My heart is filled with joy!

I can't tell you how happy this picture makes me:

Her first time using a baton.

She instinctively rolled it through her fingers.

My heart is filled with joy!

Dandelions

Dandelions were a HUGE hit with Addison, when they were just little yellow flowers.

Once we discovered that they turned into "blowie flowers," she had a new favorite.

One afternoon we had to get a large number of errands run in a very small amount of time. Every time we passed even a small patch of dandelions, Addison would happily yell, "Blowie Flowers!"

On the way home there was a large stretch of blowie flowers. So I turned our car off the road and we got out. Addison's face just lit up as she went from one flower to the next. After about ten minutes of playing I got my phone out to take pictures.

Check out that stance:

Cars passed us and honked their horns and waved. She'd jump up and down and wave back, all the while holding her blowie flower up in the air.

Then it was time to dance.

She was giving it her all

Oh, it just doesn't get cuter than this!

Best way to end a frantic errand-running- mission.

Little Hike

Ireland led the way . . .

. . . and the rest of us followed him through Dock Point Trail.

At the mention of bears my girl froze. It took quite awhile to get her moving again. I had no idea that she was that concerned about them. Given the number of bears that live in our neighborhood, its a good thing.

So when she wasn't sliding down the hill or rolling down the rock steps, she was busy looking at her surroundings.

She loved the small wildflowers we found along the way.

The bridges were also a big hit with her.

Ireland was so sweet. He'd run back to ask if we were ok.

Then he'd zoom back up the trail.

We had to stop and check on the beach once we were done with the trail.

She found a nice clam shell thanks to the tide going out.

She wanted to know why the ocean was "going down the drain."

This little guy joined us too. Archer spent his time in his pack with his Momma. Isn't he just adorable!?

After an exchange of dandelions and an argument over the breaking of the stems (turns out these kids ARE three) They hugged and said good-bye with plans to reunite after our vacation.

Sweet, sweet kids.

Major Girls came to play!

Hailey and Addison were upstairs playing and it got quiet.

I went up to check and found them in my make up. Lipstick as eyeliner - not a look that will catch on; but let me tell you if anyone an pull it off it's these two!

The second silence triggered another check - this time I brought my camera. They were pretending to go to sleep.

Empty the toys and play with the buckets. Yep. That sounds about right.

One was a tight fit in the bucket . . . I don't know how well two will work . . . Silly girls!

Now . . . Where's Whitney??

WHAT are you watching little girl??!!

Salmonberries

Oh the anticipation is running high as we do daily checks on our salmonberries.

And I have no idea what those berries are called; but we call them Bird Berries. After explaining to Addison how we do not eat these berries she has re-named them: Sick Berries.

Now we check on those daily too.

Minnie Mouse & Pluto

Chalk

All the outside toys in the world cannot compare with chalk. Addison loves to decorate our entire driveway with her art.

I drew a picture of Addison and she finished the mural by adding, Tudie, Mommy, Daddy, Hailey, Shannon, Rachael, Monka & Ireland.

Our driveway was full of all kinds of important people. With more to come . . .

Uncle Clint

Clint stopped in town for a night

After waking up from her nap,

she was very excited to see her Uncle.

What a cute pair!

Alaskan Summer

So, it's been so very nice here; but the 60s are not a reason for me to break out shorts. My girl thinks that those new shorts she got for her Birthday need to be put to use.

So as funny as it looks . . . we compromised:

She was happy.

She was even happier once her swing was put back up for the season:

Oh, the joy!

Picnics & Bugs!

We were fortunate to have a long stretch of beautiful weather.

Addison and I ate all meals but three outdoors in an eight day stretch. It was so great!

After the lunch was gone, it was time to examine all of the bugs she could.

Oh man, does this girl love bugs! And picnics!

Birthday Celebration Continued

Miss Hailey, Miss Whitney & Mrs. Shannon surprised Addison with a visit and a Blues Clues balloon the day after her birthday.

Little Whitney and Sean hung out indoors . . .

Check out that look Whitney gave me - I think she was wanting me to leave her be so she could take a nap.

Anyhow, while they stayed indoors Addison and Hailey put on fancy dresses and played in the bounce house:

They were so cute!

Check out Addison's funny face:

Both girls ended up laying down for half a second, and Addison tried to cuddle with Hailey. Hailey didn't seem to like the pinned-down-feeling. But it was so cute!

Aww . . . sweet girls!