Ten Months and Toothless

Ten months old and still no teeth - but isn't she just the cutest thing you've ever seen???

She's still our easy going girl. She loves playing outside, reading books, playing with Adam's trucks (she mimics him driving the truck back and forth along the floor), and clapping to music while Adam and I dance and sing.

She's gotten really good at standing up and can pop right up. This has been a little troublesome for Adam when he's trying to keep his books and things away from Clara. Luckily, Clara has figured out how to get back down from standing in the past few days.

Soooooo big!
Clara's other "tricks" include high five, waving, clapping, dancing, and touchdown.

Clara still completely adores this big brown-eyed boy. It's so fun when they get laughing together.

Adam's new favorite game.

Happy ten months, Clue!
(Yes, Adam still calls her Clue.)

Christmas Tree Hunt 2011

This year, we drove a bit further to Moose Apple Christmas Tree Farm to get our tree - it was a very pretty drive and totally worth it! The tree selection was awesome, service was great, and you can't argue with a $10 military discount.

Christmas Trees as far as the eye can see! We left Clara at home with Grandma and Grandpa, so this was a special trip for just Adam, Daddy, and Mama. Adam was really excited when he saw all the Christmas trees and got really into picking one out and taking it home. Super fun!

Hunting for the perfect tree.

Found it! This is the one!

People always say there aren't enough pictures of me on the blog...so here you go.

Helping Daddy cut down the tree.

We're decorating this weekend, so pictures coming soon!
Also....master bathroom is almost complete!!!

A Ritter Christmas

Who are the Ritters? Some secret branch of our family that is just now being revealed? No - nothing quite THAT exciting. The Ritters are a family in our neighborhood that we have never actually met, but I think they have become part of our Christmas tradition. Let me explain.

While Casey and Peg were here for Thanksgiving, they were on a walk with Adam and saw a house in the distance with some decorations in the front yard and decided to check it out. When they walked over to the house, they found that the house was totally COVERED in lights (think Griswold style). They came back and told us about it and said we had to go see it at night.

So, we loaded up the kids and took a little walk.

We could not believe it when we arrived. You can't make it out in this picture, but it says Merry Christmas from The Ritters in the arch over the driveway. Apparently, they do this every year and have won awards for their display. The lights are timed to music that plays in the yard, but they also have a radio station dedicated to playing the music so you can listen from the warmth of your car if you want. Click Here to see a website that the family created with all the information.

There are 25,000 lights and something like 250 statues that make up the display! What's also cool is that they have a big box in front of the house to collect food for the food pantry in exchange for viewing the spectacle in their yard, so we brought a bunch of stuff to put in there.

I've already driven the kids past a few more times when coming home at night. I think this will definitely be something to add to our Christmas activities! Thanks, Ritters, for your hard work and Christmas spirit!

Ladies and Gentlemen...we have a PRESCHOOLER!

Adam started preschool a couple of weeks ago and it has been fantastic for him. He loves going and seems to have already learned so much. It's amazing and so fun - we're so proud of him!

All ready to go with his backpack (a Thomas backpack, of course).

Walking into school with his teacher, Ms. Jessica. He's looking to the right to look at the buses that park by the curb. He loves to watch the kids get off the bus.

Clara and I got to visit Adam at school last Wednesday for a Thanksgiving feast. It was so fun to see him in his classroom and do some fun activities together.
They made pizzas for their lunch. Here's Adam putting the cheese on his pizza. Look at that concentration! (Clara's hanging out in the background)

Playing some little games.

Play - doh.
This was a game with music that instructs you to tap your sticks in a certain way (above your head, fast, slow, down low, etc...) Please notice that Adam is the only one following the directions all on his own :) I think they had done this before because Adam was very excited when Ms. Jessica handed him his sticks.
Each of the classrooms has a Smart Board (as a teacher, this is amazing to me). Adam was so excited for his turn! I think he likes it so much because it's like a giant iPad. Ms. Janine is helping him in this picture and Adam is laughing because when you touch the dice it rolls around on the screen before it lands on a number.

Using the pointer to move the pumpkin onto the fence.

Playing with water is one of Adam's favorite activities.

After all the activities, it was time to eat the pizzas they had made.

A few days later, I visited Adam at school again to bring cupcakes for his birthday.
"Do I have something on my face?"

Swenson Thanksgiving 2011

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with a great visit from the Swenson side of the family. Adam and Clara LOVE when Grandpa and Grandma are here!

Unfortunately, I didn't get a good picture of the table and everyone, so you'll just have to trust me when I say that dinner was completely awesome. Everyone made something and it all turned out great.
This girl enjoyed her first Thanksgiving. She liked the green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, carrots, and the cranberries.

Bummed that this photo is a little out of focus, but a good shot of the fam hanging out. You'll notice that it was unseasonably warm this year. We enjoyed temps in the 60s all weekend long! Great for spending lots of time outside.
Uncle Matt, Grandma, Grandpa, and Adam

Adam and Clara took lots of walks to the park and played outside in the yard with Grandma and Grandpa.

Clara and Mama.

Daddy and Adam - getting some serious air!

Girl loves her some dirt!

Happy Three Years, Adam!

The Boy is three and we can't believe it! We had a great time celebrating with Grandpa and Grandma Swenson, Uncle Matt, and some dear friends.

Opening his presents.
He got matchbox cars and a cool carrying case from Grandpa and Grandma Leibrock and Aunt Grace. He and Dad got right to work playing with them.

Grandpa and Grandma Swenson took Adam to the Marine Corps Museum and got him this jeep from the gift shop. Adam loved his trip to the museum with all the big helicopters, trucks, and tanks - right up his ally.

Some more matchbox cars from Uncle Matt. Building his collection.

I think angels started singing in Adam's head when he opened "Gordon," his favorite Thomas and Friends engine. Notice he would not even let go of the box while Phil was taking Gordon out.

He was so excited!

He got to try Gordon out right away on the new track we got him. The new track makes playtime much more fun for Adam (and Mom and Dad) since we can make more elaborate configurations.

Gordon finds his new home at Tidmouth Sheds. Since Adam's birthday, Gordon has done everything with Adam including sleeping and riding in the car.

Here is his cake - I anticipated its creation for weeks and was pretty pleased with the way it turned out.

Adam was very excited once he saw his cake. Notice the Thomas in his hand, as well.

Maybe a little TOO excited...

Licking the frosting off of the Thomas from the cake.

Eating cake with his very good friend Mason.Clara got to try some of her big brother's birthday cake, too.
There was lots of investigating before the actual eating took place.

In the end, it was a hit.

I can't believe my boy is three. I remember the moment I saw him for the first time and my life changed. He brings us so much joy, even with the challenges, and we are so proud of him. He makes us laugh every day and his sister absolutely adores him. It is so amazing to watch him grow and we are so blessed by this little man.
We love you, Adam!

Happy Nine Months!

She's nine months old and she's HAPPY!

She has so much fun playing with Adam and follows him (and the cat) everywhere. Adam has figured out that Clara says "BA BA BA BA BA," and they have great conversations back and forth using this language. Clara also mimics waving, clapping, and does "so big." It's been a fun month!

Playing peek-a-boo...where's Clara?

There she is!

Haven't found a food she doesn't like, yet.
Lovin' the mandarin oranges!

And, the peas and carrots.

Getting much better at the sippy cup.

She weighed 17 lbs. 11 oz. at the doctor - getting so big. She's lovin' life and makes life so fun for us. We'll see Grandma and Grandpa Swenson for Thanksgiving AND her big brother's third birthday - YAY!
Here's a silly picture to leave you with :)