Knee deep in wrapping

The wrapping hurricane hit hard this year but was made much more fun by Elleanor!

Elle was assigned the task of keeping track of the ribbons and bows.  As you can see she threw herself into her work!

Elf Elle even had time to try on Gampa's new slippers!

Here are a few of our favorite ornaments

Our tree was close to 8ft tall so we were able to put out every ornament we owned! These are just a few of our sentimental ones for you to ooh and aah over :)

Our first married Christmas!

We picked up this little nativity gourd in Cancun on our honeymoon.

This was purchased on our trip to Hawaii last year.  I sure do miss flip flops...

Mommy and Elle hanging up Elle's first ornament on the tree.

Baby's 1st Christmas!

Associates party

We attanded Kim's work party on December 5th. 

I think this was the Hello Kitty sign but one of this kids was doing her own thing.

It was a great party, many stories were told.  Here Kent is explaining to Dan and Stephanie just how big the shipment was!

The reflection of the chandelier off the mirrored wall. 

Five months old

Five months came and went way too fast.  It hit right at Thanksgiving and just as the Christmas rush started. 

Elle started to read...just kidding.  Elle received a letter from the big guy aka Santa!  She thought he wanted her to eat the note but then Daddy explained that it was a letter as he proceeded to read it to her.  Let me tell you she really minded her Ps and Qs until Christmas after that!

A quick run down of Elle's 5 month accomplishments:
-She loves her bumbo
-The jumperoo is awesome but we had to put the Wii Fit board under it so she could touch
-Interested in her toes
-Starting to sleep better and has been in her crib one whole month!  Personally this may be Mommy's accomplishment not Elles.  It was hard on her let's just say

Santa Baby

Sorry for the long delay in updates.  I think we have close to a bizillion pictures ready to be posted and posted they will be soon, very very soon!

To kick off the Christmas Season.  Colby and I headed to Bellevue Square to catch the rare glimpse of Santa Claus and a parking spot!

We tiptoed into Santa's workshop.

Along the way Elle saw the reindeers flying around practicing for the BIG SHOW!

The workshop was so beautiful! 

I was so impressed with his precise measurements for each toy!

Santa's desk was full of letters!

Elle was so excited when she saw Santa she had to tug on his beard to make sure he was real! 

More Holiday Crafts

Looks like Momma's being crafty again...

What's this say?

I Love it!!!

Sweet Potatoes are Sweet!!!

So, how do sweet potatoes taste?

EXCELLENT!!!!!!

Boom Shaka Laka Laka

This past weekend Nick, Deidra, and Marcus came over from Spokane for a visit.  I will post pictures about our weekend later but I just had to share these of Elle enjoying her first Christmas presents!  Nick, Deidra, and Marcus brought Elle a piano and boom box.  Elle is hilarious with the piano instead of using her hands to play she rolls over and uses her feet to pound on the keys.  The boom box,  I know I am a child of the 80s!  It plays the melody of "Rockstar" by Smashmouth and  "1,2,3" by Jackson 5 to name a few.  Elle is quite intrigued by the songs as well as Mommy's singing.

Just rockin' out during tummy time!

Elle is such a lucky little girl!  Holly hooked her up with a ginormous cow and pajamas!  As you can tell the cow was a hit!

Then she began attacking the helpless cow.  We had to call her off and I did feed her promptly guess, she is going to be a meat eater...

I am super obsessed with stripes right now!! Don't you just want to break into David Bowie's "Magic Dance" song?  Colby finds this super creepy but I loved the movie Labyrinth!! I do promise not to throw her up in the air like the movie...

You remind me of the baby

What baby? baby with the power
What power? power of voodoo
Who do? you do
Do what? remind me of the baby

I saw my baby, crying hard as babe could cry
What could I do
My baby's love had gone
And left my baby blue
Nobody knew
What kind of magic spell to use
Slime and snails
Or puppy dogs' tails
Thunder or lightning
Then baby said
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Put that baby spell on me
Jump magic, jump (jump magic, jump)
Jump magic, jump (jump magic, jump)
Put that magic jump on me
Slap that baby, make him free  (funny line right?  Amy caught it but I have never heard it)

Rice, rice baby

For the last few weeks we have been placing Elle in her high chair while we cook and eat dinner.  She has really enjoyed watching us.  To the point where she begins to drool and lick her lips while we are eating dinner.  I offered her a spoon full of air and she took it in and even swallowed.  At this I turned to Colby and said I think it is time to try the rice cereal.  Based on my sister's recommendation we tried organic brown rice.  She took the first few tiny drops quite well then this occurred...

Please Momma no more it was fun at first...

Doesn't she have quite a look on her face. I am one with this chair. They can't see me.

Really you are going to try again?

Look over there Momma a deer.  Elle's attempt to distract me worked.  So Daddy stepped in and gave it his best shot...

Right Daddy, you can try but no, means no.

We are giving her a taste each night and hopefully by Christmas we will move on to bigger and better foods!  Look out sweet potatoes here Elle comes!!

While you were sleeping

Last night Daddy and I worked quickly and quietly to set up the house while you were sleeping.

The first thing we did was set up the tree minus the star; down low are ornaments for you to play with and up high are the ones for safekeeping.

The couch is ready for you to cuddle up with us and read a Christmas tale. 

The moose can't wait for you to play and sing to your hearts sweet gale.

Pooh and Piglet plan to keep you warm on cold nights.

Hope fills the dining room along with a nativity and downhill skier delights.

The table is set and awaits a feast of ham and rice cereal to appease.

Snow white and the seven dwarfs prepare their tree with expertise.

Upon the mantle is Santa and his trustworthy moose await.

Snow men greet you when you come into the house and out of the snowflake.

The kitchen is ready for laughter and cheer.

Did you check to see what is in the oven, dear? 

Can you believe all of this happened while you where in bed?

Did visions of sugar plums dance in your head?