A Day in the Life

 My grandma brought over this idea about a year and a half ago and explained to Elli that when she was young, this is how they would play dolls.  They would cut people, pets, furniture, etc out of catalogs and play.  Elli enjoyed it then, but now wants to do it all the time.  Again, so good for her imagination.  It is also something I really enjoy playing with her.

What is a day without a dance party?  (or a crazy choice of clothing?)  We were "bustin a move" this morning.  Yes, Elli is wearing a swim suit and it is about 20 degrees outside, but she never seems to mind:)  We had a conversation at the lunch table about how God made male species brighter colors, bigger, louder, etc, from the female species to help them attract a mate.  It lead into a discussion about how the female humans are made more beautiful than male humans though.  Then, the males spy a female they like and do crazy things to get her to choose him.  I told about some of the things Brent did for me and how it worked because I did choose him.  She looked at Brent and said, "You are sneaky, daddy:)"  A little later, during our dance party, I was doing some classic crazy moves like the "sprinkler".  I did the "lawn mower" next and asked Elli what that move was called.  She said, "A female move?"  We had  good laugh at that one!  Never dull with that sweetness around:)

Jan 14th tracking

 Elli couldn't wait to get out in the snow even though it was only about 20 degrees.  She looked out her window that morning and saw tracks:)  In the pic above she is pointing them out to me and beckoning me to follow with her.

 During our hunt, we found tracks for cats, birds, and deer!  I took a picture and asked Brent just to be sure, but he agreed, a deer made its way through our yards.  Elli and I had fun coming up with stories about the animal tracks we found, where they might be going, what they might have been doing.  Great way to use imagination!

 We of course are unable to be in the snow without a little snack.  She eats snow whenever it is available.

Though it was a little too cold to roll snowballs, we were able to mound up the snow enough to get a snow mound.  We even found a couple sticks for her arms.  Elli loves to play in the snow.  I have to admit, I do too:)

It's a Boy!

 On Jan 12 we had an ultrasound on our 16 week date and found out we are having a little boy.  Elli was very excited as she wanted a boy since we told her we were pregnant.

 I went to the grocery right after the appointment and had this cake made.  I brought it home and let Elli read it.  Such fun.

That night we all enjoyed a little celebration of eating our "boy" cake.  Cannot wait to meet this little guy.

Big Boys

They looked so big and cute in these shirts that Aunt Lori purchased for them, that I couldn't help but get their picture.  Such sweet boys!

Jan 2nd, Finally Snow!

 All ready  to go.

Snow angel, snowball fight, snow snack, snow fun:)

Family fun in the New Year

 The Fergusons:)  Next year there will be three more!

Elli, Seth, Aria, Liam.  Such fun with these kids.

Other Christmas Celebrations with Family

 Christmas Day at Grandma Gracie's.  Chaos!

 Merry Christmas Grandma.

 My mom, her mom, and sister Tanya.

 Christmas evening at Aunt Sharron's.  It was fun to see so much of our family!

 The day after Christmas at Grandma Donough's.  We went to the carousel.

 Not sure why there is no smile here.  She rode it three times because she loved it so much.

 Grandma and Kandice.

 Linda and Cindy:)

 Grandma with some of her grandkids and great grandkids:)  We haven't seen Dave and his family sinve our wedding!  They have 4 kids we have never met.

 All done with the carousel.

 Kyle reading to the kids.

 Dinner out at Thai 9.

 Happy Birthday Lana!

 Bowling with the family.

 Such a fun afternoon.Ell

 Christmas present time with the Fergusons.

 Lots of car toys!

The girls.  We have enjoyed such a wonderful Christmas season with friends and family.  Cannot wait to see what next year brings!

Christmas Morning

 Here she comes:)

 She noticed that Santa only ate one of the cookies, drank all the milk, and ate all the carrots.  he gave her a call the day before (courtesy of Leah) telling her to leave him some cookies but not to tell Mrs. Claus.  She concluded that he must have had too many other cookies to eat both of hers:)

 All the presents.

 Daddy's turn. (2 khakis, 1 jean, 3 shirts)

 Mommy's turn.  (family photo album, Columbia jacket, maternity clothes, jammies)

 So excited about Barbie Princess Charm School!

 Big hugs for daddy who did Santa a favor and picked it up for him:)

 Rapunzel doll and jams which she says is a real church dress because it is so fancy!

The mess!  Elli enjoyed her toys and clothes.  She loves her new stable and carriage as well.  It was fun opening her gifts and playing them with her.  5 1/2 is a fun age for sure.

Christmas Eve at my Parent's

 The boys were not all that thrilled with dinner veggies.  Wesley was secretly throwing them on the floor.

 Elli doing a usual pose in front of the tree and the enormous pile of presents.

 Luka was so excited about his book

 Present time everyone!

 She was so happy to Finally get Barbie Princess Charm School:)

 The boys opened their music table from us so they would play with one thing in one place for a while.

 Leah got Elli some new snuggle bunch PJs.

 Gary wanted some snuggle time too!

 Schoettmers

 O'Connors

 Browns

 Fergusons

 Papa snuggling the newest addition to our family.

The boys were so excited to play in this mess they created:)  Actually, we all played a little.  It was a fun Christmas Eve with memorable moments and gifts.