Plum Happy

"Cheese," she said to Megan.

Photo by Megan. 7/23/2012

She swam.

Photo by Megan. 7/23/2012

She gobbled a plum.

Photo by Megan. 7/23/2012

She lounged. 

Photo by Megan. 7/23/2012

Popsicle Chronicles

She tried a popsicle. And liked it.

7/1/2012

7/1/2012

7/1/2012

7/1/2012

Out Front

6/21/2012

We spend a lot of time in the front yard, partly because the back yard is still a mess, but mainly because we're front-porch people. Or I am. It's how I've met a few neighbors and their dogs. Sitting on the front step makes the world seem a little smaller.  

Photo by Megan. 6/17/2012

Wylie Weekend

Three generations, with lake hair. 6/8/2012

It happens every year at Lake Travis, even if Lake Travis has almost dried up because of drought: the annual cousins' weekend that started with my grandmother's and great-aunt's generation. Our Austin-area cousins, the Henrys, host us at their family cabins on the lake. It's a lot of work for them, and it's often hot. But there's water! And great food! And many cute little cousins running around, and a few dogs. This is the stuff family memories and traditions are made of. Thanks, Henrys, for another great reunion.

Sunshine and Water

5/23/2012

Gardening

5/1/2012

New Freedom

Natalie started walking pretty much on the day after she turned one. By early April, she was enjoying her new-found freedom, especially outdoors, where crash landings are softened by soil and grass.

Here, it looks like she's chasing the cat with a shovel. She isn't. She'd toddled across the lawn to her dad's gardening area. She picked up the spade and, enthralled, came walking it across the lawn. She did a few digging maneuvers, making it clear she's been watching Aaron in the garden. She was really proud of herself. And the cat just happened to saunter across as I snapped the photo (though he's no dummy, getting away from a spade-wielding baby who takes pride in pulling his tail).

4/10/2012

And here, she has climbed up into this chair on her own.

4/17/2012

Pink on the Porch

4/8/2012

At the Park

4/1/2012

Backyard Sunday

3/14/2012

Megan is studying on her towel. The dog is not dead, just lounging. Aaron is creating a little vegetable garden, his second in the backyard. Natalie is napping indoors. I love this kind of Sunday.

When we moved into this house in August, the backyard was filled with trees -- a huge hackberry and an unhealthy number of crepe myrtles. There was no grass. We had the trees cleared. Then Aaron planted winter rye just so we'd have something green back there for a while.

At this writing (in June), it's pretty brown in the back (with the exception of the awesome little gardens). We're pondering what kind of grass to plant during this drought. Buffalo grass? Hmm.

Moving into March

3/1/2012

2/28/2012

Day 365

Helping Daddy 

Sister doing homework, 2/23/2012

Day 363

2/21/2012

Day 362

At the library, 2/20/2012

Still no teeth, 2/20/2012

Day 357

2/15/2012

Day 311

We went outside to enjoy the sunny weather, and Natalie examined an oak leaf. She tapped it on the sidewalk and turned it in her hands. She couldn't resist giving it a quick taste.

It tastes pointy. (12/31/2011)

The photo brought to mind another sweet baby of the same age, about 12 years ago, tasting a Valentine's Day carnation. I've had this photo of Megan hanging on my office wall for a decade. Seems like I took it only yesterday.

It tastes soft. (2/16/1999)

Day 310: All in a Day

Her first time to the park:

12/30/2011

Her first time on a run:

12/30/2011



Duchess came along for both outings: 

One happy dog (12/30/2011)