It's All Cool in the Carpool...

The Mad Hatter

Lily's new rule: MUST WEAR HATS AT ALL TIMES! Just this week, Lily has started to insist that before she do anything (like kiss mama, go to a concert with Dad and her uncles Dan and Jereme, spoon herself some applesauce, feed a goat or say the plege of allegiance), she must first put a hat (any hat) on. Some kids have security blankets. Lily has security caps.

Lily is excited to meet Mortan the cow!

While racing down the hill towards the new calf at Tilden's Little Farm, Lily had a LOT to say. Grandpa only caught the tail end of it when we all realized that it was worth video taping. Know that it started near the bunnies! Mom had a hard time keeping up (with Lily's running and with her story).

Mornings with Lily

Lily can now successfully pull herself up! It happened fast and without much warning, so we had to lower the crib mattress immediately (thanks Grandpa!). As you will see, she is super proud of her new accomplishment and applauds herself every time....the only problem is that she has occasionally clapped with such enthusiasm that she looses her footing!

Gotta love the Collins' family morning hair!

Our little hippie chick...

Every time Lily sees a flower, she points to the flower and then to her ear. Was this your doing, Auntie Hilary?

Bobble Head

Every morning, Grandpa would play Lily various tunes on his harmonica. Lily impressed us all by not only accompanying him on her harmonica, but dancing as well! It was a wonderful little ritual, one that we all enjoyed.

We're Back!

Wow- It has been a long time! I have been busy getting ready to start teaching again. Brian has been busy preparing for work in Alaska. Lily has been SUPER busy growing new teeth, pulling herself up, walking without assistance, eating new foods, and making her very own jokes (she loves to look as though she is going to share a cheerio with us and then last minute, just as the cheerio touches our lips, she turns it around and shoves it in her mouth-giggling hysterically). Let's see...what else is new? We took a family trip to Montana!!!! We hiked, we colored, we cooked, we rode waterslides, we ate our first ice cream cone, we worked the land, we played in our little pool, we fly fished, we toyed around on ATVs, we got our first mosquito bite, we stayed up late playing poker, we roasted marshmellows, we sang, we visited old mines, we experienced dramatic thunder storms, we got caught in huge hail storms, we learned about the geology of the Wise River Valley, we picnicked by beautiful waterfalls in Glacier National Park and we slept really well on every flight! Itwas a wonderful trip.