Hot Dog

I put Elli's hair in a bun one night and she thought it was very pretty. So, the other night I asked Elli if he wanted her hair in a ponytail. She said, "No, I want it in a hot dog." I asked if she meant that she wanted it in a bun. She replied, "Yes, I want it in a hot dog bun!"

Morning Prayers

I pray with Elli before I take her into preschool, but lately, she has taken over the praying. Wednesday she prayed this, "Thank you Jesus for today. Help me to obey and share. And thank you for the ideas you give me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen." When was the last time I thanked God for the ideas He gives me? Maybe never. Thank you Ellianna, for reminding me that even the ideas in my head are from above!

Pancakes, turning four and sweet pumpkin

This morning Elli said she wanted pancakes. Then, she said, "Hey I have an idea. How 'bout we make m-and-m pancakes. Sounds good." So we made them and she loved them. She also, helped as you can see:)

On the way to school yesterday, Elli said, "Mommy am I four yet?" I told her she would be four in April when she had her birthday. Her response was, "It's really hard to get into the fours."

This morning after breakfast, Elli wanted to play babies. She had a doll and gave me one. We named them Arabella and Lindianna. Then she said she had another baby in her stroller that she calls, "sweet pumpkin." I thought it was so cute that she was using little pet names for her babies. Then I saw she actually had a little pumpkin strapped into the stroller! I love this girl.

Christmas Lights

Since we have had such a warm November, Brent and Elli decided to go ahead and put up Christmas lights on Monday of this week. Brent also installed an outdoor outlet so we could run them with a switch inside. Thank you, Brent for getting this done for us. Elli loves it as well as me.

Cousins

We all love this little guy. It makes me smile though when Elli asks when he is coming over to play, or if she wants to buy him something when we are out shopping. How sweet she is. It will be fun to watch them grow together.

A trip to Michigan

Kyle and Elli playing Kyle's favorite marble game from when he was a kid.

Daddy and Elli playing Mouse Trap. As all kids know, the most fun part is watching it go.

One of the biggest reasons for the trip was to help with the humungous pile of leaves that cover the Ferguson's yard. Elli had fun trying to run through the leaves. She tired quickly though and then went in to watch Cinderella.

Linda and Kyle making some progress. We used 1 large tarp, two leaf blowers, 3 rakes, it took about 4 hours and there were 5 of us working. Fun times:)

Elli loves little Seth. How sweet they are in this picture.

I don't feel good, Mommy

Usually these words make me feel nervous of what is to come and sad for Elli, but today those words sparked a different emotion. Elli didn't want me to look into her lunch bag before I gave her a snack on the way home from school. I always make sure she has eaten her lunch before the sweet, so I looked anyway. I noticed the container with her yogurt wasn't there. I asked her about it, but she said it must be lost. I gave her a chance to tell the truth after this lame explanation and she did. She said she put it in a hiding place because she didn't want to eat it but she wanted me to give her a sweet on the way home. I told her that was a wrong choice and she should have just put it back in her bag to finish when we got home. She sat in her seat thinking for a while then said, "I don't feel good, Mommy. I feel sick about what I did to my yogurt." I told her that is what sin does to you. It makes you feel sick and you need to ask Jesus to forgive you. She didn't ask for forgiveness, but she said she wanted to make better choices and obey so she won't feel sick. What an awesome way for God to show that He wants Elli's heart for Himself. After a few weeks of really praying for wisdom in raising and training Elli (we have had many new issues lately) I am thankful for this very real sign that God is working in her life, and mine!

Surprise Papa and Gonga

We took Elli to my parent's house to surprise them. She was giggling as we told her not to tell them it was her. When she walked in after knocking on their door, the next trick-or-treater was a little surprised and unsure what to do. I don't think he wanted to go in:)

Baking Cookies and Trick-or-Treat

Getting candy from the neighbors with the neighbors/friends:)

Elli and Lily holding hands as they begin the quest for candy. Elaina and Kiersten were also with us. Very fun way to "trick-or-treat."

This police officer was handing out candy as well. Elli was a little nervous but once she saw he was giving candy, she was all for it!

I wanted a picture with Elli, Fergi, and our little pumpkin.

Elli using the rolling pin for the sugar cookies. Look at that smile:)

Once again, I let Elli help cook. This is becoming quite the regular routine. She was loving using the rolling pin. She did a good job, but had to reminded lots of times to wash her hands after licking her fingers. The cookie dough is just too yummy!

Care Group Costume Pictures

Reagan, Elli, Lily and Madilynn being sweet to each other:)

Andrew (Davy Crockett), Caleb (indian), Reagan (ballerina), Elli (Angelina ballerina), Emma Grace (elephant), Caitin (Wendy), Lillian (village Belle), Madilynn (princess, and Caroline (monkey)!

It has become a bit of an annual event to get all the kids in their costumes. This one is a winner!

Leaf Raking Fun

Elli wanted to take my picture as well.

Look at that smile:)

Love her little face. She was having so much fun.

Ready-set-go! She did this over and over and over. Oh the fun of splashing in leaves. Look at that facial expression. Do you remember the last time you ran into the leaves with pure joy and not a care in the world?

Craft and Pumpkins

Elli very carefully chose where to place her leaves.

Trying to iron the wax paper to make a place mat of her leaves.

She couldn't risk geting dirty:)

She was using the knife on the inside while daddy was using the knife on the outside.

Elli was very excited to make her leaves into a place mat, but sadly it didn't work. We will try again, but as of now, it was a good idea gone wrong:) She also had fun carving the pumpkin. She liked scooping it out and she also loved the knives! Uh-oh.

Happy Birthday Matt

Taking turns being wrapped up like a hot dog! Elli is tickling Papa's toes:)

Laughing and playing with Aunt Heather and Leah.

Leah made Matt's choices for dessert instead of birthday cake. Yummy Key Lime Pie and Chocolate/strawberry cheesecake. Delicious!

The gang getting ready for the Bengals game. Good thing they won on Matt's special day!

The cheesecake! That Leah is crazy:)

Barnes and Noble

What kind of cookie did we get?

Strangely, it looked like a Christmas cookie? She didn't mind, it was still delicious!

Yummy, whipped cream on top!

And here it is, the hot chocolate "mustache."

Elli and I went to Barnes and Noble to get a free hot chocolate and cookie after our picture taking session. She was so excited. After our "coffee" as Elli called it, we looked at books. We walked out with one of my favorite books from when I was a child, "Harry, the Dirty Dog." It was a 50th Anniversary edition. Elli "read" it all the way home and couldn't wait for me to read it to her. She liked it too! How fun to share those memories with her and make new ones!

Photo Shoot

There was a professional photographer taking pictures of a girl while we were there. Elli wanted to get her picture taken with the girl, but I convinced her that since we didn't know her, it wasn't a good idea. So, she decided to do her own posing, similar to what the girl was doing. (I think maybe she was getting senior pictures)

Cox Arboretum

He wanted us to let him in. We think he was cold, so Elli decided he needed a little extra love.

Posing by the butterfly.

Petting the gorilla!

Telling me she was going to go in the pond for a little bit.

We brought her pumpkin to collect leaves. She found a beautiful array of colorful leaves. We will turn them into some sort of craft later. Wax paper? We'll see.

Elli and I went to see the trees and take pictures at the Cox Arboretum. It started raining and was a little chilly, but fun. She posed for a few pictures, then wanted to play house in the gazebos all over the property. Then, she found the dog who lives there to keep the geese away. She loved him and wanted to follow him around. Such an animal lover. Enjoy the cheesy smiles and know they were staged all so she could play:)

Cooking

Elli really likes to help cook. She pulls up her stool and does anything I will let her do. She loves it! Lately, I have been giving her more chances to cook with me because she really is getting better at doing it. Here, we are preparing lots of desserts for a jewelry party I had. Elli said she also wanted to put her candy out in a bowl to share with the ladies, just like Jesus would do. She likes to use her apron. I actually kept it out, hanging on the pantry door because it got flour all over it and was so cute!

Care Group at Young's

Elli and Lily watching the cows getting milked.

Caitin, Elli, Caroline, Madilynn, Emma Grace, Andrew, Caleb, Reagan, Lily. (Front left then around the circle.)

Saturday the 17th, we went to Young's with our Care Group, aka friends:). The kids played with the goats, watched the cows, climbed on a big pumpkin, and then we all ate dinner and ice cream. It was a fun evening with great memories as always when we get together. So blessed to have these families in our life.

Best Mommy in the World

In the car yesterday Elli said to me, "Mommy, when I get bigger, bigger, and bigger, I want to be a mommy and a teacher just like you. You are the best mommy in the world." How sweet is that? Later that day, I found a 2 DVD set of Angelina Ballerina for 50% off and got it for her as well. When we got home she wanted to watch it. So, she came up to me, hugged my legs and said, "I love you so much, mommy." So, I am recording these stories here to read to Elli as she gets older as proof that she loves me and thinks I am the best!

A Few more Pumpkin Pics

The whole gang.

Elli posing for her rightfully fitted picture. Just kidding. Elli is a sweetie not a witchie!

Leah took this sweet picture of Elli walking with Matt. She couldn't wait for the rest of us. She took off with him ready to see all the animals.

The Pumpkin Barn

Not bad for a family picture this year.

Leah and Matt with Elli. She picked out this spot for us to get all our pictures taken.

The annual "crying with Aunt Heather" picture. Poor girl. We do have one from each year though.

A smiley girl with her Gonga and Papa. Heading back to the car with the pumpkins. Elli picked out a little one and said, "This one is just perfect." She did a good job choosing great pumpkins.