Random Linden

Inspired by updates on other sites, I thought I'd post two random shots of the big girl.

Friends and relatives

Our trip to Ottawa last weekend provdided an opportunity for Linden to connect with friends (Linden is pictured smiling with Erika) and relatives (the group shot shows the next generation of Campbell and Kennedy girls).

Visiting the Park

What a glorious afternoon for a visit to the park. Now, before anyone wonders if I was giving Linden more attention with the camera, it must be known that Jemma was napping in the truck for a while, so she was available for only a fraction of the time that Linden was enjoying the amenities.

Before I could get the camera ready, Linden was already at stage one of the rope mountain.

Usually, she likes to try to scramble to the top (with me spotting her), but today she was distracted by the suspended bridge...

She loves crossing back and forth across this bridge, but the shoes she had on today were a bit slippery. Hence the extreme caution.

Nothing compares to the swings, however. She especially enjoys the baby swings in the corner of the park. See Jemma nearby?

Jemma also seems to enjoy the swing. The red swollen spot on her forehead is from a mosquitoe bite a few days ago. Jemma also made a long trip with dad to the sea turtle hospital on Topsail Island. She was a real trooper.

Sisters

It's been one of those hectic weeks when nothing seems to get done and time flies by like a bullet. Still, there were some lovely scenes with the girls, such as the following:

Ah, the sisters at the top of the first flight of stairs, holding hands.

Then there was the time that Linden insisted that Jemma sit on her lap - both were quite content, although the photo seems to have captured a brief non-smiling moment

There are the smiles, but, oops, the soother is blocking the view of Jemma. Who gave that to her???

Jemma offiically graduated to wheat these past few weeks, and she loves pizza crust.

Linden (not Jemma), in the spirit of Duchamp, finds art in every-day objects.

We went strawberry picking this weekend, and Linden discovered that she in fact loves strawberries, or maybe it is the thought of strawberries, or more precisely, the picking of strawberries... you get the picture.

Jemma generally loves her office and spends long periods of time occupying herself with busywork.

Too bad Linden won't wear her hair in a pony-tail more often.....

Weekend living

New cousin

Linden and Jemma have a new cousin named Chloë! They enjoyed seeing photos of her on the Queen of Sheeba blog (see link at right), and Linden kept saying "Jemma! Jemma!" when she saw pictures of her new cousin. We are all looking forward to meeting her in a few weeks.

In the meantime, a few more photos of the Carolina Girls:

If it is dangerous, Linden is up for it! Here, she tests the limits of her elbow joints by flipping over repeatedly.

Yes, Jemma is a big baby. Here she poses after her bath.

Linden loves her cat shirt....

and Jemma loves her balloon!

Mid-April in Beaufort

Recent photos, per Linda's request:

This is Linden, who enjoyed wearing her Easter bunny suit for about 17 seconds - not quite long enough to get the camera out and ready for a photo.

Here, Jemma discovers the baby in the mirror, and giggles happily.

Linden needs a haircut and more sleep!

Jemma is pretty good at sitting up these days, and that helps her proficiency at piano.

This was taken Friday night - just me and the girls (Lisa is away at a conference).

Springtime girls

The weather in NC is gorgeous right now: sunny, breezy, not too warm. This has meant lots of chances to take the girls outside and have fun. One thing that Linden has discovered is drawing on the sidewalk and steps with her chalk. Here she is with Lisa on a typically gorgeous afternoon in Beaufort:

In the case of Jemma, I have been bringing her with me on various work-related trips along the coast. Last week she came with me to Holden Beach, in the southern part of the state, and two weeks ago she came with me to get a small sea turtle ready for release offshore:

Mouth breather

Beach baby

In the kitchen

Linden has decided she REALLY likes to help bake and cook. Here she shows her taste for balsamic vinegar....

Linden in live oaks

Mobility

The girls have each found new ways of seeing the world...

Too long between posts

I was waiting for MHG to post this, since running with babes is his thing, but it's been too long since a post and this one is ready and waiting to go. Jemma's first run was cry free...