HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Claire likes playing in the leaves.  She's been great at entertaining herself while Mom and Dad rake!

I think she is a bit young for an open midriff yet, even if it worked for Brittney Spears.  Come to think about it, did it really work out for her? 

Oh thats better!

Over protective daddy syndrome I guess.  

It was an especially beautiful fall day if not for the wind.  (Claire in awe of the horse and under Grandma's protection from him. 

Duh.  Of course she loves cake, and it's from scratch.  Grandma Deb sent us home with some of each of the two cakes (two birthday girls) and it is hard to tell which one she likes best.  She had the pink party cake first and so might be spoiled for life, but had the family sacred recipe for chocolate wacky cake with coconutty frosting in quick succession and showed appropriate appreciation for that as well.  She definately wasn't expecting such a wonderful send off as 2 cakes and leftovers to take home.  Thanks Grandma Deb!  She now knows the real meaning for and frequently makes the mmmm mmmm mmmm sound while chewing stuff now.  On Monday morning at home Dad shared a small bit with her and without prompting she said MMM MMMM MMMMM.  It was great.  

Aunt Charli played the fiddle for Claire, she loves music.  It was an especially nice rendition of Happy Birthday.

Pic of the birthday girls.

We all made a trip to Iowa on 10/17 late.  We stayed at Aunt Monica and Uncle Rich's house where Claire played with Daisy the dog (loves her) and everyone came over to their house to celebrate Monica's thirtysomething birthday, and Claire's pending birthday.  Here are some of the great pics and moments. 

Hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa Iles, and Madisen ( on the left) who is John and Jessica's daughter and has some beautiful eyes!  (which of course pictures never do justice)

Thanks for hosting the troops Monica and Rich!

Here is a shot of Claire meeting Pat the horse.  Claire thinks that the whinny noise he makes is neat.  She is also confused that the horse is making noises Dad usually takes care of creating.  I think I do an exceptionally great horse sound that she appreciates.  He didn't snot on her head too much, and she thought his muzzle was soft.  

We went to the mill city farm market and the new Guthrie Theater for a Saturday outing.  I am pretty sure it was the weekend before Megan and Aaron's anniversary.  I don't remember a lot of the details, but just down the street the Gophers were playing the Indiana at the metrodome.  It was a beautiful day.  The farm market was excellent, and I remember Claire shared some beef tongue taco with us.  She loved it!  Thank you chef shack...start em on variety meats while they are still young and don't care where it came from you know.  

Here is a picture of the farm market (low left) and the obvious...taken from the cantilever viewing area at the Guthrie.  
This would be essentially the same view from inside, but looking more directly over the market.  Claire liked looking out the window.  She was getting her exercise crawling down the runway like hall at the Guthrie.  

Lots of room to crawl and practice that.

Here is a rare family photo without a thumb.  Thanks to the nice ladies who took the picture! 
This is Claire's reflection in the stainless steel deck of the cantilevered viewing area outside at the Guthrie.  She loves shiny and bling as you all know, so this place is perfect for her.  

Here is a great picture of Claire and Gracie.  She was playing with a fetch toy and managed to come close enough for a nice pet.  She knows better than to get too close to Claire's loving but uncoordinated hands. 
Here are some pics of the first time Megan found Claire standing on her own.  She thought it was awfully quiet and so decided to check in on her.  She had been working on clearing the whole shelf of toys.  Thats what they are there for though, just didn't know they were such great incentives for her.  

No turning back now, she will be very mobile soon!