One whole finger!

That's right fans! I'm now the big one finger...and let me tell you! This one-year-old thing, it's awesome! I get to drink real milk, eat eggs, and best of all, I get to face the front in my car seat! I've been trying to explain to my mommy (every single time we get in the car) that I don't care much for the backwards seat. But she just hasn't gotten the clue. She keeps giving me cookies instead--which I don't mind now, but come on woman, get with the program. Anyway, I'm getting sidetracked. Another great thing about this birthday gig is you get cake! And presents! And cards! Last night I got a cupcake with fire on it! Check me out!

I just got back from the doctor's office and am ready for a snooze. I was seriously traumatized. Just when a girl gets used to being poked in the leg, they break out the arm shots. Two of them! How rude. Anyway, big girl signing off. See you soon.

Back to school!

Today is the first day of school here in Beaufort, so our lazy days of summer are now over. Wait a minute! I don't go to school yet! Neither does Mommy! So let the fun continue! :)

I have been so busy the last few weeks while my daddy was gone. I visited my Atlanta b-friend, added a new state to my list, and grew two new teeth!

So hold on because here we go!

Mommy decided that it was too boring sitting around the house with no Daddy, so we went and visited Uncle John and Auntie Liz in Atlanta! Of course, I was just lookin' to see that handsome guy Jack again!

He's grown up so much since January...I can still make him cry though!

The next weekend, Mommy and I traveled to the left coast to visit our friends in San Diego--Beckie, Chris, Garrett and Elena; Cynthia, Ian, Jack and Sam! On Friday, Mommy and I went to Sea World with Beckie, Garrett and Elena. It was so awesome! Here we kids are in front of the sea lions. We're all zoned out in awe of the cool animals!

Shamu was so awesome! He did lots of cool tricks!

I loved to clap for him!

Elena and I became fast friends. She was such a good mamacita and a big helper pushing me around in my stroller!

Mommy bought me a most excellent present...my favorite furry red monster, Elmo! I especially love to chew on his eyeballs.

Look Grandpa Jimbo! I found a walrus just for you! :)

I had so much fun at Sea World, but it was very exhausting. A little fiver never hurt anyone.

The next day was Garrett's 3rd birthday party! Auntie Beckie made a "dirt" cake. It looked so yummy, but mean Mommy wouldn't share any with me!

At the party, I met Jack and Sam for the first time. They were also most excellent playmates.

I love the playground! The wood chips have such a wonderful flavor!

After the party, we went back to Garrett and Elena's house and played dress-up. It was super fun.

On Sunday, we went to the San Diego Zoo. I saw so many cool animals!

That night, Mommy and I went to dinner with Jack and Sam (and their mommy and daddy too) and then to their house to play! I think Jack and I look good together, don't you?

Of course, Sam is pretty handsome too...and closer to my age...

How is a girl supposed to choose?

On Monday we had to come home. It was such a fun vacation, but very tiring.

When we got home, there were only 5 days left until....

...Daddy came home on Saturday! I'm ever so glad. Mommy was becoming a major grump.

In memory...

One of our friends, Alison Kline, lost her battle with cancer tonight. She was 27 years old. Her husband, Tom, worked with Scott in the MALS here in Beaufort, and they had just moved to Indiana to do recruiting closer to home earlier this year. Even though Alison has been sick for a long time, she was always up for a good time. We had lots of fun times at "coffees" and other events. She was an incredibly talented woman who fabric-painted onesies for Diana's baby gift. She was a very kind, graceful woman and she will be sorely missed by us all. Please keep Tom and her family in your prayers as they mourn the loss of such a wonderful lady.

Below is a poem that Tom posted on his blog. I think it's a beautiful way to think about death. I know that Alison has been warmly and gladly welcomed into her eternal home, even as we have bid her farewell from her earthly home.


I am standing upon the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white
sails to the morning breeze and starts
for the blue ocean.

She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until at length
she hangs like a speck of white cloud
just where the sea and sky come
to mingle with each other.

Then, someone at my side says;
"There, she is gone!"

"Gone where?"
Gone from my sight. That is all.
She is just as large in mast and hull
and spar as she was when she left my side
and she is just as able to bear her
load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her.

And just at the moment when someone
at my side says, "There, she is gone!"
There are other eyes watching her coming,
and other voices ready to take up the glad shout;
"Here she comes!"

And that is dying.

-Henry VanDyke

Check out my mad skills...

I got the phone call yesterday that I am the 150,000th alternate for the US Olympic basketball team, so.....I figured I had better hurry up and start practicing! Look out Lisa Leslie, here I come!