Happy Halloween!

Claire buzzed through Halloween as a bumble bee. She loved her costume and had lots of opportunities to wear it.

Check out that killer stinger. As Claire repeated many times this summer, "Owie Bee".

Claire did some selective trick-or-treating this year. The main stop was at Mimi and Papa's. She took part in their Halloween tradition of taking last year's Halloween picture off the door and getting a new one taken. It was festive on their "Acorn Lane".

Claire celebrated her 2nd birthday!

Where have the 2 years gone? It's amazing to think of all that's happened. Claire is walking and talking and becoming such an independent little person. We are so lucky to be a part of it. We had no idea how fun, challenging and fulfilling raising her would be. We are blessed.

We had a nice long Birthday celebration- the weekend before we drove to Iowa and saw Aaron's side of the family. I think we've realized that Claire is just not going to sleep in the car, but she is getting more tolerant of the road trips, which makes everyone a little calmer.

We returned on Sunday, then celebrated on her actual B-Day on Monday with Mimi and Papa and Gracie Dog (on Claire's insistence) coming over. Here are a few pictures of the festivities:

Mmmmm cake....

On second thought, let's skip the cake and go straight for the frosting...

Presents!

Papa and Claire reading their books

A special Birthday xylophone from Grandma and Grandpa!

A little nuzzle from Pat the horse.

Claire got to play with Madison (Aaron's cousin's little girl). How fun to watch them interact!

A crisp fall morning

Family time

That's a lot of apples!!

A little chat with Great Grandma Pat

Claire had a great weekend visit with Grandma and Grandpa! She showed them one of her favorite parks, and demonstrated her swimming skills at lessons.