Found my camera cord!

Sprinkles

MORE SPRINKLES!

Smiles

Visiting Santa.  She liked him until we got close even though
he wears overalls like Great Grandpa



Uncle Matthew gave me chocolate.
Mommy & Daddy didn't know I could open
the package until it was too late.

Decorating the tree

"Careful Mommy"

If I fit, I ship



Tea party with Grandma & Aunt Su

Keeping us on our toes

Helping Mommy crochet



Discovering chocolate pudding.
It was a hit!

E is keeping us on our toes!  (I can hear M & my mothers laughing) E has definitely entered the terrible twos.  The last few nights have been a trial to get her to bed.  Even getting jammies on means kicking and screaming and a melt down.  But then she redeems herself by being so cute and loveable that the other child doesn't seem possible.  Her favorite phrases right now are "If you say so," "I promise," "My do," and "Probably."  She doesn't always use them right, but she sure makes us laugh.  Elizabeth loves Veggie Tales and will sing the songs from the shows.  It is amazing what that little mind can learn.  E loves her babies too.  She has three dolls that she takes everywhere, even into her crib at nights so there is barely room for E.  The babies do end up in time out.  Some days they are very naughty and E puts them in time out, then comes back and gets one eye level with them and tells them what they did wrong, then gives them a hug.  Apparently she is learning something from us.

This Thursday is her first Christmas program at daycare.  I'm not sure what they are singing or doing, but I'm interested to see how she does.  Either she'll steal the show or she won't do anything.  We did take our Christmas pictures and they turned out really nice.  E cooperated most of the time so the photographer got some good shots.

Smiles with Daddy

and with Mommy



So sweet and angelic

Finally got my camera back, so here is a short recap of summer in pictures.  I guess the biggest change is Lil'E is getting hair.  It is so cute and curly!  Two things she got from me, curly hair and a love of chocolate.  It is amazing how this little person lights up our lives.  Sometimes at 3:30 am but we still love her.
I think the pictures explain themselves.  We made a few trips to the zoo, one with Cousin AT and one with Aunt ST.  With AT Elizabeth wouldn't go anywhere near the splash pad.  With ST Lil'E discovered it and fell in love.  She spent about 30 minutes playing.  Of course the time I figured she wouldn't go near it so didn't pack her a swim diaper or a towel.  Oh well.  I took so many pictures of her in the splash pad.  (M and ST did too with their phones)  The lighting was great and Lil'E had so much child joy that I love every picture and could have taken a million more.
Most mornings M gets Lil'E up while I get ready.  They we switch and I watch Lil'E while M gets ready.  I usually do my makeup and Lil'E eats breakfast.  That morning Lil'E wasn't hungry (she eats again at daycare) and decided she wants some of mommy's makeup.  How can I deny that face?  Lil'E favorite color is blue.  We're working on her aim. 
Lil'E has decided she needs sunglasses in the car, just one day out of the blue.  Of course we couldn't find any cheapies that weekend when we had a chance to shop so Lil'E got a nice pair that are a little large.  Of course the next week I found sunglasses everywhere for less than a dollar!  She now has three pairs and couldn't be happier.  I also got some cases and sometimes it is more fun to put the different glasses in different cases than it is to wear them. 
We're traveling again this weekend.  Last weekend to Osakis, this weekend a stopover in Osakis on our way to Moorhead for a wedding.  Lil'E will get to see some of her Concordia Cousins and we get to celebrate with H&J!

Just hanging, upside down



Helping Mommy cook



Trying corn on the cob

Enjoying chocolate from Great Grandpa

One of the dinosaurs at the zoo.
I can't blame Lil'E for being scared!



Checking out the John Deere tractor at the
Farm area at the zoo with Cousin AT

Helping fill her new pool.  She was so excited!



So excited she didn't take the time to put on a suit
or let the water warm up.



Discovering the splash pad at the Zoo



Giggles with Aunt S



You can never have too much blue eye shadow!



Our cool chicka with her sunglasses.

New Post!

I've been having computer issues and have been unable to update the blog.  Finally got it fixed so here I am.  Well, that and I forgot my camera at Mom & Dad's so I didn't have many pics to post.  I'll be catching up soon.
Summer is over.  Boo.  It was an interesting one.  I changed jobs, Elizabeth turned 2 and we had hail and tornado force winds that caused damage to our roof, gutter, gutter covers, some window frames and totaled the garden.  We're still waiting to see what insurance recommends for our roof, etc. 
Elizabeth is transitioning to Preschool 3 at daycare.  She is growing so fast!  She likes P3 because the playground is bigger and they have a Guinean pig named Pluto.  Elizabeth talks all the time.  She even tells a joke.  She'll finish something on her plate and ask "Where did the ... go?"  Then she laughs and says "In my mouth!"  She is really good at tantrums.  I think throwing themselves on the floor and wailing is just hard wired in their little brains.  We certainly didn't teach her it.  In fact we laugh at her and tell her what a good job she is doing, which only makes her more mad.
This past weekend, Aunt Su visited.  We had fun even if meals and bedtimes were a little late.  We had a great time at the zoo.  (I'll post pictures later)  Aunt Su read E lots of stories and even painted her toe nails purple.  Su left during E's nap Sunday.  E was looking for Aunt Su everywhere asking "Where Aunt Su go?"  I explained she flew home so E now waves at every plane she hears saying "Bye Aunt Su." 

2 year pictures

Yes, it has been two months

Two months has passed since the last update.  We've been busy, busy.
Elizabeth turned two.  Can't believe it.  At her check up she was 25.5 lbs and 33 inches.  She is petit but mighty.  She had a wonderful birthday party surrounded by family and friends.  I finished her Curious George shirt so she was happy.  She clung to daddy the whole time.  For about two months Elizabeth has been a Daddy's girl.  Totally a Daddy's girl.  She wants nothing to do with Mommy or anyone else.
Over the 4th of July we went to Wisconsin to visit Bethany, Joe, Maya, Claire, Ryan and Ella.  We had a great time.  I painted Elizabeth's toenails for the first time.  I also painted Claire's & Ella's toenails too. Most of the paint has chipped off by now, but Elizabeth still talks about it.  We also went to the pool and Elizabeth did great swimming.  She jumped into the pool into Daddy's arms and started kicking her  feet to swim.  She did put her face in the water, but didn't shut her mouth so she did not enjoy that.
After our vacation, I returned to Westminster for my last week.  I had worked there for 12 years and decided it was time for a change.  I found a good job as an Administrative Assistant at Pax Christi Catholic Community.  I've been there for two weeks and things are going well.  I've been able to work ten hour days four days a week so Elizabeth and I have been home on Fridays.  More details about that later and other things going on (with pictures).
Here are a few to tide you over.

Helping Mommy clean for the party

Waiting for the popcorn on the Toddler Tower
Uncle Stan & Aunt Alison made for her birthday

Swinging at the park in her George shirt

Cleaning up after playing in the doggie's pool

Yummy food.

Playing outside

"I'm going to get you!"

My old Man

"Ready, set, go!"

Some times I don't know who is the bigger kid, Elizabeth or Marc.  Although I can't say too much because I play around with her as much as Marc.  I'm just usually the one behind the camera.  I must say, I'm impressed he could get on her bike!

Looking at the sky

Elizabeth also likes to lay on the deck and look at the sky.  She sees clouds, trees, birds and airplanes.  She'll tell us to lay down with her and when she is done, she'll tell us to sit up.  She is awfully bossy.  Wonder where she gets that from?

More cloud watching

In between the rain, Elizabeth and I did manage to plant some peas last week.  Hopefully it will stay nice enough to plant the tomatoes, beans and potatoes this weekend.  I'm also hoping to get a few outdoor decorating done.  I am a avid "Pinner" on Pinterest and have so many wonderful ideas.  A few I actually hope to accomplish.  Maybe will have pics next week.
We're also getting ready for Elizabeth's birthday party.  Curious George is out theme.  Banana everything and lots of balloons!

As she was trying to get me to sit up.  My giant baby!

My two favorite people in the world

Sorry if you thought it was you.  It is these two silly goof balls.  Elizabeth is all about Daddy right now.  And being outside.  She loves to hunt for rocks and dig in the garden and help.  Last Saturday between the rain we got outside and raked the garden and E got a trowel and got very, very dirty.  Thankfully she washes.  I got very dirty too as I was redoing the raspberry patch so it is easier to walk in and hopefully to pick.  However, this year thanks to the rabbits and dog we won't have much of a harvest.  Oh well.
So far we have had a rhubarb upside down cake and a rhubarb pie.  Yummy!  Elizabeth didn't think much of either.  The silly girl won't eat ice cream but she will eat garlic hummus by the spoonful.  Marc was wondering if she was our daughter until she started eating the hummus.  I love garlic and apparently gave Elizabeth the gene.
We were planning to go camping this Memorial weekend, but decided not to in the rain.
Have a great Memorial Day weekend!