Photos by Aunt Emmy

Aunt Emmy was delighted that Clara was so excited about the ice cream maker.

Somebody wants Mommy's attention.

Talking on the phone to Grammy.

First pony-tail.

Having fun in her most expensive toy.

Happy Birthday to us!

Emily and I embarked on an ambitious baking project for us summer birthday girls and boy. Ambitious because 1) it required Clara to be occupied for several hours. Ambitious because 2) it had thin layers of marzipan that were rolled out, cut into circles, and gently transferred between layers of apricot preserves and pistachio cake. Ambitious because 3) it called for 3/4 cup of peeled, unsalted pistachios and we had already purchased unpeeled, salted pistachios. Three quarters of a cup might not sound like very much, but pistachios are quite a bit smaller than I had recalled...their skins cling more tightly and their shells are more stubborn...and my nail beds are more tender. Ambitious because 4) it was to be decorated with tinted, hand-rolled marzipan roses. At this point in the project, ambition and reality clashed. We were three-quarters ambitious, so we just decorated the top with the now mostly-peeled pistachios.

First trip to the zoo

While Emily was here, we visited the Houston Zoo. The carousel was the highlight of the trip! We chose the stationary giraffe with Grammy in mind. Enjoy the blurry, twirly video!

Rock-a-bye Baby...

...in the tree top.
You're growing up,

8/10/08

Naps in the cradle must stop.
But your stuffed animals can sleep in this bed.

7/16/08

Be careful climbing in after them,

8/25/08

You might bump your head!

Aunt Emmy visits

Emily came to visit us for a week and a half in July.
She was great at putting Clara down for naps!

She had fun accessorizing the live baby doll.

Clara smiled lots of extra smiles...

...and got many, many, extra kisses and hugs!

Peek-a-boo Blueberry

Clara loves books and this is her newest favorite.




This is a 'teaser' post. I will eventually resume chronological posting, but I just needed to post something, anything, so I got over the hump of not having posted in a month and being about 2.5 months behind. Now, I just need to do the same with my dissertation....

Waking from a Sunday Afternoon Nap

34 weeks old

See - I am still the same size as you, Bear!

Crawling toward the camera

Blurry, sweet little imp!

Still and thoughtful Clara? No...you'll notice that her right leg is blurry because she is perpetually wiggling!

Grandma and Grandpa Polderman visit us

We visited the Bishop's Mansion in Galveston, among other things. We were too busy having fun for me to take many pictures!

July 4th

We celebrated Independence Day by attending the Fourth of July concert given by the Houston Symphony Orchestra at Miller Outdoor Theater. We got there late because Nathan was working that evening and we had to park and walk a ways. It was fun to see how many people came out to support Classical music, since I'm sure that they weren't there for the great fireworks display. We were seated too far away to hear most of the concert, but we enjoyed the pyrotechnics, even if everyone else left before they started. (!)

Day seven - Big Trees!

We visited Mariposa Grove on our last day at Yosemite.

Day six - the wedding!

The lovely, glowing bride - Jennifer

The happy, handsome groom - Dieter

The wedding ceremony was carefully planned to feature aspects of Jennifer's Jewish heritage and Jennifer and Dieter's Christian faith. The officiant was a Messianic Jew who leads a congregation in Chicago where Dieter and Jen worship on High Holy days. He beautifully expressed that Christianity is the fulfillment of the hope of the Jewish people.

My aunt Hilda - mother of the groom, and my mom

Us
We don't have a single picture of Clara on the wedding day - and she was dressed so adorably! Nathan and my dad ended up becoming videographers for the mothers of the bride and groom, respectively, so the cameras' lenses were focused elsewhere. Also, our efforts were primarily concerned with keeping her happy and un-sun-burned. If any of my three readers have pictures of her, email them to me!

After the wedding, we were treated to a narrated tram tour. Although we had driven through the valley several times already, we didn't tire of enjoying God's beautiful creation, so different from the flat lands of east Texas! It was a perfect day and the smoke had cleared somewhat, so we took many pictures. As I looked through them to choose which to post, I was struck again by the inability to summarize in words or in pictures the enormity and splendor that we saw. If I can't express or take in the fullness of the glory of God's creation, how much more inadequate and mute do I feel to speak of the person of God Himself?!

Day five

The girls

Baby bug

Real bug

Upper and lower Yosemite Falls

Day four - my birthday

Clara's birthday party outfit - compliments of Aunt Emmy.

A picture from our first drive into the valley. There were forest fires in the area, so it was hazy.

My birthday cake, co-made by my Mom and Nathan.

Day three

Our hotel grounds were covered in flowers!

This was a reservoir for the San Joaquin valley that we passed on our way to Yosemite.

Our sleeping baby bug in the back seat!

Day two

The aquarium was great. It was in a building that used to be a sardine factory, so the architecture was very industrial.

These are black nettles. There was an amazing collection of different types of jellies. I had no idea that there were so many varieties! Also, did you know that jellies are considered plankton because they float with the currents?

The flowers were beautiful and were growing everywhere.

We went to a farmers' market on Tuesday evening. There was so much fresh produce I wished that we had a kitchen so that I could make dinner! We did buy some raspberries and they were some of the most amazing ones I have ever eaten! I could move to California if it weren't for the prices, politics, and the distance from family!