Christmas Tree Hunting

Sticking with the yearly tradition, we clearly had to take Sydney out into the woods to hunt for a tree. Headed up to Mores Creek Summit, managed to keep her entertained long enough to find a tree. I have to say we are pretty please she loves to spend time in the backpack, if we could not get outside with the little one I think we would go crazy.

More Sydney Pictures

More Sydney pictures as she hits 9 months. New mild-stones: A new found defiance... I am guessing it is just the beginning, but she now throws things when she no longer wants them in addition it beginning to throw tantrums. Oh Boy. Amy and I are both trying to fight the instinct to pick her up when she throws a fit or when she does not like the fact we take something away that she is playing with, like electric outlets, dog bowls, pens and pencils and other objects we'd prefer she'd avoid. She is still cute as a button and a pretty darn happy baby, but it seems every month takes everything you figured out the prior month and throws it out the window. Just when you think you have it dialed, some new development occurs just to keep you on your toes.


Since Sydney is averse to naps at home, she tends to crash and burn at bedtime.

Captain explorer loves to disassemble cds and crawl into cupboards.

We better watch out. This is after introducing her to Fiest singing 1-2-3 on Sesame Street - totally mesmerized. Probably not great parenting, but she sure likes the penguins.
After a 2 am wake up call due to sickness, she finally fell asleep in her usual butt up position.
Sporting the Alaska hat on the first snow day. We decided she might wear it all day in and out of the house since it is a sporty "helmet" and she tends to dig her face and head into obstacles as she explores the concept of standing up.

Crazy Baby Laughter

Sydney has a great new habit - laughing out loud with great frequency. When she starts doing it, you've got to capitalize, because she often keeps on laughing.

Halloween and such...

On Harrison Blvd at Mark and Romy's. The rumor is they had 3500 trick-or-treaters in 3 hours. 50 bags of candy, a truly insane place for Halloween - they went all out, fire, smoke machine, blue-lights, a dj, and fire spinners... yes, fire spinners.




A moment where she is not going after the camera (or an electric outlet...)

























Extreme Penguin Close-up!












Refusing to just having her photo taken - must have camera










All the "pets" lining up for dinner










Did we mention she likes to explore. I think we need a leash for her

Latest Camping Trip

Although the picture above is not from the camping trip it did get added. She is nearly ready to crawl. Give it a week or two and she will be mobile trouble!
Sydney had another camping adventure. We met Britt at the south fork of the Boise - Once again Sydney was a trooper and seems to enjoy camping.

First overnight backpacking trip for Sydney

We took Sydney on her first backpacking trip over the Labor Day weekend. It was successful for the little one, but we learned a great deal as parents of new backpackers:

- If you pack absolutely everything you could think of, but forget the bottle for the baby, you might as well have forgotten everything.
- A waterbottle sort of works as a bottle, although babies don't like changes when it comes to how they are fed.
- Go to a place that has a water source, otherwise someone has to add gallons of water to the pack that already has everything.
- Someone will have to carry an 80 pound pack.
- If you bring dogs, get a dog pack. They can carry their own water and food. (See previous point about an 80 pound pack)
- Don't plan on sleeping, even if the little one sleeps like a champ.

Sydney was a superstar, even if we had much to learn. It was a learning experience, but overall fun. We said we were going to continue to do the things we did before the wee one, so we are holding true to our word.

Sydney at 6 months

Sydney is growing by leaps and bounds. Sitting up, rolling around, laughing at silly things - before we know it she will be running around.

New Paintings

Take a look at some of my new paintings I am creating for my upcoming show. Tell all your friends and family to head to the Boise Art Museum's Art in the Park - September 11 - 12 - 13.

Sydney's first backpacking and camping trip

Our camping trip with Sydney was a great success. She really enjoyed the backpack, she pensively looked into the fire, slept all night and fussed less then she does at home. We wanted the intro to camping to start us off well and it did, so we were all very happy.

South Fork Boise

Boatin' on the Payette

Considering we likely ran the Payette at least a dozen times by mid June last year, we are a little behind schedule. Since Grandma Jean was in town, we took full advantage of the opportunity and made it only the third time since February where we were able to get out of the house together without the wee-one. Not that I am complaining, we are certainly still pretty active, but it is nice to do the things we like, together. I don't think Syndey is quite ready to hit the river with us.

Jeff was in town with Krista so we planned all along for a float. Jeremy, as always, was willing to drop everything and hit the river.


With all the warm weather and heaps of rain, the river is crazy high. Something like 12,000 cfs (or more).




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