Halloween 2011

We had a great Halloween! Full of Boo at the Zoos to local Halloween parades! Trick or Treating was one of Claire's favorite things! She was SO excited and kept announcing her excitement all day long! This year she was the cutest little cupcake I've ever seen! Once I heard about the cupcake outfit, I knew that's what I wanted her to be. Two of my favorite things all rolled into one: Claire and cupcakes! I love holidays that are full of amazing memories! I can't wait to see what every Halloween has in store for us! I just know that every year keeps getting better and better!

Here are some pictures from our Halloween adventures:

C.C. and I out and about Trick or Treating

Our little cupcake on Halloween night.

Boo at the Zoo with her buddy, Brayden

Halloween Parade

I am Thankful for...

I know it's the 4th of November so I will just make sure to do 4 "I am Thankful for" today. I think this is a perfect way to make you think hard about what you are truly thankful for in your life. No matter how big or small, I think it's important to acknowledge it!

I am Thankful for:

1. My husband, I could do what I do with out him. He is my rock!

2. Claire. There are no words to describe how much I love her and am thankful for her. She's amazing and is truly a miracle from God. I am so blessed to have her in my life!

3. My Parents. They have helped us out so many times since before Eric and I got married. They are amazing and I love them so much!

4. Our Girls. They are the sweetest most annoying dogs you will ever meet. Claire loves them and they love Claire. They are part of our family and I love that!

Claire's 2 year pictures/Family pictures

Part 1 of our family pictures/Claire 2 year pictures

I LOVE my baby girl

Love my little family

Clean Painting

Cleaning painting is perfect for a toddler who loves sensory projects. Claire is a huge fan of paint. She could finger paint anything, all day long. I saw this project and I knew I had to give it a try. She could play with paint while keeping her clothes on and not having to worry about her getting paint all over the place. She loved it. She kept saying, "squishy, cold, soft" while she was playing away. I kept them taped to our sliding glass door for a couple days so when every she wanted, she could go "clean" paint.

All you need:

- 2 or 3 baggies

- Fingers paints

- Tape

Squirt some paint in each baggie. Close the baggies extra tight and then tape to a door, window or refrigerator. Now it's time for your little ones to enjoy!

My 2 Favorite People

My two favorite people! Love.

Life

Claire is doing fantastic. She is in full swing of being two. My marriage is wonderful. Eric and I of course have our moments (what couples don't who have been together has long as us). There are other things that keep my life on a roller coaster ride and no some are not great, some are just plain sad but life does go on. Thank goodness for my baby, she can make me laugh within a second of being sad or down. She is my cheer team. She's amazing, even when she's driving me up a wall and even on the days when she "lost her ears". She makes me smile. When I'm sad, she knows. She knows and she comes to make me feel better. I love her. I love my life. I just wish the roller coaster ride would stop for a while and I can get off. Life, we live it good or bad. Day by day, I'm SO thankful for what I have, for what the Lord has given to me!

I know I'm happy it's Friday, are you?!

Pumpkin Patch Time

It's my favorite time of the year...fall, Halloween, pumpkin patches, apple picking... I love fall! Last Sunday we went to our favorite apple orchard/pumpkin patch - County Line Orchard. Love it (and their amazingly delicious pumpkin donuts)! Claire had a great time. She loved picking the apples off the trees. She got to pick apples, pick pumpkins, have lunch, cider and donuts, play in the kids area and see animals - she's been talking about this day ever since! It's so cute to me what she remembers from our family outings. The weather was perfect, the company was great and memories were made!

Here are some pictures from our awesome fall day (10.2.2011)