the many 4th of july outfits of clara ann brooks.

Clara gets hand-me-downs, which we LOVE!  Hand-me-downs sometimes mean many outfits for one holiday.  So, Clara was decked in red, white, and blue on July 3, 4, and 5!

piano player.

Ever since Clara was born, my mom, the piano teacher, has had great plans for her future as a pianist.  She's listened to the piano almost daily since she was born, since my mom watches her during the day while Kurtis and I work.  Lately, she's taken an interest in playing the piano herself.  Here are a few cute pictures my dad took of Clara playing the piano.

the greenbelt.

We are so lucky to live in Boise! We have a fantastic, paved walking/ biking trail that runs for miles along the river! We've been trying to take advantage of it this summer! Here are Clara and I after a bike ride with both grandma Brooks and Oma on Sunday.

Poor toes.

My girlfriends and I have been having pool day at my parents' house on Thursdays. It has been so much fun! Last Thursday, as pool day was coming to a close, I took a load of gear out to one of the cars. I decided to let Clara walk with me through the gate into the front yard to avoid forcing my friends to watch her around the pool. As I loaded up the car, I heard a blood-curdling scream. I looked over and saw Clara desperately trying to go backwards off of a metal water mane cover. I rushed over to grab her, and she didn't calm down... for at least an hour and a half. I walked back around the house to where everyone was and felt her little feet. The bottoms were covered with large blisters. We rushed her in the house and stuck her feet in the sink with cool water, and that's where we stayed for quite a while. Thankfully, my friend nurse Teri was there, and she gave me some advice for what to do about the burns. I called her doctor, and she told me what to watch for. Thankfully, the blisters were only on the very outer layers of her skin. After lots of tears (not just Clara's), she fell asleep with ice and make-shift bandages on her feet. I made a run to Walgreens and picked up gauze and other supplies, and she started healing! I have a picture of the vicious culprit, and her poor tootsies! She didn't walk at all on Thursday after "the incident", but Friday morn she was running all over the place. We lucked out in this freak accident!

a birthday surprise.

On June 29, my Mom turned 54 and I turned 30.  Birthdays really aren't a big deal at this point, but it is fun to share a day with my mom so we can celebrate together.  We had a nice day together.  Got manicures and pedicures, had a nice family dinner on my parents patio, and then we received a birthday surprise...Teenie, Ben, and Will snuck down to Boise and stayed the night!  Clara and Ben were thrilled to see each other, and Clara loved kissing and hugging cousin Will.  They only stayed about 12 hours, but we managed to get a few cute pictures while they were here!

See this poor baby's wrapped feet.  That is a story I'll put on the blag soon. 

Thanks Teenie for making the enormous effort to drive down to see us for such a short amount of time!  We loved spending the evening and morning with you three!

A night with Grandma and Grandpa

For my birthday, Jeff and Janet treated Clara and I to a fun night on the town. Kurtis was out of town for work. But we still had lots of fun! We went to alive after five for a cold beverage and some fun in the fountain. Then we visited uncle Brian at his work (Piper Pub) and ate some dinner. Then we strolled around the capital buildings and gardens. It was such a treat! Thanks Gma and Gpa Brooks!

(sorry the pics are out of order)

the best hair.

This little guy has...

the best hair!

The first pic is bed head, and the rest are when I had a little fun running my fingers through his luscious locks and fro-ing it up!  How did he get so lucky!  Clara and I are jeal!