Just playing...

Here are a few pictures of Claire playing last weekend with her bubble machine and some from tonight. She decided she wanted to put on Mrs. Potato Head's earrings and jump around like a big girl.......I think she looks a little too grown up! Hope everyone's having a great week and enjoying this fall weather!

War Eagle!

We are ready to cheer for our Auburn Tigers! War Eagle!

"Green", the name Claire gave her bear, is excited about the game too!

Happy Birthday Day!

We have had so much fun this week celebrating birthdays. Claire has enjoyed running around telling everyone Happy Birthday (even if it's not their birthday)...."Happy Birthday Mommy......Happy Birthday Daddy......Happy Birthday Daisy" Last Sunday, September 13th was Claire's 2 year birthday! Wow, I can't believe what a grown up little girl we have now. Friday we started off the celebration with a party at Claire's daycare. We brought tiny pink cupcakes for her class and everyone sang Happy Birthday. The only bad thing was that we arrived right when nap time was ending, and 1/2 of the kids were still sleeping. We waited until everyone woke up but they were still a little grumpy at first. However, that quickly changed when they saw the sweets and started eating! Sunday we had a small birthday party for Claire at our house. The rain held off so we were able to play outside.....we had a bubble machine, cars, chalk, slides......it was fun! Claire got a little confused/upset when we sang Happy Birthday to her.....I guess she didn't like everyone watching her, but once we finished she stood up and attempted to blow out her candles. She had fun opening up her gifts this year and thanks everyone for all their sweet birthday wishes. We love our family and friends!

Claire enjoying cupcakes with her class.

The sign hanging in her classroom...Claire has the only birthday in September!

Claire and her friends liked having visitors and wanted to show us everything.

Claire and Daddy anxiously await for the arrival of her party guests.

Brooks and Claire have fun playing together....hopefully next time Claire will do a little better with sharing her toys.

Bubbles, bubbles everywhere....we LOVE the new bubble machine.

Claire and Daddy

Brooks takes Claire's car for a ride.

It's time to sing....

Wow...what a big cake!

Happy Birthday to our sweet Claire. We love you so much!

Showing off her new gifts

So, after Claire's birthday on Sunday....we continued our "Happy Birthday Day" celebration to Thursday for Daisy's birthday. Our first child, Daisy Dog, celebrated her 5th birthday on the 17th. Claire dressed up for the occasion in her new birthday play clothes from her cousin Abigayle and we gave Daisy some doggy birthday treats and a stuffed animal. Happy Birthday Daisy!

Daisy enjoying her birthday treat after we sing. Yes of course we sang.

Claire helps Daisy open her gift.

Charleston Vacation

Wow, these last few weeks have really flown by. We found out last Thursday that Poor baby Claire had the flu. She has been staying home with Grandma this week to recover and while she's definitely enjoying her time at home, we wish she could spend time with Grandma when she's NOT sick. We plan to send her back to daycare next week and hope we can avoid the doctor's office as much as possible this winter. Thank you so much Grandma for driving up from Baton Rouge to keep our contagious little girl. Claire is almost 100%

So, now for the good part of the post....our super fun vacation at Aunt Debbie & Uncle Chad's house in Charleston, SC. We went to the pool, beach, aquarium....you name it. The only thing we had to cut out was a shopping trip, but that may have been a good thing. I have TONS of pictures from our vacation, but will try to narrow it down as much as possible. Thanks to Grandma for joining us and driving AND Debbie & Chad for the great hospitality. We were so upset Grandpa and Daddy James couldn't join us on this trip. James stayed home to work (but don't feel too sorry for him, he still managed to fish, swim, and attend 2 birthday parties) and Grandpa took care of things at home. Next time the guys will have to join us.....and take advantage of Debbie and Chad's backyard which just happens to be a golf course.

DAY ONE: POOL

Claire loves her Aunt Debbie

Abby and I pause for a quick pic while playing shark.

Claire wore Abby's flip flops everywhere (even the water).....she loves some shoes!

Time to rest after all that fun in the sun.

DAY TWO: BEACH

Proof that Claire actually liked the sand this time. WOW!
Someone always has to get buried in the sand...this time it's Abby.
Don't lose the kite....which we did once, and our floats about 50 times. It was really windy.
Everyone wanted to hold the kite.....looks like we need more than one next year.

More fun in the sand.
Grandma just dug right in with the little ones.
Our little beach hunk!
Ready, set, go!
Snack break (Claire always smiles for a capri-sun)
I don't think we could carry anything else!

Baywatch girls to the rescue
DAY THREE: AQUARIUM

Downtown Charleston....on our way to the aquarium. (hey...Grandma made it in a picture)

Abby's not afraid of the sharks.
All of the kids loved the snakes....ick!

Walter doing his signature robot move inside the log.

Claire can't decide if she wants to join him or not.

Too late....off he goes!

Captain Walter T

First Mate Abigayle

Watch out for the shark!!!Oh boy....we found a place to play!


Claire's reaction when we told her it was time to go.

Got...

...to...

...see the fish!

WATCH OUT!!
Everyone does their scary shark face:
Oh no....the shark got Abby & Walter.
but, Claire doesn't seem too concerned!

Our vacation is over...we'll miss you guys!
Unfortunately now it's back to work and school as usual....but we're looking forward to Claire's 2nd birthday in just a couple of weeks! Will post more soon!