The Swarrell Life

So we're going on a trip in September that may include Canada. (Eh?) That means we need a passport for the she-cub. It's good for five years. Can you imagine having this passport for Trinity at age five? It's ridiculous. She's going to be so different. But we need it so we went and sent off for it today. We had to expedite. Ouch ($$$). They needed a 2x2 headshot so I put the babe in her bumbo and snapped a few photos. Here's the winning shot: And then, being the artist that I am, I chose an alternate that really showed who Trinity is. This is what she inherited from her mom and dad, poor soul. It's the goofy stuff. It's what makes me smile. Jeez I'm blessed. And you get to see it too. Enjoy!

I can't even count that high...not enough fingers and toes. I also have an uncounted number of pictures of my unbelieveably cute daughter. Wanna see? If you're here then you either 1) want to see, or 2) don't have a choice and are now compelled to look at the cute photos that follow. Sucker. Just kidding. Sort of. Enjoy the (long) show! I don't know if this is really a crawl, but she appears to be on all fours. Mostly though, it is a combat crawl where she scoots around on her belly. Some times she'll even use the rug to pull herself forward. Oh yeah, we're in trouble! In contrast to the crawling, she also has the relaxation down too. Notice the slouch. Not too good on the spine, but she seems happy enough. Or content, take your pick. I mentioned before how Trinity lacks the acumen to beat a stuffed giraffe at wrestling. Not very impressive. So what does it say about us as parents when that same girl makes it IMPOSSIBLE to get her dressed sometimes? Uh, no comme...

We have maybe the cutest baby in town. I have a little issue though, since she seems to lose all of her wrestling matches with her stuffed animals. Case in point is the picture below, where you can clearly see that Juniper the Giraffe has her in a deadly submission hold that no self-respecting baby should ever allow to be put on her. As you can see, she clearly needs assistance. Down for the count? Last weekend Autumn took me on a date to the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. We left Trinity with my dad and step mom for the evening and went out for a nice night on the town. On the way over to Boise, we stopped in Ontario for coffee and a diaper change (Trinity's diaper, not mine) and here is what we are rewarded with: a cute smile! Also, my folks got a new cat named Franklin Jack. We call him Franky J and he is a very nice cat. He lets Trinity pull his whiskers and his tail and he does not even care. Here is the three of us chilling out on the floor.

So we had some portraits taken when Trinity was six months old. They originally lured us in with a special deal for $9.99. Then they take like three hundred photos and make you choose ONE. Impossible. But we did narrow it down to just a few. The above photo is one of them. The weekend of the fourth of July was momentous mainly because it marked the first time we had left Trinity over night. We had both been gone individually, but never at the same time. My mom and Harry came down to watch her for us (thanks guys!). Harry promised that should would be walking and talking by the time we returned. The bad thing was that the day they arrived, Trinity decided to cut her first tooth! So they had a grumpy-pants for a couple of days, but overall a great time was had by all. The most memorable of moments was relayed to me by my mom over the phone. While my parents and Trinity were having dinner at Autumn's parents' house, Trinity kept leaning way over in her high chair, staring at the c...

It turns out that Trinity REALLY likes avocado...yum! So far it is the only food that she really can't get enough of. We've tried squash, rice cereal, carrots, sweet potatoes and peas too, but nothing comes close to avocado. I can't say that I blame her. In fact, I'm a little jealous. I'd love to have nothing but avocado for dinner. Mmm... Show us what you had for dinner! Also, Autumn took Trinity to a water class for a week or so. It was great for the kids because they sing songs and dance around to get used to the water. They even get to use kick boards! First swing = big giggles and smiles Digby has been a little attention starved lately, so Lee came over in the plymouth to take her for a play date with Duke. I can't believe the dogs are allowed to ride in the plymouth. There ought to be some sort of law!

I start this post with the above photo because there is a simple reason why I can celebrate father's day as a father for the first time. I am a father now, which can be a little daunting to think about, and I have a beautiful daughter to prove it. My wife and my daughter are the main reasons that I can celebrate. So it is not just my day, but OUR day. I am a lucky man. Here are two good reasons to celebrate father's day: my daughter and my dad! Father's day was right after my cousin's wedding, so we all had a father's day breakfast at the Marriott in downtown Portland. It was a GREAT buffet, with omelets, salmon and cheese blintzes. Yum! We had an impromptu photo shoot while Trinity was in her Diaper. Like most babies, she loves being naked! After we came home, I was surprised by Autumn with a new wheelbarrow for father's day! It sounds goofy, but I have wanted one really bad for a while now. Thanks snookums! So, here we have more random cuteness: she looks like...

So my cousin go married last week in Portland. Sooooo, we packed up the car and the baby and headed off down the road. The cool thing was that it was a bit of a family reunion since most everyone was going to be there. In fact, I think everyone was. Here she is with her dad giving her away: Here comes the bride, and isn't she lovely! Here was the ceremony, which was held at the World Trade Center in downtown Portland. I do believe that this was Trinity's first wedding. Hence the excitement. Here's the father of the bride. Not Steve Martin, my uncle Brian. Uncle Bill and Aunt Jackie lovin' on Trin at the reception. It was a pretty cool place for a reception, it was a room with all these poles coming down through the whole place. Lots of windows, very hip. Trinity loves her Oma! The bride and groom. "nuff said. Me and my cousin Rich. He is better known as the grabber. Ask me how he got that name. I dare you. My sis and the bride lookin' good! Trinity has her Oma ...

Our good friend Angela moved last weekend to pursue a new career and be closer to those she loves. We'll miss Angela very much, she is always so upbeat and fun to be around. I know Autumn will miss her as a running partner too. So Angela, tell us how you REALLY feel! Kim and Quin. Cute kid, but he better stay away from my daughter! Kathie cuddling with Trinity, so cute! Here is the office crew giving us the most serious faces they can... The pictures that follow are a series... It's hard to find good help these days! Seriously though, Angela was great to work with and was a great friend to many. WE'LL MISS YOU ANGELA!!!

My friend Chris bought me this headband for running. It is very handy for keeping the sweat out of my eyes. But, as usual, Trinity makes it look better: Athletic headbands with dresses, faux pas or fashion statement? Autumn brought home some bubbles from the store the other day, which has turned out to be great fun for all of us! Trinity likes the bubbles! Ahhh, it's coming to get me! Ahhh, it got me!

As you may or may not know, we have the cutest baby on the block. The other day she learned how to make noise with plastic cups. She thought it was pretty funny. She has the cutest giggle Also, Trinity has a new jumperoo. This is a great discovery for Trinity, she LOVES jumping in it! Even the hiccups don't slow her down!

Last weekend there was a 5k Dog Fun Run/Walk that you can bring your dog along, but don't have to. There were separate categories for having a dog/not having a dog. My friend Chris and I have been running at lunch and Chris is doing as many 5k runs as he can. So we did this event, although neither of us felt like dragging our pups along. Neither would have lasted much over a mile. Here we are in good form: This was right near the finish line, only a little ways to go! Woohoo, we're done! Autumn and Trinity ran it with the jogger for the first time...a little different, but Autumn placed first for people without dogs! Go Girls! Here is our proud little girl after her first 5k run out of the womb!