Holiday Check In

 I think this is my favorite photo of Eleanor I've ever taken. She was laughing hysterically at me shaking a plastic bag...

 She had her 1st Santa encounter at my parents church Christmas party. She wouldn't sit on Santa's lap, but she ask for 2 of his candy canes. They got all over her shirt- and she loved it.

Our photographer friend Mari took this photo- and probably edited it to make it look better than it was- it was in the tunnel of lights at the Hogle Zoo. I would not recommend the zoo lights. They aren't that cool and it's too cold for that nonsense.

Blast from the Past

I was going through old photos and I hope you'll indulge me in sharing. The memories are so nice!

I took this from a double decker bus when I was in London on Study Abroad in 2011. I think all the flags were up because of Will and Kate's wedding festivities! London is just so historic and cozy. I think the study abroad was one of the highlights of college.

 All the crowds from Will and Kate's wedding. I think this is the road up to Buckingham Palace.

 This is just from this past Halloween- but look at the ballerina's little yawn!! What's crazy to me... look how different Eleanor looks above than below at around 4-5 months- like a different person with a whole new head of hair.

 This was her response after her first taste of solid food- pureed apples.

 From when Deanna and I went to the Paris Opera Ballet! I remember thinking it was so cool and unusual because during intermission, they had this ballroom couple dancing around the lobby all dramatic- like a little performance while you were waiting. I've never seen anything like that before during intermission!

The gardens at the Palace of Versailles. It was too expensive to go inside, so we just walked around instead. I wonder how similar the grounds looked back in King Louis' time. Also- I think I'm going to grow my hair out- because of this photo.

Holiday Check In

We put up our Christmas tree today. Usually I'm more of a wait till after Thanksgiving sort of lady, but, ever since it snowed a little last week, I've really been in the mood! 

I even bought a Karen Carpenter holiday music CD at Target on a whim- and I LOVE EVERY SECOND OF IT. My favorite is Merry Christmas, Darling with a close second, Christ is Born. 

We do a fake tree. Naturally, I would prefer a real one, but its so much work. Remembering to water it, going and getting it, you know. But I like our fake one with it's crazy yet fabulous colored pre strung lights- in orange, blue, green, red, and pink. I'll just have to get a candle or something for that holiday smell.

Vacation!

In April/May, Brent and I are going on a vacation! We are going to Amsterdam, Germany, and Austria. My parents are kind enough to watch Ella- which I feel guilty about - but I won't after spending hours on an airplane and realizing if I had Eleanor with me how I'd want jump in an Amsterdam canal to escape the madness.

Airplane tickets were an amazing price, so we bit the bullet. We are planning on taking a Sound of Music bike tour of Austria- Brent recently watched the movie and has told me more than once how much he likes it- I'm a little giddy about it. Also- Amsterdam. It seems so laid back and cool. 

And, for your viewing pleasure... here are some photos of baby girl. She'll be 18 months in November. She loves:
-playing in the sink- filling and dumping out cups of water.
-drinking her bath water, and if that wasn't enough, sucks the water out of the bath mat when her bath water has drained out. I have no explanation.
-the adorable Japanese movie, My Neighbor Totoro, which pleases me because I love it too
-still takes a bottle to go to bed
-riding in her bike seat to the park
-brushing her teeth herself
-Veggie straws and fruit snacks
-waving and saying bye-bye. she'll give you a kiss if you're lucky.
-she even stomps when she throws a tantrum- makes me laugh every time