Homebound, a Hurricane, & Halloween

It's been quite a while since my last update so I have lots to cover.  I'll just get right to it.

A week before Halloween, Claire caught her first stomach bug.  The poor little thing was throwing up all night.  Mommy took a couple days off from work to spend with the little lady.  

Luckily, our little trooper beat the bug after only one day!  To celebrate, we made a trip to Shady Brook Farms with Aunt Laura and cousin Lil' for an afternoon.  She played in the mini log cabin...  

And grabbed some lunch with Lil' (they both went for the cookies of course).  Nice try ladies.

After lunch, we headed out to the playground.  Claire and Lilly were completely entertained by some bigger kids going up and down the slide.

It looked so fun, they just had to join in themselves.  They both loved the slide and kept climbing up and down together.  It was too cute.

Minutes after jumping in the car to head home....both were zonked (you can see Claire in the mirror on the left).  Just too much fun.

Once home, Mommy, Daddy, and Claire decided to keep the fall fun going by carving some pumpkins.  Introducing Mommy's first pumpkin carving.....

As you can see we're both very proud of it :)

Claire was really diggin' the candle inside.  She kept taking the top off...

And trying to grab the flame (don't worry we didn't let her).  

After such a fun filled day, Claire was in bed for the night.  Mommy was so excited about her pumpkin carving, she made a special surprise for Claire for the morning...."Melmo!"

The next day, we made a trip out to Hamburg, PA for the largest Halloween parade on the east coast, King Frost.  We got there a little bit before the parade started.  Everyone was lined up along the street which had already been blocked off.  And Claire just thought it was a riot to run down the middle of the street and wave to everyone (like she WAS the parade).  Luckily, Grace and Nana were there to keep an eye on her.

And cousin Maddie kept her warm during the parade by snuggling on the sidelines.

Except when Mommy stole her to stay warm too.

It was a great parade filled with marching bands, motorcycles, redneck clubs (yes redneck clubs), and even the Phanatic!

Sunday, we were back home and starting to prepare for Hurricane Sandy.  We tried getting out of the house as much as possible before the rain started since we knew we'd be stuck in the house for a few days.

And in the house we were.  Both Mommy and Daddy's offices closed Monday and Tuesday so the Grenko clan was homebound yet again.  We tried switching things up by having lunch in the living room. 

And got creative with some "new" toys.

We of course watched lots of TV (as much as I hate to admit it).  

 And talked on the phone.

 And read books.

 And took lots of pictures. 

So much so, Claire started taking pics herself.  She picks the camera up now, puts it up to her face and yells "Cheeeeeeeese."  Guess she hears that a lot :)

We also had lots of time for tickles and giggles.  Can't think of any 2 people I'd rather be stuck with :)

After surviving the hurricane, it was finally time to celebrate Halloween!  We did so by getting dressed up at Grammy and Poppy's with none other than the cutest little owl around, Lilly.

 Claire wasn't too bad looking herself....

She wasn't the happiest with me when I sprayed her hair but seeing the results made it well worth it.  I mean the hair totally makes it, right?  It also helps that the little oompa loompa couldn't stop eating chocolate...how fitting.

Lil' was pretty interested in the chocolate too.  Claire made sure she didn't get too close though.  Stinker.

After stopping at a few houses for some treats, we finally made it home where Claire was reunited with her baby.  She swooped her up, gave her a big hug and a kiss and carried her around the rest of the night.  She just loves that baby doll.

Ok, I think that about catches us up.  "Bah Baaaahhh" (Claire saying bye).