Happy Thanksgiving!!

We have had such a wonderful week! There is so much to tell--I won't try to fit it all into this post, so be sure to keep checking back! Lee was able to be off from work all week, so we were able to do a lot of things together as a family. Monday was clean the house day. Since our remodeling was just finished the end of last week, we had a lot to do! I will post before/after pictures of our new and improved home soon. Tuesday we had our Christmas portraits taken. Claire was a doll! She loved the photographer and smiled away at the camera. I will post some of these pictures as well. She also got to sit on Santa's lap for the first time. I have some video to post, too! Then came the big day--Thursday. Mom and I began cooking Wednesday afternoon, so we were in great shape Thursday morning. We had a yummy breakfast and began preparing all of our favorite goodies. Lee was again in charge of the bird--he has become a real pro at frying turkey. Our new patio was the perfect spot! Around 2:00 Lee's mom and Bill came over to join in on the fun. The girls finished up in the kitchen while the boys tended the fryer. Finally we were able to sit and enjoy our delicious spread. Claire was dressed in her Thanksgiving best and enjoyed the family dinner from her highchair (she had her Thanksgiving meal a little later in the evening--squash and green beans--yum!!). We sat around the table and talked for the longest time. This is always my favorite time of the day, being able to just be together and laugh and talk. After cleaning up we joined the boys in the living room for more football. Yippee :) Lee's dad and Laura came over for a while to visit as well. It was such a wonderful day. I look forward to this holiday every year. There's just something about the food, family, and fun that I can't get enough of. And of course, this year there was a little something new at our table to be thankful for--my little turkey.

Watching the parade with Daddy

Grammy and Grandaddy Bill

Little turkey between 2 big turkeys!

Getting ready to dig in

Sitting up like a big girl!

Claire having her Thanksgiving meal

Poultry seasoning has taken its toll--it's nap time!

Miss Fancy Pants

Claire loves getting dressed up for church. She enjoys accessorizing with tights and cute shoes. Now that it's really turned cold, she gets to wear her new coat--what cute ears she has!!

Keeping toasty in her teddy bear coat

Joy

Claire is such a happy baby. I can hardly walk around the mall anymore because of all of her admirers! We are constantly stopped so shoppers can talk with her and trade smiles. She grins at everyone and makes friends wherever she goes. This weekend we were in the car on the way home from dinner with Auntie G and Grandmommy (Lee was at Auburn for the weekend). A man pulled up next to us--while moving--and slowed up so he could look at her in her car seat. Of course she was in her adorable new winter hat that Grandmommy got her, so I can't say I blame him. She also caught the eye of the preacher on Sunday. He pointed her out from the pulpit in the middle of his sermon to remark how beautiful she was. She was sleeping in Lee's arms and looked so angelic. Thank you for indulging a proud mama and reading our stories. I know I am completely undeserving of such a beautiful, joyful child, but I am so thankful. She brings nothing but sunshine into my life everyday.

I captured a little bit of her laugh on video and wanted to share it. I will try to get more--sometimes she really gets going and loses her breath! She's also learned how to make quick, loud shout-like noises and that is on this clip as well. She hears Annabelle walking around and she begins to roll over to get to her. I have to quickly end the video so I can grab her and keep her on her palate!

Uncle Michael:

Claire has a message for you....

GO DAWGS!!!!

Finally......VIDEO!

I've finally done it! I figured out how to upload videos from our camera onto the computer and to my blog. I'm so excited. I have wonderful clips of Claire doing all sorts of things. I'll try to keep the videos short and to a minimum, but I can't hardly stand to keep her to myself! I want everyone to be able to see and enjoy the beautiful, precious little girl that I get to spend every day with. She is such a blessing and I hope she'll make your day like she makes mine!!

This first clip is one of Claire playing in her 'exersaucer' and talking to me. She loves playing with all of the gadgets and turning herself around and around. Whenever she sees the camera come out, she lights up. She is making all sorts of new noises now and I'm sure she's about to start talking to me any minute. Enjoy!

Election Disappointment

Well, we just broke the news to Claire that McCain did not win the election. It was a rough night at the Arledge house.

Blast from the past...

Just having some fun with 'yearbook yourself' :)

Reunion

This past Saturday we had a reunion with some members of our Lamaze class at Kennesaw Mountain Park. It was great! We were able to meet each others' babies and talk about our experiences as first time parents. Claire was the only girl (1 of only 2 girls from our entire class) and enjoyed meeting new friends. It was neat to swap stories and see our little ones interact with each other. Claire was by far the smallest--of course she doesn't have much hope of being tall with Lee and I as parents!!

The proud papas with their little ones

Claire and Lucas getting acquainted