New Tricks

Well our little Clara Jo is growing up and learning a lot of things! Here are pictures of her two recent new tricks!



So we thought that our little one couldn't sit up. We were at her 6 month appointment a week or so ago and her doctor asked us if she was sitting up on her own yet. We told him that she wasn't. He told Eric to sit her up on the table and lets see what she does! Low and behold, she was sitting up! Our doctor said, "Well there you go!" How were we to know...we are only her parents!! We have practiced sitting up every day and she is able to sit for longer stretches of time!




This is the trick that I am probably most excited about and have waited for with most anticipation. It is so much easier now that I can give her a bottle and she can feed herself why I do something nearby! She stills needs help with the end of her bottle, but she is doing pretty good! Love it!

It's all in the name

Most of you know where the name Clara Jo comes from. We named our little one after my mom who is quite the lady. Clara Jo seems to be quite taken with my mother. Anytime we are around, CJ has her gazed fixed on my mom and her voice. You know that she knows who she is. That probably has a lot to do with my mom housing us for the first few months of CJ's life. This was a sweet picture of our two Claras bonding over a serious hand of cards!

Sweet Caroline

So we venture on to trip #2 thanks to our airline vouchers! This time we were traveling farther and longer! Little one still did great on the airplanes! People usually gave us a crusty look when they saw that they were sitting near a baby! However, by the end of the flights, Clara Jo usually had won them over!
We were so excited to go and see our good friends Cassah and David in South Carolina. They have a cute little family and a little boy Jonathan who is about 3ish months older than Clara Jo. This is the man that she will one day marry you see! So it was important that we start the bonding early! Here are a couple of pictures of the two babies becoming acquainted with each other! I love the one of Eric having a serious conversation with Jonathan about his daughter's well being!





We got there late Wednesday afternoon and we spent Wednesday and Thursday chillaxin. I had a request to make sugar cookies. I remember back in the day how Cassah's cookies brought me much joy. So we busted out some sugar cookies! Trust me, they tasted as good as they look!





On Thursday, we decided that since Clara Jo was officially six months old, it was time to bring on the solids! So we used some of Jonathan's oatmeal cereal and fed it to Clara. She was a major fan and kicked vigorously in between every bite! Here are a couple of pictures of our big eater girl!




On Friday, we headed to a very fun place called Hilton Head. It was an island that was on the coast of South Carolina and it was only a few hours away from Cassah! We had such a great time there. We stayed over two nights. They have this place where we ate breakfast at twice that had Creme Brulee French Toast! YUM! We spent the days outside being one with nature and we spent the night time playing games. We had a blast even though Eric and I were not victorious! Here are quite a few pictures of Clara Jo being introduced to the beach and the ocean. Don't worry that Eric and I were well into our late teens and early twenties before we went to the beach for the first time! :)

















Although it was plenty warm outside, we decided to have Clara's first swimming experience be in the condo's heated pool. Little one didn't know quite what to think! While she didn't hate it, I don't think she loved it so much! We made this conclusion from the complexing look on her face! I am hoping that her opinion will change this summer at grandma's pool!




One night we took a walk on the beach while the sun was going down. It was so beautiful! I definitely could get used to being so close to a beach!




Cassah and David were so much fun and we enjoyed our stay at Hilton Head. Here are a few pictures we took before we headed back to Cassah's house. Thanks so much Pratt family for your hospitality and serious bonding! We just might come your way again!







Before we knew it, it was time to head home. We had a little drama getting home as our flight was canceled and we had to get rerouted! But we got home in one piece! It was about 50 degrees colder when we came home! Brrr!!!!

Rushing Bonding

Due to some airline vouchers, Eric and I were able to make a couple of trips. Our first trip that we got to go to was to Vancouver to see my brothers and spend time with their cute families! Eric had never been there and Clara Jo had yet to meet her uncles, aunts, and cousins that reside there. Here is little picture diary of our fun and short trip!

To start it off, Clara Jo experienced her first airplane ride. It was not a long flight which was good! She did great although she was unable to partake of the complimentary beverage and peanuts! :)





We got there on a Friday and there happened to be a concert in Portland on Friday night that we happened to have tickets to! Funny how that worked! Scott, Heidi, Eric, and I went to the Reba and George Strait concert together! Shane and Julie were willing to spend time our with little one so we could go! It was amazing and so fun to go with Scott and Heidi. Here are some pictures of us on our evening out. Notice how Heidi and I dressed up for Reba and George!






Leann Womack opened up the show and she did a great job. Then Reba came out and sang and I don't need to mention how great that part of the concert was. Towards the end of Reba's set, Leann Womack came out and sang "Does He Love You" with Reba. Reba then had Barbara Jean come out and do a little comedy interchange that was so funny. Then George came out and sang his set! He has such great songs. It was a long and wonderful concert. My only negative thought about the concert was that I would have liked to have seen Reba and George do a song or two together! But it was still an amazing night! Heidi took some great pictures of the performers!







Saturday we decided that had hadn't traveled enough, so we took a little road trip. Heidi was driving to Yakima to see Cassidy and Kennedy's state dance competition. Eric, Clara Jo, and I came along for the ride. We enjoyed the day of bonding with Heidi and watching all the dancing. My, what talented nieces I have. Sad to say, I don't think the dancing skills came from the Rushing side of the family!






We got home from Yakima Saturday night and Scott and Heidi were heading to Salt Lake on Sunday morning. Eric and I had a great time with the Scott Rushings and Clara Jo was able bond with them as well!






On Sunday we got to spend time with the Shane Rushing family. We went to church with them and we spent the day chillaxin! Julie made a yummy dinner and we busted out a little Ticket to Ride Europe! It was a great relaxing day. Clara Jo got most of the attention. Her cousins Alli and Andrew made sure she was entertained and held the whole day. Ty enjoyed her as well but not to the full amount that the twins did.






On Monday it was time for us to head back to Utah. Julie and the kids took us to the airport. However, we had to make a stop at this yogurt place called Yocream! It was of a delicious nature and a sweet way to end our trip! As we ate our treat, we got a few more pictures of the family.






As you can see, we had a great trip of good music, good food, and great company! We enjoyed ourselves ever so much! Thanks Rushings!!! The best part was, trip #2 was just around the corner! Will post that one soon!