Claire's First Birthday

February is birthday month. Claire's is the 5th, and Lauren's is the 9th. For Lauren's first b-day, we had all of our friends from church, family, and a few other friends. We wanted to throw a special party for Claire, and to accomodate the number of people, we decided to have two parties. The first was with our church friends, and it was a triple party: Claire's B-day, Luke's B-day (a friend's baby whose due date we stole, he was born three days later), and the Super Bowl. More about the second party in a separate post.The cupcakes were made by Michelle (Luke's mom) and myselfThe guy's thought they'd be funny! (Hippe Earthday Lucy Liar, in case you can't make it out)What's going on here?Come on, Claire, our rendition of Happy Birthday doesn't sound that bad!See, here's a pretty cupcake :-) Hmm...I don't think I like this mess (I guess she's inherited my dislike for slimy things)
Please, Daddy, if it feels this gross, it can't taste good!! (disclaimer: she was up past bedtime) The day after her party, she was feeding herself for the first time with a spoon

January Highlights

A few picture highlights from January: Lauren always wants to share with Claire
Lauren took swimming lessons at Hugh Smith (where I teach water aerobics) for 10 weeks
Our MOMS Club took a tour of the local fire station. I think they need older volunteers, ones that can at least reach the pedals, but I think they do have Good Samaratin laws that would protect her if she tried to help, right?
Firegirl Claire
Fighting pretend fires sure is hard work! Falling asleep in the bike stroller on the way home.

Lauren's first haircut (just like Samson, you know, from the Bible)

The time finally came to cut Lauren's hair. She was so excited to go to the hair-cutting store! She still thanks me, and says she likes her haircut. Recently she has been watching Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Samson's Hairbrush (Veggie Tales). She told me yesterday, "Mama, I have short hair like Samson!"

The Bathroom Project

Tyler was off the week between Christmas and New Year. He decided to finish the bathroom that we started fixing two years ago...the tile in the tub was torn out fall 2006, finished last spring, and we had started ripping off the wall paper then as well. What can I say? Life gets busy - school, work, children, not enought cash...it just wasn't too high up on the priority list. Anyhoo...

Before:

During: After:

Didn't he do a great job? I'm so lucky to be married to a do-it-yourself kind of guy! :-)

Christmas Day

We spent Christmas day at our house. Tyler's mom, grandma, and dad came, as well as his brother Travis, Analisa, Travis' fiancee Kristyl, and her grandfather. I was too busy in the kitchen to take any pictures once everyone got there. We had ham, scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, carrot casserole, and blueberry pie. Most of it I cooked and froze ahead of time because we were in Houston until the night before.

Roxanne made these blankets for the girls. Claire was having fun playing with them.
Lauren looking at her Veggie Tales Bible

Playing doctor with her new doctor set. Her first patient was Grandma
Playing her "new" guitar. (It used to be my brother's)

December catch-up: at home

The Southwest Library had a Christmas-themed PJ story time. It started off with a handbell group that played Christmas carols. The ringers let the kids ring a couple of songs. Then, we read Christmas stories, sang Christmas Carols, had hot chocolate and cookies, and made bell necklaces.Tyler horsing around with the girls.

Baking cookies for Santa - the ones pictured under Christmas crafts
Helping me with Claire's stocking
My dad cut the wood and Tyler and I painted our snowman.
Going for a walk in the hood
Leaving the Christmas party at our friends, the Boutwells. Claire was ready for bed...can you tell?
Playing in a box watching "Polar Express"
Claire was so tired this afternoon, I tried feeding her before her nap, but she just pooped out!

Getting a carrot for Rudolph

I'm so excited, Santa's coming to my house tonight!!!
Milk and cookies for Tyler and me...I mean, Santa

December catch-up - Christmas in Houston

We went to Houston the weekend before Christmas to visit my family and had a great time. Everyone was there except my sister Tara, who lives in Ireland.
After I took this picture, I joined them in coloring, as did Lauren and Stephen. It was quite comical to see so many grown people coloring around the table.

Santa Claire-Bear


The night before Christmas Eve, the family put on a somewhat impromptu Christmas play. We all knew our character ahead of time, but we didn't have lines or rehearse beforehand. Stephen was a reporter interviewing the people involved in the "curious events" the night/days before the birth of Jesus. These were the characters:


Angels in training (Lauren and Emily, trained by my sister, Sarah)

King Herod (my dad)

The Census Taker (my mother)

The Hillbilly Inn Keeper (brother Andrew)

The Hillbilly Inn Keeper's Wife (sister-in-law, Amy)
Joseph and Mary

Reading a bedtime story with my dad

opening her "Ragully Ann" Christmas Eve morning

Claire had more fun playing with the wrapping paper

Emily, Sarah, Lauren and my mother making Christmas cookies.
Lauren decided that she liked making Christmas snakes better. She made a row with about six of them.