We've been busy...

Over the past few weeks we have celebrated Christmas, travelled to Florida, and weathered scarlet fever.  Elle is a champ.  Not only has she embraced every event, she has made us laugh along the way.  We are so lucky that she is so carefree and easy going.

Here are some of my favourite pictures from the past few weeks.

A blurry photo because she is in full stride with her stroller and new baby.

Getting her backpack....

Refusing to take it off...

Stick on earrings!

"Plane...plane!"

Sweet moments with family.  She was totally LOVED on.  It's rewarding as a parent to watch others enjoy your little one as much as you do.

Bringing in the New Year...a few hours early!

Telling Mommy "Scarlet Fever is no big deal".   The girl has a sense of humour even when she's sick as a dog.

Visiting Santa...again!

Last year we braved the snow and took Caleb, Abby and Elle to get their picture taken with Santa.  Trucking two babies and a two year old through the mall was tough but totally worth it.

I'm sure people in the mall who saw us coming thought we were crazy for trying this but,

 look how cute they are?

Well done 2010!

This year we braved it with a three year old and two almost two year olds, 

it should be way easier right?

WRONG???    

We decided to try it stroller-less...in and out.

They can all walk right?

A herd of turtles I tell you, and if you let go of one for even a second they take off.

Where is that speed when we are all holding hands?

We made it to Santa's village with three excited little people and two tired Mommy's.

Our adventure had just begun.

Here's how it turned out...

We started with the Irvine's on their own since they didn't have one of just the two of them yet.

Since this was going so well, and Santa was super helpful and cooperative, (haha...sense the sarcasm) we decided to try and get Elle in there too.  I started by standing her in front of Abby, but she took off.  When I caught her I tried to put her on Caleb's lap, because there was no offer from Santa she was terrified and took off, don't believe me see our family photo here.  The whole time I was putting her in I was ducking and yelling "just take one".   I wasn't looking for the best family photo ever, just proof of our years of trying.  

So, the above photo, as unwarm and Christmasy as it is, totally represents the mood of our experience.

It will take it's place, as the 2011 memory, and wait to see what next year holds.

Never a dull moment or a wasted memory.  

Not every picture as rosy as you plan.

But a family full of love and Mommies willing to battle the Christmas craziness for a photo.

I love our memories with Elle's cousins.

And wouldn't trade this picture for one with perfect smiles and children standing like soldiers.

This is real life.

Better luck next year?  

Christmas Banquet

This weekend we went to our church banquet.  We sat with our friends from Sunday school who just so happen to be Elle's friends parents.  These two cute girls were over the moon excited to spend the evening together.  

We had a great time socializing and eating turkey.

Naughty OR Nice

Are we good parents for posing with Elle or terrible parents for making her visit Santa at all?

The Girl has been loving the idea of Santa.  Pointing to things with Santa on it and talking about him, however when it came time for the annual picture she was having none of it.  She didn't throw a temper-tantrum...we've seen those and know what they look like...she instead was clinging to and clawing at Matt's shirt.  We decided to make it a family photo in an effort to  actually get a picture for her memories.  Do you think if she was a little older she would have told me to forget the memories, this is not happening?

Either way, we look somewhat happy and we have year two for her baby book. 

Terror in her eyes and all!

Year One:

2010

Photo shoot

I did a photo shoot with Elle trying to get a picture for our Christmas card.  I was going to an editorial style look.  I mixed patterns, textures and tried a few different hats.  She is such a funny girl!

Halloween

Happy Halloween!

This year, despite my best persuasion, Elle was Shamu.  She was stuck on the idea and while I tried to talk her out of it I ended up LOVING it.  When we were invited to a halloween party the easy answer for Matt and I was to be whale trainers.  So our little family dressed in black and white and represented one of our favourite places we have been as a family...Sea World!

I made her costume from a sweater pattern I purchased online.  I just exchanged the front section with white instead of black.  Her eyes were made of felt and then I made her fins our of thick batting.  Unfortunately most of the pictures we have are blurry because as you can imagine the girl was so excited and in constant motion.  She was so funny tromping around in her costume.

On Halloween we went over to my parents to see Elle's cousins.  She was so thrilled to spend time with them.  Since Abby is pretty much her favourite person alive right now, they went crazy hugging and visiting.  Elle was a little unsure of the change in colour to Caleb's skin.