Claire Bear Turns 3

Our little Claire is 3. And what a little firecracker she is. Moody and dramatic, Claire's emotions run big. Giant tantrums are not uncommon, but she can also give the most tender loves and has the giddiest laughter. She is very bossy and always tries to dictate (usually successfully) who will be the one to drive, pray, sit next to each other, etc. She drives us crazy but she is just so stinking cute.

Claire loves her cousins and siblings, but doesn't generally enjoy many other people. She is very reserved around people until she has spent lots of time around them. But her world absolutely revolves around her family. She and Parker are especially close, hold hands often, and play together for hours. I hope they keep their special relationship.

Claire loves eating, playing apps on my Nook, singing songs, playing with the big kids, and snuggling with me. She talks constantly, and her latest phrase is, "Hellllllloooooo Laaaaaadies!" She also loves getting her picture taken (hence the upcoming photo bomb). She loves cupcakes, stripes, and polka dots, and tries to revolve her entire wardrobe around those three things.

She hates getting chastised or corrected in any way, wearing matching pajama tops & bottoms, and going upstairs by herself. She believes she is every bit as old and big as her siblings and gets highly offended if anyone implies otherwise.

Despite my vows to myself, she still gets a lot of attention and SPOILING being the youngest. It's hard not to with that cute little face. We love watching her grow up, and pay special attention since she's our youngest. Here are some of my favorite pics of Claire this past year.

 

 

Happy Birthday, Claire! We can't wait to see what's in store for you!

Summer Memories

We were lucky to get some nice weather in the month between when we got back from California and when we went back to school. We tried to get out as much as possible and enjoy the sunshine!

 Parker made this cute little home for his new Yoshi man.

 Parker made this darling Hello Kitty book for Claire for her birthday. It was so cute I had to take pictures!

 Family walk around the lake. Can't beat this day for beautiful weather!

Ward Campout

We had so much fun at our ward campout. It was held at a church campground about an hour and a half from here. We were lucky to get beautiful weather on Friday night (not so much on Saturday).

The kids had a great time running all over the campsite with their friends.

 

 This was the lake at the campsite (this is about 8pm?).

 Because who doesn't arrive to their ward camp-out via airplane?

 Heading to the lake for an evening swim/canoe trip.

 If you're thinking how very comfortable these bunks look, you are very, very wrong.

 The next morning we had lots of rain, but we just pulled lawn chairs around the fire and busted out some umbrellas. We're legit Alaskans now.

 

 Though we did take my aunt and uncle up on their offer to stop by their cabin for hot chocolate on the way home, and Kenley caught two of these little frogs!

 And then the long drive home began....

We had such a great time at the camp-out! We hope to do it again next year!

Grandpa Jim and Grandma Nancy come to town!

Shortly after we returned to California, my in-laws came to visit for a week.

We hiked to a beautiful glacier.

 We took the tram up to the top of the mountain at the hotel.

 These kids and their hand-holding... they do it All. The. Time. I love it.

 We watched these guys for a while - I want to do this SO BAD!!!!!!

 Afterwards we went to what might quite possibly be the world's most gorgeous playground. Love these mountain views!

Thanks for coming to see us, Grandpa Jim and Grandma Nancy! We loved the adventures we had with you!