Berry Sad News, But a Berry Good Summer

The huckleberries are done. It was so sad to see only one or two with the rest withering on the bush. I suppose that we can get by until next year. At least we have some jam to tide us over. Lucky for us, Mumsy's raspberries started right when the huckleberries quit, so our summer of berries continues. Mom thinks that we've made about 4 gallons of jam this summer, which doesn't sound like a lot until you realize that it was about 40 jars of the stuff. We hope that next summer some of you will join us for huckleberry picking and jam making. Mark off your calendars for somewhere from late July to mid-August!

Strawberry/huckleberry jam we made with Aunt Libby:

Libby and Ben's huckleberry haul:

Clyde, a good picker and a good eater... these are Mumsy's raspberries:

It's all about the berries...

Today we went to Mumsy's and we picked huckleberries. The other day I went to the bone pile and picked huckleberries. Mommy and Daddy went rafting on the river and brought home huckleberries. I went to see my cousins at Warm Lake and picked huckleberries. Then we went there again and picked huckleberries. Tomorrow we're going to go pick huckleberries with Aunt Libby.

Today I saw so many huckleberries and I picked so many huckleberries but then there was only one in my bucket. Mommy said the rest were in my tummy. I like to pick huckleberries!

Mommy has tried twice now to show you pretty berry pictures and of course pictures of me, but something is not working.... more again soon!

Happy Baby!

Mason came to visit...

I really like Mason. He came to visit one time when I wasn't home and his mommy and daddy left this on the fridge:

Another time he came to visit and we went to the beach. It was cold and rainy in the morning so nobody had swimsuits, but it didn't matter. The sun came out and we had fun anyway...

Little Drummers

Two little drummers with Mumsy's big drum... lots of fun for everyone.

Sister is growing up and so am I...

I got a haircut for Mommy's birthday. So did Daddy. Now we have no hair.

Before I had a lot of hair....

Baby crawls all over now and she likes to get into things.

She started standing up slowly.

Now she likes to walk around the furniture.
She's always following me and trying to get into my things. Sometimes, I just wish she'd leave me alone.

But I like her and she sure is pretty - don't you think?

We went to the Shore Lodge for Mumsy's birthday. It was a fancy restaurant and I could see the pretty lake outside. I got ice cream!

Sometimes I fall down, but the other day the window fell down on me. See that hole? It fits my head exactly. Mommy was so scared, but I'm OK.

New House/Clyde's Cabin

Mommy and Daddy moved us to a new house. It's called Clyde's Cabin. It's by Big Idaho Mountains (Donnelly). Please come play with me!!

This is what it looks like driving up to the cabin (Mommy says unfortunately you can't see the mountains from the cabin because of all the trees).

Sunset in front of the cabin...

This is Mommy's Uncle David's ranch. I helped to move cows there one day with my cousin Cassidy. It was fun.

This is my Mumsy's ranch. She has a playhouse and horses!

Birthday Boy - Two Years Old

Happy Birthday to me! Two years old! Mumsy gave me my own bike, "Look out!" I pedaled it right away even though my feet just barely reach.

My neighbors, Alice and Nick, gave me a cool balloon that is hooked to my chair now. I love how it shines.

Mommy and I have been working in the garden and on my birthday it was really warm so I spent a lot of time outside.

My friend Livia (Olivia) got me a drill and a chainsaw. I love them! They make good noises.

Mommy made a cake with my favorite thing on it - a hammer! It had two candles and I blew them both out.

Then my cousins thought the cake would look good if it had all my new animals on it, so it had lots of sea creatures and African animals like I see at the zoo.

It was fun to have so many cousins and friends there. And the cake was good too!

It was so hot that my cousins started a water fight with my dad...

Guess who won???

2 under 2

So whenever I don't have time to do something, or maybe don't want to, I have this handy excuse: "2 under 2"... I have two children under two years old. But this Friday, that will cease to be true. Clyde is turning two. I will have "2 2 and under" which doesn't have the same ring to it. So I guess I can either (a) quit making excuses, (b) come up with something ringier, or (c) have another kid because "3 under 3" would be an even better excuse! I don't think I would actually be able to function at all if I chose (c), and I've tried (b) and I just can't come up with anything. So, it's got to be (a). I will try, but don't expect me to be a whole lot less complaining or more available. Until Alice is walking and feeding herself and Clyde learns a new favorite word other than mine, I don't see my mindset changing too much.

Just so you aren't left with the impression that I am not enjoying my 2 under 2, here are some pictures. Aren't they beautiful? They are also smart and funny. And I'm sure they will be fast and thoughtful and make this world a better place...

Tea party anyone?
Big blue eyes...

Big lion...

All Better and Then Some...

We were able to spend some time outside now that Clyde is feeling better and it's warm enough outside (though the wind and rain haven't helped much). Here's Clyde in his flower-picking ensemble. Very fashionable, he thinks....

He was having a hard time walking in the big gum boots and I think that's why he stood still on the bench for about 30 pictures taken by his dad. He loves flowers.


Alice got sick too and isn't this just the saddest sick face??

Now she's feeling better too.