Christmas 2009

Giving her cheesy smile.

Playing with her table from Papa and Grandma.


Helping uncle Vince open a present.

Playing in Clara's new tent from BG and Mimi.

Uncle Dan helping CJ play her new guitar.

Showing off her new boots from aunt Amber.

And her cheesy smile again.

Clara had a great Christmas. Thank you everyone for all the thoughtful and cute gifts! Clara is definitely blessed to have so many people that love her!

Merry Friggin' Christmas

CJ was not cooperative when I tried to take photos of her in her Christmas dress.

Double-Fistin' It

Happy Birthday Mimi!

Happy belated birthday Mimi! I meant to put a photo on here of CJ wishing you a happy birthday, but we got to see you instead!

Some of Clara's Favorite Words

Clara is trying to say new words every day. Some of her favorites:
no
book
help
more
nana (banana)
Mimi
Papa
Dada
Mama
baby
no
Bobby (Bobby the Bearcat)
up
Buck (a family friend)
nope
deer
dink (drink)
ball
no
cheese
hi
nack (snack)
boo (She loves to scare people)
uh-oh
hey (trying to get your attention)
shoe
tent
football
no
bubble
eye
brrr (anytime she hears the word cold)
hot
"ooooo" (when looking at pretty Christmas lights)
hat (she finally doesn't mind to wear a hat outside)
bee
mae (mess)
idunnoknow
Jett (her friend at the babysitter)
boo boo
bir (bird)
no

There are a few more that we don't know what they mean and she gets mad when we can't figure it out.

It is AMAZING how much she understands. Almost anything we say she knows what we are talking about. She might not be able to talk a lot, but she knows what we say and we know what she means.

Happy Birthday!

Deer Season

I finally got a deer. We haven't seen that much moving this fall. We tried somewhere new tonight and we weren't there but about 30 minutes before this guy came out. Clara loves to say deer and pet the deer. Now, I can sleep in tomorrow morning!

A Priceless Moment

While en route to the Bearcat game last Saturday Clara showed how truly aware of every situation she is. As we merged from I-29 onto Hwy. 71 to Maryville my dad's van made a clunking sound, lost all power and coasted to a stop. We pulled over, tried turning the key, but nothing happened. In that moment of silence when we were all sitting there simultaneously wondering "what now", Clara put an exclamation mark and some comic relief in the moment with a booming "Uh-Oh!". Mary and I sometimes wonder if she is existing in her own little egocentric world, but we are coming to understand how much of her environment she absorbs and understands. Anyways, we were towed to Maryville, got to see a great game, spend some time with good friends, and Sarah came to the rescue by driving up to get us. It turned out to be a really nice day.

Go Bearcats!

Clara attended her first Bearcat game on Saturday. Bearcats beat Central MO 56-14! Bearcats now have a first round bye in the playoffs. Good luck!

Clara was awesome at the game. She LOVED Bobby the Bearcat and wanted him in her sight at all times.

First Haircut!

As you can see, Clara's hair was getting a little stringy in the back. And to make matters worse, she twirls her hair when she sucks her thumb, so the other side of her head has no hair.

I trimmed the right side of her hair, I didn't have to touch the left side because she had twirled it all out. :-)

We have been keeping track of Clara's height on the same wall that Eric and his brother used when they were younger. She is 30 inches tall! (She's kind of a shorty)

Halloween

Clara's new look. I think this is the one I give her when she gets in trouble.

Worn out at the end of the night.

Clara was going to be a pumpkin for Halloween, but she didn't like the hat that went along with the costume and figured out how to get the costume off in about 10 seconds. Sooo, we switched to a ballerina about 5 p.m. Saturday evening. Eric came up with the wand idea, I thought he was pretty creative.

Happy Birthday!

Park!

A nice day in late October means a trip to the park and playing in leaves! Eric asked Clara if she wanted to go to the park and she ran to the stroller. When we get close to the park she starts getting excited and kicking her legs and squealing.

Eric actually beat me home today, a first since school has started because football has kept him busy. He has enjoyed football season, but is ready to make it home before 7 p.m. or later every night.

I think Grandpa Tom has a name

The video was right before bed so we had most of the lights out, but Eric found something Clara can call Grandpa Tom.

Rocking Chair

Fall Colors

Again, the cheesy smile!

I had to be gone for several days to a conference so I thought I needed to bring Clara something back. I went shopping to stock up on some winter clothes for Clara, but I didn't figure she would care to much about the clothes, so I picked up this ball. She loves it!

Weekend Fun!

Carrying wood to the fire to keep everyone warm.

Playing in the flour while I was making biscuits. It was messy, but it was fun!

Clara in her Halloween outfit grandma Debbie made her.

Happy Belated Birthday Uncle Vince!

I took this picture on your birthday, but it wasn't the best so I was going to try and get a better one. I never did, and I never did post this on your birthday. We did text you on your birthday, hope it was great! Thanks Lisa for taking care of Vince on his birthday! Hope Cass is doing well.

Also I wanted to tell my cousin Marcus congratulations on getting engaged!

Clara's Toy Box

Clara loves playing in her toy box. It was Eric's when he was younger and I painted it to match Clara's room. It is still a little big for her to reach in to, but she loves to play in it!

Eric's Deer

I don't usually post stuff like this on the blog, but Eric was very excited about his deer. He killed it with his bow on Sunday evening. He debated going because he wanted to spend time with Clara, but we had one pound of burger left in the freezer from last year. We needed some food!

The Past Month

Clara's cheesy grin.

I must have cooked a good dinner!

Wearing a vintage Smurf shirt that was mine.
Jeff, Susan, and Holden visited over Labor Day for the Balloon Derby. Clara has missed Holden and was giving him a big hug.

Clara trying to entertain herself while I cooked dinner.

How's This for Safety Aunt Jenny?

I got Clara a child seat for my bike this weekend. She loves it! I think Clara is going to get me in shape. We rode for 45 minutes the past two days and when we get home she gets mad when I try and take her out of the seat. Nurse Jenny reminded me of the importance of bike safety, so I purchased a helmet today. The knee and elbow pads were included. Now if Clara will wear the helmet while riding, we'll see tomorrow.

Even Better Dancing Video

Playing Dress Up

Busy Body

Walking Backwards

Clara walks backwards on command now. She has been able to walk backwards for a while and thinks she is big stuff and claps for herself after walking backwards.

Summertime!

Someone gave us a feed sack full of sweet corn-70 ears! Needless to say this morning was filled with shucking, boiling, and freezing corn. Clara enjoys corn on the cob and sat in her chair and ate an entire ear while I was working. I love the summer and all the fresh fruits and veggies. The other night we had BLT sandwiches, corn on the cob, watermelon, and margaritas--it doesn't get any more summer than that! (Yes that is the color of our countertops, AS SOON AS we sell our house in Liberty we are updating this kitchen!)

Clara's New Tricks

Clara is in imitation mode and learning new tricks every day.

Signs for more, milk, nakee/bath time, all done, and book. She still loves panting like a dog.

Can say:
banana-nana
outside-ou
up-uh
all done-ah

When asked how big is Clara she replies by raising her hands way above her head.

Loves to blow kisses and wave bye.

Learning how to crawl back down the stairs after she gets up.

Loves to shut doors.

She loves to swing her arms and clap while she is walking. I really need to get this on video b/c it is so darn cute!

Spins around in circles.

After taking a drink she says 'aahh.'

Loves to smell flowers and say 'mmmm.'

The Past Month

This summer has flown by! Here are a few things we've been doing.

Lots of play dates with Holden. Slayton joined us this day.



Showing off my 'oohh' expression and my first skinned knee.



Hanging out at grandma and grandpa's pool.

Having fun playing with my cousin Callie.

Clara loves to sit and play like this, I just think it is cute.

Finding a new way to push my shopping cart.

Funny face.