Return of the Kokanee

Well, I was right when I said we went a week too early. Yesterday we went back up to the East Fork of the Little Bear River and the Kokanee were fully red and running. It was Teisha's first excursion since her equestrian accident and she did great; the hills were steep but she navigated them expertly (Teisha is a great photographer whose shots have shown up in this blog several times - look in the archives to see some of her work). I'll try to get back up there before my birthday for some better pictures, since the light was fading by the time we got there yesterday. As expected and hoped, Bree loved the "fishies."

Finally Worn Down

Over the weekend Jan changed Bree's bed over to the "big girl" style (took off the front bars of her convertible crib). She loved it and didn't shown any sleeping problems after the adjustment. Well, today was an exception. She went down for her nap at around 12:30p.m., and was quiet for about 20 minutes. Then she started knocking on her door. Upon opening it the reason was quite obvious. So, I put her down again after changing her dirty diaper, but she just didn't go to sleep. I had the monitor on, and she didn't cry, she just played, talked and tore her room apart in jocund jubilee. At 2:15 she started complaining in earnest, and I let her out, feeling frustrated at her lack of nap but, having been a child myself, I knew it was less than helpful to try to force a nap. So, we played for a while, and at 3 I gave her a banana to snack on while watching Animal Planet, while I hopped on the computer. at 3:15, having noticed the lack of singing/talking, I turned around to see the back of a little Bree head hanging sideways over the side of her highchair. I couldn't resist a snapshot to document the moment.

Bree's First Trip to a Bar

A Sandbar, that is. We went up to Porcupine Dam to see the Kokanee run, but missed it. We're probably a week too early. Bree still had fun throwing sticks, sand and rocks into East Fork, though.

Queen of the Martians

Maimee gave it to Beemer, Beemer gave it to Grammy, Grammy filled it with snacks and gave it back to Beemer. Beemer emptied the crown and placed it on her regal head. Ahenobarbus and Pulcheria proclaimed her Regina Marsianorum per omnia saecula saeculorum, Amen.

Gray Cliff Springs (revisited)

Last June my cute little family drove up to Gray Cliff Springs and hung out. We decided that today would be a good time to repeat that activity. Bree liked it much more this time around.


She splashed in the shallows, walked in the stream, threw rocks and generally enjoyed herself.



She even convinced Pulcheria to get her feet wet and walk down the streambed with her.



It's one of my favorite places in the valley, and I'm glad I'm not the only one in my family to think that it's pretty darn cool.

Corny Girl

This is one of my favorite times of year. The temperature is starting to ease its way down to tolerable levels again; Jan will once again rejoin our family life; and it's less than a day between growing on a vine or stalk to being masticated and digested. As you can see, Bree loves her corn. She liked it before, but has now discovered that this South American grass-fruit is most fun while still connected to it's pod.

Bree with a Bug

A Travel Bug, that is. Travel Bugs are GeoCaching items that travel from cache to cache and are tracked through the GeoCaching website. I've talked about caching before on my Jeep Blog, and am still at it, slowly but surely. On average I find about 50 caches a year (which is a snail's pace compared to a lot of other cachers), and yesterday Bree and I found one just up the hill by our house. We grabbed this Bug from out of it at Bree's request.

Backpackin' Bree (Revisited)

Here's another shot of Bree taken while she was getting the Cadilac treatment on our little walk last week. She's so darn cute. Every stage she goes through I think: wow! This is it; I'd better enjoy it, because it won't last, and it's all downhill from here. Then - to my utter astonishment - she keeps getting cuter, smarter, sweeter, braver, et cetera. If you happen to be interested, here's a shot of Bree riding in the Carrier taken a little over a year ago. What a difference a year makes, don't you think?

Independence Day

SPOILER: The picture immediately below is a photograph of our destination.
























These pictures are from the Limber Pine Trail.

For this year's July 4th celebration, we thought we'd enjoy one of Logan Canyon's splendid (but easy) hikes.

This is the way life was meant to be.

One of the most important ways that I feel the greatness of this country is the freedom I feel when I'm outside of cube-land.

Bree's been hiking before, and she loves it. She's learning, however, that it's more fun to be moving about than it is to be posing for a picture, so if we want her to stay still, the environs must not be dull



Here's the little trekker, enjoying being free of the child carrier. She's like her dad and loves to stop and look at bugs.



And here she is taking a much needed break.


That big old knot makes a great seat. Pulcheria is the perfect adornment.



Bree liked it too, of course, once she saw mommy climbing around on it.



The trek out was a bit speedy, because of the thunder. I was disappointed we didn't get a little rained on, but it was probably better this way. After all, it could have ended up like our last trip to Zion.

Feline Update

Apparently the kittens have received new names (albeit, temporary ones, seeing that whoever ends up adopting them will give them their own cognomens). Here they are in no particular order:

John;
Paul;
George;
Ringo;
Sergeant Pepper (bet you can't guess which one that one is!)

I've been told that this is Ringo that Bree is holding. Who am I to argue?

Quintuplets

Pulcheria and I have become foster parents to an adorable little litter. These guys were rescued from a ranch by one of my co-workers, and Pulcheria and a couple very good friends have been team-parenting them. Aren't they adorable?

Some Room for a View

You may remember my sis from our trip to the wind caves last year. Well, I talked her into going on another little walk with me (this one much shorter) and took this picture along the way. Here's the list of points of interest in geographical order (closest first):

Becca;
First Dam;
Golf Course;
USU;
Logan LDS Temple;
Snow-capped Wellsville Mountains.

Bubble-licious

What a cutie, huh? She's always enjoyed her bath-time, and her hair's long enough now for us to have fun with, when it's soggy and sudsy.

I like the little rubber-duckie in the background. Makes me want to sing that Bert & Ernie song.

All in one Basket

What a little scamp.









For those who might complain that this site has metamorphosed into a celebratory hagiography of Bree I have two things to say:

1) It's my website to do with as I wish;

2) The site has emerged from the chrysalis more beautiful than ever.

Ps. At least I'm posting again!

Happy Estrogen Day

Well, it’s been a long time since I’ve posted, and it’s about time y’all got an update on just how cute little Bree is becoming. Look at the picture. I have nothing to add.

This Is Only a Test

This is a test. I have been experimenting and researching how to post a video to my blog, and I think I have it all figured out. You'll have to let me know how it works. Either click on the picture (or just click here) to view the video.


So, what this is (hopefully) is a video of Bree when she was just four months old, learning how to say "mama," with a bit of help from Pulcheria, who had a vested interest in this event. Enjoy.

I Wish

Here are some pathetic random ramblings, regurgitated from my vegetative mental peregrinations:

1) I really need to learn why, as soon as I have time to enjoy myself, I get sick. It’s been happening since elementary school, when I had perfect attendance to the actual school days, but as soon as a long weekend or other break rolled around – Bam! – I got sick. The pattern still holds. Last Friday (Dec. 16) I finished the last of my work for the semester, went to a friend’s wedding, and went to work that night (I only work weekends while I’m going to school.) Yesterday at about 2 in the afternoon, having just returned from work, I started getting a stuffy nose and sore throat. I have two weeks of holiday (except for the weekends) and I get sick. Something must be done.

2) At any rate, those of you who know my schedule are asking, “Ahenobarbus, why aren’t you at the dentist right now?” Good question with a lame answer. I was so tired after my 14 hour workday (worknight?) that I left my lights on. As a result, when I went to start up the faithful XJ this morning, nothing happened. Oh, well. I wasn’t terribly broken-hearted when I had to reschedule.

3) So here I am, doing nothing but feeling slightly sick, wishing Pulcheria and Bree hadn’t been snowed in down south last night, wishing I hadn’t left my lights on yesterday afternoon, and wishing I hadn’t done whatever it is I continually do to get myself sick. Those are my current pre-Christmas wishes.

4) I know: I’m impossible.

Where the Wild Things Are

For those who know the great children's book Where the Wild Things Are, don't you think that, in this picture, Bree looks a bit like Max when he's all dressed up? This is what happens when we take out her antennae-like-poly-tails after they've been in all day. 

Hippo Birdie Two Ewes

Inconceivable. It has been a full year since this little bundle popped out into the wide world. It has been a wonderful/scary/frustrating/fantastic/beautiful year. She gets more personality (i.e. attitude) every week, and it only adds more luster to her smile, and more twinkle to her eyes. Here she is on her actual birthday after enjoying a bit of cake. 

Queen of Egypt

Here she is in costume #2 (i.e. Cleopatra) that we picked up at Caesar's Palace this last May. She wore it to the Ludi Romani too (see how she's grown in just a few months!) 

Concentration

 

Energizer Beemer

Okay, okay, so... Yes. I have been known to let her suck on on-the-floor-items and that makes me a bad parent. I, however, have no intention of stopping, since she's in no danger of electrocution from old and used-up batteries. Energizer Bunny, eat your heart out. Here's our little cheerleader in costume #1. Go USU Aggies!

Bree in the Tree

The title and picture need no more explanation. 

Spooky

Oh yeah! I forgot to include some Halloween pics. Although this one isn't of Bree in costume, it is, however, of Bree playing with my keychain light (red, so it affects night vision the least). She really liked it. 

Birthday Girl 1

Alright, so, it's been a few days (i.e. months) since I've posted. However, very little has happened in that time. My life is a bit like that of Bill Murray's on Groundhog Day - you know, every day feels like the same old routine. Anyway, Little Beemer's birthday is a-comin' 'round the corner, so I figure a couple of cute shots of her wouldn't hurt anyone. This is another of those fantastic shots taken by Teisha, with Bree playin' in the leaves. I love the reflection of the tree covered sky in her eyes.

Strange Slumber

No need to worry, folks, Phil is not dead. Have you ever fallen asleep in a really strange position that, for some inexplicable reason, was the only one that felt comfortable to you? Well, I think that Phil's soporific life has been permanently set to that mode. He's been in this position for about an hour now, and hasn't moved much more than to shield his eyes from the light which I turned on in order to take this picture. What a guy. You gotta love him.

(Chrono)Logical Progressions

There are two items of interest that need to be documented in the memoirs of our crescent family. First of all, our little Bree has found a new favorite food: Newtons. She tends toward strawberry, but likes raspberry as well. Secondly, she has progressed from the ubiquitous Utah-baby-Spike (a.k.a. Unicorn) hair-style, to the Insectoid-Antennae style (I find it much preferable). The above picture demonstrably captures both events.

Brown-tone Family

Here is one of my favorite shots from a trip our family made up to Mt Logan back in July. I've always liked the Sepia look, so I thought I'd put one in here for the enjoyment of all. We took the Cherokee up, of course. And speaking of the Cherokee, I've got a new site dedicated to the celebration of my Jeepin' adventures: check out Jeepus Inventus for more details.

Fan Fan

Kids get into the strangest places. Here is our little Beemer after having crawled under the step-ladder into the corner of the room where we keep our hamper (as you can plainly see in the background). Luckily the fan was unplugged, so I didn't worry about her playing with it. She loves fans. She stares at the ceiling fans, plays with the oscillating fan (turned off, of course) on her changing table, and would play with this one too, if she were only a tad taller. All too soon, she will be.