365th Day...

Today was Grace's actual birthDAY--though it's true that we've been celebrating all MONTH--and we celebrated her big day by going to the Mirabou Park with her to see the pond turtles and hike. We also celebrated by purchasing a fun present for Grace through Craigslist: a Bike Trailer! We got a screamin' deal and were so excited to see that she really likes riding in it.








This is Grace saying, "More!" after her first short ride.

Happy Birthday, sweet Gracie Caroline! We love you so much!

Happy Birthday, Gracie!

Gracie's birthday party was last Saturday. We had so many friends and family join us at the park down the street to celebrate her first year. She was such a happy girl and loved all of the attention.


Jeff made her doggie cake--she's completely excited about dogs, so that was her party theme. This cake was so great!



Cousins: Megan, Brooke, Grace, and Abby

Grace is Crawling!!!

Grace was fast to talk, but not so fast to crawl. She hasn't wanted anything to do with it. She just wants to walk around furniture. Now, at 12 months, she is figuring it out...and we are realizing it was worth the wait! She just started this last week and she has us in stitches watching her creative crawl.

Mom's Helper-in-Training

Step to it, Grace!
Plates go on the bottom, bowls and glasses on top.

Yes, it is neat that the bottom rack rolls in and out...
...and in and out...
...and in and out.

Let's see if we can keep the spoons IN the silverware holder... a fun game!
In...OUT!
In...OUT!
Good girl.

Ooh--pound! pound!--a drumstick!
That's a good use for that spoon.
Great idea.

No? You want that spoon on the ground?
Well that's a silly place for a spoon.
I think it wants to go in the dishwasher
with the rest of his friends...

That furrowed brow and still binky
tell me you disagree.
Hmph! Suit yourself...

...Silly Spoon.

Swing, Swing.

Today G'ma Colleen and I took Grace to the park to experience the swing for the first time. As you can see, she's a big fan! She kept humming to herself as G'ma pushed her back and forth. Quite cute.

Turning ONE means...

COW'S MILK. Coming soon to a theater near Grace. Bye, bye formula!

Obstacle Course

This obstacle course was created by a mommy that had a sore back from bending over to help her child walk all over the house. (...and she needed ten minutes to clean out the dishwasher without HELP...)



Gracie was quite proud of herself, finding that she could make such ground all by herself...and the dishes were placed neatly in their cupboard...in peace.

This Little Piggy Went to Market

Grace and I got to go see Cousin Levi show his pig at the Spokane Junior Livestock Show last week. Here the pig is getting judged...he got a purple ribbon! He had a "nice wide base" and "straight back." We got quite the education on these animals. Nice work raising him, Levi!


And of course, snuggling with Auntie Sheyanna was the best! :)

Replacement Batteries NOT Included

Grace's favorite singing toy underwent major AA surgery this week. The look of confusion that she gave when her "Baa Baa Black Sheep" got cut off was too much. I'm sure this is the first of many battery replacements to come...do any of you parents have stock in Duracell?


Much better, Mom.

Bloomies 2009

We contemplated walking with Grace in Bloomsday this year, but in the end, we couldn't imagine her sitting still in a stroller for seven miles (plus the wait at the starting line). Gracie and I were quite excited about watching runners with Auntie Rachel at the bottom of Doomsday Hill. Here were the runners we caught on film--it's quite tricky to be quick with the camera at a race. Next year we'll capture Uncle Drew and Aunt Annie--they were too quick for us!

Auntie Rach (with little girl Edmondson in tote) and Grace


I think Drew is in this slew of people...right in there with the Kenyans...


Johnny knew that we'd be waiting...


Auntie Debbie and Cassie and Danielle


And of course, DADDY!!! (This is right after he asked if I brought him some Advil...) :)

"Da-da, Da-da, DA-DA!!!"

This is what Gracie kept yelling as Jeff mowed the lawn this morning. She was so excited to watch him mow the lawn.







Grace is LOVING this warm weather! I realize that last May she liked the sunny porch too--only then we brought her outside to bring an end to her newborn crying spells.



Ah, a lot changes in a year. :)

Palouse Falls

Jeff and I have decided that this summer our goal is to hike as many local trails as we can. Maybe we'll get a map and highlight the trails we've taken. We kicked off the hiking season on Friday. Jeff took the day off and we went to Palouse Falls--located 30 miles south of Ritzville. It was crazy to be driving through miles of farming hills and then--whammo!--out of nowhere appears this gorgeous waterfall that has carved a canyon through the fields and pastureland. It's a place we'd never been that we can now mark on the "We Have Hiked Here" map!


Jeff told me that just last week a kayaker set the world record for biggest drop kayaked here at Palouse Falls. Eeeek.


The Palouse's version of a grand canyon...


This one's for you, Mom. Couldn't resist...







Grace did a great job in the pack for and hour and a half! We have a little hiker on our hands! :)