Giant Walking Girl!

Sophie broke our camera just after Halloween but luckily Hooma's was around...
I was talking a picture of Sophie trying to stand and wearing a headband (for once!) and she took off walking! She's only ever attempted two steps at a time before and always when near furniture for support. We all erupted into praise and applause, which infuriated Claire. Claire is now spinning and doing ballerina tricks to try to elicit some attention. In one of the clips, she actually pokes Sophie in the back of the head to knock her over--the term that comes to mind is Stink-Pot. Sophie's main word is "Cla", meaning Claire because she's the most awesome sister in the world. I'm sure Sophie's already forgiven her.

Trunk-or-Treat 2011

Spooky Burch Family

Claire designed her costume and I helped her realize it :)

This pose was intended to show her tail, but it must have been too swishy.

Hannah was Athena, complete with Owl familiar

Sophie wasn't in a great humor, so she's only featured in group shots...

Hooma was mysterious and sparkly. We bought gold make-up for all the girls--complete with sticker earring jewels.

Fishing and Apple Picking

Claire and Uncle Aaron with his big catch at Ryder Park in Idaho Falls

Sophie prepares to eat an apple she picked in Shelly, Idaho

We pose in an orchard that let us pick cider varieties for free!

Apple Buddies

The chomping is the best part...

First Snow of 2011

 Claire was delighted (after making sure this didn't mean foregoing Halloween and Thanksgiving) and asked to be fully suited up. It was a day off of school for her anyway but we called it her "Snow Day."

 Making "Snow Worms"---I explained angels were more common but she thought that was too prosaic.

Sophie doesn't have snow pants yet so she followed Claire around the backyard by speeding from window to window, waving frantically and weeping with joy whenever Claire noticed her.

Happy First Birthday Sophie!

 A midnight portrait--hey we're always up anyway, right?

 Chrysanthemum cake with colors picked by Sophie

 We went to her favorite restaurant, Chuck-a-Rama. Food is VERY important to Soapy.

 Showing off her new teeth--this little grin lets her get away with all kinds of stuff!

 Enjoying the songs and attention.

 "THIS!!!" (She can also say "That", "None", "Yeah", "Hi-bye" and everyone's names)

 Claire is the coolest sister in the world.

 Well if no one's gonna give me cake I'll fetch it myself...

Claire plays with Sophie's new toys so they won't get lonely while Sophie demolishes cake.

Claire and Sophie Love to Spin

Sophie is a social laugher as well, and listen half-way through for Claire to shout, "You're my best friend Sophie!"

First Day of Pre-School

Authentic ponytail and magical Hannah hand-me-down backpack for the school going girl.
Ready to go to school!
This is what Claire had planned for herself as a first day outfit.

Claire started school yesterday. She still likes the concept of school but has found it a bit frustrating to have extra authority figures introduced into her very independent life. Each day I pick up a very cross little customer who informs me, "Thunder wouldn't have frightened me on the playground if you had been with me!" or "A horrible dog wouldn't have bitten me if you had been with me!" Apparently they aren't to the anti-confabulation bit of a Montessori education...