Clara's First Thanksgiving

We had a lovely Thanksgiving here, despite some cold and rainy days over the weekend. We had a terrific meal over at the Bamfords' house, made even more lovely by the presence of Clara's Aunt Amy and Uncle Kurt and the Williamses. Clara even partook of the feast by eating a goodly portion of mashed sweet potatoes. This girl can eat. But then, of course, it's in her genes. Her parents certainly aren't shy about going back for seconds.

This weekend was also celebratory for another reason: Grandma Armitage's birthday. We called her on her birthday, and we're glad to hear that Great-Grandma Beckmann baked her favorite carrot cake. We also heard that she got an orange purse and an orange sweater, so this year was all about everything orange.

And yet another sign that the holiday season is upon us: snow! That's right, folks. Last night we received a considerable little dusting by Seattle standards. As I look out my window, it's mostly melted now. Though I hear up in the mountains there's quite a bit of fresh powder. Clara's first ski trip can't be far off!

Fall photo extravaganza!

Here's some photos of our fall happenings. Enjoy!

A Very Cold Halloween

It was a bitter cold Halloween here in Seattle. For Clara's first Halloween I sewed some felt "peas" on a green fleece bunting that her Grandparents Bamford brought back from Paris, so she could be a warm, cozy pea pod. We went to one neighbor's house, but it was so dark and cold, Clara cried when they opened the door. She had more fun at our college class, especially since Mema Bamford got to come with us. The kids looked so cute. There was a pumpkin, twin ladybugs, a spider, a fairy, and a chicken.

On another note, our trip to Portland last weekend was a huge success. Greg enjoyed his visit to the Catlin Gable School, and Clara and I explored the Pearl District. Little did we know, our hotel was located a few short blocks from a new cafe: Sip and Kranz , or as we came to call it: The Baby Cafe. At first glance it looks like a sleek, Ikea-fied coffee shop. But look closer and you will see the adjoining sunken "baby rec room", complete with shag carpet, flat screen tv playing kids' dvds and toys galore. In short, it was Clara's favorite hangout, which means it was our favorite, too. It didn't hurt that the Stumptown Coffee was good and strong and the almond croissants oh-so buttery. Other highlights of our trip included a visit to the classical Chinese Garden, eating a mammoth breakfast at the nouveau-lumberjack-themed Doug Fir Lounge, and visiting the playground in the Pearl's park blocks where Clara was especially smitten with the Chinese baby elephant statue (Xian Bao Bao).

It's the beginning of the birthday season, so happy belated birthday to Clara's Grandpa Armitage and to her Uncle Russell on Sunday. Sorry we couldn't be with you to celebrate.