Thanks Grandma Karen!

Technically this garden cart was a birthday present for Mommy, but Claire has other uses planned for it.

Zoo time

Last weekend we went to the National Zoo in Washington DC, and our friends Katie, Tim, and Owen met us there. It was Claire and Owen's first time meeting and they really hit it off! Owen was such the gentleman, helping Claire up curbs and sitting next to her. Although we only saw maybe a third of the zoo, it was enough to tucker out Claire. She slept like a log in the car afterwards. It was great seeing you guys!

The orangutans were by far the most entertaining to watch. They "walked" from one pen to another on this sky way.

Owen checking out the orangutan up close.

The kids were fascinated with the pacing lion. Big kitty!

"Watch your step, ma'am."

Block lovin'

It's been rainy and wet here lately, which means I'm having to work extra hard to entertain Claire while we're home. One thing I can always count on are these stacking blocks. Claire LOVES them so much, she has to try to hug them once they're stacked. She does this almost every day!

Chatterbox

I hate to say it but Claire has a phone already. It's a pretend-phone but she doesn't seem to care -- when Mom's boring you to death on a hot day and there's nothing else to do, you just gotta call someone up and vent.

The city of fountains

We learned something new last weekend. Apparently Kansas City, MO is the city of fountains, second only to Rome! I believe it too because everywhere we walked in the plaza district we could see a fountain: little ones in the walls, big ones with huge statues, some in restaurants too. Aside from visiting with family from my Dad's side, we walked the neighborhood and went to a petting zoo for Claire. There were 4 other toddlers running around (2nd cousins of Claire), so Claire had a blast hanging with the "gang". The family reunion weekend was tons of fun and way relaxing.






Claire and Elle wishing they could jump into the fountain.

It's a miracle all of them are looking at the camera!

Claire loved this goat for some reason. That's not a choke-hold. It's a bear hug!

Everybody at the petting zoo, enjoying the shade for a little bit.

Here she is with the goat again...I think it's smiling.

Claire finally gave me 2 seconds with Grandma and Grandpa to get a photo! Then she squirmed out of there and ran around in circles.