1st Annual "Dirty Bird" Challenge

Since we are often the cheer squad and support group for the boys in our family, the girls chose this weekend to switch roles for a change.  The oldest of the R brothers mapped and marked our National Forest trail (and was particularly determined that we felt "challenged" the entire course with our massive elevation gain, which was consequently dubbed "The Purge," and photo requirement atop a sketchily supported fire tower with 100+ mile views, 5 forded streams, etc.), while the other R brothers kept us fueled at aid stations an supervised our baby adventurers.     

Dad, Mia, & Talan, pausing from a little game of "rock-water":

 Here is our first stream crossing...we decided to go shoe-less on this one. 

It took a while to feel our feet again.

It was easy to smile for this photo, because the aid station was finally in sight!

Mom R & Mary: 

Our sweet aid station set-up:

Carrie at the top!

Dos Años, mi Chiquitin!

Mia had the kind of party that is distributed over a series of days. She is now frustrated that every morning does not begin with a  "Happy Birthday, Amelia" greeting. 

On her actual birthday, we had homemade peppermint ice cream (yum!) with pretty waffle bowls that Gma R prepared.  We got the response we had hoped for when Gpa R brought out her Radio Flyer tricycle.  Although she is still trying to master progressive pedaling (she can pedal in reverse), anything that scoots and stores is a thrill. 

Of course, the best part of any party are the partiers.  

Mia & her cousin, Talan, always come up with something to entertain themselves, 

& this, in particular, was extra sweet.

Mia indulged Gma K with a little card sentimentality

Mia even got the iconic pony ride (twice! for good measure) on Aunt Jacque's Daisy.

She was quite the natural and only showed irritation when I wouldn't stop hoovering with the camera.

...and in the true spirit of gifts that keep on giving, Mia was gifted a musical card fit for our dancing queen:

W.V. Grad

My sister, Jasmine, graduated from high school last week

with highest honors and whole slew of scholarships.

She is on her way to WSU to study biology as a pre-med student.

This girl is truly an independent woman. She knows what she wants, and gets it, all by herself.

We are proud!

I.P. Company

We were lucky enough to have prized visitors this last week.

We are now suffering from post-visitation syndrome and counting down the days 'til we see them again at our family reunion.

Mia & her cousin Eli getting absorbing first impressions of our new Discovery Park:

She is quite smitten with her Great-Grandpa...

...and Great-Grandma is just a more refined version of Mom & Grandma K!

Mia finally had someone with whom she could bounce without getting flung off the trampoline precipice.

Because of this new-found confidence, she perfected the skill of jumping with both feet.

We are so excited see you again soon!

Measurement Shift: The End of Babyhood

Mia is now officially two and she has now officially developed all of the sass that goes along with the title.

Her 24th month has been full of activity. She spends much of her time adventuring around:

Mia is often on the lookout for Grandpa R, and anxious to assist his endeavors.

Since both David and I are pianists (Well, he is. I just play the piano.), and I know that she may feel piano playing pressure, I have pre-determined to show only a marginal amount of enthusiasm over her interest in this instrument.

I am certain that any toddler would spend lots of time banging on anything that makes loud sounds. But she uses individual fingers on individual keys already, and even keeps a steady rhythm amid acoustic chaos. That means something, right?

Mia has had a jaw-full of summertime fist food:

She has also learned to spot signs of a playground from blocks away. A fit is subsequently thrown whether we are approaching the "PUHK" with the intention to play, or just driving by toward another destination. I am certain that she would give herself whiplash with all her body flinging were it not for the restraint of her car seat.

We have been working on leg "pumping." She will chant in time with me "straight...bend...straight...bend..., "

but she has yet to alter the angle of her knees.

For a weekly treat, we drive out to the site of our future home and explore.

It is always, without fail, a lovely scene.

We are so grateful for a beautiful world to share with our beautiful girl!

Mountain Goat Challenge

David got to take his brother's spot at a grueling 10k last week. This seasoned ultra-marathoner underestimated the "baby-sized" race despite its telling title, The Mountain Goat Challenge. Eager to claim his cash prize at the finish line, David led the pack (he's in the red).

Unfortunately we don't have any post-race photo, because he was too busy swallowing the humble pie he had been served by the Gonzaga cross-country team.

I'd like to see one of those sissies run 100 miles of the Cascade Mt. Range in 20 hours.

I did, however, catch Mia waiting languidly for her racing Dad, supported by this fire hydrant: