Wishing You A...

 

PRE - Christmas Festivities

Gingerbread Houses with Claire's Cousins

 

started the afternoon with a story/game by aunt liv

claire spent about two minutes decorating her house

rest of the time was spent playing with soren

they dumped all of the candy out of the bowls

stuffed candy in each other's faces

and licked soren's gingerbread house

all while giggling the entire time

they had a blast!

Santa Portraits
 

 claire was very nervous

no tears but it was close
 

 

Live Reindeer at Thanksgiving Pointe

 

claire was very excited, as was khloe

i had khloe's leash in one hand and my camera in the other

looked down and saw khloe INSIDE the reindeer cage

the reindeer were laying down and instantly started walking over to inspect khloe

it scared me to death, but was great excitement for the day

 

 

we all can't wait for Christmas!

All Bundled Up

Last week we had our second big snow storm of the season. During the first one, I was potty training Claire so we never ventured outside.

With my giant belly making it very hard to do anything, I finally got Claire bundled up in her new snow suit and last year's mittens. After what seemed like forever, we were finally ready to go outside. Claire wasn't so sure about the snow as you would guess. By how she was acting I could tell that she thought she would get wet if she stepped in it or touched it. So, I took a few steps and then sat down in the snow and told her I wasn't wet. I could tell she was surprised. Instantly, she followed my lead and plopped down in the snow. She said "Mommy, I not cold...wet!".

The fun lasted for about 10 minutes and then she was ready to go inside. That is definitely one thing I hate about playing in the snow with little ones. It takes 20 minutes to put everything on, they only want to play for 10, and then it takes another 10 minutes to put everything away. Plus, you have to add more time 'cause my 8 month pregnant body moves a lot slower than usual.

Despite all of the hard work, I am very excited to take Claire sledding next time it snows. I'm anxious to see how much she'll like it.

 

The Faces of Christmas

Christmas brings to light so many emotions. For Claire, they are...

Scared / Frightened

(if she covers her eyes will Santa go away?)

 

Surprise / Amazement

(the festive lights and everything Christmas are very impressive to her)

 

Boredom

(will she ever be able to open the presents that are under the tree?)

Christmas Lights

temple square

beautiful christmas lights

not too cold

fun evening with friends

claire loved it

 

The Wonders of Skype

My parents have been gone on a church mission to Norway since the beginning of June. We miss them so much! I was really concerned with the toll it would take on their relationship with Claire, but thanks to Skype, I don't think it will be an issue at all. Every Tuesday at noon (8pm their time), Claire and I get on the computer and talk to my parents. I love hearing about their mission adventures and all of the new experiences that take place.
 
Claire warmed right up to talking through the computer and though there are times that she has a shy day, she mostly smiles, laughs, sings them songs, and with prompting, tells Mormor and Morfar about her week. In between talking she colors circles, makes me connect the dots (to make a square), and scribbles with our assortment of highlighters and pens.
 
In an effort to make them feel like they are still a part of our everyday lives, I have significantly increased the number of blog posts since they left in June. I want them to know everything that is going on just like they did when they lived 20 minutes away.
 
I am extremely grateful for the sacrifices they have made to serve a mission. The biggest temporal blessing it has brought us is the upcoming birth of our first son. Each time my parents serve a mission (this is mission number three), and ONLY when they serve a mission, a boy is born into the family. Both of my siblings had boys during their previous missions (to Ukraine and then Bermuda) and now my oldest sister and I are both expecting boys to arrive in 2013. It is such a funny coincidence. Now that our family will have at least one boy and my sisters are done having children, I've told my parents that they are done going on missions. It's time to stay home! :)

Having my parents live half way across the world for 18 months is difficult at times, but I am so glad we live in a day and age where technology can still bring us so close together. I love you Mom and Dad and always look forward to our weekly Skype sessions. Talk to you soon!

The Year Claire Ruined Thanksgiving

well, not really, but it was amusing that's for sure!



thanksgiving 2012

here we are as a family

so grateful for them and all of the happiness they bring me

started the day by watching the parade

claire liked seeing all of the big balloons and watching the people sing

then, of course, it was football time

erik and claire sat on the couch together and enjoyed the games

(wish I would have taken a picture)

she likes to copy what erik says and also seeing the guys "fall down"

 

spent a wonderful afternoon at erik's aunt/uncle's house for dinner

food was delicious and claire had a ball playing with her cousins

she was so distracted that she had an accident (we are working on potty training)

changed her into outfit number two

 

time for dessert, my favorite part of the day

enjoyed some yummy pie and cookies

claire had accident number two, this time, it wasn't a potty accident

she reached over a coconut cream pie to get to some m&m's

down came the pie all over her, farfar, and her cousin abby

my first instinct? grab the camera of course! :)

 

farfar tried to save as much of the pie as he could

it was straight out of a Friends episode

(the one where Monica and Rachel eat cheesecake off of the floor)

didn't know I was going to need three changes of clothes for claire that day

thanks abby for letting claire wear your mermaid pajamas

 

erik rinsed off claire in the bathtub and we went on with the evening

glad I've reached a place where an event like that has no stressful effect on me

it was simply humorous and claire hasn't stopped talking about the day

when the pie fell and got all over her and "babby"

 

we definitely won't forget thanksgiving 2012