Christmas Dinner

Ellie did great meeting most of the family, of course at first she was very shy but once she realized everyone was ok she really had a good time!! Here is Ellie with Dan, don't worry Ellie I think that he is that way all of the time!!
Every one is smiling... it must be a great Christmas!!

Heather, Megan, Uncle Jim, Brian, and Uncle Jay

Grandpa Nels with Kelly stopping for a photo!

"HORRAY, I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!"

Christmas DayThis year's Christmas tree.
Our happy family (minus Schatzie... she was at "Christmas Camp")
Ellie with her TMX Elmo. What a hit! I don't kow what she liked more... Elmo or the box?
I think tat she loves her new Elmo, every time it would stand up she would push him down. I think that everyone got a kick out of him!!
Ellie and Daddy hangin' out!

Christmas Morning
Christmas morning went well but Ellie went so slow that we had to take an intermission for a nap and then opened more later and the next day. Bill always likes to extend gift opening but I think that Ellie went a little above and beyond!Christmas cookies on Christmas morning.... Can life get any better???
"I love books, how did Santa know? That guy is really smart!!"
"Auntie Marg, can I help? I am a present opening expert!!"
"Here Daddy, don't forget this one!"
"A Christmas train.. it is what I have always wanted!"

Christmas Eve... Getting Ready for Santa ClauseEllie and Grandpa Nels getting ready for her bath after Christmas Eve mass. Ellie, you better take a bath and go to bed soon so that Santa Clause doesn't pass over our house!!

Auntie Margie goes over some last minute pointers for tomorrow morning before Ellie hits the tub!
"Pleas Mama, may I have my bots so I can go to bed... that big guy in the red suit is supposed to be stopping buy tonight!"
Grandpa Nels and Ellie share a pre-bedtime moment, can you feel the excitement??

Kissing CousinsHere is Ellie with her cousin Andrew... the last time they saw each other was in May. They have both grown up so much since then. They had so much fun together and eating their own body weight in animal cookies... mmmm!!

Andrew is quite the ladies man, he kept handing out the sugar but I don't think Ellie knew what to do with it!! "Daddy told me to stay away from boys!!"
After a while she finally began to warm up to Andrew and his kisses!!Don't they both look like they are thinking about what they can get into next?

Daddy's Soccer GameSo, what is a girl to do when it is 75 degrees one week before Christmas (ps- I talked to Rosie in Miami that day and it was only 5 degrees warmer there, what is up with the wheather??). Well, we went to go see Bill play with Uncle Mike in their "winter" sccer league. Ellie ran all over the turf and picked up trash... what fun!! When Bill came over to do a corner kick, Ellie went running towards him to play. Hmmm, do you think that she is daddy's girl or what?? Well, good news for us, it is supposed to be cooler for Christmas so re-pack your shorts and sandles but also bring out the cold medicine cause you know what that means.... Please no ear infections for Christmas!! PLEASE!!

The Christmas Card Runner-ups...
Here are the ones that just didn't make the cut for one reason or another. I am sure you will enjoy them as much as I do!Yes, this is a cut picture but the reason this didn't make it is
1) she looks a little clueless and
2) I couldn't firn a card that this would work with!
Yes, again another adorable photo. It is almost like she is saying, " Please don't look at my nimmies!"
This looks like the responce to someone telling her that she should expect some coal in her stocking!
This was my original idea for the Christmas card, a santa hat and a bubble bath beard. However I couldn't get her to leave the hat on long enough to smile at the same time. Oh well, better luck next year!

Terrorizing the Homefront"Look Mom, Schatzie and I played 'King of the Bed' and I won!! Way to go me!!"

"So what is the area code to the North Pole, the big guy up there and I have some things to talk about. How come you don't have it on speed dial yet? We need to work on that!!"
"See, I am eating all of my dinner. Thank goodness Schatzie can't talk or my cover would be blown for sure!!"
"I love playing with Daddy! Let me show you where your mouth is..."

Ellie and the BeadsJust a little playing around before bed... she looks so tired, doesn't she??

Bathtub Fun"Oh Mama, no more, please?!?"

"AAAGgghhh! I Love Bath Toys!!!"
"Peek-a-boo"

"No Schatzie, no feet on the tub. Mommy said so!!"

Ellie's New SweaterElaine's craftmanship... It is handmade with love (some sweat and bitching) and it is soft, cozy, pretty, and perfect! Thank you so much!!

WARNING: Cheerio Monster on the looseShe was last spotted restrained by her highchair but she is squirmy and very persuasive. She has been known to beat down pantry doors and steal Cheerios leaving a path of destruction where ever she goes! Please be on high alart and what ever you do, DO NOT look into her big brown eyes or else you will turn into a Cheerio yourself!!

Ellie and Schatzie Look at all of that love that Ellie is giving Schatzie
Smile!!
Nap time!

Kisses for everyone!

Getting Ready for Santa"No Santa, this one is mine but you can have the rest!!"

Ellie got to see her first Snow VIllage the weekend after Thanksgiving. How exciting!!
Let's get ready to do some baking, Ellie, you get the bowls ...
...and the pots!!
Ellie's first Christmas cookies... Mmmm! Peanut butter chip - chocolate chip cookies, fresh out of the oven! Seriously, does life get any better???