I Eat Rocks

Sure, you look at this picture and think that Bridgette is the cutest little girl you've ever seen. I do too. But what you don't know is that immediately after taking this picture, Bridgette deliberately and defiantly ate gravel. Like you, I'm not sure how to reconcile this.

Never Too Young To Accessorize

Bridgette loves to get into my baubles. I have a drawer full of necklaces, bracelets, hair do-dads, and such, conveniently located down low where Bridgette can get into it and make a mess.

This Saturday in particular, she liked pulling out the necklaces. Fortunately, we found one that matched her outfit and she wore it around all day. Her headband too, was plucked from the floor after she'd emptied the drawer's contents.

Jewelry is not enough though. No girl is ready to go out without her purse. In Bridgette's case, it's more like 10 purses. Seriously, be it Nordstroms, Target or my closet, Bridgette likes to sling anything purselike over her shoulder. Have bags, will travel.

Long Walk for a Quick Dip

What an adventure! This past weekend Kevin and I hiked Havasupai with our good friends, the Melchers.

I think all of us spent a good portion of the 10 miles to (and later from) the campsite considering what we could have done without, thereby making our packs lighter! The second card game - definitely not necessary. The aqua socks - vital for the exploration of the water falls!!

We began our descent Friday morning. And had the afternoon to discover the Supai tribe's village and the various water falls.

Mooney Falls was our favorite. It required real climbing, chains, and ladders to access the pools at the bottom of the water fall. The fall was majestic and powerful. The closer we waded in, the more we felt the force of the water pushing us back.

Back at camp, we took shelter under an overhang when thunder rolled in. Aside from the bugs, which copious amounts of repellant did not entirely disburse, the space made a cozy dinner venue. The "2" man tent for sleeping, however, was not so much. The word claustrophobic comes to mind. I'd have slept outside, but for the stray dogs that roam the campgrounds.

Saturday morning, we set out at first light - stocking up on some beef jerky and gatorade at the village store. Despite going uphill, we made great time. Linnlee had a lot of go power as she lead our group up the last switchbacks. I think at the end of our 5 hour trek out, however, she would call it "I am dying to be done power."

Kevin and I slept really good in our own bed Saturday night. When I asked him to suggest a title for this blog post, he offered "Damn, Our Calves Hurt."

Junk Mail Already

Just one year old, and Bridgette is already getting junk mail. Friday, when Kevin brought in the mail, there was one envelope with Bridgette's name on it. Some company was trying to sell her an air conditioning unit. To be fair, her room does get hot in the summer.

Bridgette is participating in all sorts of older activities these days. She's reading books to herself (or at least looking at the pictures), vacuuming (if we could get her to do it with the real vaccum, we'd be really on to something), wearing mom's shoes (she clomp, clomp, clomps down our long hallway with one high heel on), and going to nursery at church (she's techincally 3 months too young, but they love her in there).

Bridgette in the Morning

Here's the Skinny

This morning, my mom watched Bridgette at our house. Having been given a key, she thoughtfully locked all the doors when she left (Side note, the day before she was "forced" to leave the front door unlocked due to a lack of a key). Unfortunately, the locked doors included the door to the garage, which we never lock.

Thus, zaniness ensued. Tonight, when Kevin got home before me, he found himself with arms full, a screaming baby, and no ability to get into the house. Naturally, he was vexed.

However, being the eternal optimist that he is, he came up with a clever plan to pass the time while he and Bridgette waited for me to arrive. They went skinny-dipping! Either the cool water or the lack of confining clothes improved everyone's mood.

Lesson for all: skinny-dip as often as possible.

Goin' Girl