Merry Christmas!

We were able to celebrate Christmas with most of our family this year. Shannon, Scott, Owen, and Ellie flew in on Christmas Day. I was able to get off work early so we got to spend the afternoon and evening together. Claire was so much fun this year. She didn't waste any time ripping into the presents. We have so many things to be thankful for this year, especially our amazing family. The only thing missing was Brandon, Annie, and baby Harvey. Maybe next year...

They finally made it here!

It was a long wait, but Nanny and Papa have finally made it to visit me. While I was waiting for them to arrive, I spent some time studying my book about Minnesota. I had to do lots of reading but wanted to be sure I was familiar with the things from up north.

It didn't take me very long to warm up to Nanny and Papa (it helped that I knew them pretty well from doing Skype with them lots). Within minutes I was busy building towers with Papa.

Nanny and Papa brought me many toys from Minnesota. Thank you Owen and Ellie for sharing your toys with me! I quickly fell in love with my new "baba" (babies).

I love having a chair that is my size. I have lots of fun bouncing on it to find a comfortable spot and then reading books to Nanny (after I show her exactly where she needs to sit!)

I think my favoite toy that came from Minnesota is my little red wagon. I love to pull it around the house, collecting toys as I go, and have quickly learned that I can ride in it as well (thanks to Daddy!). Now I ask everyone to pull me around the house in my wagon. It works out well for me, not so well for everyone who had to bend over to pull me!

Making Cookies

We made our traditional sugar cookies the other day and made sure to involve Claire as much as possible. She got to pick out the sprinkles she wanted. She chose which cutters we would use. She even got to lick the beaters when we were done. The best part was watching her timidly taste the cookie that she had made. In my slide show, I wanted to include some music from Home Alone since that will be the next item on our list of things to do. Hope you enjoy.

My visit with Santa

At first, I was not into Santa at all. I thought it was horrible that my Mommy made me sit on his lap and I decided to let everyone know just how horrible I thought it was!

After watching a few of the other kids sit by Santa, I finally let my Mommy take me close to him. I made sure Mommy didn't leave me and had to take some time to just check him out.

Finally I agreed to one picture with Santa (as long as Mommy was holding me). Maybe next year I will find Santa more exciting!

Dinner Time

With some changes to my schedule at work, we have been able to have some family time at dinner. I think Claire enjoys eating on the "big" chair rather than the usual high chair. We still haven't gotten her to eat by herself with a spoon but every now and again she will reach for it and then quickly pull back like she was caught doing something wrong. We can tell she wants to feed herself but is still hesitant. Overall, we cannot complain since she still eats whatever we put in front of her. Gotta love the spinach balls and prunes!

Joy to the World

As we get closer to our second Christmas as a family, we wanted to share some of the fun things we have been doing to get ready. Going to the zoo might not seem like your traditional December outing, but it is something that we all enjoy and would like to keep doing. Claire was much more curious this time than she was in trips past. She wanted nothing to do with the stroller since it meant she couldn't walk around on her own. When we made it home we decided to put up lights and decorations. Claire was a big help in moving the string of lights from one side of the living room to the other. She just wanted to make sure all the bulbs were working properly. Two of our other traditions are yet to come; making sugar cookies with frosting and watching Home Alone. We have been having a blast with our baby girl this year and cannot wait to see what 2011 will bring. I'm sure it will contain more temper tantrums and sore gums (or gooooms, depending on where you're from) but it will also be filled with more hide n seeks and more swinging between mom and dad as we walk through the store. I can't wait!

Our day at the zoo

Jeff and I were able to have a day off together finally. Since the weather was beautiful, we decided to take Claire to the zoo. We had a blast. It was so much fun watching Claire. She was very interested in the animals and of course, walking the entire zoo on her own (who needs a stroller when you are 17 months old?)

Picture happy

What Claire does in a day

Claire loves to read books. She wants to do it herself with Mommy sitting close by. The other day she wanted to sit on the couch with her two babies and went through the book "Noah's Ark" with them many times. It was too cute so I had to share a picture!

I love this picture! Claire was very determined to reach a toy at the bottom of the tote. She was so determined that she almost went head first into the tote! It was so funny to watch her. To my surprise, she came out of the tote with her toy in hand!

Claire loves to spend time with Daddy in the rocking chair. By the looks of this picture one would think they are watching a scary movie. They are just intently watching "The Wonder Pets"!

Claire spends a good part of the day (when she is not looking at books) pushing Presley's food container around the house. Today she had to put her toy purse and cars on top.

We were able to do a craft project today with the Mother's group we are in. Claire did very well and we were able to get a pretty good looking turkey! Had to share her artwork with everyone!

Our busy little girl!

Fun with Playdoh

Daddy got Claire some playdoh the other day and he was able to catch a few fun photos of Claire playing with it. We have noticed lately that when Claire is concentrating, she usually will stick out her tongue. I believe I have seen Papa Larry do that a time or two also!

Claire is always wanting to eat what we are eating so the other day I put my cereal bowl on her highchair. She dug right into it with her spoon! She has become a little helper too and loves to help put clothes into the washer, unfold the folded clothes, and likes to carry around hangers while Mommy is hanging up clothes. It is so much fun watching her imitate what we are doing and to see her wanting to be involved.

These are a few of my favorite things...

I had fun the other day reading books to my baby doll. First I had to find two books to read. Next, I had to make sure my baby was all set up with her book. Finally, I was able to sit down and read my own book while keeping an eye on my baby reading her book!

I love to hang out with my new friend and neighbor Elliot. We play very well together and like to have snacks in our chairs.

I was pretty tired when Daddy got me up on this morning and decided I should just lay a while. I got my Teddy all positioned on the floor and rested while Daddy made my breakfast.

I have learned how to put the shapes into my shape ball and am getting pretty good at it. Daddy has worked with me and now I am able to find the color that matches the shape and get the shape in all by myself! Mommy and Daddy are very proud of my new accomplishment!

I no longer enjoy riding in the wagon. I have become very independent and now have to pull the wagon.

Trick or Treat Part 1

Trick or Treat Part 2

Trick or Treat Part 3

Miss Claire was very excited for her candy expedition this year. She started out by going to a fall festival with mom, dad, rachel and elliot. They had lots of fun taking pictures with all the pumpkins and characters that were made from pumpkins. Next we set up newspaper in the garage and carved our pumpkin. Claire was a bit timid because of the squishy insides but it was fun none the less. After a quick dinner, it was time to dress up and go trick or treating. We met up with Cameron and Halley and headed out. We made it about two blocks before the energy was zapped from all the walking. That's when we headed home to hand out candy. Claire got her second wind and was running up and down the sidewalk hiding and scaring us. It was a very fun night.