November 2010 Feature Photo of the Month

Face Painting

While at a friend's birthday party, Ivy took a special interest in the older children who were having their face painted. The artist explained that typically older children do better sitting still while their face is being worked on. She said that the younger ones usually like to see what is happening, and she would be happy to paint something on Ivy's arm. After further questioning, it was determined that we would attempt the face! Ivy sat in Dad's lap and sat quite still, enjoying the process in her solemn way. The end result was so beautiful, complete with green leaves curling in and amongst the petals.

November 14 marked 3 months that Claire has been gone, and 11 years since my dad passed away. We remember these incredible people with all our hearts. We miss you Claire and Paul.

Ocotber 2010 Feature Photo of the Month

Trip to Lane Farms Pumpkin Patch

October was another full month. We made it a priority to visit one of our local pumpkin patch sites which was complete with a corn maze, tractor rides, goats & sheep, and row upon row of bright orange pumpkins to run through. Ivy had a great time, exploring the colorful squash.

October 5, Ivy turned 2!~ We celebrated by picking a baby pumpkin that had been faithfully growing outside our cottage. We opened a few gifts that had come in the mail, and ended the day with cupcakes and candles. Jon's staff of 10 students joined us in singing Happy Birthday to Westmont's youngest resident. She LOVED blowing out the candles and I think enjoyed eating the cupcake even more. For Halloween, Ivy was a ladybug. We joined with our friends the Lees and the Sunukjians for some trick-or-treating around faculty housing. After the first few houses, Ivy really got the hang of things and kept turning around with a beaming face to hold up her little bucket of candy, exclaiming, "I GOT! I GOT!". Meaning, "Mom, Dad, LOOK WHAT I GOT! CAN YOU EVEN BELIEVE THIS?" She had a great time, and would have kept knocking on doors late into the night had we let her. A very satisfying first real Halloween experience.

September 2010 Feature Photo of the Month

Beach Baby

enjoying a day at Refugio Beach

September greeted us with full force as Westmont and it's crazy schedule really got underway.

In light of how constant the nature of Jon's job can be with living on campus and being available most of the time, we have been very proactive about taking our "weekend away" each month.

This month, we ventured into the world of camping with an almost 2 year old!

With the help of our favorite Uncle Danny Clapp, we loaded up enough gear for 10 people, and made our way up the road 20 min. to Refugio Beach Campsite.

We had a great time, but began to question our sanity after the second night.

Nevertheless, great memories were made and we now know we can do it!

I have to say we were all pretty happy to come home as well.

Remembering Claire: November 26, 1974 - August 14, 2010

Claire and I on my wedding day, July 10, 2004.

Probably one of my favorite photos, for many reasons.

Claire and Christina

Cam and Claire: my birthday Shoreline Park

January 20, 2008

Claire at my apartment, celebrating her birthday, a few days late!

December 4, 2009

Same day...

September 11, 2008

Ivy would be born in less than a month in this picture.

Claire, Christina, Meg: June 8, 2008

Claire and I at Shoreline Park for my birthday:

January 20, 2008

Claire holding Ivy: November 5, 2008

Ivy at 1 month

Dana, Claire, Ivy and I: July 29, 2009

Claire, Jon and Ivy: July 29, 2009

December 4, 2009

Elise (Claire's caregiver), Claire and Ivy: August 5, 2010,

9 days before she passed away.

Cam and Claire at Ivy's dedication: April 2010

Claire and Ivy

Ivy feeding Claire grapes

August 2010 Feature Photo of the Month

In August it will be so hot

I will become a cooking pot

Cooking soup, of course, why not?

Cooking once, Cooking twice,

Cooking chicken soup with rice!

August was a month of joy as well as sorrow, with Claire's passing.

However, we still were able to smile at Ivy's antics and delight in her beautiful smile and curiosity.

Patriotic Ivy

July 2010 Feature Photo of the Month:

Ivy proudly holding the flag at the Solvang 4th of July Parade.

We celebrated this 4th with our long time friends, Doug and Linda Smith

at their home in Santa Ynez.

We had a burger making contest, tried our hand at fireworks in the backyard and

enjoyed some good hometown fun at the parade.

July was also our final month of vacation from Westmont responsibilities, so we made

the most of it: hiking, zoo, beach and lots of family time together.

We also purchased a new washer and dryer, which, after some initial hassles,

was also a summer highlight. I think I can honestly say I love doing laundry now.

After living in Ecuador (where laundry was a 45 minute bus ride away), then in Emerson, (where laundry was down the hall and shared with a hall of students), then to Armington (where laundry was housed on our back porch), we are LOVING having front loading w/d that are actually INSIDE our home. It feels so luxurious!!!

Feel free to come over and do a load anytime.

Bathing Beauty

This is June's 2010 feature photo of the month:

Ivy relaxing in her spacious pool in our new backyard.

This month we moved to our new digs here in Clark dorm.

It's been wonderful to have our own 4 walls, separate "normal" entrance and

the luxury of living in a brand new cottage.

We also had the opportunity to visit dear friends in Texas, which was a definite highlight.

Lots of sun and fun with water outside.

We are thankful for our new home!