3rd of July Parade

With two groups to walk with, Mom's Club and Stepping Stones (preschool-like class where parents attend), we walked between them in the parade. Ryan fell asleep in the carrier toward the end, so he was apparently unamused with the festivities:
Queen Reagan and King Jack rode in his decorated wagon pulled by his Daddy, Blake.

Reagan's First Bike Race (Jun 27)

This picture is portraying the experience as all peaches and cream. That was before they said "Go!". Note to selves: she doesn't like to be put in the spotlight unless it's on her own terms! She had a nervous look the whole time and at the end of the 1-block course that I basically pushed her through while she very slowly and cautiously pedaled while looking at the cheering bystanders with great distress, she cried and we talked about it. It occurred to us afterwards that this was pretty similar to not wanting to walk down the aisle as a flower girl. Hopefully we haven't ruined the idea of doing fun events!

Summer Fun

Jun 24 - Studio Grow (play place)

The Artist

The Gymnast (video)


The Thrill Seeker (video)

Jun 26 - The Oakland Zoo

w/ BFF Jack on the train

Jun 28 - Heat Wave

we got a backyard pool!

Father's Day ...

... is a chance to give fathers the amount of personal space mothers get every other day of the year. (Jun 21, 2009)

The Woodland Fairy

Reagan was one of 3 woodland fairy flower girls in cousin Kristen's (Cameron's 2nd cousin) wedding in June. Kristen made the skirts and wings herself and this picture was captured by one of Dan's (the groom's) friends - great pic! She was too nervous to walk the aisle - too many people focusing on her ... I relate, especially at her age. No big deal though since there were two other girls and we could still have her in the pictures. Well, with multiple people coaxing her to stand next to Kristen and pointing cameras at her, that didn't go much better. The best it got was standing nearby while avoiding all eyes and cameras no matter how much I reassured her and stood right nearby.

However, all she wanted to do at the reception was go over and talk to Kristen :-) ...
Here's Kathie and Jerry both walking Kristen down the aisle ... They all looked wonderful and the whole setting was just gorgeous!
At the reception, Cam found the most fun spot to eat appetizers with Reagan. Like a little romantic date (in fact, it was a gazebo picnic where Dan proposed to Kristen!)

Fun With Grandpa Don & Grandma Connie

We had a great time during their 10 day visit in June and have had to go back to cleaning the kitchen ourselves again. First, there was Grandpa Don's transformation, saved exclusively for Reagan. Before, no haircut or shave for 4 months (we're celebrating Gma Connie's birthday here)
After, Reagan said, "You look different but your voice sounds the same." Grandpa Don was very impressed by all her insightful remarks and enjoyed many "interesting conversations" with her.
Reagan really enjoyed some art and learning time with the colored pencils and dry erase writing strips Grandma Connie brought. Thanks for keeping Reagan so happily occupied, that was a nice break!
We were able to get out of the house kid free a couple times while Grandma Connie snuggled with Ryan, thanks again!
We all went to Kristen's (Daddy's 2nd cousin) wedding together and Reagan was a Woodland Fairy Flower Girl. She never actually walked down the aisle (luckily, there were 2 other flower girls) because that was too scary.
The basket of flowers was very important though and she wasn't letting them go anywhere.
They taught Reagan how to swing the bat in the backyard. (yes, that's a helmet. no, it's not for playing baseball. yes, she dressed herself. no, the ball didn't hit Ryan.)

Reagan's Introduction to Skiing

At the end of May, we took a quick trip to the mountains to catch the last couple flakes of snow since my family was going to be there. We were a bit scared of the long drive with Ryan hating the car and just barely being 3 months old (the turning point between babies being "complex-ily needy" and "settled" as our pediatrician puts it). We managed the 5.5 hr drive in 7.75 hrs on the way there and a record breaking 7 hrs on the way home! Could have been worse :-) It was great weather both days (until about 1pm when a quick hail storm would hit ... normal for the Sierra's) and there was actually more snow than we thought there would be.

All of us besides the 2 cousins (from left: me, Ryan, Cameron, Reagan, Laurie, Martin, Bethany, Danny, Alex, Trixie)
Gearing up
Feeding Ryan before I go Randonee (on a ski slope is a new one for me :-))
Cousin Faire & Uncle Danny off to climb up and ski down
Long day on the slopes, Ryan?
video of Reagan being instructed by Gpa Martin, Gma Laurie, and Daddy