We all wen to Linden Hills and rode the trolley as a family this weekend.

Catching a toddler in pictures is a game of milliseconds you know. But contrary to the pictures, Claire enjoyed the ride and experience very much. She was enthralled in the experience in fact. I have never seen her so present in the moment. She is really growing up.

Thank you Trolley Conductor

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