Update..

I know i haven't updated in like forever..but we have been some busy peeps! Here are some pics from Christmas (we stayed in Vegas), a hike we did up Lone Mountain and one partly up Gass Peak. Enjoy!

As you can see Miss Claire is growing like a weed. She is still petite but is feisty as ever! She weighs about 21lbs now, has 2 teeth and is working on her third. She is running all over the place and is learning new words everyday. (remember if you click on any picture it will make it bigger)
                                                                    Christmas Day

this was up at Mt. Charleston on Christmas Day..we wanted to see some snow!

Santa spoiled Miss Claire..mommy and daddy too :)

it is hard to see but we skyped with my parents while we opened presents

                                                              Lone Mountain Hike
 this is mountain that is right on the edge of the city but still in city limits. There are houses 360deg around it. It is a nice hike with amazing views!

the mountain- doesn't look so big, but it was!

half way up- this is the back side

We MADE it!!

this metal cross is on the side of the mountain- thought it was so simple but peaceful

                                                      Mom and Keith Visit

Happy 17th Anniversary!!

papa keith and claire

yummy!!

                                                                          Gass Peak
we hiked for about 3 hours this past saturday up a mountain called Gass Peak. It was nice and quiet. We didn't even see one other person while we were hiking, we packed a lunch and as you can see Miss Claire loved her peanut butter sandwich. We love going hiking as a family and claire seems to have fun also. Our ultimate goal is to summit this Peak (on the other side is a view of the vegas valley) but to summit it says it will take about 6 hours round trip, so that will probably have to be minus miss claire. she can only handle being in the back pack four about 2-3hours max. overall we had a really nice day getting out of the city and exploring.

travis and claire next to the giant Joshua Tree

this part of the trail was so rocky and steep- the pic doesn't do it justice how steep it was. it was a major leg burner!

 

 

 

lunch time- she sat on the rock by herself- such a silly girl!

                                                                         Bath Time

Grand Canyon Video #2

Grand Canyon!

 

This weekend our little family took a trip down to explore the Grand Canyon for the first time.. and it was AMAZING!!! We had a very fun time and look forward to when we can return again.  Unfortunately, the hundreds of pics that I took and video don't do it justice. It simply takes your breath away, something that I wish every person could see for themselves.  The weather turned out to be overcast and very chilly, about 34-38deg and some scattered snow on the ground.  ( just a reminder- if you click on the picture it makes it bigger.. a little easier to see)
 

this was by far the fattest squirrel i have ever seen.. all plumped up for the winter!

claire and daddy

so beautiful

The Watchtower- built in 1932 at the Desert View point

inside roof- watchtower

there was a shuttle bus you could ride along parts of the south rim- it took us to view points that cars can't.

The Colorado River

we saw tons of elk- so graceful

decided to walk right in front of us- gave us a good pic!!

On the way home we decided to take a short detour and drive on a portion of the old Historic Route 66. Travis nor I have drove on it so it was neat. Not a whole lot to see on the route we took but none the less still cool to say we drove on it.

like driving in Montana- nothing out in front of you

she was so tired- but such a good girl during our trip!!!

The Pantry Closet!

Claire has been playing in the pantry closet lately. she thinks that it is funny to open and shut the door, while she is inside!!!

Claire is learning to use a fork!!!

She is doing really good with her fork, everyday getting a little better!!

Claire's First Birthday Video!!!

I know it is long overdue, but I finally got around to editing the video. She looks so little.

Halloween 2011

I love fall time. I love the changing of the leaves, all the pretty orange, red and yellows. I love how the weather cools down and you can start to wear sweaters and jeans. I love drinking hot cider, carving pumpkins and the anticipation of the upcoming holidays!! I love Fall!!
  But here in Vegas our "fall" if you can even call it that is very different from what I am used to and love. There are no trees that change colors.. unfortunately palm trees stay the same :( The weather has cooled down a little bit I give Vegas that but it is till hard to get into the season when just last week I wore shorts! I haven't had any hot cider yet, however we did carve pumpkins. I miss my fall!! 
  I have tried to make our "fall" as "fallish" as I can. I have taken Claire and Travis to numerous fall festivals, farms and to 2 different places to trick-or treat! We have had a wonderful time now that Claire can walk and is more aware of her surroundings. I can only wait until next year when she is talking more!!!  Here are some pics from the last couple weeks.  (oh we did just go to San Diego for Travis' cousins daughter 1st Birthday party, it was so nice to see his family and his mom and nana jean even flew down so that was a nice surprise visit)

She was chasing the little chicken!

Claire and her Nana Jeanette

Claire and her 2nd cousin Ayden in San Diego

2nd cousins - Claire 14mths, Ayden 17mths, Ellowynn 12 months

playing in her first pumpkin!

we went down town for some trick-or-treating

she loves to ride on our shoulders!

she carried her own candy bag and knocked or slapped on the doors!! she was so cute!