Fair Time

Last Thursday we took in a couple of hours at the Nez Perce County Fair. Etta wasn't feeling super great that day (hope no little animals got sick...) but it was just about the only time we wanted to go. Less people than Friday or Saturday and not super hot. We made a spin through the exhibits in the building, checked out the petting zoo and of course went through all of the 4-H animals. Bob is already planning all of the projects Etta (or should I say - he and Grandpa - will do. It was fun. And for dinner? Huge curly fries and a big huckleberry ice cream in a waffle cone. Good thing that it only happens once a year!

First tentative pats



A tortoise, NOT a turtle (so we were informed)



I can catch this one as it is just lying there!



Stampede!!!



A little too close for comfort? Not for this girl!



Head 'em, move 'em out, head 'em up, move 'em out - RAWHIDE!



Bean bag "toss". I got a sucker! Now, where did my mom put that sucker...?



Maybe next year we will check out some rides.

Lunch Date with Daddy

Every Monday we walk to Whitman to have lunch with Bob. Etta now knows that is where he works. Whenever we drive or walk by she says, "Da? Da?" "Yes, that is where daddy works". But he usually isn't there when we go by...When we walk inside (by this statue she usually says, "Grrrrrr. Boo?" And I reply, "Yes, that is the bear reading a book." Thought it would be cute to get a picture of them together in the sun.

17th Month Annibirthery

Approaching one and a half.

Etta is making more sounds now. Experimenting with "g", "b", "t" and others.

Is starting to actually play WITH other kids instead of just NEXT to them. So fun to watch. Is pretty much over her separation anxiety.

Is starting to run - I say that in a kind of loose context - but it is super cute.

Also showing some signs of being two. But we are working with it and trying some different things. It is fun and frustrating at the same time.

Pottying is going pretty well. She will now go in the bathroom and try to put the potty ring on the toilet. And will go in after she has pooped, stand next to the toilet and grunt. Gotta start somewhere, right?

She is changing, changing, changing and so much fun to watch!

Good penguin



What?



Penguin, you're goin' down!



Arrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!!!!!



Bob enjoying the penguin wrestling.

Let's Party

Etta Grace is READY for "The Big Party"! Can't wait for October 17th!!!

Practice, practice, practice

Oh, hi daddy!



I need to get serious now.

New Purse

When we went up to St. Maries and stayed with Sherry Epler she gave Etta a new purse! Actually, it's a Strawberry Shortcake lunch box, but hey, it will work. Etta put toys in it for the long ride and now likes to take it along when we go places.

Ready to visit Grandma Cathy the day after the ride. Got my purse and am ready to go!



Let's go show the cows my new purse!



[Note: the cows have gone "on vacation" and will be back next year. They are going to a spa and so will be losing some weight and shrinking a bit before they come back. Not that she understands that at this point, and we won't lie to her forever but, come on, she's one...and on the bright side, we have some new meat in our freezer!]

Dog Days of Summer

[Note: He even likes to lay with his head on a pillow.]

Rails to Trails

Bull Run Lake Trailhead (Rose Lake) to Enaville Trailhead (The Snake Pit). Approximately 28 miles of fun! (14 miles both ways.) We spent the night at Sherry and Joe's in St. Maries so that we didn't have to make a three hour trip BEFORE getting on the bikes Saturday morning.

Okay mom and dad. I'm ready to go. Get in and buckle up.



Is this how I shift? (Note the cell phone in the left hand...)



Grandma Cathy and Grandpa Steve came along.



Daddy and Etta waiting to hit the trail.



At the midway point, just before lunch. Phew! Get me out of here for a few minutes!



So this is what the scenery actually looks like.



Mommy and Sherry coming down the final stretch. Grandma and Grandpa in the back ground.



The Snake Pit for lunch. YES!



WaterIceWaterIceWaterIceWaterIceWaterIceWaterIceWaterIceWaterIce. It was hot.



Headed back after lunch.



A couple of scenery shots. It was gorgeous!





Following the trailer. I took this pic from my bike. Harder than taking one while driving, let me tell you. [Note: Cathy saw a lady texting on her bike. Thank goodness she was the back seat passenger on a tandem.]



Front view of the trailer. No, I was not on my bike at this time.



Group shot.



My turn on the big bike!



Dave Smith's waterfall.



Dave Smith's house. You know. Dave Smith. One of the biggest (if not BIGGEST!) car dealer in the Pacific Northwest. Who would of thought that we would have ridden right by his house? Right by the trailhead?

Sneak peek

On Saturday we will be riding on the Rails to Trails trail out of Coeur d'Alene. Here's a sneak peek of pics to come...



Yep, Etta is in there.

The Long and Winding Road

On Monday we hit the road for the long ride home. All 490 miles of it in one day. I was a little nervous how Etta would do because she was kind of restless on Thursday and Friday when we made the drive over. In two days. Two much shorter days.

Hangin' mostly naked while mommy gets stuff ready to go.



We got on the road at about 9:30 MST (8:30 PST). Testing out the time lapse on the camera. I forgot the tripod attachment so of course the camera focused on the tiny sliver of car it was set on...



Very windy and brisk - therefor quick - stop at the top of Roger's Pass



Our own pic on the carving at High Country



Touch the beard - like on Gramps!



And after worrying so much, this is how she spent most of the trip. Didn't even empty her toy bag every. single. time. that I filled it.



We stopped in St. Maries for a nice long break and Etta got to meet her...let's see...second cousin two times removed?...Tomas. This was about the extent of their interactive play.



I looked back at one point (after the long stop) and this is what I saw:



Just chillin' with her legs crossed. We are VERY blessed that she is such a good car rider. At this point we had been on the road for about 11 hours. Note the big smile that she is still sporting.

And these last two are a couple of pictures of the beautiful sunset/dusk that we got to witness when we got to Deary and turned South. God's creation is beautiful!





[Note: Yes, I did take the pictures while I was driving down the road.

Note #2: I don't text while I'm driving.

Note #3: I lucked out with the pictures of her. Just aimed without looking and got lucky not once but twice!]