Santa Baby

Four years ago this month was the one and only time Mommy was able to get a photo of me with Santa Claus without any protest or crying. Not a bad photo, but notice that I'm not smiling.

Don't get me wrong, I love the big guy, but I don't really feel any need to go near him. I'm content to write him a letter telling him what I want for Christmas.

Fast forward to today - this is Claire and her first photo with Santa Claus (sorry for the bad quality!) Do you notice that someone is missing from the photo?

I love my little sister, but she was on her own for this photo session. I went shopping with Nana instead.

Mommy said that Claire didn't get upset at all sitting in the furry guy's lap. She didn't offer any big (almost) toothless smiles, but at least she didn't cry. She's braver than I am, but I also know that she doesn't know any better, yet! :)

All Claire Wants for Christmas is Her Two Front Teeth

All Claire wants for Christmas is her two front teeth,

her two front teeth,

her two front teeth...

...Gee if she could only have her two front teeth...

...then she could eat a lot for Christmas!!

Looks like Christmas came early for Claire!

The Many Faces of Claire

Fancy Nancy Claire

Berry Cute Strawberry Shortcake Claire

Tickle Me Claire

Red Hair Claire

Content Claire

Unconvinced Claire

Convinced Claire

Impatient Claire

Curious Claire

Cheerful Claire

Happy Halloween!

We hope your Halloween is filled with lots of treats and scary fun!

Love,

Ariel and Sebastian

Eat Your Heart Out, Nick Arrojo

For a long time Mommy has said that I needed a haircut, but she loved my long hair and didn't want a change. It was taking longer and longer to shampoo, blow dry and style, so instead of hiring Nick Arrojo to come live with us, we decided that it was time for a cut.


We went to my favorite salon, Kids Kutters, where they let me watch a DVD while they cut. I hopped up into the big chair, settled in with some Winnie the Pooh, and before I knew it I looked like this!!
There was A LOT of hair on the ground, but I love my new look. My stylist at Kids Kutters, Angie, is the best - this is just what I wanted. I think I looked pretty good for picture day at school, don't you think?

Even the back looks good! Thanks, Angie :)

How To Keep Your Medical Insurance

Ever since Claire heard about the 4 month old boy in Colorado who was denied health insurance because he was 'overweight,' she's been very worried. She weighed the same as he does at 4 months and hasn't gotten any slimmer since. Even though we have good medical insurance, she's taking steps to get rid of her 'high weight percentile' label so that we don't lose our insurance. :)


She has heard that yoga is a good weight loss program. This is the 'foot in mouth' pose.

Claire is trying to prove that she is very flexible. If she were obese, she probably wouldn't be able to touch her toes. Take that, insurance people!


At first Claire was upset that Mommy made her wear a WAY too small pumpkin hat that used to belong to me. Then she thought it might help shrink her giant melon head and drop off a few pounds.

Claire's new exercise regimen includes working out with a hula hoop. Her goal is to have Michelle Obama arms by Christmas.

The hula hoop is multi-functional. Claire uses it for arm exercises and to help with push ups.

Claire is working on her first exercise hula hoop DVD to be released early next year.




Claire is learning to push away the spoon before she is completely full.

She's also requested frequent face cleanings - she doesn't want to be tempted by the extra calories that might be lurking around her mouth.

Distractions like music at the dinner table will help keep her from eating too much at one sitting.

Claire is pleased with her progress so far. No weight has been lost yet, but she thinks that the steps she is taking to show that she is healthy will appeal to the insurance company. Keep it up, Claire!!

Hay Day

Yesterday we spent a lovely fall day with our neighbor friends. We went to a local store to pick out pumpkins and enjoy the beautiful autumn day. We did lots of fun activities, but keep reading to see a photo that will shock and amaze you.

Natalie, Ryan, Katie and I had fun playing in the barn - it was just our size!


Jumping around a hay pit is almost as fun as jumping around in a moonbounce!


Hay shower!!!



After working up a sweat in the hay pile, we decided that our pumpkins looked too plain. Nothing like a little paint to spruce things up a bit!! I felt very inspired. I think the smock helped :)


Hard at work on our masterpieces.


My pumpkin kitty turned out quite well!


Claire didn't quite feel the same artistic inspiration that we did. She just wanted to eat the hay.


It took all of Claire's willpower not to roll around in and eat the hay on the hayride.

Here is the moment to be shocked and amazed!! If you know me at all, you probably think that this photo was changed with Photoshop. Mommy can verify, though, that not only did I let this clown talk to me and get close to me, but I let him PUT HIS ARM AROUND ME for a photo. Normally I would run screaming for the hills if someone in a costume approached me, but I was feeling extra brave and let Mommy take this photo. Sure, I might not look super comfortable with the situation, but I am proud of myself for tackling one of my greatest fears!!

We had a great time with our neighbors - including going to Ryan and Katie's house later that evening for a yummy dinner and s'mores by the fire pit. The grown-ups seemed awfully happy about the cider they were drinking, but all we cared about were the s'mores!!

Fair Fun!

The beginning of fall means it's the beginning of fair time in Lancaster County!! For the second year in a row, I went to the Lampeter Fair with Drewbie. Even though I don't think either of us will end up as farmers, we always have a good time at this agricultural fair!!


Mommy and I are slowly reading "Charlotte's Web" (of course). I thought this pig looked like Wilbur!

Wilbur and his buddies were a little loud, though. The sheep were even louder. They need to learn about inside barn voices!

Claire didn't seem bothered by the noise!

Reed wasn't too affected by the noise, either.
















Had to get the obligatory photo on one of Daddy's tractors (even though Daddy designs construction equipment now!!)

After walking around, visiting animals and having fun, it was FINALLY time for the big event - pig catching!!

I had confidently told Mommy that I wanted to participate, but once we got close to the ring, the chaos proved to be too much for me. I chose to watch the festivities from the side.

This is the group I would have been in - the five and under girls. The piglets were on the other side of the huge field, so we didn't get a photo of them running for their lives :)

After the pigs were caught, we waited in line for the balloon animal guy. I was so excited!

I asked for a pink dog - big surprise!!

















"Don't worry, Reed. I won't eat you, I promise."


"Hey! Listen up! I said I wouldn't eat you! RELAX!!!"

Claire, Mommy and I were SO excited that Auntie Tara came to the fair with us (thanks for the photos!). Claire loved petting Auntie Tara. Auntie Tara loved that Claire loved petting her :)

We had a great time! Thanks for inviting us Aunt Amy, Uncle Darin, Drew and Reed!