Christmas Fun!!

Ella was such a good girl. I thought for sure she would just tear into all the gifts sitting under the tree, but on the contrary she was quite patient. She sat in front of the tree and scoped out all the gifts and pointed to all the ones that would be hers.She would even move the other ones out of the way so that she could get at hers more easily.




She saved the large ones for last, and as seen here, she had no problem handling their size.

This year she didn't need any help opening her gifts. She did just fine all on her own. It was awesome to watch her expressions as she ripped into her presents.

Ella got a ton of books for Christmas. She loves to read especially with her mommy... 

Back when Lisa was about Ella's age, she made a pair of silver bells out of Egg Cartons and Aluminum foil at daycare. Every year Grandma has been putting them on the Christmas tree as she has been from the day they were made.
Over the years they have gotten more and more worn, and lately have been put on the back of the tree.
So now you can understand the expression on Grandma's face when she opened a pair of handmade silver bells made by Ella.

Uncle Dick is explaining the finer points of Mr. Potato head assembly......

Decorating the Tree

Now that Ella is on the move and has to touch everything, the Christmas tree posed a challenge this year. Let's just say the top 2/3's of the tree is normally decorated, but the lower third has small stuffed animal looking Santa's and Snowmen just in case.

Everyday before we leave in the morning, Ella has to say good bye to the tree and all it's ornaments....
"Good-Bye Tree"

"Good-Bye Santa"

"Good-Bye Snowman"

Reading With Elmo...

Ella loves sitting in the family room with her new Elmo chair and read her books. We could be sitting in the living room watching TV and she'll just get up, grab her chair and walk into the family room and read. I think in this photo she's showing Mr. Bear the wonderful adventures of Dora the Explorer (her favorite book)

I think she was tired of me chasing her around with the camera in this one. she probably thought I wasn't paying attention clear across the room. Little does she know I have a zoom lens....

Happy Halloween....Trick Or Treat!!

What a great Halloween for Ella!

She dressed up as Snow White and had a great time trick-or-treating at all of the neighbors' homes.

Although it was pretty cold (and started snowing later in the evening), Ella was a good sport walking around for the brief time we were outside.

She also enjoyed passing out candy to all of the kids who came to our door tonight.

Earlier in the day, we got together with Nate and Mia to take a few photos of the cousins dressed up!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween with the Elders of St. Johns

We took Ella to Lisa's work tonight to "Trick-or-Treat" with the residents of St John's, and I'm not sure who enjoyed it more the kids or the elders.

 The kids of course enjoyed dressing up and getting all the good little treats that were being handed out, but the residents enjoyed interacting with the kids, and just being a part of a community. I think it's great that St John's does this for their residents.

 

 At first Ella wasn't to sure what she was supposed to do, and it took her a few minutes to get up the courage to actually go up to someone and take some candy. However once she did, she had no problem reaching in everyone's bag to grab some candy. At every stop Ella would take some candy out of her bag and put it in the residents bag as if she felt she needed to give some of her candy in order to take some of their candy. Too cute!

All in all it was a great time, and I'm sure Ella put a smile on every person she met.

Ella's 1st Haircut

I don't know how many 1 1/2 year olds get their haircut, but I think it's crazy that Ella has to have hers cut already.

Now before you get excited about cute little bangs, or bobs or whatever else you call little girl haircuts, Ella's consisted of trimming about an inch off the back to neaten it up a bit.

She was such a good girl too... Of course there were a lot of snacks involved, but she didn't fuss at all.

What a Big Girl!!

Ella was looking too cute today, I couldn't resist snapping a few shots.

Such a big girl.....

Pumpkin Picking at Stokoe Farms

Last year Ella just kind of sat there while we picked pumpkins. she looked cute, but not much interaction. This year Ella had a blast walking around looking at and talking to all the animals. I think she said "good bye" and blew kisses go every animal we came across.

She didn't have much of an interest in getting to close, and as long as they kept their difference all was well with the world. I think she was telling this guy " No No"...

The animals were fun and all but, playing with toys is always much more fun... including riding tractors with Mommy.

Look out crazy driver..

Wake Up And Smell The Flowers!!

This time of year you have to get outside when ever you can. Not too much longer and this will all be covered in snow.

Museum of Play

For Lisa's Birthday, Grandma got us a membership to the Strong Museum of Play, and today we thought it would be cool to go check it out.

This place is awesome, I'm not sure who had more fun, me or Ella. We'll definitely be coming back soon....

There's even a Wegman's in here, equipped with check out line and a working conveyor belt. The cash register even has a working scanner that the kids get to total up their purchases. Ella had a blast pushing the cart around picking up all the foods she likes to eat.

Hey mister Troll, I like your nose

All through out the various themed rooms they have "dress-up" clothes that the clothes can try on and really become part of the activity. I think Ella was excited to try on her new clothes...