Good to be Home

After 4 1/2 days away, I arrived home again late last night. My conference definitely was worthwhile, and I valued having time to hang out with some of my entertaining colleagues from school just as much. It's great to have a whole brain filled with ideas to try out in August when school starts again. Nate valiantly held down the fort here, though he has a lot on his plate with work right now, and Claire had some long days at daycare. If I go again, we might need to recruit some help from some help from any willing grandparent (hint, hint...).

I can't get enough of these hugs today...

I even started missing this dog, though as he was chasing a gopher through my garden I began to rethink it. This is the best picture of him I've ever taken; it captures his Chesapeake spirit.

After my time away, I even missed messes like these--dumping out all the drawers to find the perfect outfit. To her credit, she did put all the clothes back in, just unfolded and in completely the wrong places.

For my husband...

This is a post especially for my husband who will be alone with Claire on both our anniversary (7 years!) and Father's Day while I attend a conference for Advanced Placement teachers in Spokane, WA. I'm leaving Claire for the first time for longer than just one night (it will be 5 nights total!). I know she's in great hands and is excited about the extra time with her Papi, but all the same, I think I'll be VERY ready to come home on Thursday. I am very lucky to have a husband who supports my career and is a wonderful father to his little girl. Thanks for all you do, Nate!

Here's a blast from the past...Claire's first hike, three years ago when she was two months old. Nate started as a great dad and continues to build this amazing relationship with his little girl. Happy Father's Day!

And from even further into the past...leaving the church as Mr. and Mrs. Cutler: the first steps of our life together that gets better all the time. Happy Anniversary!

Summer Activities

We're keeping busy around here with summer activities. Claire got her own fish last week (and it's still kicking!); she's named it "Coddy," rejecting my suggestion of "Sushi." It's a Beta fish since I got upsold from the 14 cent goldfish by the girl at PetCo assuring me the Beta fish are hardier and cleaner.

Despite continuing wet weather, we took our first road trip/camping trip of the summer last weekend. We traveled to the center of the state, Lewistown, and managed to find a great, sheltered campground near a creek in the Little Belt Mountains on the way home.
We also fit in another canoe trip to Harrison Lake--just 30 minutes down the road and quite scenic with views of the Tobacco Root range, green pastures, and even Angus cattle in the distance.
Claire has started dance class for the summer. She got to go a few times with Nate's mom while she was visiting in February and loved it. I have to admit, a room full of little girls in pink dance outfits is pretty irresistible, as much as I want her to bike, hike, ski, and fish like her mama!