Merry Christmas!

Thanks to Jenny Green for this great idea--it's a for-sure tradition for us now!

Happy Birthday Claire!

In my previous life, I was brainwashed to think birthdays weren't that big of a deal. Why treat someone better one day of the year, when you should treat them good every day? A while ago, I began to realize that birthdays are not just about treating someone special on their day, but about celebrating their birth and life in your own life. So on Monday (and on Tuesday because Rhett was studying all day Monday), we celebrated Claire's one-year birthday. Hooray! I think fondly of her birth story and of the miracle that we still have her in our lives after her little accident. What a joy she is to us (except for on nights when she keeps us up late) . . . (but maybe even then . . .).

Thanks to grandparents who gave wonderful gifts, and a big sister who shared yummy cupcakes, I think Claire enjoyed her special day(s).

My sister--a while ago--had the idea at each birthday to make a video of that child from clips and pictures throughout the year, then give it as one of their birthday presents. I thought it was a great idea, and though Claire probably won't appreciate it now, I think she will enjoy it in the future.

* * *

I spent hours and hours and hours putting it together, adding music, editing clips, transitioning pictures, etc., and now it won't load onto our blog. :(

So for now, just know we had a great celebration and are so happy to have little Claire in our lives!

Pictures at last

The Weather: For a while, we had quite a bit of snow coming. It was beautiful--though a little unnerving to drive in. It's calmed down now and has melted a bit. Here's a picture of what we had. (This is a picture from our balcony.)

Death of the Whip Cream: One night, I was in a hurry trying to get dinner in the oven before we headed down to pick up Rhett from school, and when I turned around, I noticed why the girls had been so quiet:
(This picture was taken before Claire started smearing it all over the carpet and Summer started washing Claire's hair with it.)

Our First Snowman: We had a lot of snow, but it was soooo cold that we couldn't really go outside and play in it. So, Rhett brought some in for Summer and they made Summer's first snowman together. It's miniature in size--we used toothpicks for the arms, but Summer loved it.

The First Taste of Snow: We've all done it--that memorable moment of first tasting snow. Okay, so I can't really remember it, but it would be a cool memory to have--the first time snow melts in your mouth. Claire loves it too. When we'd walk outside while it was snowing, she would throw her head back and let it fall onto her face. It was especially a treat when it landed in her mouth.

Gingerbread Houses: The girls got to make gingerbread houses while Grandma and Grandpa Searle were here, and boy did they love it. Summer would carefully place the M&M's on the frosting, then purposely push it so deep that the frosting would get on her finger. With a smug smile, she would lick her fingers in triumph. She couldn't resist the frosting.

Claire, on the other hand, had a ball just pushing the M&M's into the frosting. Grandma would put the candy on, then help Claire push her finger to press the candy deeper. Claire would laugh and laugh. She loved it.

The Makeover: While Grandpa Searle was taking a nap, Grandma and Summer were doing makeup. I'm not sure if it was Summer's brilliant idea, or a little urging from Grandma, but Grandpa got a makeover too. When he finally opened his eyes, he had globs of mascara in his lashes. We laughed so hard. It's a shame the picture doesn't do him justice.

And we are so excited for our new Barney cousin coming in June!!!

Breaking News II . . .

Summer just led the kids at the gym in ten rounds of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star."

Similarities and Differences

Since I haven't had a chance to upload pictures for a while, I've decided to post anyway. Here's a list of similarities and differences about the girls.

Similarities:
*Both girls started going on the potty at age 7 months. (Nothing permanent, but usually once daily they would go when we sat them on it.)
*Both girls got their first teeth at around 12 months. Summer--right before she turned one, and Claire is sooooo close.
*Neither girls were talking much around age one.
*Both girls are small for their ages. The doctors call it "underweight," but we like to call it "petite."
*Both girls started crawling around 5 months and walking at 12.
*Both girls eat frozen peas like candy.

Differences:
*Claire is very cautious. It always seems she has to think about what she is planning on doing--deciding whether it's worth it--then she does it. (Definitely a Brittney-trait.)
Summer, on the other hand, is a risk taker. If it was up to her, she'd probably want to go sky diving for her third birthday. (Definitely a Rhett-trait.)
*Claire is a very content child. She's happy just sitting and looking around. She'll crawl over to me and give me loves all the time and remain in my lap just to cuddle.
Summer is always on the go. She never holds still long enough for more than a 30-second cuddle. She's always running or climbing or jumping around.
*Claire does not like cheese.
Summer loved cheese at Claire's age. She would eat it all the time.
*Claire drinks cow's milk.
Summer never drank cow's milk. She's just barely started drinking a little here and there. Claire's probably had more milk than Summer has her whole life!

Breaking News . . .

* Claire walked all the way from the TV to the couch without falling down--the most steps she's ever taken.
AND
*she sang "Boolah, Boolah," with us. It was more of a "Booyah, booyah," but it was a definite "booyah." So now I don't know whether to say "Owie" is her first word or "Boolah!"

The Latest on Everyone

Rhett
--just fixed the Hyundai's windshield wipers and the Alero's engine problem, and saved us hundreds of dollars. What a man!
--got a call from the Shelley missionaries saying they hadn't noticed him at church in a while and were wondering how he was doing.
--is now beginning to prepare for finals.
--has made a snowman and a snow-dragon on the tiled floor for Summer.
--is still working at Trademark Management, and known as the definite "Go-To" guy.

Brittney
--is still teaching piano to a few students.
--is busy crafting presents for the girls for Christmas.
--is getting ready (with mixed feelings) to wean Claire.
--is busy making finger-puppets and printable color books of Toy Story characters for Summer.

Summer
--can now navigate the computer's mouse pad by herself to click on her choice of YouTube nursery rhymes.
--said almost an entire prayer by herself.
--loves playing "Boolah, Boolah" (or "Booyah, Booyah" according to her) at night when she gets her vitamin before bed. She will hide it for herself, then we sing "Boolah, Boolah" until she finds it . . . which doesn't take very long.
--is no longer taking any naps during the day, and hence, going to bed BEAUTIFULLY. Sometimes, when her head hits the pillow, she is OUT. What a relief to her parents.
--is loving the snow and our Christmas tree and lights. It's going to be a fun Christmas this year.
--wakes up in the morning and says, "My Christmas tree awake!" and runs out to see the tree.
--sings all the time--making up her own songs which are most often times undecipherable.

Claire
--is sooooooo close to walking. She's taken a few steps here and there, and one time, made it to five, but won't take THE final step to walking.
--still has no teeth, but is getting close.
--will crawl over to a blanket, pull it over her head, and just sit there until someone notices and says, "Where's Claire?" then she starts laughing.
--wants to do everything that Summer does, and will just follow her around everywhere.
--wore two pigtails to church yesterday for the first time.
--makes lots of squeaking and squealing noises.
--says "Owie." I'm not sure if it's a real word, or just some sounds she's making, but she says it.
--has this funny little grin when she's pleased with herself. Her mouth stays closed, but it's the biggest smile she can give. It's so funny.

Tacoma

We visited Andrew and Maria over in Tacoma last weekend and had a great time. The best part, (in my opinion) is when the girls are asleep at the end of the day and we stay up late playing games. That's when our true personalities come out, Rhett and Andrew become experts on everything, and Maria and I lose at Pictionary (every time).

While we were there, we visited the Puget Sound. Here are some pictures of it.




Thanks Andrew and Maria. We had such a great time!

And here's a clip I took today of Summer. Before I recorded her, every time I asked her what her name was, she would say, "Wendy" (from Peter Pan). But she got it right for the video clip. It's a long one--she sings her ABC's, and I wanted to get a bit of her talking.



Here is a clip of Claire today during lunch. She had eaten almost a quarter of a turban squash, a half a cup of yogurt, and about ten grapes (sliced, of course). So for a little dessert today, she got some mini M&M's. (Notice the mess of hair caused by yogurt-y fingers. Love it.)

Happy Halloween! (And a bit of Claire)

Claire and Summer love playing in their "boat." Summer will push Claire all over the apartment in it. A few days ago, I ran some errands and when I came back, Heather had taken this picture. I don't know how far they got, or if they even budged, but looks like they were having fun!
Sailing away together.
I don't know what Claire was doing in this picture, but it makes her look like such a big girl. I can't believe this is our sweet little Claire!
When Grandma K came to visit, she bought Summer some head bands. Claire had to try them on too.

For Halloween this year, we were a crew from Kung Fu Panda. From left to right: Po (Kung Fu Panda), Master Shifu, Po's dad (the noodle seller--love the noodle hat!), and Tai Lung (the bad guy). Once again, this was a last minute, Goodwill shopping trip, though it wasn't as stress-free as the past years. It was a little more intense and used a little more hot glue too! But way to go dad! You're amazing!

What's been going on . . .

Here are some of the things we've been doing lately . . .

The pumpkin patch at Greenbluff:



Dad's new running stroller for his birthday:

The Corn Maze at Greenbluff:

Peach picking at Greenbluff:



Pony riding downtown at Riverfront Park:

Just playing:

Check out my book blog for the holiday sale.

For Dad: While He's in Class

Answered Prayers

A few nights ago, we were saying prayers, and I was helping Summer. I was helping her say, "Please help us to sleep good," and this is how it went:

I said "Please," she said "please"
Me "help," her "help"
Me "us," her "us,"
And then she hurried and cut me off and said, "to have candy."

I stopped. I heard Rhett stifle a laugh, and I tried not laughing too. When I was finally under control, we hurried and finished, and then laughed so hard afterward.

We got this in the mail today from Grandma and Grandpa Kartchner:

Boy were the girls excited!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

It's been so long . . .

So now we have to play catch up . . .

I had Heather Harris watch Summer for me one day while I took Claire to a doctor's appointment. When I got home, Heather had double french braided Summer's hair! I couldn't believe it! Since then, I've tried and tried, but her hair is so fine and I still can't do it. Way to go Heather!
Partners in Crime--Summer opens it and holds the door open while Claire jets across the room to get there too. Then they browse. For what? I have no idea.

Last weekend while Katelyn and Tanner visited, we went to a friend's cabin. Kate and Tanner rode the canoe down the river from where the cabin was to where we were swimming.
The girls really enjoyed playing in the sand. I don't know where this little smirk came from, but sometimes she pulls it when she's trying not to smile, but she's just too happy to not.




And sweet little Claire loved the sand too! We actually didn't have a suit her size, so this is Summer's other 18 month suit that we tied up in the back for Claire. It worked great.


Also while Kate and Tanner where here, we toured a bit of Manito Park. Here's Claire having a good time.
And Summer chowing down on a brick of cheese. She pulled it out of the fridge and began taking bites. I'm sure Claire's mouth is just watering.
Cute closeup of Summer.
I've seen the underwear as a hat before--she can get it on there pretty good--but this is the first time she got one of the leg holes to surround her face. I thought it was hilarious. Claire just woke up, and I'm sure she's just getting a kick out of Summer's space-ship face mask.
A few weekends ago, Andy Day and Rhett planned a surprise getaway to Sandpoint, Idaho. They were able to cheaply reserve two hotel rooms, right next to each other, and we stayed the night there. We had dinner at this "Family Restaurant" where the girls played lots of games.

We had a fun time. Especially because we put the kids to bed in one room, turned on the baby monitor, and then stayed up super-late playing games in the other room. We all had a great time.

A little bit of everything

Since my computer has been down, it's been difficult to stay updated on the blog. So here's a bunch of randomness from over the past month.

Summer skiffed the top of her lip a while ago, doing who knows what, and insisted she needed a bandaid. I thought it looked hilarious.

I had my second piano recital here in Spokane. The theme was "Name That Tune." Two contestants were picked out of the audience to come up and ring the bell when they could identify the correct tune name of the song my students (and other performers) played. The last song was a grand finale of me, Rhett, Heather, Andy, and Julie called "Basketball Bounce" while Jen dribbled the basketball around. It was a lot of fun. (PS--My two youngest students, the boys in the front, did EXCELLENT! I was so proud of them for their first recital.)

Remember this game? I loved it when I was little and found the mini travel version of it. Summer loves it too and is pretty good at catching those fish!

Claire sporting Summer's glasses.

The two girls looking out the window, waiting for dad to come home.

A few weeks ago, we went to Manito park. My favorite section was the Japanese gardens. They were beautiful!

Us at the pond by the ducks.

Summer's favorite part was the ducks.

This is Claire in my parents' back yard while we were setting up for my sister's wedding reception. Love that smile!