We spent most of the morning playing in the pool again. The pool came with a really nice whale with working spout but our daredevil thinks the whale slide is too tame and prefers the longer green slide.

Shannon helped me plant a bunch of new plants in our front flower beds. She was helping me by watering until she decided to water my back. Since she used the approximately 38 degree water from her pool to do that I wasn't too amused and she lost her watering can priviliges for the rest of the day.

Aunt Sarah gave Shannon a whale pool for Christmas, which was very nice of her. Except that for weeks afterward, Shannon would run to the back door, look out at the 3 feet of snow, and say "Look, it's warm outside. Let's go swimming!" So now she finally got her chance.

Frozen blueberries, yum!

So, it has been a long time since I added any pictures. Sorry about that. Here are some from a hiking trip we took to Carly State Park. Shannon has her own camel back now, although she was having great difficulty walking and drinking at the same time. She still gets a ride when we go hiking but if I have anything to say about it this will be the last year. She is getting heavy!

Here is Shannon showing off her new "Nancy socks". She especially liked the way the socks matched her Daddy's shirt tonight.

Bubble beards are all the rage.

I really don't know what Shannon thought she was doing here but it sounded like she was running an auction or something. The ladle apparently made a good microphone.

My mom and dad's dogs are visiting us for a few weeks. Porthos is generally not excited about this but here we have a rare photo of all the dogs sitting together.

These are her new favorite pajamas. She and Sponge Bob both love blowing bubbles.

Shannon got to try her first popscicle. The rule is "only eat them outside!"

Shannon got her first real haircut yesterday. Isn't she cute?

For Easter Shannon's cousins Clayton, Emma, and Levi sent her some presents, including some bubbles. She adores bubbles and is getting pretty good at making them herself.

Shannon helped me clean the windows the other day. She was really insistent about helping me, and even quit watching a movie so she could help. She also liked the curtains from the kitchen window and thought they made a really good robe. She kept saying "Look, I'm a king!"

We looked all over for Alex tonight before we finally found him hanging onto the side of Shannon's tent. You wouldn't think a bright green bird would blend into the side of a turquoise tent, but apparently he does.

Shannon loves her new motorcycle. She likes it even better when she doesn't have to push.

Shannon and her buddy Berrick went to play at a playground the other day to celebrate one of the first warm days of the year!

Shannon loves to play with her "shock" so we got her some new colors. These are shaped like crayons instead of balls so I don't have to chase them as they roll merrily down the sidewalk anymore. Sometimes I really wish we didn't live on a hill!

Shannon finally wanted to wear the dress that Aunt Dorene got her for Christmas.

This is the latest toy we got from the lending library. Shannon is being her usual cooperative self and not smilling or posing for pictures, so this was the best I could do (it took about 30 pictures to get these 2).

We are all ready for summer. Too bad the weather here isn't.

Shannon's Nina made her a cape. She likes to pair it with her friend Sammy's cowboy hat and she looks like some sort of old-west style vigilante. She likes to put it on and run around in a circle so it is hard to get a good picture of her.

Shannon and her buddy Berrick. Their community ed class was cancelled today due to weather (50 below windchill) so we decided to have our own play time.

Alex actually let Shannon hold him for a minute today. She thought it was great.

The new kitchen was a huge hit. Alex is a little confused by the fake food, though, and keeps trying to eat it.

Her teapot set is one of her favorite toys now. We actually have to set a timer to limit the time she spends with it because we can only play "pour the tea" so many times.

Shannon really likes her new tent!

Now that she has jewelry, she thinks she can dress up Daddy!

Shannon opening presents. Nice hair!