Pictures as promised......

Here's a look at our time in Rapid. Warning: there are a couple shots of us from Christmas morning in our PJs. Maia and Steve, I'm hoping you don't have the urge to kill me for that!

hanging out with Papa

buried in presents on Christmas morning

Steve & Maia look happy, but Ella still can't manage a smile for the camera

Cheese!

Family shot.... great T's Ollie!

Ella and Oliver kicking back

A 2nd bday party - Ella not enjoying the "Happy Birthday" serenade

there's a smile! I think it's the cupcake/sugar.....

How cute!

The Sweetest Thing

We're Home

We made it home yesterday from our trip to Rapid for Christmas. We had such a wonderful time. Tim and Margaret were great hosts, as always. Lots of family and friends around - it was perfect....just wish we'd had a little more time. I'll post some pictures once we get them downloaded.

This week: We've got a big New Year's planned. ZAC & KRISTEN'S WEDDING on New Year's Eve!

Ella's Birthday / Early Christmas Celebration

We celebrated Ella's 2nd birthday on Saturday with friends and family and also had an early Christmas with my family. My parents were here and both my brothers and their wives (well Kristen will be Zac's wife by next Thurs night!!). Going into the weekend Ella was pretty aware that it was Christmas time and by Friday night, knew that her birthday was the next day. Her head must have been spinning though... opening birthday presents at 11:30 and Christmas presents at 2:00. I made a Barney cake for her, she is still in love with the purple guy. Everytime she saw her cake before and after Saturday she'd say, "Happy Birthday, Ella!" She was a pro at unwrapping presents by the time this weekend came to an end, so she will be in shape for Christmas in Rapid City. We leave for Tim & Margaret's on Christmas Eve! Here we come McKinstry Family!

Thanks everyone for making it such a special weekend!

Gift #1, food for Ella's kitchen

Not too bad, right?

While she liked the cake, she really loved the ice cream

Diving in!

I'm thinking of using this as our Christmas card photo next year

Zac's pretty new coat

The adorable Fosler family

Here's JJ laying low, trying to avoid some of the craziness


Opening another present with Aunt Kristen's help

Dinner at Rancho Viejo

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELLA ROSE!

Good Morning, Tree

We got about 4 inches of snow overnight, and I when I got Ella up this morning, I took her to the window to show her. As we were looking out the back window she saw the lights on the Christmas tree were on and she said "Hey! Good Morning, Tree". Just a sample of some of the random things Ella says....really cute! She's really verbal these days - with about 75% of what she says making sense to us. She is putting sentences together too. Her favorite thing to ask me right now is "Mommy, what you doing?"

Is it possible?

In a week, we'll be celebrating Ella's 2nd birthday. Simply amazing to me!!

Baby Update

So I'm now in my 2nd trimester. I always thought that started when you hit your 13th week, but for some reason everything I'm reading tells me it's once you get to the 14th week. I had a doctor's appointment yesterday afternoon and everything looks good. Hearing that little heartbeat is such a great thing! When you can't feel the baby moving yet it's such a reassuring sound. I've gained 5 pounds in a month.....it has begun! I am so excited about being pregnant again and getting to experience all the cool things that go along with it - BUT the weight gain and swollen ankles are 2 things I am not welcoming back!

I made our ultrasound appointment - set right now for Jan 18th. We were really hoping to have it before we head to S. Dakota for Christmas, but it would just be too early. We'd only be 16 weeks, so waiting until January will help make sure we get all the right information.... measurements, boy or girl, that kind of thing. Something to look forward to after the holidays. Can't wait!