Back from Vacation!

LMCP is back from her first vacation that required an airplane and several nights in a hotel. We had a great time visiting with Grandma, Grandpa, Grammy & Grampy, Auntie Gayle, Gene and Cousin Josh. In fact, LMCP thinks Josh is just about the coolest thing around.

We did great on the plane -- the hardest part was just sitting still, but LMCP was never afraid and was all-around a pretty good girl. We loaded up all of our stuff (and there was a lot--good thing we flew Southwest and didn't have to pay to check our bags) and headed to Tahoe in a minivan Grandma & Grandpa rented. We stayed at Montbleu, which we don't necessarily recommend. LMCP did great at our fancy dinner and slept in her big-girl crib in the hotel. We had a fancy photo shoot outside, and we're hoping the weirdo photographer may have got one or two useable shots. It's hard to get people in so many different age groups to get it all together all at once. I wasn't very good about taking pictures, but I got a few good ones. We were just too busy having fun to stop for pics!

The photo shoot wore out Grampy! (And the rest of us!)

This picture may be better than any the photog took, here's Auntie Gayle & Uncle Gene:

That's right, Grandma bought me this cool new bathing suit, following the Dora Incident. LMCP got spoiled rotten with lots of new books, toys and clothes. Thanks, everyone!

Grammy is pretty cool, too. LMCP especially loves the new puzzle Grammy brought her.

Here's Josh! They're pretty good friends! LMCP thinks he's hilarious!

Auntie Gayle is great. She took LMCP to the beach and babysat one night so Mom & Dad could go on a date. (And Mom was on fire on the roulette table!)

Ummm, I don't know if I'm ready for Grampy to tickle me. Maybe next time.

We're sure LMCP wasn't trying to hurt Grandma's feelings, but she sure kept her distance. Sorry, Grandma. You'll be chasing after her in no time with your new hip!!

The plane ride home may have been a little shorter without all the delays, but LMCP did great anyway!

And after a long vacation, the best thing to do is relax in the car on the way home. What a tired girl!

90210: Stop the Insanity

Word on the street is, Tori Spelling is begging 9-0-Deuce producers to let her real-life hubby, Dean McDermott, appear in the new show. C'mon. Now, I'll admit, I like the "Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood" show on Oxygen. And I don't watch reality TV. But seriously, you're trying to get him on the show. Lame. That would be like me asking my boss to let Chad anchor sports at work. (I'm sure he'd do great, but it just doesn't work like that). So, let the rage begin. I have to say, I'm pumped for the new show, but Tori needs to let the nepotism die with her dad. (Was that too far?)

In other 90210 news, there is a new promo out that features Jennie Garth. (Producers, you BETTER NOT change the show's theme music, c'mon! What are you doing to us?) Now, it's official. I also learned Carol Potter will NOT be part of the new show, because she's doing some show called "Greek." And, I stumbled upon this "Old 90210" trivia article. Test your knowledge. (My score: You got 100% correct. Either you've had wikipedia open this whole time or you are simply amazing. Tell your friends and make them slow clap for you.)

USA Today is also on the 90210 bandwagon, with an article comparing the "old" version (I think I prefer "classic" or "original" to the "new").

And now you are up to date... for tonight.

Busy Days

LMCP is very busy these days. We have a pool on loan from some friends that is a big shark, that also has a sprinkler in it. LMCP appears to like it very much. She got a new bathing suit, after the Dora Incident ruined her old one. We had to get her outfitted for our upcoming trip to Lake Tahoe. Anyway, Cherie tested it out today in the shark pool, and I think LMCP looks a little bit like a 1940's Hollywood Starlett, don't you? It must be the big "Hello Kitty" sunglasses (which she loves, by the way). Here are some fun pics from the pool.

Also, here is a (very long-- you've been warned) video of LMCP attempting some songs. Basically, you hear a lot of me singing, with the occasional back-up. You also hear a lot of cheering for my singing, which proves LMCP could be tone deaf.

Late on the News

And I know you all know this, but Shannen Doherty is definitely coming back to the new 90210. Click here to read all about the exciting (and I predict pretty lame) story line involving Brenda Walsh.

Too tired for ice cream?

This can't be my daughter -- too tired for ice cream? Here's the story: Cherie took Lila to the library. Before their adventure, Lila was playing in the pool in the backyard in her bathing suit. Cherie tried to change her before their trip to the library, but LMCP REFUSED! She threw a fit and wanted to wear it all day (I've heard about this stage, now I guess we're there). So, Cherie packed up the stroller and they went to the library. After playing amongst the books, they went to our local pet shop, where LMCP checked out the "free range" turtles, and a sweet kitty. I'm also told she kept pointing to the fish on her bathing suit then to the fishes in the tank -- showing everyone who would pay attention.



Then, on the way home, they encountered an ice cream truck. Cherie sweetly bought LMCP a "Dora" treat. LMCP loved it so much, even though she was exhausted. She ate as much as she could before starting to doze off. But, when Cherie tried to take it away, she had a fit, wanting to hold onto the melting treat and it's mysterious stick. Eventually, she starting snoozing, with the "Dora" melting all over the place. Cherie documented it all with pictures that tell the story much better than we ever could!

Just Peachy

Cherie discovered LMCP likes fresh peaches, not the kind that come in the cans... but only if she can have the whole thing all at once. Slicing up fruit is sooo last month. Big girls do it like this:

Cousin Rick's Wedding

My cousin Rick got married on the 20th. It was a good chance to catch up with family. My Aunt Elaine came to visit from Mississippi for the event. My mom got to spend time with her for the first time in years. We had time to kill between the wedding and the reception at my cousin BJ's house. So, we stopped off at McMenamins for some LMCP Mac and Cheese. I snapped this great pic of Dad and LMCP.

We didn't know it at the time, but our girl was coming down with a bug this night. That could be why she fell asleep in the middle of the action at the reception. We snapped some pics of the "Clarke" girls before LMCP gave up entirely, cozying up with Grandma for a nap before we headed home.

NeanderGames 7/19/08

Daddy's friend Matt organized this sort of Neanderthal Olympics at Joseph Wood Hill Park in Portland. Basically, a bunch of guys who work with natural stones competed in events fit for neanderthals... like rock stacking, throwing and smashing. It was very interesting. However, LMCP wasn't very interested in the events. Instead, she was interested in the rock/dirt that surrounded the track (and the pile of it), along with the "Wagon Rides" a smart entrepreneur came up with involving her sweet dog "Petie." As I look at the pictures, all I think is how I don't have a baby anymore. We have a full-blown toddler on our hands.

They really DO grow up so fast

(This photo was from when LMCP was about 4-months old.)


LMCP is very busy growing into a big girl. In fact, I sometimes can't believe she used to be so tiny. She's doing all kinds of big-girl things, as you can see in these photos. I just squeeze the heck out of her everyday because I just know it won't be long till she wants nothing to do with me (okay, a stretch--but you get where I'm coming from). Here are some pics of my 17-(and a half!) month old Chicken Noodle Soup.

--Busy being cute, playing with lots of toys, and sometimes taking off her shirt (and so far, only once, her whole diaper)

--Busy being "Daddy's Girl." She follows Dad around like he hung the moon. I love watching them together. It is the greatest joy in my life. (this was an unsolicited hug and love-love for Daddy)

--Busy getting ready to be a big girl. Cherie implemented a reward system for sitting on the potty and brushing teeth. LMCP would rather do nothing than brush those choppers. We're not full-on potty training, but as you can see, LMCP is taking a liking to the little pot. (What, you've never brushed your teeth while sitting on the toilet?) Looks like LMCP got 2 stickers for this photo.

--Busy splashing around in Grandma's pool. Once not sure, LMCP is now truly a water-baby. She loves the pool (the big one), and thinks her special baby-float is a-ok! (Don't worry, she's wearing half a bottle of sunscreen in this photo alone!)

--Busy climbing and playing and tunnelling, and sometimes crying when the tunnel gets too scary. Do you think it was way past nap-time or what?

"Brandon did his time."

Another 90210 update, this about Jason Priestley, who says "thanks, but no thanks" to an offer to star in the spinoff. Apparently, Dylan McKay has the same answer, while Steve Sanders is begging producers to let him back on the show. Here's the latest from Australia's "Herald Sun," (which is a great source for good entertainment news, btw):

"IN A BLOW to producers planning a Beverly Hills 90210 spin-off, the star of the original series, Jason Priestley, has rejected the offer to reprise his TV role.
The 38-year-old actor - who starred in the hit 90s US TV show from 1990 to 2000 - was approached to star in the show for US TV network CW, but has declined.He said: "I think I sort of ran the gamut with Brandon - 249 episodes. I think Brandon did his time." However, Priestley revealed he is considering returning to direct some of the new episodes, adding: "They're talking to my people about seeing if they can slot me in over there. I directed more episodes of Beverly Hills, 90210 than anybody. I directed 18 episodes."
Despite Priestley turning down the chance to appear in the show, his former castmates Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth have signed up for the series while Shannen Doherty is reportedly in talks with producers to reprise her role as Brenda Walsh, Jason's character Brandon's sister. However, Doherty will not commit to the role until she has seen her character's storyline. A source said: "Shannen is interested, but she wants to know what the story is going to be first. She also wants more money than they are apparently offering." Luke Perry - who starred as Brenda's love interest Dylan McKay in the show - recently admitted he has no intention of joining the new series. He said: "I can't re-imagine it currently. It's just not something that I've thought about to be quite honest. I don't see it happening.""