Extended fall!

Claire turned 1 this week! We were so excited and had a fun time celebrating!

Opening presents!

It has become a tradition in our family that at the one year mark, they get a stuffed animal.

They also get a cupcake! For Ashlyn, it was pretty much the first time she had sugar. We have loosened up a bit with Brinley and Claire.

Before:

During:

After: how do kids immediately know that they should only spend time eating the frosting?

A picture from last month I forgot to post. I had the idea with the hair and Ashlyn got her tiara to go along with it.

Claire is getting closer to walking every day! Jenny and I are guessing she'll be walking by January.

The girls were fascinated with my trick!

Mom had Super Saturday for Relief Society so we went to the Children's Museum! First stop: painting our faces! Ashlyn didn't hold back!

Yes, we tried to get Ashlyn to fit in one of these slots but half-way down I had a vision of me trying to get her out, climbing up on top, and pulling on her... so we decided to let her sit on a stool.

Ashlyn was so excited to spend her hard-earned money to go on the carousel. Jenny told me later that Ashlyn came asking to get her wallet for the carousel. Jenny told her, "I bet Dad will give you $2 to ride it." Ashlyn said, "No, I want to pay for it with my money." Atta girl! She knows I would have made her pay anyway.

This is from the last time we went to the Children's Museum.

In the afternoon when Mom was home we went to the Botanical Gardens on a new path that Mom and Ash found last time when they were here. We had a great time. It was fun to go on a Fall walk. The weather has been pretty nice and we have had fun doing things outside. Below is a throne that we took turns sitting on.

Ashlyn playing the part of a doctor, checking on Brinley.

This isn't a great picture but when we got to the top of the trail it was a cool view of the Missouri River and looking out on the valley. Nothing like a view from mountains but we take what we can get here in Omaha.

Jenny has begun making her delicious smelling concoction. I love it every year when she does. It makes the whole house smell like Christmas. Bring on the holidays!