3rd Annual Arboretum Outing

It was a gorgeous day for our annual Spring Arboretum outing with Auntie Diana and Jacob. That morning when I woke up, I was already asking for, "Jacob? Play Jacob? Jacob play?", so it was a good thing we were meeting up with them later that morning!

Hello! Together again.

Look with my eyes, not with my hands.
Eyes, not hands. Got it.

We kicked it off the adventure by finding a squirrel. After we chased it back to his tree, we were off to the next thing ... the man with the shovel. We supervised to make sure he was doing a good job.

Heckling the local wildlife

Jacob asks, "hey, what's he doing?"

Our mommies led us to Ferdinand next, but we were more interested in looking at everything BUT the big bull.

What bull? "A bee!", I say; "my pocket", says Jacob.
"THE BULL! THE BULL!", scream our moms

After many minutes, "Oooooh ... THAT bull"

Forget that; we're going to shake the chains instead

The next thing we checked out was a water feature as a distraction from what we really wanted to do. Auntie Diana kept Jacob from sticking his hand in by telling us that the fishies would bite him!

Looking at the biting fishies

THIS is what they were trying to distract us from.
FAIL! We were off.

I don't know why, but these were fun

Then ... snacktime and the craziness on the lawns. We munch, run around, nibble, blow bubbles, chomp, chest bump (seriously, see below), and gnosh some more.

Bag of goodies

The oranges were a hit

But not as much as the easter eggs!

Family pic with busy Jacob in the back

The toy of the day was the stroller umbrella. Mommy had no idea it would be so popular, but really, she should have anticipated.

Jacob finds said umbrella

Hey, that's MY umbrella!

The tug-of-war ensues

What you have to notice here is the string cheese.
I shoved my whole stick in my mouth,
and Jacob was trying to do the same (hence, chipmunk cheeks)
so that wecould both have a good handle on the umbrella.

Realizing it's big enough for both of them.

Mommy loves this next set of pictures, so I'm posting them here together. They just make her laugh.

Not on my grill

I'll bump you, I will!

Omph!

After eating, we were off! Since Mommy forgot to bring the bubbles, we decided to join another group instead. Then, when our mommies were distracted, we darted away altogether. Luckily, Auntie Diana is fast, although she did have to run in a big circle around the landscaping to get to us. We found this old pioneer town to explore.

Whee, whee, whee around the tree

Excited to show Mommy the flower;
forgot and looked with my hands

Jacob strikes a pose

Sorry, I missed the memo earlier

"I two, Mommy"

Pooped after a fun morning, we headed back to our cars ... and our naps!

Wasssaaaaaap?

That was fun! Same time, same place in October!

Just for nostalgia sake, here's pics from the past:

2008 - 6 weeks old

2009 - 14 months old

2010 - 25.5 months old

With all the pictures that we took, a separate photo album needed to exist. Just a few more months until October and the pumpkins!

Road Trip! -- Houston, TX

Okay, so not exactly a road trip since Mommy doesn't have the patience for long drives, but we definitely went on a trip. Mommy took me and Gavin to Houston to see friends and family before she had to go back to work. There were some coordination challenges, but we had a TON of fun.

I got an A++ for the trip there. Since Mommy had to carry Gavin, I was tasked with walking all by myself and not running off (I was dressed in bright colors ... just ... in ... case). I did a really good job through security and sticking with Mommy at the airport. Since our flight was delayed, I passed the time eating lunch and playing by the windows, and then I sat all by myself on the plane and did art.

Ready to go!

Busy with my art project

Pleasantly surprised to see Po-Po and Gong-Gong waiting for us

I really like visiting Po-Po and Gong-Gong's house because they have a pool in the backyard. It makes everyone really nervous to see me dipping my arms and legs in (and throwing in various objects ... sorry about that rock), but it's hours of entertainment for me.

I wonder if I'm going to make it into the pool this weekend
... either on purpose or accidently

Giving a Claire-sized scream ("I excited, Mommy!")

All these seats, but I'd rather us all pile on one

We went to Kemah to eat yummy seafood and visit the Boardwalk. I was excited to ride all the rides and was aghast when Mommy tried to pass me off as under 2 ("I two, Mommy! I two!"). We had so much fun at that section, I didn't even make it to the stingrays and climbing area before passing out. Oh, well, guess that means I'll have to go back!

Turn! Turn!!

Oooo ... merry-go-round

Gong-Gong was a good sport to ride with me.

Hello down there!

I was a little difficult that night when Mommy went out with her friends (I called her on her cell to tell her, "Mommy! I miss you! Mommy, come home!") but quickly fell asleep in the car when Gong-Gong took me out to go find her. It's tough being away from my parents when I'm used to them always being there!

I went to the park in Po-Po and Gong-Gong's neighborhood, and the playarea sure is different than mine. Wood and metal? What's that? :D We played in the gorgeous weather and until Nai-Nai and Ye-Ye came, and then I played with them ... until Da-Jiu Zong got there! Woo-hoo! Then Kirby and Auntie Crystal came to visit me that night; I got to see almost everyone all in one day!

Are you holding on, Mommy? I'll drive.

Wheee! Metal slides are fast.

Pushing Mommy on the swing

A tent! You know what I like!

If I had a tail, it would be wagging right now

I met up with Jacob and Charlie to play one morning. We had a ton of fun climbing and going crazy with Da-Jiu in the playplace.

Look at me!

All three (four?) of us rolling together

Breezing by the alligator. Jacob, not so much. :D

Three amigos

With our mommies

After I got home and woke up, Xiao-Jiu Dwo was there, too! He and Crystal A-Yi took me to fly a kite for the very first time. I was a pro, if I say so myself.

I went to sleep, and then you were here!

Go-go!

"I do it!"

Hmm ...

More?

One day we had birthday cake for me ... I mean Mommy. Afterwards, we enjoyed the last of the good weather outside. Kirby and I had a grand ol' time making everyone think we were going to fall into the pool. When I woke up from my nap (that I did NOT want to take), I had a surprise gift from Wade and Alex!

The Laws

Everyone leans in to blow out the candles for me ... I mean Mommy

I'll race you!

I really AM a Claire-bear!

Watering the flower after finishing watering Kirby

Minnie Mouse!

Then it was time to go home. This time the plane was on time, so we got on the flight easily. Plus, the flight wasn't full at all, so Mommy, Gavin, and I stretched out in one whole row. The only bad thing was that there was lots of turbulance, so I got a little scared. In order to cope, I decided to take a nap, which was not exactly a scenario that Mommy planned for. Oh, I wish I got a picture of what Mommy looked like carrying both Gavin and I and all our gear! But, never fear, while we were walking through the terminal, I woke up and saw all the goodies. I exclaimed "shopping!" and wanted to get down, so I lightened Mommy's load.

Ready to go home

Two sleeping babies ... uh-oh

Daddy was at the airport to greet us, and I was very glad to see him. I had a wonderful time in Houston and hope to go again, maybe in the summer when I can get in the pool!

There are lots and lots of pictures from our trip in their very own album. Check them out! You can also read about the trip from Mommy's and Gavin's point of views on their blogs ... and, yes, see more pictures. :)