Kiley and her Preschool Graduation

Camryn did the honors of recording Kiley at her graduation, since Uncle Max said he didn't know how to run that "thing." Jon had to MC the ceremonies and help keep things moving smoothly. Here she is, proud as can be!

Giggles

Preschool Graduation 2010

Done! She's finally done! My baby has completed two years of preschool and is so excited to start Kindergarten in the fall.

To think we are going to be doing another graduation in about 12 years is just about enough to put me over the edge.... :) My baby, graduating from High School? Eek! I have to admit those twinkling eyes and that smiling face sure add up to a stinkin' cute graduate!

Watch out 2023, here they come!

Our Budding Photographer

There is something about my camera that draws both the Clouse girls like a moth to a flame. We bought Kiley her own toddler camera a few years ago but for some reason it just doesn't float her boat like my camera does. Now Sis is in on it and likes to take pictures, of herself, the floor, dad, mom, Kiley....... the randomness is quite interesting. I think her portraits are really the best so far.

Check them out.

Self Portrait titled "Monster"

Portrait "Daddy Monster"

Portrait "Silly Mommy"

Portrait "Happy Ditder"

Gardner, Mass

Gardner, Mass... home of the massive chair.

Shawn, Shannon, Colleen, Lynn and Aunt Erna

We had an extra bonus going to MA in March, we got to meet my Mom's older sister's family. Technically I have met them before, when I was about Kiley's age. So really we were meeting again for the second time. I got to meet three of my first cousins, which was really cool. We all came to the conclusion that we just live too far away from one another.

Kalin, Mitchell, Meghan, Dakota, Kiley and Damica

We drove to Gardner, MA, which is about 40 minutes outside of Boston to visit for about a day and a half. Jon and I got such a kick out of hearing their accents- they were wicked awesome. We had a great time touring Gardner, visiting and just relaxing. Kiley and Kalin got to meet the second generation of east coast cousins and loved being the centers of attention.

Erna and Rich treated us like royalty which included fresh lobster for lunch.

We found this area in Gardner, right across from where my aunt lives.We thought it was pretty cool to find a "Kiley's Way" spelled the same way in Gardner!

Bottom line- we want to go back again!

Bubbles!

It was a hectic last week of April, and it snowed the first three days of May. But bubbles seemed to make all the stress and sickness melt away.

Dad came home early from his trip to Anchorage (thank goodness) since poor Kalin was sick with a nasty virus and a high fever. Kiley also had her bout of being sick, but some medicine, jammies and a good night sleep seemed to do the trick for her.

Anyway, Jon came home with bubbles. Bubble "juice", a gun, wands.... you name it. The sun was out so we hit the deck to try those suckers out. You can just look at Kiley's face and know she was having a blast. Just about every day now Kalin wants to go out on the deck and do "bubbles."

Grandma's 90th Birthday

The whole reason we went to Boston, Grandma's 90th birthday. My cousin Lisa held a small, intimate party at her house and we all helped to celebrate her big day. My mom and dad made it from Washington the night before her birthday so that made the day extra special. This was such a wonderful trip, our only wish is that we had the means and ability to do it every year!