Pumpkin Picking

Lately Mike and I have been switching off planning our weekly dates. It was my turn this week. My friend Christina told me about the Paradise Valley Orchards, so seeing as Claire was joining us this week (like most other weeks), I thought it would be fun. It was a very cute place. Any pumpkin, any size is only $2.00.
Claire loved that they gave you a wagon to go get your pumpkins.

Note the apple in her hand

I think what Claire loved the very most was the small apple she found in the wagon. She wouldn't hold still to take the next picture because she wanted to pick all the apples. I think next year we will have to go back and do the U-pick apples.

We decided that we will have to bring Grandma Jane to pick her McIntosh apples next year.

Claire loved walking around with her daddy looking at all the pumpkins.
Note Claire's new hairdo, the pigtails, while posing with her handsome dah-ee (daddy). We decided that her "fountain" aka the top of the head ponytail was no longer working. It was about 3 inches tall and stuck straight up.
We had lots of fun at the pumpkin patch, even though it was a bit cold (note Claire's new winter coat). We will definitely return next year!

When we got back Claire and I decided to warm back up on the couch while doing some light reading.

This past week....

Has been a very eventful one in the life of Claire.

First, she experienced her first Aggie Homecoming. Mike insisted that she needed a game-day shirt, which he then insisted be turned into a dress. Also note the Aggie bull tattoo on her cheek that Mike purchased for her to wear to compliment her new outfit.

Second, Claire loves "helping" daddy use his tools.

Third, Claire got her new toddler bed set up. She thinks its pretty awesome.


Fourth, she has learned to climb up on our chairs, which has presented a few problems for Mike and I.
Exhibit A - She can now access the computer when the chair is left away from the desk. (Now, this is what I discovered after leaving the room for approx. 30 seconds)

Exhibit B - She gets stuck under the desk when the chair is pushed in.

Fifth, She has a new love of buckets. She carries them around, filling them with various items, only to discard those items in random places when more desirable items are discovered. Occasionally she likes to sit in the bucket.

Sixth, she discovered oven mitts. She did so during dinner and insisted on finishing her dinner with her arm in the above position.

Finally, Claire learned that Logan is COLD. This week our weather went from 80s to 50s in one day.

Fall is on it's way

We just returned from spending a week in Southern California. It was a fantastic trip! Pictures will follow soon. We returned home to Logan to find cool weather and signs that fall is on its way in. Here is Miss Claire, walking and all!


Since learning how to walk, Claire consistently looks like a zombie. Almost all of the pictures of her are zombie-esque.




PS Claire LOVES her smoothies and insists on having her own cup and straw.

Claire's Summer Adventures

Claire learned many, and may I stress MANY things this summer.
She started the summer with Aunt Allison teaching her about swimming pools during our last minute trip to California in June.

She learned that Papa Jimbo has lots of fun flowers in his garden.

Feeding the dogs turned into a daily activity. (The result of which is that Claire now loves to "feed the floor" at home)

Eating "Real People Food" is WAY better than baby food, especially when it is Spaghetti.
She even mastered the art of noodle sucking.

Sunglasses are make me look cool!

You can climb into the drawers/baskets where the toys are kept. Why play outside the drawer when you can sit WITH the toys? (Thanks Judd)

Climbing ladders open up a whole new world, even in your own house.

When you yell into a cup, it sounds really cool. (Notice my teeth that finally came in)

Daddy's tools are awesome.

It is fun when Grandma Jo and Grandpa Frank come to visit.

They bring fun toys that play music and have a monkey inside!

When you get big enough Daddy lets you ride on his shoulders. The best is when he lets you use his ears as handles/a steering wheel.
Cameras are really cool close up.
Playing in the dirt is awesome. It is fun and it insures that mom will give me an extra bath, a win-win!
When you get older your hair gets long and crazy!

We had a pretty great summer. Claire has been learning tons this summer and we have been loving it. We can't believe we have a 1 year old now!

My Adventures this Summer

This summer was definitely busy. Here are just a few of the things that made it busy, but fun!

Wedding cake - My good friend Shari got married in July, and this is the cake I made from her.

Crafting - Mike and I discovered the USU Surplus store where we purchased these lovely napkin holders, which were originally chrome and black, but we painted them with the help of Amber. I think they turned out cute.

Destruction - Claire's new love has been what has kept me the busiest, but I wouldn't trade it!

And its a ...

BOY

Claire is going to have a little brother in November!
We had our ultrasound today and we are excited to have a little boy this time. It will be a big change, but we are very excited. Everything is great with our little one. We couldn't be happier!

Warning

It has been quite a while since I have last posted, therefore, I have marathon posted to catch up. First, here are a few cute pictures that Aunt Charley took of Claire.

Claire Bear

Mike and I occasionally like to go to Yard Sales. We decided a couple weeks ago to try our luck. All in all, most would say that coming away with a .50 cent stuffed bear is a fairly unproductive hour of time, but after we realized what we had, we know it was well worth our time.

As showcased above, Claire loves her new bear. We fondly call it her "Claire Bear". You can just ask her where Claire Bear is and she will search until she finds it. "She" as Mike insists, is the only thing that calms Claire down when she is irrational. She absolutely loves Claire Bear. By far our best purchase of the year so far!

Bath Time is still a favorite

(Bath Time with Grandma Jane)