Christmas

Claire was a pretty big fan of Christmas this year- the lights, the decorations, Santa, the music, the Elmo Christmas DVD we watched approximately 50 times (and counting). She especially loved opening (and helping everyone else to open) presents, and playing with her new kitchen (where, for some reason, when asked, is always making 'um, eggs, sausage and cheese'. Apparently she's an omelet chef).

December fun

A little get-together with Adam and Ally before they headed back to Cochrane, and my attempts at a Christmas photo shoot....not a lot of cooperation going on with this gal, but managed to get a couple of cute shots nonetheless.

Catching up

Odds and ends from the last couple of weeks....another visit with bff Ally and her brother Adam while they're out from Alberta; helping Auntie June open her gift on her 80th birthday, and taking in a little seasonal celebration at the Oak Bay Christmas light-up.

thanks

For everyone who made Claire's second year as special as her first....thank you:)

Birthday girls

The birthday festivities continued with a combined birthday party for Claire and her bff Ally, in addition to a little reunion of our old baby group gals. Claire fell in love in Marley's new baby sister Tabitha and was ever so sweet with her. Buddies Daphne and Tessa made it over as well, and all in all it was a good time, if not a wee bit chaotic!

Dance

Claire still loves dancing as much as ever...her skills having been practiced at our music class each Saturday.

Two!

So hard to believe she's already two. Claire had a fun birthday complete with balloons, cupcakes and the all important presents, which she very much enjoyed opening (I suspect she will be wanting to open every gift come Christmas). Thanks to all who have made the past two years so special for our girl.

Leaves

Claire had a great time playing in the oak leaves on the weekend....and enjoyed her "ice cream" at Starbucks afterwards even more! (for the record, she thinks the whip cream that came on top of my hot chocolate qualified as ice cream, her favourite treat).

Halloween

Little Bunny and Big Bichon go trick or treating.

Pumpkins!

Claire had a fun (albeit last minute!) trip to Mitchell's farm this afternoon to pick up a pumpkin. The pickings were slim but we managed to find a couple (including a baby pumpkin for Claire). She enjoyed running through the muddy fields and grudgingly posed for a couple of photos.

Oregon, part two.

A few more random shots of our trip- laughs in the bathtub, Claire enjoying our early morning view and the many seagulls that frequented our beach front and sandcastles with Grandma (actually, it was a sand-cupcake factory they had going on).

Oregon, part one

We had a great getaway to Oregon (Cannon Beach and Portland) this month. Claire was a superstar- aside from some expected nearly-2-year-old moments, she tolerated much driving and shopping quite well. We had a couple of gorgeous days on the coast at Cannon Beach- could easily become an annual trip. I took many (many) photos of Haystack Rock- here are just a few:)

Sneak peek

Many more photos of our recent trip to Oregon to follow, but here's a quick sneak-peek of Claire at Cannon Beach. (finally figured out the trick to getting her to smile and look at the camera- talk about people tooting!)

Horsies!

Claire recently had a chance to go for a 'horsie ride wear my helmet!', at her Auntie Tara's newphew's farm. Of course, once said child was helmeted and ready to ride, she decided that no way was she going to actually sit on said horse. Alas, it was still a fun visit and she enjoyed feeding Sophie a carrot and chasing the cat!