Pictures

FYI: I just added pictures to the previous post. Check 'em out, and yes, I know a few are sideways, but since I thought I had rotated them, I didn't want to take the time to go back and do it again. To manually rotate the picture, turn your head to the left or your computer to the right ;-) !!

I love a good party

Ruby turns 5 on Monday. I can't believe that she will be a kindergartner in the Fall. Seriously. Seriously?!
She is smart, fun, kind, thoughtful, and full of spice. I'd take her no other way.
We had a party today. It was fun. It was black and white and blue. It was crazy. It was 15 children with sunglasses and leis sliding on their bellies in the water to emulate penguins. It was a sugar fest. It was a little girl walking into the kitchen as soon as she woke up declaring, "Wow, this is so magical and fantastic!" as her mother was finishing the party prep (and that really was a direct quote).
The only sad part is that the mother was slightly unprepared with the camera, so we did not get a whole lot of pictures, but a friend graciously snapped a few of the decorations and food. Hurray for good friends, right?!
We love you, miss Ruby. We hope your whole life will continue to be magical and fantastic.
Love,
Mom

And they call it puppy love

Look at that face...How can you NOT be in love? He's fun, super sweet, tenacious, and does the funniest things. We are obsessed. Can you tell?

New Family Member

Meet Winston:





We HEART Winston! We picked him up at 4:30 this morning and are elated to welcome him into our family. We picked the name Winston because we hope he is as smart and courageous as Winston Churchill, who was often described as being like a bulldog during WWII. Why? Well, let me just leave you with a quote from him: "The nose of the Bulldog has been slanted backwards so that he can breathe without letting go”----that coupled with "Never, never, never give up" pretty much sums up the "bulldog" personality. Am I right?

Weekend Report

The title suggests I do this often...psh...I'm obviously a terrible blogger.
Anyway, I screwed up on my no sugar. Dang it. I'm not good at stickin' to things, am I? I did really good throughout the week and then decided that peppermint ice cream would make my sore throat feel better, and since i was at it, a cookie or two might be good with it. And then I made cinnamon rolls...
Can I tell you about these cinnamon rolls? Yum. Visit http://www.thepionnerwoman.com for the recipe. The maple frosting is delish. I also tried the homemade chex mix and will never get store bought mix again.
I GOT A SEWING MACHINE! Heather from my ward just GAVE it to me. Now I've got to figure out how to use it...and use it, I will! I already have plans for a scarf making day. I'm going to make the crap out of scarves (haha! If you're an Office fan, you'll recall women's appreciation day, where Michael declared "I know the crap out of women!")
Ok, enough for now.
XO
Claire

Just Kidding...

about going private. i don't want a private blog. silly me!

Giving Thanks

Listen, is it just me, or has Thanksgiving become one of those fly by, last minute, get-it-over-with-so-we-can-celebrate-the-big-holiday holidays? SAD! I love Thanksgiving.
Let me just take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to be living in this country founded by men who had a desire for something better and the fortitude to make it happen. Because of them, we to live in a place where we can worship how, where, and what we may.
Also, I'm am extremely grateful for those people who put their lives on the line to protect those freedoms and inalienable rights that we sometimes take for granted.
God Bless America!
And now I will stuff myself until I have reached food coma status...
Happy Thanksgiving!