Summer Vacation!

Summer vacation is upon us! It was delayed a couple of days due to the fact that Bob got the flu on Thursday night, but we are in full swing.

But Etta is ready to celebrate with:

A mud bath!!

First you dig a big hole and get some water.



Then dig right in.



It's only dirt, right?

9 1/2 Month Annibirthery

Better late than never, right?

Mae had her well baby check yesterday. 17 lbs., 1.5 oz., 27 inches long with a head of 44 centimeters. Still little, but fairly average. And healthy!!

Mae is really trying to crawl now. Gets up on hands and knees and rocks and rocks and rocks. But some how she can get from Point A to Point B - I am just never watching at the right time! And today when I went in to get her after her nap she had almost pulled herself up to standing in her crib. I guess it's time to lower the mattress.

Her words include "Ma-Ma" (when she wants something), "Da-Da" and "Etta". "Etta" is the word that gets used the most frequently. But that is a-okay with me.

We are having a lot of fun and it should be an exciting summer!

Over three squares - but still doesn't want to straighten those legs out.



Can I be in the picture? But of course!



It's interesting to compare the two girls as they develop. I just read back here and saw that Etta could crawl at nine months but couldn't get in to sitting position. Mae isn't really crawling, but can get into a sitting position. (I think that is part of how she gets places...) And we have been working on using an open glass, but it's not as easy when there is a certain someone else who wants attention too.

True prayer

Etta asked me at bedtime if she could say a little prayer:

"Dear Jesus, thank you for mommy and daddy and Mae and I. Thank you for Kai and a beautiful rainbow. Thank you for please make daddy feel better. In Jesus' name, amen. And for baseball."

New Bonnet - and teeth!

The week before we left for Montana we received Mae's new bonnet in the mail. It was made in the good ol' U. S. of A. We love it! Well, I love it, Mae gets used to it each time...but is getting better about it and no longer throws a crying fit when I am putting it on.

Full frontal. You can see 4 out of 5 teeth.



It's reversible!



Makes for a happy baby.

Farm Fun

In addition to the great poses, Etta got to ride on a few older farm implements.

Many Faces

We spent Saturday evening in Deer Lodge at a birthday/retirement party for one of mom's friends. The next morning before heading back to Idaho we strolled around a bit and hammed it up for the camera.

This is how it was most of the week we were home!



And how it will be for many years to come.



Nice locks Uncle Erik!



A real couple of hams.



What a good lookin' pair.



Getting distracted.



Etta wants to take Bob back to Deer Lodge to visit the old prison, or "capital" as Etta was calling it.

Truck Town

We've been in MT for a week (I know, I know, I should have done more posts along the way...) and Etta is absolutely in love with her best-friend Uncle Erik. This morning she got up for a minute and then went back into her room. After awhile I went in to check on her and discovered her just lounging in her bed.


Me: Etta, what are you doing?

Etta: Waiting for Uncle Erik to come and get me.

Unfortunately Erik had already left for his job with the city crew, much to her disappointment.

And how could he not be her favorite when he has access to: