Happy Halloween!

Halloween was alot of fun this year, apparently so much fun I forgot to take pictures of the girls together. I will have to get some from our friends. The night started by attending a soup potluck at the Mahugh's house and Clare spending some quality time with her best friend Beth. We then attended the first annual Trunk and Treat at our church. It was a lot fun with various activities and games.

Our little Bumble Bee waiting patiently for a butterfly.
Clare so proud of her butterfly.

Playing in the bouncy house to burn energy after a few pieces of candy.

Restful Sunday

Clare's favorite thing to do is read. This Sunday after church she decided to move her bean bag chair into the kitchen and read.

Studying the book so intently.
Telling me all about her story.

Baking Cookies

For Halloween, I thought it would be fun for the girls and I to make cookies together. Clare loves getting the stool and helping me cook in the kitchen.

Little Miss Independent decided that she could roll the dough herself.
Then she decided it was much easier to just stuff the dough in the cookie cutter.

Meanwhile Crazy Hair Leah was busy pulling everything out of the clothes basket.

Where has time gone?

We have been very, very busy in the Richards' household. Mitch has finally finished all his credentials to become a school administrator, which was completed in June. He has also accepted a new position teaching 6th grade next year still with the Selah School District. I have also changed my career. After spending almost 6 years in public accounting, I received a job offer working in the private sector which I just couldn't resist. In June, I started working for Tree Top in the finance department which has been such a blessing to our family. The girls are really enjoying all the apple juice. We are finally started to adjust to our new careers but if things weren't crazy enough we decided to put our house on the market. Let's just say it isn't easy keeping a house clean with two kids playing in it all day.
Clare is getting very big and is no longer our "Little Girl" which makes her Daddy very sad. She is very independent and definitely has a mind of her own. Leah continues to be a very sweet natured little one. She is learning new things daily from her sister and is starting to hold her own with Clare. We love watching the two of them interacting with each other.
It is hard to believe summer is almost over and Mitch has to go back to work. He is very sad about this. He loves spending the days with the girls taking them to the library, on walks, to the duck park, and the many other adventures. Even though I'm jealous of all the fun things Mitch does with the girls I feel so blessed that they have the opportunity to spend time with their Dad. In between all this we have still managed to fit in various adventures that I plan on posting more about in the upcoming weeks.

My Friend

Clare is one of the most genuine kids you will find. She is friendly but it takes a while for her to warm up to people and to show her true self,which Mitch and I are priveleged to see this side of her all the time. It just melts our heart to see her sensitivity. I truly believe children are the best judge of character. On our recent excursions, we ventured into Build a Bear with the intention for Clare to build herself a bear. We were looking around at the various bears and out of the blue Clare says, "Make my friend Beth one too." We asked her why and she proceeds to tell us to "Make her feel better." As I mentioned in prior post, Beth is currently battling breast cancer and has been in extensive treatment since January. She still manages to teach 4th grade full-time, take care of her family, and even watches our girls on occasion. Clare loves spending time with her and is always excited when we tell her Beth is coming over.

Beth with "Lil One" and Clare with "Champ", the names Clare gave them.

Spring Break 2010

The first couple days of springbreak weren't that great, Leah and I were both sick. We both went to the Doctors and were put on antibiotics, which helped both of us. On Wednesday, we headed over to Seattle to the Woodland Park Zoo, then drove up to Everett to stay in a hotel for a couple of nights, so we thought. Thursday was very busy day as we spent all day visiting Mitch's family and our friends Dallas and Sareh.

Mitch, Leah, Clare, Aunt/Great-Aunt Denise

We visited Uncle Ed and Aunt Denise in the morning. We enjoyed a great breakfast with them and Clare loved playing with all the toys Great-Aunt Denise had for her.
The girls with their Great-Aunt Denise who is always spoiling them. The girls are so lucky to have all these wonderful people in their lives.

Clare cracks me up and was such a ham on this trip. Here she is asking me, "What are we doing next?", visiting more relatives of course.

We visited Mitch's Great Uncle Larry and Great Aunt Marge, which would make them Great, Great Unlce and Aunt to CLare and Leah. We just love Larry and Marge. They spoiled us with an awesome lunch. We even had the opportunity to see Mitch's second cousins Tim and Lori, who are Larry and Marge's children.

Of course one of the adventures was keeping Clare entertained in the hotel room and keeping her fed. Here she is enjoying a snack and watching Dora on Mom's computer.

Leah spent most of her time just relaxing and sleeping since she still wasn't feeling well.

The hotel we had offered a great breakfast and Mitch along with Clare were able to charm the ladies in the restaurant to allow us to bring food back to our room. It was delicious and Clare thought it was pretty cool to eat in bed.

The outcome when Clare has her own cup of hot chocolate.

Okay, so on Friday we were headed home after being in a hotel for three days and exhausted. Well, we noticed that a traffic report for the pass was flashing so we turned on the radio to listen, THE PASS WAS CLOSED. Who would have thought the pass would close in April? We pulled off to a Starbucks, hence the chocolate all over Clare's face in picture above, to try to get a hotel for another night. Clare was so excited but Mitch and I not so.

Clare's expression after we told her we were staying another night. We made the most out of the situation and went to Bellevue Square Mall. Clare played in the kid's area and we went to Build A Bear, which Clare liked making a bear for herself and Beth. It was a very fun and unforgetable spring break, but we were glad to be home.

Woodland Park Zoo

We spent one day of Mitch's spring break at the Woodland Park Zoo with the Mahughs, Jim, Beth, Jacob, and Lucas. Mitch teaches with Beth and we have become pretty close to their family. The weather was absolutely beautiful and it was the only day that it didn't rain on the westside. We had a great time and here are a few pictures from the day.

Leah spent most of her time in the Bjourn.
Is this not the cutest little face?

Clare and Beth

Clare eating the biggest waffle fry we had ever seen.

The whole gang enjoying lunch.

Leah enjoying her afternoon nap in the stroller. Clare spent most of the time walking by herself. We were suprised how she was able to keep up with the adults.

Daddy and Clare enjoying looking at the giant lizard (I can't remember the name.)

Clare's newest thing is closing her eyes when you ask her to say cheese.

Clare loved being up close to the animals but insisted that Lucas sit right by her.

Clare loves anything with pockets these days and is always walking around with her hands in them, hence the pose she is giving.

Beth and Little Leah. Beth is currently undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer and she is such an amazing woman. We truly enjoyed spending the day with her.

The Mahugh boys demonstrating to Mitch how to "finger" fence. These are two of the most well behaved teenagers you will ever find. Mitch turns into a little boy when they are around. Clare enjoys playing with them and they are so patient with both of the girls. The Mahugh family typically watch the girls for us when Grandma Terry isn't available.

Bath Time Fun

Leah finally got to enjoy a bath by herself. Grandma improvised a make shift seat for the bath tub (i.e. the high chair) so that Leah could sit and play by herself.

Leah "I can't believe I'm all by myself."
"Hmm, what is this? It isn't my toe, but I bet it would still be good to suck on."

Leah enjoying her bath.

"Seriously, Mom do you have to take any more pictures?"

Freedom at last!!

Of course, Little Miss Clare couldn't miss out on the fun.

Donkey Basketball

Mitch rode a donkey this year as part of a fundraiser for the Senior Class at Selah High School. He had a lot of fun but was a little disappointed in the performance of his donkey. Clare thought it was pretty fun watching Daddy ride a donkey. It was so nice because we had friends at the game who helped with both the girls. We love living in a small community and getting to see our friends everywhere we go.

Here is Jayden who the girls go to daycare with. She loves holding Leah.
Clare was too busy coloring to look up.

Mitch not so happy that the donkey wouldn't turn.

Mitch trying to get the donkey to go faster.

Clare posing with her friend Jayden.

First Taste

We are trying to introduce solids to Leah. She doesn't like them as well as Clare did.

Mitch likes to be the first to feed them.
Leah not quite sure what to think!

I think this face says it all about how much she liked it the first time.

I'm trying to get her to open wide but she just wants to smile.

Seriously Dad, you not going to give me any more are you?

Maybe if I stick my tongue out he won't get any in.

Leah 5 Months

Leah has the best facial expressions and most piercing blue eyes. People are always commenting on how big and bright her eyes are. She loves to people watch just like her Mommy. She has been such a great addition to our family.

Leah's milestones:

Rolling from front to back constantly.

Smiles at everyone and everything.

Blows bubbles with her lips and smacks them while watching people eat.

Loves to eat from Mom. (She spends most of the evenings during the week and all day on the weekends nursing.)

Sleeps through the night from 8-7.

Loves to sit in exersaucer and watch Clare play.

Loves to be cuddled and kissed on.

Makes the funniest faces.

She will roll and squirm all over the floor until she gets what she wants.

Grabs anything and everything in sight especially Clare's hair.
Loves to be sung too.

A total Mommy's girl. She will be totally content playing until she sees me and then lets out a shriek wanting to be picked up.

Loves splashing around in the bath tub.

Weekend at Grandma's

Clare goes to Grandma Terry's every Thursday, stays the night, and then Grandma brings her home Friday evening. This particular weekend Mitch and I decided to head up to Ellensburg for the night and relax a little bit.

Leah enjoy riding in the wagon.
Daddy pointing to Clare the horses across the street.

Daddy and Clare enjoying the peace and quiet.

Leah relaxing in the bean bag.

Umm, making hot chocolate with Grandma.

Leah watching all the excitement from her high chair.

Clare enjoying her "coffee" as she calls it in a special tea cup Grandma gave her.

Clare and Grandma making breakfast.