How Big is Clare?

SO BIG!

This has become a new trick to get Clare to smile for the camera,

so many of her recent pictures have her hands in the air.

This wasn't for the camera.

This book just says, "Reach up high, baby."

She follows directions!  :)

SO BIG...SO CUTE!

"Brusha, Brusha, Brusha"

Ever since Phil and I made up a song (many months ago) for teeth brushing, Clare has loved that time of day. 

In Michigan, it became a family affair.

Yes, we actually made up a song.  :)

Winter Wonderland

Now that we've been removed from the COLD and SNOW for a few weeks, we enjoy thoughts of a winter wonderland.

Despite moving like an Oompa Loompa, Clare loved being the snow.

I suppose that we perpetuate the Oompa-Loompaness when we squish her cheeks togeher.

It didn't take her long to sample the snow.

Snow Angels

Our computer is really acting up, and this simple post took over 45-minutes.  It may be a while before I'm able to post again. 

From SHORTS to Snow Pants

The week before Christmas was warm...

with typical Florida-like weather.

We went to Busch Gardens,

and Clare went on some of the rides for the first time.

Grandma Hillary rode on the carousel with the thrill-seeker.

Clare was fascinated with the stilt-walkers.

Grandpa helped her scale the walls.

Daddy showed her the orangatans.

She practiced her princess wave while riding the tractor...

how's that for an oxymoron?!

She enjoyed playing outside...without a hat or mittens.

THEN...we went to Michigan.

We quickly learned that it takes 15 minutes to prepare

for a 10 minute trip outside.

Ever since we've been back in Florida, it has been COLD!  We've had record-breaking temperatures...with several nights of frost and below-freezing temperatures.  Brrr!  Every night, for the past week, Phil has crawled into bed saying, "I wish we had an electric blanket."  Seriously, an electric blanket in Florida.  This darn global warming.

FHS Class of 1999

Unbeknownst to me, we had a 10-year class reunion this summer.  Apparently, the invitations were extended to those on the Fremont Class of 1999 Facebook page.  Not me.  From the sounds of it, there were only nine or ten people there.  I didn't miss much!

Over Christmas break, we had a mini-reunion of our own.

There were nine girls from our graduating class (left to right:

Melissa, Becky, Leslie, Katie

Jenn, Stefanie, Corrie, Tracy, Missy)

It was fun to reconnect after so many years.

We laughed at the thought of what life was like "back then."

Jenn and I decided to have a "play date"

for our little peanuts who were born only three weeks apart.

The future graduating class of 2026!

Clare and Makenna!

"Christmas" #3

Our third celebration was in Grand Rapids...with the Hillary Gang!

Every family gathering consists of the cousins on the couch picture.

Uncle Adam helped Clare with her special gift...

a CAPE!

Aunt Marcie made personalized capes for all of the cousins.

A quick family picture.

Grandpa cuddling with the youngest grandkids: Clare and Will.

Skater Girl

Phil wants to get Clare ready to be a diver...

so we have a number of pictures of her flying through the air.

She doesn't seem to mind!  :)

The 4 Hillary Boys with their wives:

Wendy, Keith, Elissa, Adam

Corrie, Phil, Marice, Brian

Another couch picture attempt...

Grant only lasted a few seconds.  :)

Clare enjoyed spending time with her cousins,

and we enjoyed celebrating with family...

despite the frigid Michigan weather.

"Christmas" #2

Our second Christmas celebration was in Fremont...

with the Durham gang.

Ann gave us the Doha calendar...a yearly tradition.

Phil enjoyed having another guy (and non-Durham) in the house.

Ann and Chris are a great couple,

and it's so much fun having him around.

Phil graduated from Michigan State.

Chris graduated from University of Michigan.

My parents gave them a MSU vs. U of M Checkers game.

The rivalry was fierce!

The heated battle of MSU vs. U of M!

Corrie's "Oh...how exciting!" face.

Ann's "Oh...how exciting!" face.

Clare's "Oh...how exciting!" face.

She finally caught on!  :)

What is she doing to that giraffe's behind???