Happy Halloween!

Last night we carved Claire's first pumpkin! She wasn't real sure what to think about the goop inside.

But she sure enjoyed scooping it up once it was outside of the pumpkin.

Then, daddy decided he wanted to carve something special in the pumpkin for Claire.

Claire is OBSESSED with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse thanks to her daddy so he fueled the obsession a little more.

Claire thought it was pretty cool but refused to look at the camera to prove it. She would much rather giggle at the candle inside and say "hot hot"

The best picture we could get of Claire with her Mickey Mouse pumpkin!

Tonight we'll get more pictures of Claire's first trick or treating experience!

P is for...a weekend in review

Peanut

This one is now a little over a week old but I still wanted to share it! This was taken Saturday, October 9th when I got to meet baby Hunter for the very first time!

Puppy Pajamas

Claire loves her jamjams with the "pupuhs" on them. And she loves to say CHEEEEEEEESE!

Pretty in Pink

All bundled up and chewing on that lip with her brand new teeth!

Pads

I can tell which one is Graham out on the field because his hip pads stick out of his pants! He's the one looking at me!

POMS

Shelbie cheers for Grahams football team. She does a really nice job!

Points

Graham scored a touchdown for his team! It was pretty exciting to watch!

Photo Op

We took our first trip to Rader Family Farms. Claire woke up after the drive down and wasn't sure what to think of all of the people!

Petting Zoo

Claire is a huge animal lover. She really enjoyed the goats and the baby pigs.

Poultry

Rader Family Farms had a few chickens running around. Claire really enjoyed chasing them and following them under the trees.

Playing

They Pumpkin Patch had a couple of big tubs of corn to play in. Claire LOVED it and wanted to go back!

Proof

A family picture to prove that all three of us were there together. Grandma Marge went too, but I didn't get any pictures with her in them.

PUMPKINS!!!

The whole point of the trip! Claire got to pick out her very own pumpkin. She thought this one was a little heavy.

Pointing

Claire has started pointing and counting things. She will repeat numbers after us and she enjoyed counting some pumpkins with Grandma at the Pumpkin Patch.

Pitchin'

Yes, she got her way and went back to play in the corn some more! She liked to pitch the corn around the tub.

Play house

There was a little village of play houses at Rader Family Farms. Claire got right in there and played with the big kids!

Princess

Claire & daddy climbed up on the straw bale castle. Claire sure wanted to do what the big kids were doing.

Presents

A special thank you to Aunt Jeanie & Uncle Steve for sending Claire the shirt she is wearing in the pictures at the Pumpkin Patch

Potty

And, the biggest news is that Claire went potty on the big girl potty this morning! I'm pretty sure she didn't know what was going on but she woke up dry and we sat her on the potty and she did her business! Here's to hoping this becomes a trend!

16 months

I think the theme for the past month would have to be babies! We have been able to meet lots of new little friends in the last few weeks, celebrate babies on the way and even worry a little about babies wanting to come too early or one that really wasn't sure he wanted to come at all!

The first weekend in October we had some very special house guests. The Todd family came to stay with us on Friday night and we all got to tailgate together before the football game on Saturday. I didn't get Andrew in the picture, but here is Claire with her friend, and one of my favorite little boys, Jeremiah.

We also got to meet Baby Abby at the tailgate. Abby's mommy & Claire's mommy use to show pigs together and then were in the same dorm & sorority in college. We were very excited to finally meet her!

After a big day of football on Saturday we headed to Grandma & Grandpa Builta's house to celebrate Great Grandma Builta's birthday. Claire wasn't sure what to think about the singing and fire on the cake. Great Grandma made Claire the bib she was wearing and a really cute little jacket. They are two of our favorite items right now.
Claire LOVES her kitty. She tends to be a little rough with him as you can see here.

Saturday morning I got to meet one of the newest members of our "family". I don't have a picture of little Hunter but I hope to beg his mommy & daddy for one soon.

Saturday evening we got to meet Mr. Caleb. Caleb's mommy & Claire's daddy have been friends for a long time. He was an awfully good boy during his visit and Claire thought he was ok. I'm afraid he might have gotten a little roughed-up by Claire if he'd been here much longer!

And on Sunday I helped host a baby shower for our good friends Nicole & Kevin. They are expecting their first baby in December! They've had a rough couple of weeks and Nicole was really excited to be out of the house for a while...and doesn't she look great!?!

And today Claire turned 16 months old. She is becoming quite a big girl! If only we could get her potty trained! :) So, here is what Claire is up to at 16 months....

• Cottage Cheese! This kid would never eat anything else if we didn't make her!
• She pets the heifers on the nose and tongue and then squeels and puts her hands up to her face like she thinks it's the coolest thing ever!
• She says "shhh" when she sees a baby.
• She amazes me with how well she can follow directions. When she wants to follow directions that is. For example, I just asked her to push the chair under the table and she did!
• She likes for us to pour water in to her little toy cups and then spills most of it down her front.
• She says lots of words that we understand.
• She likes Elmo and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. She says "hotdog" and dances just like Mickey does.
• She climbs up and down out of her high chair.
• She can count to 3 without much prompting and Ms. Mary & Ms. Cierra are working with her on her colors and shapes.
• She says "cheese" when she sees a camera or cell phone.
• She likes to watch tv and mommy likes that she will sit quietly while the tv is on.

I've been trying to catch more simple daily activities with her on camera. Hopefully I'll do better than I have. Here are her 16 month pictures with the incredible shrinking bear!!!