C-Bear

I'm biased but come on, this kid is pretty cute!

Pigtail Girl

Anna B. does not like to have anything in that uncombable hair of hers. So I was quite shocked when she let me put two pigtails in yesterday. It looked so cute!

 But of course she pulled them out within 15 minutes.

 And Patty was able to get them in again today, for gymnastics class. This time she kept them in for about an hour! 

 We're making progress.

Weekend in Little Cottonwood Canyon

We spent this past weekend at Snowbird, where their annual Oktoberfest celebration is going on (it runs from mid-August through the end of October). We stayed at the Cliff Lodge and the kids couldn't have been happier. They LOVE staying in hotels. When we arrived they were skipping around the lobby saying "hotel! hotel!"

Claire didn't want to sleep in the portable crib provided by the hotel, so the sleeping arrangements went like this - three kids and me crammed in one bed; Keith stretched out in the other bed.

 Luke got to ride the chairlift that he rode all winter during ski school and you'll notice in the background that they had bounce houses and a trampoline for kids...

 The weather was beautiful...

 The kids enjoyed hot dogs, while Keith and I sampled beer...

 They had a face painter and Luke insisted on getting a mustache. So naturally, Anna HAD to have one too...

 They have a heated pool and we spent a bunch of time there...

There were lots of races...

 The alpine slide was a big hit for both kids... here's Anna riding with Daddy...

 We rode the tram to the 11,000 ft. summit at Snowbird and hiked around a bit. But not for too long... it was really cold up there!

It was a really fun weekend. Though Big Cottonwood Canyon (located just on the other side of this ridge line) is our second home now, we will still always love Little Cottonwood, home to Snowbird and Alta.

Spec Pond

On July 27th we went to a Millette family reunion at the Bass Point Club at Spectacle Pond. It's a little bittersweet looking back at the photos now, since Uncle Armand helped plan the entire event and was there in full spirit. He was a proud member of the Bass Point Club and I have fond memories of going there many times growing up. I specifically recall a time that Chris and I took the row boat out and got stuck circling around and around in the middle of the pond because our rowing was not coordinated!

Here are some photos--some taken by my Dad and some by our family friend PT, who was hired to photograph the event...

Uncle Chris took Andie, Luke & Anna for a spin in the canoe. He said they were very bossy "go this way... go faster... catch that other boat" etc... :)

 Claire spent most of the day meeting people from the comfort of Grammy's arms...

 Three cousins on a raft...

 Lots of extended Millettes  in the water!

 The kids enjoyed jumping off the dock... they were very brave!

 Cousins & best pals...

My Grammy...

 And Grampa...

 My wonderful Auntie Carol...

 Too bad Keith wasn't there to join in this family shot!

 Nice throw Uncle Chris!

 Anna and my cousin Michael's daughter Sophie (what does that make these two?). Sophie is headed to Catholic University in D.C. any day now...

 Is Luke trying to whack Andie with this paddle or is it just the angle of the photo?!

 Anna B. is fearless gal!

And Uncle Armand, having a great day (but working hard!) at one of his most favorite places, Spec Pond.