Claire 10 months

Oh this sweet baby is getting busy. We are surprised everyday with the new things she can do and say. I asked her the other day if she wanted some crackers and she said, "yah." She also said her cousin's name, "Jake." She loves doing the stairs. Luckily I put up the baby gate. Now if I can just get the kids to keep it closed. She figured out that she can't go down the stairs without falling. So she will sit at the top of them and yell til someone comes to get her. Her other favorite naughty thing to do is to climb up the stairs to our big bathtub and turn on the water. Guess she likes her baths. She has turned into the human vacuum eating anything and everything she finds on the floor. We had a close call with a handful of money in her mouth the other day. One of her favorite games is when I point to where her nose is and then she grabs mine. She giggles and giggles. We are starting into the fit stage and I am sure it is too early for that. But if Ms. Claire doesn't get what she wants she cries and arches her back. Mostly this involves being able to crawl around the floor at restaurants and Walmart. Luckily it seems like we are close to walking. She can cruise around on her walker and balance for a few seconds before sitting down.  Cant imagine all the changes we will have by next month. I am excited and nervous to see.  This is going way to fast for me. 

Karla's Visit

I was lucky enough to get Karla and her 2 kids for 3 weeks this month. What a way to get through January right. I was so fun to have someone to talk to all the time. Someone to make grocery lists with and split the chores. That being said I do know now that I won't ever have 6 kids. It can get a little crazy at times even with 2 moms around. We were able to have a lot of fun all things considered.  Dave and I even got out on a date. Karla and I each skied twice. Then Dave volunteered to babysit so we could have a shopping trip one Saturday. 

First day I broke my nose. Day 2 was then full of doctors appointments. Ronan was taking Claire down the slide and going a little fast. I leaned down to pick Claire up when Ronan's head cracked my nose. I head a loud noise and was bleeding. Stunned I walked to the car. That was the end of our day at the park. We still proceeded with the days plans because it really didn't hurt that bad. Luckily it is a straight break, nothing needed to be done.

Because we didn't have any snow yet I was able to drive Karla around the lake. Here we are at the lookout point above Emerald Bay.

The little kids had a great day that the Children's Museum in Reno. Well actually Karla and the kids while I did some grocery shopping. Another benefit of two adults being around.

Truckee has a great children's museum called the kid zone. We went here 2 different times. It is close and the kids always have a blast.

Here they are. No Karla trip is ever complete without some sort of photo shoot. Darling Jake and Sienna and my gorgeous sis.

The babies in their matching jammie's. Sienna was not a big fan of Claire and most often was caught trying to poke Claire in the eye. Someday they will be friends. Just not this year.

Most the kids... Ronan was asleep I think.  

Karla took a couple great photos of Claire I'll put in another post. But here is Claire, Sienna, and Jake.

Christmas 2011

We had a fabulous holiday along with a few tears. This is one of those classic pictures. Eva was mad because she liked Leah's shirt. Claire was tired. But the picture had to be taken anyway. 

Leah opening her stocking. Surprised at her new cover for her iPod.

The tree after Santa visited

Santa was good to Ronan and got him the skate board he asked for, and of course some new pads.

We were lucky enough to have Nana and Papa along for the holiday.  Nana is trying the new hat we bought her.

Leah with her loot. She got new earrings and a jewelry holder from Santa. A crayon maker, pottery wheel, new ski coat and hat, some books, ds game, crackle nail polish and makeup.

Santa brought Ronan the skateboard. He also got a fort making kit, a new coat, some cars, a nano bug, some books.

Santa brought Eva a jewelry box and earrings too. The girls can't wait to use them in 2 weeks. Also a vest, stuffed pokemon that arrived late thanks to fedex, some books, crackle nail polish jewelry, bracelet kit, and loom.

Claire loved all the help opening and so did her helper. She got a new sled, piano, walker, and a busy ball popper too.

After waking up at 6 opening presents, making breakfast, and getting out the door to church we were all tuckered out.

Ronan gave his new skateboard a go. I didn't notice his knee guards around his ankles til I looked at the pictures.  

Here she is what a beauty. We were able to get a real tree this year and it was wonderful. The smell the beauty. Cut down by a local scout troop in the Tahoe forest. Now if it would have just snowed it would have been the perfect Christmas.

We had our first every Christmas Eve show. Each of the kids got to perform something for the rest of us. Leah made up some jokes that were hilarious. Here they are....What do elfs call their ABC's... the Elfabet.  What so snowmen have for breakfast?... Snowflakes.  What do snowman have a drink?  Ice tea.  Why did the snowman use his head for bowling?... He wanted to snow bowl.  

Nana and Papa's Visit

We had a great visit with my mom and dad. The kids had a really long time off of school so I was excited to fill in the break with some grandparent time. While they were here we heard that my laptops hard drive had crashed. Luckily they were able to retrieve all my data since I hadn't been good about backing up. Dave and I were able to take a night to go get our new iMac and finish some Christmas shopping. Nana and I took the big kids swimming while Papa watched Claire. Then Dave and I got to do on another date night as well. 

One day we went on an adventure to Nevada City. It is about 1 1/2 from me. And the cutest city I have ever seen. It was a gold rush town and mostly built in the 1900's. It is just like stepping back in time. We enjoy 60 degree weather there. I can be honest I didn't want to leave.

Ronan and Eva in a make wooden tee pee 

My dad has only skied a couple times in his life and has always wanted to try it again. I was really impressed that he gave it a go while they were here. Eva was his coach and taught him everything she knows. Like to take off your ski when you fall and can't get up. 

Nana enjoyed the village and babysat Claire while I took the rest of everyone up to ski. 

Claire 8 & 9 Months

Here is our ever growing girl. The months keep flying by and I can't believe all the new things that Claire has been doing over the last few weeks.  Here is her 8th month pictures. Which may be really only 2 weeks from her 9 month. If she doesn't look much different to you.

One of the biggest developments this month is pulling herself up on stuff. She even will shimmy along furniture. I don't think we have too long before she starts walking. Also she is crawling like crazy. The wood floors here hurt her knees so she does these peg leg crawls one knee and one foot. I'll take some video of it its hilarious.

Here is Ms. Clair at 9 months. She has starting talking this month. Her first word was dada. She says it all the time. Dave also taught her to wave and now she says hi. When he comes home she'll wave and say hi dada. When she wants something to eat she smacks her lips together. Especially when I am eating something in front of her and not sharing. Every time I am singing or we are playing music she sings too. And she loves to dance and bounces to the beat. 

Oh this sweet thing melts our hearts. Everything she gets into is just cute. I love watching her explore. Even unrolling the toilet rolls or taking things out of cabinets.

I bought this cute globe that plays Christmas songs and lights up. Claire loves it. I wanted to add it as a prop to our Christmas photos.

Skiing

We got our first snow storm and it put into reality that soon we would be needing all our ski stuff. So we took a trip to Reno and did a season rental for all the kids. Then Dave built them this awesome hill off our deck. To say that they loved it would be an understatement. I hoping this is a sign that they are going to go mad when they see the mountain they get to ski.

It took Ronan a few times but eventually he got it. 

 Eva surprisingly was the most balanced on her ski's and didn't fall once.

Leah was very sweet and thanked Dave and I multiple times for their skis. 

Here is a quick pictures from Leah's end of soccer season party. This was like a week before it snowed. Eva had a party too it was dinner at a restaurant with all the kids. Not my favorite evening keeping all 4 of the kids behaved. Dave left work to get there and save the day.

Halloween

The funniest part of Halloween for Dave and I this year was that we went to a Halloween Gala. I spent way to long making these mummy costumes. They looked a lot easier just looking at the instructions.

We really got a kick out of driving around waving at people.  

Here we are with Daves boss Bill and Jen his wife. 

I had my friend and her kids over to carve pumpkins. This is the first year I didn't carve all three pumpkins. Leah actually did hers all herself.

Our ward had a Harvest Party. Complete with Chili cook off and game booths. I was in charge of decorations. Flo and the kids helped me set everything up.

Halloween night we went to my friend Amanda's for trick or treating.We had quite the food spread for the adults.These are the kids friends from church. One thing I love about Halloween up here is there aren't any street lights so it actually is a little spooky to trick or treat. Next year I'll make sure we all have flashlights.

Here is a cute little pumpkin who was really only dressed up for about 15 minutes. The big round pumkin didn't help her with her crawling.

A week before Halloween we went to a carnival at Ronan's preschool. Then they have a gigantic Halloween parade downtown. I think the whole town turned out. Then you trick or treat to all the stores on the main street. It was really fun and we got a whole lot of candy really quick.

Here is a good shot of our cute down town with my cute trick or treaters. Eva was a skeleton, Leah a witch, and Ronan wolverine.