31 July 2006
There are many things I love about the stage that Kayla is in. I love the kisses she doles out, I know I’ve mentioned that before but it is super sweet. I love how she sort of bends/stoops down and cranes her neck when she is trying to look at something (even when she could see it perfectly well from full standing), I love her nonsensical babbling. Even if she is cursing us or back-talking us we can’t understand it, so it just sounds cute to us. I love her snuggles, especially the elevator snuggles when we come down the stairs.
I love the little “o” mouth shaped thing she started doing lately and her thoughtfulness and hugs. I love to watch her eat her food. It’s an interesting experience sometimes and she has curious ways of eating some things. I love her and feel so blessed that she is a part of my life. Thank you Kayla for being you!
30 July 2006
We took Kayla for her first camping adventure this weekend. She seemed to really enjoy herself. She wandered all around the campground, picking up pinecones and other assorted items. She even sat on the picnic table bench like a little grownup. Tim said that kayla asked to sit on the bench. It was pretty sweet. The first part of Saturday there were some kids in the next site over that came over to say hi to us and kayla.
We also went for a hike which was mostly all fun. We went by a really pretty waterfall. If you can imagine, it was both tropical and northwest like. Hard to describe, and the picture I’m sure won’t do justice. Kayla even hiked for a bit herself. Mostly though she rode in the backpack and had ordered Tim and I to stop to kiss every few feet.
It rained on Saturday night and Sunday morning. While we packed up Kayla did some admirable puddle stomping and didn’t even seem to notice the rain coming down. Tim had the great idea to cook our breakfast under the covered picnic shelter at the park area. That sure beat soggy breakfast burritos standing in the rain. It was so nice to be under shelter listening to the rain as well. Kayla of course thought it was more fun to be out in the rain getting soaked. What a good kid.
23 July 2006
So what does one do when it’s 95+ degrees in Seattle? Well besides hiding in ones basement, you can head to the arboretum to see some extreme sport happenings. Yes, the youth of today feel compelled to jump quite a ways off of the bridge into the water. Those that did it ran up to repeat the feat. I was a good bystander, and Kayla and Tim went in the water from ground level to show their support.
Here our little surfer girl was describing something that was “sooo big”. Well, I guess she could have been saying “hey, come on now” or perhaps the old “It wasn’t me.”
16 July 2006
Kayla started out weekend playing in her friend’s pool. We are lucky to have opportunities like this as well as the choice of many different wading pools. Not that we get there as much as Kayla would probably like.
Saturday we drove southward and first visited with the Taft’s. We then continued on to Portland for a celebration of Kelly’s birthday. The clan gathered at Jen and Kelly’s home.
Kayla continues to win over hearts by giving out those big open mouthed kisses. It is so sweet, what a really fun age.
5 July 2006
Kayla and I flew to Colorado for Ellen’s 70th suprise birthday party. It seems the suprise was well pulled off. Many of her friends came from all over. Kayla got to see lots of her cousins who she seemed to enjoy. Tomas may have been one of her favorites. She would see him and go over to pat him on the back. It was sweet.
There were lots of activites while there. Swimming, park playing, the 4th of July parade (K.’s first parade), crawdad fishing, partying, and more partying, walking through the prarie dog fields, playing in the fountain in Boulder, and lots of family time.
Kayla took an interest in drawing and used various medium for her artwork including crayons, markers and the infamous sidewalk chalk drawing.
I never did get a full group photo, but took a haphazard shot of those who were at the parade. It was really good to see the Haswell clan again and to have the kids interact. They were all too young the last time I saw them for any to remember me.