Christmas!

Christmas 2010:Melissa really stepped up and helped us establish some special family traditions this year that we hope to carry on and improve as the family grows.

I love to walk up the stairs and see this little squeeker looking for me. Christmas morning was no exception and I knew it was going to be a good one.

Okay, so yeah, I'm having more fun than the kid. So be it. this was taken while we were opening gifts.

Lyla Carmel goes weightless in her new astronaut jumpsuit!

Play hard. Rest hard.

3 days after Christmas, LC took her first tentative steps. No longer a baby. Sniff. . .

Skip ahead 10 days and this is what we have to contend with:

Fall is in the air, and it doesn't smell good.

I thought my title was funny. It has nothing to do with this post.

HA HA HA

Our cute kid is sporting her Halloween costume early. My mom found it for 6 bucks, what a steal. In case you can't tell she is a lamb, with a brain tumor.

My family came to town for a quick weekend visit. We spent the day at the pumpkin patch. Hay rides, pumpkins, good food and chickens. The above picture is of my parents' four grandchildren.

And Roger's arms.

I kind of wanted to get a big pumpkin and put this little munchkin in it. I imagine her sitting in the hollowed out pumpkin on our front porch. When (if) we get trick-or-treaters, she could hop out and scare them.

And steal their candy.

After seeing this picture, my dad said that Hannah is about the same size as his head. Actually, he was right.

I learned that there are few things that are more fun than a huge pile of hay.

Green Bean Gumming Machine

No longer trusting the spoon, she opts for foods that she can handle directly.

Grandparents' Video Update- Tub Fun

Squeakums graduated to the Big Tub about 3 weeks ago. A nice workout of splashing, laughing and chasing her favorite toys around the tub and she is ready to saw some logs. She even gets bubbles once in a while...

Now, why would such a sophisticated young lady need to spend so much time cleaning up? Here's a hint:

Grandparents' Video Update

So, she's officially on the move. Crawling across the room with a big smile!

Grandparents' Photo Update

Klaloch Pt. I

One of the best decisions my parents made wile raising us was to go on a week long family camping trip to the Washington Coast every year. I think this is one reason that my family is so close...sometimes too close. HA HA HA

Seriously, in the past we sisters have traveled across the

country to be part of this week. Now we excitedly bring our own families.

So many pictures, so little time.

Holly and Lyla bask in the "sun."

Lyla's first "official food" was sand. She loves the stuff! Can't get enough. It has good fiber, really cleans her out.

Halloween Preview or ..Monkey Business

First things first...sorry for the sideways picture.

Second things second. A confession.

I have always wanted a child to dress up as a vegetable.

This is a true statement.

So when I was pregnant I stocked up on all the

cheap costumes I could find.

Luke and Rachel found them in the basement.

Hilarity ensued.

What did I say about matching outfits? HA HA

Heidi, and her two critters.

We always try to teach Rachel a new word.

This day's word was wedgie.

These costumes are made for a 1-2 year old and Rachel is a

determined 5 year old

What a beautiful Flower...and Monkey.

This was actually earlier in the same morning.

Rachel did something that I have wonted to do for a long time.

But alas, I am to large.

My legs would be way too long for the sleeves of any sweater.

Oh, youth.

On your mark...

Most asked question lately: Is she crawling yet?

Answer 2 weeks ago: Not even close. It'll be months.

Answer 2 days ago: Ummm... let's revise that prediction.

So, what do you think is she close to achieving directional motion?

In other news: heatwave has struck.

Feeling like August here.