We've had requests for more dance videos...

These are from the Woodruff 3rd ward's Christmas breakfast with a live cowboy band.

It was great!

Run-ins with Santa

Claire trades her precious microphone to Hooma for a chance to take some holiday pictures.

Claire arrives on the Christmas scene at 7am. Notice the green ball--she picked it out as a present to herself and when we went to check out, the clerk politely informed us it was a dog's toy. We said we didn't care, it's beautiful and Claire can't destroy it. Plus--it squeaks!

Claire moving at high velocity. There was a whole lot of Christmassing to get done.

Claire leans perilously close to Santa.

Claire and Hannah have some playtime at the Parent-to-Parent Christmas party.

Claire was invited to a billion Christmas parties this season. She was really unsure about the fat dude in a red suit, but Aunt Hannah assured her that she needed to butter him up in order to get presents. Plus, he seemed to be at almost every party so Claire warmed up to him.

Claire's favorite gift turned out to be a $5 princess microphone that flashes and sings "Be Our Guest." Adam is a bit cross that I even found it as the tune is a bit grating. Claire is in seventh heaven with it though---totally worth it!

Claire and "Her" IPod

Adam got this IPod for school data storage and podcast lessons, but if there are groovy tunes to be found anywhere you can bet Claire will discover them! We saw her rocking out to the IPod before but we assumed she was just imagining. Sure enough, she can turn it on and access the music files. She's listening to Black Eyed Peas here...

Greek Night with the Burches

If you look carefully, you can see Claire's little teeth. She won't let us take pictures of them, this is a rare glimpse!
Claire helps us cook fantastic Greek food by making a mess in the living room. She'd like a crack at the camera too... Our very own Charybdis!
Laurel stuffs dolmathes while the spanikopeta cooks.
Just about done; these are like Greek eggrolls. They steam in broth for an hour and then they become grape leaf ricey beefy oniony spicy goodness! We felt very awesome after enjoying this dinner--Claire liked the spinach pies best.

Claire hugs my legs after I voiced disapproval at her using the squirt bottle on people.

Getting Ready for Christmas

I made this lurpy wreath--at least it smells nice!
Claire shares her beautiful sparkle tree with the neighbor baby.
Claire is busy decorating the whole house for Christmas.
She gives a fierce Christmas Monster face.
Claire insisted on wearing her dog costume for this picture of the finished decorations. We're calling her the Christmas Dog which pleases her immensely.

Claire rides a plane for Thanksgiving

Claire is stylin' in her duds from Aunt Sam and Uncle Aaron. The unicorn is courtesy of Aunt Hannah. This picture is from the return trip, which didn't go as well as the first plane ride. Claire was fussy and she made the guy in front of us purple with rage. I was terrified that he was going to strike her, but he threw biscuits at us instead. Weirdo!
Claire, much more chipper than her parents at 4am in the Portland Airport. She insisted on wearing her purple super boots (inherited from Abby Vance) to go see Hooma.

Claire Doesn't Care

It's freezing here in Oregon, although everything's still green and growing. Claire loves to run and play outside though and she won't let a little sub-freezing weather stop her. She ran out of the house without her coat (that's our door in the background), so I chased her with a coat and camera.