July 25 Maya's First Birthday!!

Happy Birthday to Maya! Luna's friend turned a year old a few weeks back. Luna had so much fun at her party. Here she is with new friend Eli.

Here is new friend Sam pushing Luna in what was the most popular toy in the house!

Luna HAD to have a turn pushing it.

She was so fast, we could barely get her on film. Zooooom!

Maya was like, "It's MY party. Where's the cake already?"

Mommy didn't disappoint.

And then Maya went to work.

Sam wanted in on the action!

July 31 - August 2 Camping at Baker Lake

So...a three week road trip across the western United States wasn't enough excitement for one summer. Mommy thought it would be great to go on a family camping trip, too. We packed the car and headed to Baker Lake. Daddy kept saying something about "without reservations?" But it was just fine; we found a terrific spot at the lovely Baker Lake Resort. Here I am with a new hat Oma bought me.

Grandpa took me for a walk. Here I am trying to catch some mosquitos that kept buzzing around my head.

Hey look at that cool shiny thing in the sky. They named it after me!

Aunt Emily, that's an awesome hat. Can I wear it?

Thanks for reading The Hungry Caterpillar to me Uncle Patrick, but I'm confused. I thought a butterfly came out of a chrysalis and a moth came out of a cocoon. Which is it?

I learned 2 new important words this week: glamping and tentominium.

That's so cool when the caterpillar eats through all that stuff in one day. I could just read that part over and over.

Walking with Auntie Em.

Gorgeous Mt. Baker on the drive home. No these aren't chicken pox. Why does everyone keep asking me that? They're just a couple of mosquito bites.

Luna's New Trick

Luna has been impressing us with all her new skills as of late. Her most recent skill, however, may prove to be problematic.

It has been HOT here this week (we may not have broke 100F, but it was sure dang close). So HOT in fact, that we have been breaking our own rule and putting Luna down for naps in only her diaper (it's only a rule because onesies do a great job of capturing anything of substance that may have escaped from the diaper; better to be on clothes than all over the crib, if you know what I mean). Anyway, I walked in this afternoon to find this wild child....

..completely buck naked, diaper thrown to the floor. Apparently the girl has figured out Velcro closures on her cloth diapers are a cinch to remove. Obviously, Luna was very proud of herself.

July 15-16: Home!

We took off from Ventura on Wednesday morning, not sure how long it would take us to make it back up to B'ham. The girl must have been feeling the pull back home too and allowed us two long days in the car to get back home to our own beds. We had a GREAT time on our road trip, but are so happy to be back home, relaxing and enjoying the summer in the 'ham.

Keeping the girl occupied with Tasty O's in the car

The long haul through central CA
Almost back home...

Sunset in Skagit Valley

July 11 - 15: Ventura, CA

We left the heat of Palm Springs and headed for the California coast. Grandma Rex Ann lives in Ventura and we headed towards the surf to spend a few days with her before driving home. While in So Cal we were able to get together with a couple of Brian's friends from his USA days, Rod and Jeff. It was great to be by the ocean, spend time with Brian's mom and see a few old friends.

Luna was cracking up at Jeff's 2 kids

Here is the laugh in action....much funnier in person, but you'll get the idea

Luna & Grandma Rex Ann
Grandma Rex Ann was so excited to see Luna!

Rod, Brian & Luna

Luna playing with the iPod remote

Meghan pushing Luna on the swing

Luna loved the swing

Luna wasn't so keen on the sit and spin

Luna sitting in the big girl chair

Luna cruising up the stairs on her first try

The Larson-Pahl 1st Annual Put-Put Golf Tourney

Brian 58, Lynnelle 69

July 10 - Grand Canyon to Palm Springs

We left the Grand Canyon in the morning, making a few photo stops on our way out of the park. The drive to Palm Springs was HOT, but Luna was a super star and was rewarded by a fun dip in the pool when we got to our hotel (thank you Brian C for hooking us up!)

Luna and Daddy at the South rim Boundary Baby
Daddy is sooooo funny!

The temperature was 110 F when we stopped for gas, but the girl was still all smiles

Nothing like a hotel room with AC after a few nights of camping

You the man Uncle Brian!

Our little water bug

Luna loved playing in the pool

Palm Springs sunset

July 9: The Grand Canyon

We decided to brave the heat and hit the Grand Canyon on our mammoth road trip. Our visit was short but very memorable! After pulling into the park and setting up camp, we headed out to explore the various view points in the park and take a sunset stroll along the canyon's rim. Amazing! Here are some of the highlights from our brief stay at the Grand Canyon.

Luna's cool new hairdo Our first glimpses of the canyon
The family (Luna is not a fan of her sunhat)

Luna and Daddy

Luna and Mommy watching the sunset over the canyon

Wow!