A Day at the Park

This afternoon we headed to the park as a family unit. Me, Cole, Elle and the dog. We brought the big leash extender thingy that we tied around a tree, so Coach could roam a bit, a couple sodas, a blanket and some toys for Elle. Here are a few pictures from our adventure...

Of course Elle had to ride the swings...her fav!

Everytime I look at this picture I laugh out loud!

These might make a tasty snack...

Our first lesson on "opposites"...big stick...little stick...

...and neither are supposed to go in your mouth!

Mom...please don't bother me right now...I'm on the hunt for tasty leaves!

I love the grass!! I love Spring!

Cousins Take Two

In January Elle got to meet her cousins Grayson, Sydney and Sierra for the first time. We went to Colorado for a week at the beginning of January to see Cole's family.

Grayson, Sydney, and Sierra absolutely loved Elle.

Sierra would go and get Elle toys and then sit and play with her. Grayson and Sydney really enjoyed playing with the toys Elle got for Christmas. They all treated her just like a little sister.

I don't have any pictures of Elle with Sierra which is a bummer...here are a few pics of Elle with G and Syd:

Cousins

In January Elle got to go and visit her cousins Morgan and Marly.

Elle had a blast! Marly thought that Elle was the coolest thing yet! Every morning Marly would wake up and say, "Baby Elle??" and look all over the house for Elle. Morgan even liked Elle too. Morgan gave Elle hugs!

When we left Morgan hugged Elle, and Marly cried. It was too sweet! Elle can't wait to see her cousins again at the end of July.

Here are some photos from our trip!

These are the boxes of clothes we went through the girls thought they needed to get inside the boxes...hand me down time!! YES!

Three munchkins in the bath. This lasted only a short time. Elle decided that bath time alone was much more relaxing...less bubbles on the face and less squirting of water.

A quick wagon ride in the backyard! They all look a bit nervous!

Marly and Elle in the disaster that Elle created...Elle started crawling while we were there and thought the diapers looked better all over the floor instead of on the shelf.

More wagon ride...Elle is thinking...What have you gotten me into Mom?

Cousins out for a stroller ride in their newly knitted hats!

What goes through an infant's mind?

Here are some of Elle's latest thoughts...

I love Disneyland...but this sun is a killer!

I'm silly..and I'll prove it!

What? We have to leave Walmart already?? I was just getting comfy in this cart!

Watch out boys...here I come!

What did you say Mom?

You mean I'm not allowed to have popsicles? But Marly gave it to me!

Here's my angelic pose...whaddya think??

No way!! I love cheerios! Hand 'em over!

Really? You're gonna play that game?

I love my mom!

Mom's Old Clothes!

Here is another picture of Elle in my old clothes:

Me in 1978

Elle in 2010

Mom..do you think I'm cute??

Bad Puppy!

We enjoy that fact that we live so close to my parents. A little over a two hour drive and we are at their door. Of course when we go to spend the weekend with my parents, this involves packing the car to the brim with baby stuff....pack and play, highchair, stroller etc., and of course stuff for the dog.

Coach is a great dog. She is almost 4 years old, knows many tricks, and loves other dogs and everyone she meets.

My mom, not the biggest fan of dogs in general, but she has grown to love Coach. Mom has even taken Coach outside a time or two.

There are a couple things however that my mom cannot stand about Coach...

1. When my mom is loading the dishwasher, Coach tries to be helpful and lick the plates that might have a bit of food still on them. My mother does not appreciate this at all!

2. Coach is not dummy. The floor is a very hard place. There are many comfy options around the house. One of the chairs in the living room is especially comforting, and Grandma and Grandpa's bed....just heavenly! Although my mom detests the dog's choice in comfort, she has started to put a towel on the chair, but her bedroom door remains closed.

I happened to snap a picture of Coach making herself at home on Mom and Dad's bed...Unacceptable!

Sorry..you forgot to close the door!

This Girls Can STILL Sleep Anywhere!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...

This girl can sleep anywhere! She can sleep in her carseat, stroller, (even the whimpy umbrella stroller), a concrete patio, the nursery at church, a swing...and now here:

This seems like no big deal...a baby can usually sleep in a Baby Bjorn.

...but while her father plays the cajon?? YEP!

11 months!

Last Wednesday Elle turned 11 months old!

I can hardly believe it! Before we know it, she'll be a whole year old!

I have been the laziest blogger the past two months, but Elle has continued to grow despite my laziness.

Her latests are:

Elle lovees to dance (she sways her head from side to side and bounces on all fours or while standing holding on to something) mainly to U2. She even kissed the CD player proving her love for Bono.

She eats cheerios as if they were candy, and has just started biting them in half with her four, widely spaced teeth.

Elle doesn't quite understand the meaning of "No". She thinks its a game. Elle just looks at me, smiles and continues doing what I told her not to do, which I find totally unacceptable.

Elle is an experienced Disneyland fan thanks to G and Gma. (she's already been there 4 times)

I think Elle might end up with red hair, or at least the attitude that comes with having red hair. If something makes her mad, she growls in frustration while clenching her fists.

Elle has started mimicking anything we do...blinking, tilting her head, coughing, laughing...the more we laugh the more she continues...she is going to be a ham!

I need to get some updated pictures up here and perhaps a video or two...

Elle's first birthday party will be on Saturday April 10th...and suggestions for the theme?? Elle's Bells is what her father came up with...I think we need some more ideas...