts. I love watching you. I love the way that you scrunch your nose. I love the way that you squeal with delight when "Da" walks in the door. I love the way that you wave to EVERYONE... you hold no judgement, and I pray that God gives me a similar spirit. You have lifted the spirits of strangers on more that one occasion. I love the way that you make me wait (patiently, of course) while you investigate something new on the ground. I love the way that you say, "Mmmmmmm" as you devour food, mostly fruit, with cantaloupe, watermelon, and grapes being at the top of your list. I love the way that you "honk" people's noses. I love the way that you clap when you would like to have something. I love the way that you clap for yourself when you stand on your own. I love the way that you move around the house, unloading and scattering the contents of every drawer, purse, bag, or box that you can find. Our house constantly looks like we have been visited by thieves. I love the way that you put your head on my shoulder and snuggle in after a long day of playing.

Being your mommy is pure joy. My love for you goes deeper than the Pacific Ocean and higher than Half Dome. Happy Birthday my sweet girl.

One Happy Camper

Rosie has had many fun adventures this week as we finish up Staff Training at YSSC. She has had fun swimming, lounging on the pontoon boat, taking a canoe ride, and hiking in Yosemite (Mommy hiked, Rosie hitched a ride in the jogger). We have loved watching her discover new experiences, feelings, and faces. I loved watching her face when the mist from Lower Yosemite Falls hit her little cheeks. She made the same scream/laugh that she does when Ron and I tickle her tummy. One morning we took her for a canoe ride around the shores of Bass Lake- she loved dipping her hand in the water as we went. All of Rosie's "firsts" help me to see, with new eyes, what my eyes have seen many times! A friend posted this quote in her monthly newsletter:

"One of the tragedies of growing up is that we get used to things. It has its good side of course, since irritations may cease to be irritations. But there is immense loss when we get used to the redness of the rising sun, and the roundness of the moon, and the whiteness of the snow, the wetness of rain, the blueness of the sky, the buzzing of bumble bees, the stitching of crickets, the invisibility of wind, the unconscious constancy of heart and diaphragm, the weirdness of noses and ears, the number of the grains of sand on a thousand beaches, the never-ceasing crash crash crash of countless waves, and ten million kingly-clad flowers flourishing and withering in woods and mountain valleys where no one sees but God…. May we seek a freshness of vision to look, as though it were the first time…at the personal handiwork of an infinitely strong, creative and exuberant Artist who made the earth and the sea and everything in them…. May you believe that today, this very day, some stroke is being added to the cosmic canvas that in due course you shall understand with joy as a stroke made by the Architect who calls Himself Alpha and Omega." John Piper

How Time "Flies"

We have a favorite stop along Highway 99 on the way up to YSSC. Bravo Farms has a fun little cafe, giftshop, and clean restrooms that bring a much needed break for our family as we travel to Bass Lake. We stopped there when Rosie was just 3 months old, and took a picture of her sitting in this great pink airplane. We found the same airplane for sale on our latest trip north, and took another picture! How time flies! 10 months old! She didn't need help sitting up to pilot the plane this time... and even knew to smile for the camera!