Caelin and I have a mutual love for the perfect summer treat - frozen yogurt! One of our favorite things to do together is head to our local yogurt joint, sit at the kids table (yes, me too!) and share a tub of our (her) favorite chocolate with sprinkles. It's a great chance for the two of us to spend time together and enjoy some deliciousness!
With Brian in full-blown training to climb Mt. Rainier (next weekend!) we've taken the girls out on a few easier hikes. He needs to practice with a certain amount of weight, so he actually straps both girls on (one on front and one on back) and away we go!
Here are a few shots from our Memorial Day hike. Even Ozzie joined us!
I love Finley's *new* smile. Everything about this shot (from my iPhone) makes me melt. The little crinkled nose is enough to just slay me. The two little teeth. The tuft of hair on top of her head. The chunk.
She is THE. CUTEST. EVER.
And I'm not biased.
This terrible Seattle weather hasn't allowed us to get out on the boat until last weekend! Finally the sun came out, we got the girls' lifejackets out, sun block was applied and we went out for about an hour or so (in spite of them both still battling a bit of the stomach flu - ugh!).
This was Finley's first ride on the boat and I would say she was just okay with it. Caelin LOVED it. At one point I was doing an "interview" with her on the video camera and I said "So, do you like the boat?" And she said, "Yeah." And I said, "Why?" And she said, "Uhhh, it's pretty comfy!" Funny little girl.
Me with the ladies before "setting sail":
Finley enjoying herself with Daddy: 
And with Mommy:
Our little boater:
Finley girl:
Caelin literally sat up front the entire boat ride. She LOVED it. (And the poor thing even threw up out there on the boat and STILL had a great time):
We always say we can tell Caelin is enjoying herself when the tongue comes out. Looks like Sophia has the same trick! Must be a two-year-old thing?
Over the past few months, Brian has been waking up on the weekend mornings and doing yoga. Sometimes the girls (and Oz) join him.
Caelin's got it pretty much down: 
And Oz? Not sure what you'd call this pose:
Or
Yesterday we enjoyed a fun playdate with some of our "oldest" friends at a local park (which has an excellent play structure and even a cute little "splash" park that is perfect for the toddlers WHEN the sun is shining!). It's so fun to see how big these little people have gotten over the past few years.
They've gone from this:
To this:
(And, as you can see - we've picked up a new friend (plus two others who weren't awake for this shot) along the way.)
It's so fun to watch these little people grow and become their own personalities. This photo is exemplary, in my opinion, of each of them. And I love it. There is Caelin, the crazy one who's showing off; there is Sophia, the sweet little girl who's standing so innocently but sort of wanting to crack a silly smile; there is little Sebi who's taking in all of what the "big" kids are doing; there is Charlie who is a whirlwind waiting to happen; and there is Avery who is just being her fun little self with a huge grin.
Did I mention that I love it?
The night before Finley was born, I decided that since I might not get to see Caelin in her Halloween costume that I would bring it out and put it on her. I'm SO glad I did, because she made the cutest little ladybug I've ever seen!
At first she wasn't quite sure what to do with the costume on...
But then, she sort of got into it...
And then she started spinning (oh how little girls love twirly skirts!):
As expected, we didn't go out on the 'real' Halloween, but the next day (as we were waiting for baby Darrow's arrival), she got to put it on again to go to a mini Halloween social at Renee's with Tiffany. She did get her fill of Halloween candy and trick-or-treaters, so I don't think she'll be scarred later in life for missing her second Halloween.
I just found these cute photos in my files from our September visit to Grandma Jusy and Pockey Ed's house. Caelin had so much fun playing with her cousins and the dogs. I think she could have stayed for weeks on end!
Playing with the dogs in the backyard - lots of ball throwing!
Nikki:
Sadie:
Walking across the pond with cousin Helena:
Caelin put all of her hair clips in her hair and a bunch of star stickers on her face... and thought she looked pretty neat:
Also that weekend, a few friends threw me a baby shower. Caelin got to see her Darrow cousins too, and she was in love!
