Avery and Ella bonding

This video is about a month old, it's not the best quality but you get the point. Ella likes to tickle her nose with Avery's tail. Avery seems to not care, she's getting calmer in her old age.

Christmas 2009

Sorry all the picture are not in order and my message is at the bottom of this blog, I was to tired to change it all.

Ella loves her new Play and Learn puppy that Grandma and Grandpa Menard got her.

Ella thought my new loofah sponges were pretty neat too.

Christmas morning

Jake putting Ella to bed Christmas Eve night

Ella having some serious bedhead on Christmas morning

Christmas Eve dinner
me, my uncle Rob and Grandpa- who forgot to smile =)

me and Ella entering into Church

We had another wonderful Christmas spent in Spokane the only sad part was it was without a drop of snow! Ella did great at Nana and Papa's however she was mostly interested in their cat Cooper. Let's just say her favorite word of the week was, MEOW. Since we had an extra set of hands thanks to my mom me, Jake and my dad had time to go see Avatar in 3-D IMAX. I wasn't sure if I wanted to see it especially at the IMAX screen ( I was worried I would get motion sick) but it was well worth it. I would highly recommend it!

The night we got home Ella was so excited to see her crib that she asked to get into it before bedtime. She rolled from side to side and then stood up and ran back and forth giggling along the way. That night and every night since she has gone to bed without a peep. It's so nice! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.

Lazy Monday

Sadly the snow has all melted away so we didn't go outside today to play. Ella is very into reading books so we read piles of books, played with her Nativity set, scribbled with crayons, wrapped some presents and did some laundry. One thing that amazed me today was that Ella got into this box of flashcards sorted through them, found the card with the grapes on them, brought it to me, and pointed to the fridge. She is one smart cookie.

Feeling more like Christmas

It came as a surprise but the snow has finally arrived this afternoon. Luckily, I have most of my Christmas shopping done. So I say bring on the SNOW. It was very exciting for Ella. Jake took her outside to check out the snowflakes and after that she didn't want to come back in. I can't wait to see what she does with inches on the ground.

Ella is checking out the snow.

Catching snowflakes with Daddy.

Last weekend we put up our tree and all the trimmings. Our house looks so festive. Ella was a big help. So far she is really good around the tree and only gently touches the ornaments.

This is just a goofy picture of Ella, I think she was practicing her "meows"

More Pictures

Showing off her teeth to all her dogs. Check out the molar
Sitting in her Big girl chair
Sporting a new outfit from Great Grandma- thanks!
Ella loves to read books
Ella showing off her new dress Great Grandma made.
Ella checking out all the loot me and Nana bought at Black Friday.
Ella and Nana snuggling

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone! Gosh, it's been so long since I last blogged that I almost forgot my password. Thanksgiving dinner was amazing like always! Ella's favorite part was the sweet potatoes that Papa made.

Last night Ella was being silly and walking around the table coming up to each of us (me, Jake, Nana and Papa) and tickle us on our backs. Then she would laugh and think it was so funny.
Here are a lot of pictures from the last couple of weeks.

No way!

That's Ella's new word of the day: "No way" Here are some pictures over the last week or so. The first one is a little dark but rarely do I get a picture of Ella smiling and looking at me all at the same time.

She has discovered the laundry basket- Jake gives her rides around the family room. She loves it.

Here are two huge Vikings fans after the great win against Green Bay! Jake's sister got this outfit for Ella for her birthday! It's perfect to wear on Sundays when football is on and Ella walks around the house holding up both arms in the sky making the "touchdown" signal. It's pretty hilarious. And no I didn't teach her that.

Halloween Night

We spent Halloween night over at a friends house this year. We all shared some good laughs and delicious food but more importantly we had fun trick or treating. Our friends the Plichta's have a great neighborhood for trick or treating, there were kids everywhere. Ella had a great first time trick or treating. The first half Ella just wanted to be held and by the second half she was walking down the sidewalk like a big girl. We only went up to a couple of house but we think she got the idea. My favorite part was the candy Ella collected went straight to us because she is to young to have it.

On another note Ella amazes me everyday. Here are a list of things she is doing these days:

She can point to her head, nose, ears, eyes, eyelashes, eyebrows, teeth, tongue, hands, toes and tummy. She says "no" a lot, she can also say, yeah, yup, momma, and dadda. She can say ball, cat, bear, dog, and duck but they all kinda sound the same. And the cutest one of all is when we had spaghetti and meatballs for dinner the other night she started saying "meatball"- but it actually came out sounding like neatballs. She is too funny!

We had to stop by our neighbors to show off Ella before heading over to our friends house.

Ella posing with friends Jackson and Riley.

Here we are out trick or treating.

And we don't dare leave home without the binky!

Pickin' Punkins

Ella in action picking out pumpkins! Make sure you check out the slideshow from our day at the pumkin patch (on the left).

Getting ready for Halloween

Ella playing in the tub. Her hair is getting so long.

Ella's Halloween costume came in the mail on Friday from her cousin Bennett. It was so cute we could hardly wait to try it on her.

Ella dancing with Jelly Zebra

Ella going to give Mr. Bear a kiss.