Happy Halloween!

We had a great Halloween! We spent the evening with 4 other couples and their kids. There were a total 9 adults and 8 children. All of us ladies went to high school together. The ladies all took the kids out trick or treating, while the men stayed home. There was great food and conversation the entire night. Clare enjoyed relaxing in her stroller, eating treats, and watching the older kids decorate halloween cookies.

Here is the best picture we could get of all 8 kids ranging in age from 8 months to 8 years old. Let me tell you it wasn't easy getting everyone to cooperate, the dog wouldn't even listen
This is Clare with Sophie who is one. Sophie's mother and I went to high school together. We are so excited that Clare and Sophie can grow up together.

It was pretty cold that night so I had to put on Clare's winter suit under her chicken costume. She was so bundled up that it was difficult for her to crawl as you can tell she fell over.

Clare's friend Maddox was so intrigued by her costume.

This was right before she tipped over, as you can see in the pictures above.

Carving Pumpkins

We finally found time to carve pumpkins, five days before Halloween, but hey we got it done. Clare was pretty good and was content playing on the kitchen floor with the pumpkins. We let her touch the guts which she tried to put in her mouth. Everything these days goes in her mouth. She was hamming it up this day as you can tell in the pictures.

Look at my tongue, isn't it long?
Ta, da! Maybe she will be the next Vana White!
Oh, alright Mom, I will give you a good smile.

Clare was trying so hard to lift the pumpkin.

She has a tendency to get frustrated with things so here she is biting the pumpkin because she couldn't move it.

We were trying to tell her to be nice so here she is patting the pumpkin instead of biting it.

Pumpkin Patch

We went to a Pumpkin Patch with Clare and had a lot of fun riding on the hay ride, going through the corn maze (note we got lost and we're in it for at least 45 minutes), looking at animals, and choosing pumpkins.

Clare is so ticklish on her neck that any time someone gets close she giggles.
Clare begging Daddy to let her get this pumpkin. Who could resist that face? Daddy sure couldn't it turned out to be one of the pumpkins we brought home.

Here we are in the corn maze, before we got lost.

The happy family on the hay ride.

Daddy and his little girl.

Clare's Dedication

We dedicated Clare this weekend at Selah Covenant Church, which we have been attending for the last 7 months since Clare was 3 weeks old. It was a very special day that we shared with our family and friends. We feel so blessed that we have such a supportive family.

Clare being held by Pastor Marc and introduced to the Congregation.
Daddy's side of the family.

My Grandapa and Grandma Strand.

My Grandma Gorze.

Daddy, Mommy, and I.

Keeping Busy

I got bored being stuck in my jumper, so I decided to take a quick nap.
Gage likes to be by me when I am contained.

However, I can still get him if I want too!!

My first pair of Mickey Mouse ears, I got them from a student of Daddy's.

Enjoying a popsicle with Daddy. It is really cold but felt good on my gums.

Hi Mom! You finally found me.

I'm trying to figure out how to get up in my chair so I can eat. I just love to eat and Gage likes to clean up after me (notice how intently he is watching me).

I really don't like wearing my glasses.

Here I am trying to stand up and climb on my dog.

I love crawling everywhere, even under tables.

All that crawling around the house pooped me out. How does she sleep like this?

She was snoring so loud.

Learning Quickly

We have been really busy around our house chasing our little one. Clare is growing up way too fast. She has been crawling for about a month and we finally go things out of her reach, so we thought. Then a couple of weekends ago we found her standing in her crib. She now pulls herself up on everything and is walking a long furniture. We have had lots of falls since she isn't quite coordinated. We have now had to rearrange our house for a second time in the last month. We have gates up all over our house. She is also trying to climb everything including the dog. She is so independent and doesn't like to be contained but would rather roam free in the house. It is so cute seeing her walk and we are working with her to keep her balance. She also says "Dada" to Mitch and is trying to say our dog's name "Gage". She still doesn't say mama but she definitely is my little cling on.

Meeting My Uncle Ed and Aunt Denise

I'm just learning to stand on my own and I really like it. My Great Uncle Ed was helping me to learn to stand.
Here I am with Great Uncle and Aunt.

My Uncle Ed and Aunt Denise came to visit me. It was so fun meeting them. They brought me a cool activity table that I can stand up to, which I really like to do.