Mommys little helper

Because I love folding clothes so much Clara thought she would let me do it twice.

Clara at the park and on the train

On Saturday we took Clara to the park across the street from our house. Its so awesome to live right beside a park. I know we take it for granted and don't use it nearly enough. The weather was so beautiful on Saturday so we decided to let Clara try out the baby swings at the park. She was a really big fan!

Clara and Mimi

Clara and Grandpa

Loving the swing and squealing with happiness!

Mama decided to join in on the fun.

Next Clara rode on the duck which was fun until she bumped her lip. Luckily she's a tough little girl and gets over her many injuries very quickly.

4 generations!! 

I thought this was an awesome picture idea but Clara was too distracted by the leaves. I think she only ate one or two. 

After the park we went to the mall so Clara could ride on the train. I didn't think she would care being that she is only 8 months old but she loved it. She also got to ride in the little blue car. It was so amazing because we sat her in the car and she immediately grabbed hold of the steering wheel and started turning it back and forth. Its so amazing the things she picks up just watching us!

Fall Festival.....continued

I finally downloaded all the pictures off my camera so here are a few better late than never pictures from our church fall festival.

At the fall festival there was a bouncy house just for small children. Brian let Clara bounce up and down on the side and watch all the other children run around and she LOVED it!! She squealed and laughed, it was adorable.

Birthday

Yesterday I got to spend a fun birthday with family and a couple of friends. My parents and grandparents came up for the day and we had a great time taking Clara to the park for her first time in the baby swing there and we took her to the mall to ride the train which she LOVED. We had some delicious gluten free cupcakes and pizza, then Brian and I went with two friends to the Carolina Ale House to play some pool and eat some delicious fried pickles!! It was a great birthday, made extra special since Clara was here to celebrate with us! This time last year I was waddling around anxious to meet our little princess.

Holidays fit for a king

This fall has been super busy but we've been blessed to get to do some fun activities with friends and family. Last weekend we had Holidays Fit for a King at our church. Its a really awesome gathering of ladies at our church where we eat breakfast, listen to a speaker, then go to workshops. All the tables are decorated to get everyone in the holiday spirit, either for Christmas or Thanksgiving. I decorated a table for the second year with some help from my friends Leslie and Shelly. I did a natural Christmas theme and I think it turned out pretty great. I used two different types of acorns, pine cones, sweet gum balls, a dog wood limb, and some cedar branches. My favorite part was one of the workshops I went to on holiday traditions in your home. I got some great ideas of traditions I want to do with Clara starting next year!

I loved all the bright colors in this one.

Love all the layers and the lime green on this one.

Another natural theme with some awesome birds.

Voting

Clara went to vote at her first election today but unfortunately they told her she has to wait 18 years. She squealed in her stroller the whole time I was voting and standing in the "quiet area". Apparently she was really excited about the judicial process. Maybe we will have us a politician one day.

Standing

Clara started pulling up to a full stand yesterday. And about 4 hours after that she started side stepping from one piece of furniture to another. Slow down kid!! She first stood up in her crib and I was peeking through the door watching her. So awesome! I busted through the door cheering for her and almost scared her half to death. Picture of her first stand in the crib below. She was so proud of herself!!

She is now into EVERYTHING. I blink and she is in another room eating an old church bulletin! Yes that did happen. Luckily it wasn't worse than paper and I was able to fish most of the pieces out of her mouth.