Turkey Day 2012

David, Me, Bill & Paige, and Uncle Gordon (who surprised us and joined us for a quick beer!)

Ginnie and Torben. Caught ya!! =)

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with the Neel Family. They DROVE here from San Antonio, TX to spend the holiday with us. Of course, Ginnie and Torben flew in from Seattle like every year. I love our little adopted family Thanksgivings. We had a wonderful day and the weather was beautiful even if it was a little warm! We got very few pictures but fun was had! It was a sad day when the Neels had to return home so we quickly started getting the house ready for Christmas and decorated our tree so we didn't think about the quiet in the house.

Halloween 2012

We didn't get many good pics last night. It's almost impossible to get Paige to even look at the camera! We had our pumpkin carving party with the family last weekend (sadly all pics were lost on Tom's camera). We had a great time eating white chili and carving some cool pumpkins. We made a spider and Minnie Mouse (who looked more like Daisy by Halloween night. AZ temps of 88 make it hard for a pumpkin). The girls had a great night trick or treating. Our new neighborhood was full of action and lots of kids walking around. It was nice to meet neighbors and find out lots of kids go to school where Claire goes. Claire took a bad fall during our outing and it pretty much ended our trick or treating but it was fun while it lasted! Claire was Minnie and Paige wore Claire's old lady bug costume. Paige is 20 months now and Claire wore hers right after she turned 2.

Flashback pic. Claire 2yrs, 1month:

APEX Super Hero Run

Claire had her ONE and ONLY school fundraiser for the year. I gotta say I really loved this kind of fundraiser. No cookie dough or candy bars (sorry friends who are stuck with this one! ha!). Just pledging money per laps. The kids could run up to 36 laps. Claire made it to 35!!! She did awesome especially considering she woke up in pain due to another bladder infection. She refused to miss her run so we scheduled her doctor appt until after her run. She was a very brave girl. Tough as nails...as usual...and FAST! Paige came to watch with me (like she had a choice). We left the run and picnic and headed to the doc then back for her school party. What a trooper!! Congrats on all the money you earned Miss Claire! I really hope this fundraiser was a success for the school and we can always do this one fundraiser each year! It really was a fun morning!

Fall Break Blowout

We didn't do much for 2.5 weeks while on fall break except hang out with some friends at home and stay in our 5 mile radius bubble BUT the last day we got a wild hair and we had ourselves an adventure. It was a blast. I have never gone to Tortilla Flats, AZ (which consist of a restaurant in the mountains. population 6.). So I told Claire we were going to the mountains. We packed up the car and headed out. Claire even drew us a map!! Here is our journey on the Apache Trail:

Claire's map to the Superstition Mountains

Gearing up to head out! We even packed the cooler. Big time!

We weren't but 5 minutes off on Hwy 88 (the apache trail) and we spotted this little gem. Goldfield Station. They have shops, food, and some other cool stuff but we just did the train ride. What luck...it was leaving 5 minutes after we arrived. So we hopped on for a 20 minute train ride!

Getting ready to ride the train. Yep, we all looked in to the wrong hole on the camera. haha!

The train conductor gave us all the history of the mining area and the mountains.

Paige loved the train and was pointing at everything she saw.

Claire loved the train ride too!

Off to Tortilla Flats for lunch! I told Claire we were going to the Wild West so she brought her boots to wear while we were in TF.

Who doesn't love a wall of money!!!

Claire on the saddle barstools for a photo op.

Paige isn't so sure about sitting on the saddle.

Tried to feed some ducks at Canyon Lake but some jet skis scared them off. So, we ate the fries ourselves.

Last stop...back at the Goldfield Mining place...for some ice cones (as Paige calls them)

Happiness is

Happiness is getting the iPad fixed!! Well replaced....with a ridiculous fee....the glass got cracked on ours and it was a hot mess. We haven't used it in 2 months. It was kind of a nice break from the tech world but we are so happy to have it back. Happiness is having another Welker reunion! Happiness is having your bff in the backseat with you and giggling.

5

Claire and her BFF Jordyn! Go Bumblebees!!!

Uncle Tommy and the 5 balloon!

Angry Bird cake time.

"ICE CONE" time as Paige calls it.



Pottery Party

Getting serious about the painting.

Claire picked a puppy to paint.

Singing happy birthday. (and no, we don't know those 2 boys. haha! everyone loves a party)

=

Claire loved all the cards her friends drew for her. Mom stressin about who gave what present. Girls + presents = crazy

SHE'S FIVE!!!! Finally 5! She just couldn't hardly wait any longer to be five like her friends. This birthday was a big deal and all of our friends and family made it extra special! Our weekend started Friday when Aunt Carolyn and Joe flew in from Chicago to surprise Claire for her birthday. They came right after she went to bed so when she woke up she was so SURPRISED!!! Then we were off to Claire's first soccer game Saturday afternoon {where she told her coach she could just refer to her as "Birthday Girl" instead of Claire for the entire game. OMG, don't be shy.}. She got 2 goals and had a great time. Saturday night we had a family dinner and opened more presents. It was like Christmas in our house! Toys, clothes, and crafts everywhere!!! My OCD side was slightly dying at the little pieces that come with her new found interest of all things girly. Wow. I needed a xanax. Sunday we had her friend party at a cute pottery painting place. It was so perfect. The girls painted and crafted the perfect little pottery pieces. We had a little lunch, cupcakes and of course...MORE PRESENTS!! It was a great time. This was Claire's first "destination" party and it was awesome. I have the most awesome friends and they have they most awesome kids.

Happy Birthday Claire!!! I can't believe you are 5!! I let her fall asleep in our bed last night and at 9:50pm when she was born I sang a very quiet happy birthday to her while she slept. I love her so much and all her spunk and sass. I love her brainy side and her love of trains, cars, and Barbie. I especially love that she is mine.

Girly Girlz

Starting to notice a theme...this is her birthday party outfit!!

Claire had birthday party at Girly Girlz this weekend and it was VERY girly!!! Claire attended a party here last year but she wasn't into dress up, princesses, or anything with glitter (which suited me just fine!). This year she has changed. She is embracing more girly stuff and it's fun to see. I like her just the way she is no matter what she is in to. I actually liked the Thomas the Train phase and the Disney Cars stuff. I almost miss it but I enjoy watching her explore all parts of being a girl! I have never pushed dolls or hair bows on her. Not because I am against them. I just haven't wanted to stereo type her by buying what I *think* she should play with because it's a girl toy. I don't want her to think life is like Cinderalla and a prince always rescues you but I want her to feel adored someday.  I am okay calling my daughter a princess sometimes. I don't believe it will give her a complex or ruin her life by making her feel special (have you seen these articles onine that talk about what "not" to say to your daughters. there is a message board on baby center about parents debating using the word princess. gag). It's all within boundaries.We have always just followed what makes her happy. "Nurture her nature" which isn't always easy because Claire is serious, literal, and strong.

It was so fun to see her getting her hair done. She had a fancier hair do than I did on my wedding day!! She was nervous before we got there about doing all the hair stuff but once I assured her that it would all wash out and her curly hair would be fine she was OK! Beautiful girl.