Playing in the Snow

Claire likes to eat snow! 

So I thought I would eat some with her.

Claire Tried A Lemon

We decided to give Claire a lemon. The results were hilarious. She kept making a super sour face but would continuously go back for more!

Bathtime

Claire has been loving bath time lately. She is a little fishy!

a door, some x-rays, and a bright pink wrap

The end of November (2012) we were going out to eat with Hilary (she came for a visit!!), Garett, and Presley. It was taking a little while so I was walking around with Claire so she wouldn't get grouchy. We were standing in front of the door and she was making friends with people outside. She was waving like crazy and giving huge smiles. Well, a rude person pushed past me and opened the door. I knew it was closing and so I stepped forward so her hand wouldn't get caught in the door. Apparently Claire has longer arms than I thought and she reached toward the closing door. I turned back just in time to see it close slowly on her finger. I was trying to open the door while turned the wrong way and Claire was screaming. Once I looked at her finger I knew that she needed to go to the clinic. Thankfully Gare and Pres led the way and knew where we were going. Claire had to get 3 x-rays and they told us that her finger had cracked. I felt like the worst mom ever. My poor little baby was broken! After they wrapped her up she was doing great and played like normal. Whew. Claire kept her wrap on for only a couple of days before she bit it off and refused to keep it on. She didn't seem like it was bothering her at all. Claire was a champ the whole time! I was so proud of her for being so good while she was getting her x-rays and getting all wrapped up. She is the best!

Halloween 2012

(Yes, I am just now blogging about Halloween. I know, it's already 2013 but I have been busy!)

This year was Claire's first Halloween! Grandma and Grandpa Jackson bought Claire the most adorable Halloween costume at Costco and she looked stinking cute. Claire and Brent came to my school's Halloween parade and she loved all of the attention. The class "oohed" and "ahhed" over how cute she was as an elephant. We also went trick-or-treating at our building's truck-or-treat and we hit up a couple of friends houses too. We just wanted to show off how adorable Claire was to everyone we know. Halloween was pretty low key but it was so much fun. I love my little elephant.

Christmas letter 2012

It's a little late, but better than never...

Claire's First Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas break in Moses Lake with our families. Here is a picture rundown of how we faired.

Claire was really good on her first plane ride. Luckily, there was a cute little girl in front of us for one part of the ride that entertained Claire. 

We had to document our first family-of-three plane ride.

We took a trip to see the lights in Leavenworth. Brent carried Claire like this the whole time and she was nice and toasty and having a great time.

Chelsea, Chris, Heather, Brent, Claire, Carolyn in Leavenworth, WA

Momma and Claire after Christmas Sunday

Grandma and Grandpa Jackson got Claire this Christmas dress and we took some pictures after church. She looks like she had seen Santa, but we were just holding up Pete the Cat for her to look at.

At the annual Hirz family Christmas Eve celebration, Bampa dressed up like Santa for the babies, Claire and Rachel. Claire was not a fan of the strange man with a big white beard.

Carolyn, Claire, Bampa-Santa, Brent

Christmas morning, Claire wasn't too sure about the whole present thing. 

She did like her new sippy cup! 

Mom and Dad got Claire this doll that our friend made. 

She kind of warmed up to the present idea.

Christmas breakfast and Grandma Jammie and Grandpa PB's house. Claire had lots of fun playing with Jammie.

Chris and Chelsea got engaged on Christmas Eve!! Claire wanted to steal Chelsea's pretty ring.

Chris tried to teach Claire how to eat a cinnamon roll the right way - just dive right in.

We tried to play in the snow at Christmas time but Claire couldn't really move in her snowsuit.

Brent on our anniversary date. We went skating!

It wasn't quite as romantic as I had hoped. This was one of the few moments I wasn't clutching to the wall.

We had a wonderful time! We are grateful that we got to fly to Washington to spend some time with our families. This Christmas goes down in the books as a success.