Start of 2011

We had a good start to 2011. We spent a few days over at Alta Lake with my family and went skiing on New Year's Eve. Glen & I tried out a new mountain called Loup Loup, which we loved. It's not very big, but it wasn't crowded, it was a short drive, and it was beautiful. I think this is our new favorite place for skiing! We got to experience zero degree Fahrenheit weather for the first time, but it warmed up to a balmy 14 degrees in the sun by the afternoon. Burr.

Claudia is now 21 months old and she is definitely a toddler! She has always been an easy baby and we hear she is an angel at daycare, but she is learning how to be quite naughty at home. She likes to climb up on things, throw things, hit us, and yell "no" a lot. She also has this mischievous look she gives with her eyes. Distraction seems to work, but it's exhausting to redirect her every minute or two. Claudia had her first big illness of the season -- she had walking pneumonia this week. We caught it early and the amoxicillin helped, so she only missed two days of daycare and she was quickly back to her energetic self. She has been so much healthier this winter than last. She loves to wash her hands and she is great at blowing her nose, so she doesn't seem as grimy and sticky as some toddlers. Although, her fine blond hair is getting scrappy looking. We need to do something with it.

Many people have asked me about the devastating floods in Queensland, Glen's home state. Thankfully none of our family had their homes flooded, but it is a tough situation for their community. Thank you everyone for your concern.

Claudia loves to walk around in big shoes. She understands possession now, so she will point to these slippers and say daddy.


Going for a walk in the snow.


Where's the baby?


Here she is!


Trying out pigtails for the first time.