C's first visit to the dentist.

Ever since Clara was born, I've been taking her to my dental appointments.  Our dentist recommended that she come along and watch what happens to me at the dentist to prepare her for her own visit when she turned 3.  Well, she's within a week of turning 3 and she went to her own dentist appointment for the first time on Monday.  

I knew it would go one of two ways.  On the way down to the appointment, we talked about what to expect at the dentist and how to behave.  The dentist has looked in her mouth before and "counted" her teeth, but I knew this appointment would involve more time spent inside her mouth and I was nervous.

We got there and she marched in to the office, just like the big kid that she is!  We went right in and she sat in the chair, and the hygienist, our dentist's wife, told her the plan.  After she listened carefully, Clara said, "Yeah, that's what my mommy told me already."  Ok!  At least I know she listens when we have talks in the car!

When it was time to put the special polisher in Clara's mouth, she sat up in the big chair, and looked at me and said in the most normal of voices, "Mommy, will you come hold my hand.  I'm a little bit afraid."  Melt my heart!  So I held her hand and she got her front two teeth polished and sparkly!

Once the water was sprayed in and sucked out, Clara sat up thinking that the visit was over!  The hygienist had to explain that we had to make her back teeth match the front!  Too funny!

For the entire appointment, she followed directions like a pro!  I felt so proud!  And at the end, she got to pick a toy from the toy box.  However, she was quite disappointed when there weren't any suckers like at the Doctor's office (why do Dr. offices give suckers anyway?)

I learned that we need to be using a toothpaste packed with good fluoride in it (not the strawberry Tom's of Maine kind that she's grown to love and loves to eat!) and that we should start flossing her back molars that touch.  (We're slackers and haven't flossed her once!)  But thankfully, her teeth looked great!

The first appointment was a complete success and we've booked her next appointment for August!  Way to go, Clara!  You're such a 3-year-old!

a Sunday hike.

We had been socked in with nasty inversion for weeks when we finally decided it was time to head for the hills and soak in the sun.

We drove out to the Owyees for a little hike with the dogs.  Clara was excited because she got to use her new hiking/camping pack she got from Santa for Christmas.

Here we are in the hats Grandma Waldon made for us and sent out.  Thanks Grandma!

And here is Clara with a chukar Kurtis shot while we were out.  She loved toting that thing around.  She ended up having blood all over her hands and poking at the dead bird's eyeballs for a good amount of time while I watched and cringed.  And she loved having all sorts of camo to wear!  Sometimes she's such a little girly-girl, and other times she's a complete tomboy!

 Here are the puppies after our hike.  They were pretty whooped!  And poor Gwen has been limping for the last week.  I'm hopeful it will get better, but I worry about her rear right knee.  She's doing much better now than she was the day after our hike, but she still limps a little.  The old girl will be 10 this year!  And Mac will be 9!  Time flies!

 Here's Clara prepping for our hike.  She looked ready to go except for the sour look on her face!

 Check out those blue skies!  They were the best therapy and exactly what we needed!

 Here's my first try at a panoramic photo on my phone!

 Nice pink backpack Kurtis!

Clara did pretty well for her first hike!  She probably walked a mile of it, which was more than I expected!  She even hiked up a steep hill.  Although halfway up she told me she needed to stop and rest because her heart was booming!  I carried her the other 2-3 miles in the pack.  It wasn't even that bad - she only weighs 35 pounds or so!  She was fun to chat with while Daddy ventured out in search of birds!

And here is the part of the drive where we had to sink back down into the nastiness!  

The temp was 54 degrees in the sun and dropped to 23 as soon as we crawled back into the inversion.  Sad!

 And here is Clara a few moments after being buckled in!  She didn't even make it out to the highway.  The bumps of the road lulled her right to sleep!  It was a great Sunday!

cute kid pics.

Cuddle time on the dog bed with Mac!

Sneaking outside!  She's such an outside girl - it is hard to keep her in during the cold months!

Slathering paint on paper!  It seriously took all night to dry!

With Ellie!  Practicing sharing...

 Wearing Mom's glasses!

 So cute!

 Clara's new doctor brings his dog to work with him!  It made Clara feel right at home!

getting my sew on.

I made a few fun little projects during the month of January.  Boise was covered in an icky inversion, so we spent a lot of time inside.  It was the perfect month to sew!

Clara refuses to wear this little number.  She's told me numerous times I should just give it to someone else!  Stinker!  And Mom, I finally understand why you'd get upset when we'd complain about what you made for dinner!  All that time and effort...

Now that it's February, The Holidays: Part 7 - Christmas Day.

Oh boy, school started again and I haven't even thought about the blog for the last month!

Steve and Teenie left Boise with the boys after Ben visited the doc at an unguent care for his breathing troubles (poor guy).  And at about noon, we headed home to give Clara a quick sleep and let us get ready for the celebration with the Brooks side of our family.

We headed over to Jeff and Janet's that afternoon and had the most relaxing afternoon and evening.  We leisurely enjoyed some appetizers while we opened gifts with each other.  Then Janet served us a fab Christmas day dinner and we played some games together as a family.  I was a dork and didn't take any pictures!  (Well I really didn't take any pictures during the Christmas season at all, I just stole pics that my family took).  So I'm bummed that I don't have any photos to add to this post.  But just know that Christmas afternoon and evening were extremely pleasant and relaxed.  It was the perfect way to end the busy, busy holiday!