Gone MIA

I apologize for being MIA for so long. Spring was a very busy time for us this year, and my blogging time was cut to a minimum . . . actually, I suppose it was cut all together. I would really have liked to chronologically updated you all, but that will be a fantastic feat in it's self. So, I am going to start with what is going on right now, and periodically, I'll get to things of the past. So, be sure to check old posts too!

As you all know, we love being outdoors. This year, Landon decided that we needed to diversify our activities, however. So, he bought two kyaks! We have taken them out on their maiden voyage, and the girls love them! Yes, one of the girls sits on our laps, and we all hit the water together. For all you cautious parents, don't fret, we will not be taking the girls on any rapid waters (i.e. the Salmon River).

We recently hiked Mary's Peak. I carried Addi in the backpack - Landon wanted to, but we forgot the Excedrin, and I would rather carry Addi than have Landon battle a headache for an evening - and Ella hiked right next to her Daddy. The weather was perfect. It was an enjoyable 70 degrees at the peak and absolutely no wind. The views were spectacular. The hike down was even more spectacular, because Addi was determined to make it all on her own. Yes, Addi hiked down all by herself. All Daddy did, was hold her hand.

Books, BumbleBee, and Birthdays

We are only a family of four, but two of the birthdays in our family are in March. Landon kicks off the month of festivities on March 3 and Addi soon follows with a birthday on March 10.

Months ago, Ella came to me with her idea of a birthday present for Daddy . . . a robot. Two days before Landon's birthday, I loaded the girls into the car to adventure to town to get Landon something for his birthday. En route, I told Ella what we were doing, and she quickly responded with, "I want to get him a robot!" She remembered, with no hesitation. So, we diligently searched for just the right robot. We came home with BumbleBee (for all you non-Transformer fans, he a good guy). Addi got him a Frisbee, per Ella's suggestion.

Next, Addi's birthday was a wonderful day. Addi had some close friends stop by to wish her a happy day and bring her a few surprises. Thank you Rose's!

Ella was so excited for Daddy to get home from work so that we
could open the rest of the presents. I think Addi may have caught a corner of one of her gifts. Mostly she caught flying paper.


Here is our vivacious 1 year-old. We love you Addi!

She's All Girl

Each night, we read stories together. This evening, Ella wanted to tell me the story that she had "written" in her new journal. We sit down on the couch together, and she begins . . . "This is about Goldilocks and the Three Butterflies."

A Pink Birthday Surprise

Tuesday morning was a special one in our home. Our Ella turned 4 years old! Landon decided to go to work a little late so that he could enjoy a birthday breakfast with his girl. While breakfast was cooking, Ella tore through her birthday gifts.

As you all know, our girl loves to cook. So it was no surprise that she was most excited about her new cookie cooking set.

Addi is also learning the culinary art.

Now, I alluded to a specific birthday "surprise" in the title of this post. Ella woke up on her special day with a nasty case of pink eye. This is the first time she has ever contracted this and it came on quick and fierce. Poor girl was a trooper as I took her in to the Pediatricians office on her birthday.

All in all, I think she had a great day.

10 Months Old

Our baby girl is growing up and fulfilling many milestones. One of the newest things is that she loves to feed herself. She loves to sit up in her high chair at dinner time and eat with the rest of us. One of her favorite foods is peas. The picture below is of her showing off her skill of stealth. She snatched up this partially filled can of soda during the second I had my back turned. Don't worry, we don't fill her bottle with such delights. : )

She has mastered the art of crawling. She is a little speedster and is loving her new-found independance.

She has three teeth in the smile now.

She continues to bring sunshine to our home.

My Sunbeam

Ella has just attended her first full day of church as a new Sunbeam! We are so proud of our little girl as she grows up and begins this new adventure.

Christmas Time

Christmas Morning flew by like a flash this year. It wasn't until the morning frenzy was over that I realized that neither I nor Landon had taken any pictures! My only saving grace is that we had the video camera set up and taped (yes, we are still living in the ages of taping) the whole event. So, my short synopsis will have to suffice.

Ella is getting old enough to really be in to Christmas. She loved talking to Santa this year and seized every opportunity to do so. She went to bed with all kinds of visions "dancing in her head" I'm sure. The morning came earlier this year than Christmas morning has in past years. For some reason, in the past she has slept-in on holiday mornings. She didn't sleep-in this year! Don't get me wrong, she wasn't up with the milk man, I'm sure she's saving that for next year. When she woke up and came into our room, it took less than 5 seconds for her to remember that it was Christmas. It was all we could do at that point to keep her in our room long enough for us to get dressed. Then, the frenzy began. Addi was loving all the excitement. She was dazzled by all the lights and paper. We tried to give her time to open her presents, but her big sister was quite the helper.

After the morning excitement we donned more suitable clothing for our traditional Christmas breakfast at Elmer's. When we were all full to the gills, we returned home to pack the car and head to the hills! We wanted to spend this Christmas with just each other, and we wanted no distractions. So, we booked a condo in Bend so that we could do just that.

One of the reasons we chose Bend for our little family excursion was . . . SNOW! Landon and I grew up where we enjoyed white Christmas's and we want our children to enjoy them too.

Addi enjoyed the snow, but it was Ella that played and played and played. It was a perfect day.

We returned home 2 days later, and as you can see, we had a very satisfied little girl.

We love Christmas and all the joy that surrounds the season. We want our family to cherish this time of year for the true reason for the holiday. As we center the holiday around our family, I believe we grow closer to Christ.