Whew! What a busy summer we are having! Once again I just haven’t managed to sit down at daddy’s computer for weeks and weeks to keep you updated, and so much has happened! I think I’ll have to let some of the photos do the talking for me this time because there is just too much to cover! Here are some of the highlights:
I’ve been to the zoo a few times, once with my friend Atticus, and once on a picnic in the rose garden with mommy and daddy. Mommy taught me to sniff the roses! I am really good at it! We also saw the butterfly exhibit. I love butterflies! I could sit and watch them for ages.
The weather finally turned to summer, which is really nice most of the time. Mommy says I am an outside baby 
Whenever a door is open I make a break for it! The bad news is that my room is the hottest place in the house at bedtime. It was tough at first, but I am adjusting.
We’ve been keeping cool by swimming. Sometimes I go to swim lessons (did I tell you that my friend Collin is in my class? 
His daddy Tim and my mommy grew up in the same neighborhood! More on that when I tell you about July 4th); sometimes we go to the pool at Kathy and Nick’s house; sometimes mommy fills my baby bathtub up in the backyard; and sometimes we go to the wading pool at the park! I love to splash
Last week was daddy’s birthday, so that was lots of fun. Mommy and I made him breakfast in bed and then went to the aquarium. In the evening we went out to dinner with grandma and grandpa, uncle 
Tom, and aunt Anne. The week before that daddy got to have an early birthday at the same time as uncle Ryan over at grandma Deane’s house. There sure was a lot of food! Nobody would let me have any cake, but my birthday is coming up so I think it is only fair that I get to have some!
A few weeks ago we also went to my friend Lily’s first birthday party. We had a really nice time. Doesn’t she look cute in her pink hat?
Oooh and another high adventure… a few weeks ago when we were up early 
watering the garden (did I mention I wake up pretty early?) mommy heard a noise in the cherry tree so we went to investigate… and we found two raccoons eating the cherries! Mommy said it was ok because the cherries aren’t very sweet, so we just watched them have their breakfast
Now I have to tell you about last weekend. On July 4th we were invited over to Chuck and Bonnie Studebaker’s house for a party. Mommy grew up in the same neighborhood with them and all the neighbors are still close friends. 
This year all the grandmas and grandpas brought their kids and grandkids so everyone got to be in the same place at once. What a party! The backyard has suspension bridges, tree houses, air cannons, you name it! I’m definitely going back. Like I told you already baby Collin, who is also in my swimming class, was there. So was mommy’s friend Sonnet and her kids Kealan and Tiernan. You’ll have to look at the pictures to see everyone. Also, Sonnet has some pictures posted on her blog. I have it listed in my links.
That night there were lots of really big explosions from the downtown fireworks display… at least, that’s what I’m told. I woke up a couple of times, and mommy and daddy brought me into their bed to help us all sleep better, but really I don’t think it was too bad.
And if that big party weren’t enough, the next day is when the real high adventure began. We went CAMPING! In a tent! We took a ferry boat ride and everything. 
Mommy and daddy bought a new tent that was big enough for my pack n’ play, and we were off! It was a little chilly compared to home, but we had lots of fun eating camping food, crawling in the grass at our campsite, and playing on the beach. We only stayed one night, but next time we’ll stay longer. Maybe when I can walk
So yeah, in addition to high adventure, I’ve also been doing some changing. I now have 4 teeth, and I crawl all over the place, though I still use one knee and one foot. 
I pull up to a stand and have started cruising around a little. Mommy and daddy say I look like I just want to take off walking without really learning to cruise the furniture Sometimes I just hang on with one hand, and a few times I have let go completely…. but then I fall down to my diaper. I’ll keep you posted. I am eating all kinds of yummy things, including finger foods, but I haven’t mastered the sippy cup at all. In fact, I pretty much don’t use one. Mommy is a little concerned about this, but I just tell her that its cool. I’ll get it one day. I still have a rash on my bum, but the doctor says it is eczema, not diaper rash. Apparently it looks bad, but I can’t see it so I don’t let it bother me. Oh! And today is my 11 month birthday! Just one month to go! Yahoo! Cake and presents, here I come!
Oh, and one thing I didn’t mention. It is sad. I got to see nearly my whole family on daddy’s side because we all gathered for the funeral of daddy’s cousin Angelica Betts. She will be missed. I only met her a handful of times, but she was always lots of fun. She even brought mommy flowers at the hospital when I was born! We love you Angel.
Ok, I’ll sign off now. Be sure to check out my photos, there are lots this time. I’ll try to give you more frequent updates so I don’t have to write such long posts! My little fingers are tired! Ciao!