The Halls are Decked!

As soon as Thanksgiving is over....it's time for the Christmas decorations!! (Trying to keep it simple this year with a 14 month old to chase after!)

I was excited to get a few things up while Claire was napping today. Mostly I wanted to see her reaction to the tree and the lights. I'm trying to teach her "look, but don't touch" - we'll see how well that works out. For now, she doesn't seem too excited by the tree. She was especially interested in her "Little People" Nativity set. (Thanks Grammy!) Sarah - we're definitely copying your idea next year with the traveling wise men! (or "wise guys")

A Not-So-Good Sports Weekend

Here's a funny video of Claire giving the Hoos a piece of her mind during the big game on Saturday. I thought it was so funny how she came in the room and copied the way her Daddy was yelling at the TV! Daddy's little girl!! It was a sad day in our house....I've been avoiding Rob ever since!

And here's another, just because I think it's so funny!

Three Turkeys and a Happy Thanksgiving!

Can you guess what Rob and I are most thankful for??

We had a great Thanksgiving with the Masons this year. After an extra-short nap, Claire got really tired and was in bed and asleep by 6:30. That meant she missed our Thanksgiving dinner, but it kind of worked out nicely for us so we could enjoy a long dinner with the family.

Uncle Andy and Aunt Tara brought gifts! Uncle Andy is reading "Jingle Cats" - Claire's first Christmas book! Our "Thanksgiving dance party!" Andy and Tara found an awesome light-show-disco-ball-thing for Claire and thought she would love it after she was so mesmerized by the lights at Clay and Patti's wedding! Here she is shakin her groove thing to Alvin and the Chipmunks' Christmas carols!After all that dancing, here's Claire doing a little light reading. (the dictionary)
We loved hanging out with the family, good times at Grammy and Papa Jim's house, and LOTS of great food! (No shortage on turkey this year!!)

Ganny and Claire

Ganny enticing Claire with some goldfish!

Claire with her great-grandmother!! Love you Ganny, thanks for coming to visit tonight!

Thinking of you...

These are the pictures of Grandma Barnes that we keep on Claire's bookshelf. I always want to make sure we tell Claire about her and what a wonderful woman she was. We are always thinking of her, but especially today.I wanted a picture of Claire holding this frame. As soon as I handed it to her she gave her Grandma a kiss!

A Fall Afternoon

After a busy weekend with all the wedding festivities, today was a stay-at-home day. We all needed a little fresh air so we figured before Daddy has to rake up all the leaves, Claire could play in them a little! We tested out her new winter coat on this cold afternoon and let her run around.

She may look like the abominable snowgirl, but the coat worked great! She was nice and toasty warm :-)

Clay and Patti's Wedding

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Clay Hulcher!

My little cousin that used to pick the rocks out of my "jelly shoes," dress up in my dance costumes, and sing the Grandpa song with our $1 yard sale guitar.....he's now a married man! Welcome to the family Patti, you were the most beautiful bride! Claire and the Bride!

Claire wore her dress that Grammy made and hand-smocked. At the Rehearsal Dinner, they had pictures out of Clay and Patti throughout the years. We noticed a picture of Patti wearing a dress when she was a little girl that looked almost EXACTLY the same! Here's Claire on the dance floor! Everyone was dancing in a circle around her, but she was pretty much in a trance from all the lights.

Giving kisses to Daddy. She likes to put her forehead to our forehead and then go in for the kiss. It melts me.

Three generations of Claires...Auntie Claire, Betty Claire (aka Grammy), and Claire Kathleen!Claire with the beautiful McMullan women. It is always fun to see you all - we need to get together more often and not just for weddings/funerals! And thanks for helping out with Claire at the reception!!A tired little girl before Daddy took her home. She did great the whole day, but got so tired around her normal bedtime. Daddy took her home and put her to bed while I stayed for the rest of the reception.Thank you Clay and Patti for letting us be a part of your special day. We had so much fun and can't wait to hear about the honeymoon! (SO jealous!)