Update

Brenden in Calgary @ the Glenbow.

Juls relaxing on the Henry's Fork @ Macks Inn.

Emilia terrorizing wildlife in the greater Island Park region.

Joyful reunion eminent.

Wish List

A reminder for all.

I do have a posted wish-list!

And encourage buying USED to save $

New family photos!

Thanks to Zac, Rachael and Lance for taking the photos!

Clawson Family Reunion 2009 in D.C.

We just spent a week with the Clawson clan in D.C. We had a really fun time hanging out with family and getting reacquainted with long lost cousins. All of Grandma Olive's kids were there with quite a few grandkids. It was a full house! Our home-base was Gary and Judy's amazing spread on Lake Anna. They have an old 1870s house (with 1920s additions) on a nice farm. They had completely redone the house and it was just gorgeous. It makes for a 2 hour commute into DC, but just might be worth it.

Here are some highlights from the trip . . .


Lake Day + Barbeque!

Lake Anna was created for a adjoining nuclear power plant, which uses the water for cooling purposes. The discharged water is piping hot, so the private side of the lake, where we were was SO nice and toasty. The best lake for swimming on earth! We swam, wakeboarded and kayaked about for a whole day.

Here is Grandma Olive on a jet ski. Could your 80 year old grandma do this?

Emmie boating with Grandpa Randy

Brenden trying to tip Carianne and Rusty over

The 'que.

Julianne via Rachael's super cool shades

Gregg and Rachael + Nieces

Days in DC on the Mall

Randy and Emmie with President Lincoln

The crew tired and sitting

On the night of the 3rd we had great seats (on the grass) for the dress rehearsal of "A Capital Fourth." Here we are with Gregg and Rachael waiting for the dress rehearsal to start.

This just might have been the highlight of the week for Julianne and the low light of the week for Brenden. If you look really close you can see Barry Manilow in a white jacket. He even sang Copacabana. Even Brenden admits that was pretty rockin'! The best part was when Manilow accidentaly yelled out "Happy New Year!!!" and then had to correct himself, "I mean . . . Happy 4th of July!" Aretha Franklin, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Muppets and others also performed.

Jeff really wanted to go to his favorite burrito place, California Tortilla. We rode the metro to Chinatown to find it. Thumbs up from all. Here are the California burrito fans and those that chose the burrito.

Turns out there was a Potbelly Sandwich shop right next door. This just happens to be our brother-in-law Rusty's favorite. Here's the group that ate sandwiches.

For the 4th we went back to DC and braved the traffic and crowds. It was well worth it! Here is

Brenden waiting for the Fireworks to start. The mall was packed.

Historical Sites

We also went to Monticello. Here is Julianne on a foggy, misty, and surprisingly chilly day at Monticello. We were a bit cold actually. We're not sure how we lucked out, but the weather was great the whole trip! Nothing hotter than mid-80s.



On Monday, it was a hotter at Mount Vernon. We liked it better than Monticello and had fun with Emmie and the rest of the family there.



In the end, we learned a valuable lesson. Babies + Historical Sites/Museums = trouble.

Coo-Coo-Ca-Cha!

Fellow Arrested Development fans - I present one of the greatest clips ever!

It was a Wicked party

My niece Jenna (pictured below) really needs to go into the party planning business. I have never experienced such fun parties as I have hers. Last night she with the help of my sister-in-law threw me a fantastic Wicked themed party. Jenna even remembered that I LOVE Costco churros so those were there too.



Cora was Glinda and Jenna was Elphaba. So cute! Emmie should have been a monkey- but it was a surprise party.



My mom even made my favorite chocolate cake and it was delicious.

Thank you for the fun party and all the thoughtful gifts- I loved it.

Need a laugh?

Plaid sweater vest: Check
Curled bangs: Check
Cheesy grin: Check

This is why I could never be famous. This picture would come back to haunt me.

Fun with cousins

Emmie and I went and stayed with the Thompsons (Brenden's sister and family) this week to spend a little time with Brenden's parents. It was tons of fun as usual. We went swimming and also went to Tempe town lake beach park. There were so many people and it was so hot you had to fight for a water squirt. I am sad to report that Emmie is not fond of the water (how is this possible?). The only way she would go in the water was with the help of her cousin Jenna.

We also made our way to MoJo a frozen yougurt place for some healthy lunch. I highly recommend this place- especially on a hot hot day.

This is the best picture I took and the only one where everyone is looking at the camera. I think it is funny.

Dads are the Coolest!

Julianne and I wanted to make a quick homage to how awesome are dads are, because lets face it folks, Dads are the Coolest!!!

If you don't believe me, here is some proof.

1.
Dads have the coolest plaid shirts

2.
Dads have the coolest old-school glasses

3.
Dads have the coolest Santa hats.

4.
Dads are the coolest because they always have a bad sweet tooth

5.
Dads have the coolest kids (and grandkids)!!!

On a related note, Grand-dads are pretty awesome too!
(speaking of which, dad - I need some pictures of Pete Sr. to scan)



As you can see, Grandpas had some pretty sweet fashion sense back in the day too!

After all these years, they're still quite stylish

bolo tie - classic!

Lacoste alligator sweater! Even more classic!!!

Polka Dot Party

We had Emilia Mae's real 1st birthday party last night. I enjoyed having everyone over. All of Emmie's loved ones came- even her grandparents from Bellingham, WA came all the way down. Everything was a polka dot from the pizza to the melon balls to the cake pops for dessert. Thank you to everyone who came- we sure do love you!

There was good food. . . (sorry Heather, this was the best pic of the food)

There was games. . .

And delicious cake. . .

And good company. . . (Brenden take note of the polka dots hung from the ceiling)

And lots of giggles. . .

And a chat with Brenden. . .

And lots of fun presents. . .

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!