Ellie Belly

Here Comes Santa Clause
Let me start by saying that one of these days I will finally to remember to upload my photos in reverse you don't have to go through fun backwards. But until then, sorry! Here is some of our Christmas fun in Baltimore. I hope you enjoy seeing it as much as we enjoyed doing it!
Camels and a Christmas Wonderland
Last night we went to Watson's Garden for their annual Christmas Wonderland, it really is neat! There is a decorated Christmas hallway with snowy trees, Santa, and a Nativity scene.

Ellie finally warmed up to her snowy surroundings and was walking around on her own on the second go-through.

The pretty Nativity scene, I pointed out to Ellie who everyone was... Mary, Joseph, the angels and shepards, and baby Jesus. Then she looked at me and said, "Mommy, he naked. Baby She-schus no clothes on."

Fred (in red) and Barney (in blue) were two very friendly brothers. Every year Watson's has either camels or reindeer in a stall outside. Ellie really liked to see the camels. We watched them eat and drink water and saw their funny lips move all around!
Santa Is Coming

Santa made a special stop to the neighborhood on Monday night and he rode in on a firetruck. We could here him coming even before he got there! Ellie was excited (from a distance) but the sirens were really loud and kind of hurt our ears! Next year we will wear earmuffs, maybe that will help!

Patiently sitting and waiting for Santa Clause.
Princess Ellie

Princess Ellie has just woken up and can't be seen without her royal jewels!!
Visit with The Lysses
Sunday...

Chocolate gelato after a pizza dinner, mmmm....

Horsey rides on Grandma. Giddy up!

Santa Clause... at a safe viewing distance!
Saturday

The Christmas lights on 34th Street in Hampden. Wow! What a sight! It was really cold but definatly worth walking to get the real feel. You could actually feel the excitement and Christmas in the air!
These are all individual houses on lone block in the city. Every year they go overboard and deck the halls in Christmas decor. What a wonderful tradition! We met some people who drove an hour from Annapolis to come see the lights!

Mommy, Ellie, and Daddy looking at some of the decorations. This one was animated Disney characters singing Christmas carols in someone's front yard.

Here is a picture of the other side of the street.

Before walking a few blocks to see the lights we all went to Cafe Hon for a fantastic dinner of crab cakes, cheeseburgers, and meatloaf. It is a fun place to get a taste of life in Baltimore. Grandma and Ellie are giving Grandpa a smooch, I think he may even like it!!

Grandma Deb, Ellie, and Mommy at Cafe Hon while we waited for our table. It is a good thing that it was warm inside because it sure was cold outside!!!

She just couldn't keep her eyes open long enough to read her snowman book. Here is Ellie dozing after out trip to the Baltimore Aquarium.

Ellie bundled up for the cold temps with Grandpa, Daddy, and Grandma at the Inner Harbor after lunch at Harbor Place.

The dolphins at the aquarium. They jumped, swam and played with balls (just like Schatzie); they talked and even waved to us!

Ellie was thrilled with the dolphins. I think that Grandpa is awake in this photo but we did catch him taking a little snooze here and there during the show! Lucky for him there is no proof!

Ellie and Grandma in the rain forest. It sure was warm in there, a nice change from outside.

Strolling by the mirrors.

Ellie and Grandma at the Touch and Learn tank. We were learning about horseshoe crabs and hermit crabs.

Ellie and Mommy taking a little break to watch the turtles and the rays. We saw on e giant turtle that was saved off the shore of New York and only had three fins. They had to remove one to save his life. Lucky him!

Grandpa, Ellie, Daddy, and Grandma in front of the shark tank, it is a good thing there is glass there to save that sweet little Ellie Belly!

What a Ham!!!
Friday

After a record 10 hour trip to get to Baltimore, the Lysses made it to Ellie's school, unfortunately they missed her program but the did get to see Santa's visit. Looks like Daddy said something pretty funny!

And speaking of Santa Clause's visit, this was as close as she would get and that was to grab some cookies out of his hand!

Ellie in her bathing suit (see below) when she saw Daddy get there! What a lucky girl!

Ellie's 2 year Christmas program... they danced and played instruments to a Beach Boys Christmas song. Too cute!!

Yes, she does have that 'dear in the headlights' look. I don't think I have to worry about being a stage mom!!
Bath Time

Post bath snuggles in the pillow pile.

The longest Alfalfa sprout in the world. Don't worry, that is colored bubble bath soap on her chest, not paint or markers. Not that it would surprise me if it was!