From our family to yours

Greetings from Claire

My Mom said people liked my Christmas letter better than hers, so I'm writing it again. I'm 4 this year and can still do almost anything. I can write my name. I learned that in pre-school. I go there Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Friday is show and tell day. Next year I'll be big enough to go to Natey's school. I'm so excited about that!

Natey's my biggest brother. He's 7 and loves 2nd grade. He's good at drawing and reading. He doesn't like math much. He really likes sports - all sports. This summer he was in Coach Pitch baseball. I tried to watch him, but it was funner to play at the park. Natey went to football camp, too. He loves football. He really does. He lost teeth over the year and also grew some. I try to pull on mine to see if they'll come out. If they come out then the tooth fairy comes. I think I've seen her before. Natey's a good big brother and he's nice to me most of the time.
My littest brother is Jack-a-Roo. He just turned 3 years old. We had a birthday party for him and Mom made animal cupcakes. He loves animals. He doesn't have therapy friends anymore. He's all better. I'm glad that Roos is my littest brother because Momma says that if he was my biggest brother then he'd be an only child. I'm glad he's the littlest. Did you know that he jumps a lot? He does. He smiles a lot too - even when he's in trouble. the other day he was getting in trouble and Momma was telling him NO!. He just reached up and honked her nose. He did that. I love him and miss him when I'm at school.

This summer we did some fn things. We got to spend a day at the Omaha Zoo again. My Daddy got a new truck in Omaha, so we went to the zoo. Daddy also took Natey to his first Angel's game at The Cities. Mom, Roo and I went swimming at the motel and then ordered Chinese in the room while Daddy and Natey were at the game. Jack poured out his pop on the carpet. Mommy was not happy. We also went to The Mall of America. Aunt Shannon sent us tickets to ride as many rides as we wanted. It was super fun.

We went to Aunt Shannon's house for a weekend, too. Daddy went fishing with Uncle Jim and caught a big fish. It was fun to see Evie and Izzie. I miss them.

My Aunt Lynn had a baby in October. She's Baby Kyra. I love her. She's my other girl. When I went to see her, I made sure to take my baby doll to show her. We'll play with it when she's bigger. Baby Kyra has two brothers just like me; Spencer and Zachary. We're the same.

This spring we had some bad news. My Papa Gary got his angel wings and had to go live in Heaven. We are so sad about it. Sometimes I play games and have Papa as one of the players. Mostly I let him win. I also send orange pop to him in Heaven. I think he likes it. We sure do miss our Papa.

My Dad is a bigger cop this year. He's a Detective Sergeant cop. It's a big deal. My Mom still works at the salon. She colored my hair pink for Halloween. I was Strawberry Shortcake.

As for me, I like to color and play with my brothers. I'm really good at taking care of them. I got a bike for my birthday this year. I'm good at riding it with my training wheels. When I get in trouble I have dramatic melt downs and I tell my Mom and Dad that I WANT MY GRANDMA! That's what I do.

I've got to go. Roo said he's get me a juice box and I just heard a crash in the kitchen. Merry Christmas!

Love,
Claire

Oh Christmas Tree

We finally got our tree up last night. I had to run to the store - twice - before the project was complete, but it's up. Justin and I put the lights, tensile and beads on, and then it was time for the kids to finish it off. They had a blast - well, Nathan and Claire had a good time, but Jack Had! A! Blast!

Here he is adding a bit more to what looks to be an already overpopulated spot.

And then you get "I DID IT!"
Beautiful!
That cracks me up. I actually took a picture of it with my cell phone and now it's my wallpaper. Love it!

Then Claire and Nathan wanted to point out their favorite ornaments.
Then we had to take a gazillion with each child "in the middle".
You can't tell that Jack loved every. single. second. of it. Can you?

Claire's Preschool program

Claire had her preschool program Sunday. It was - adorable. The kids were so cute. Mrs. Poncelette led them out to the stage and before long all of the kids are waving at their parents. It makes me smile just thinking of it. I didn't take any video to show you, but it was cute.

She was very proud of her dress. It came with a matching one for her doll. Cute, cute, cute!

She and I were alone this weekend. Justin and the boys went to Aberdeen for our nieces baptism. Claire and I had a good time. We started a project that isn't quite done. I promise to blog about it before it's old news - like 10 years old.

This girl says some of the funniest things. Her imagination is more than wild. She pretends more than any other child I know. For instance, we'll go to the grocery store and she'll say, "I've never been here before". Then she'll look at me with her big brown eyes and say, "pretend". Then I'm expected to say something like, "You'll really like it. They have almost anything you want inside." A remark like that will make her smile from ear to ear.

Yesterday she was playing with a doll and it seemed if maybe the doll was on the phone with someone? I'm not sure. Anyway, she said "Well it's in Madison, South Dakota (although she says it more like Southa Koda). You go to Koda - and go south." Priceless!