Goodbye 2008...

...the year that changed our lives forever.

Oh how I love this child, from the deepest part of my soul.

First Christmas!

What a wonderful Christmas!!!  It certainly is different when you have a little one to celebrate with.  My brother, Bryan, came home for Christmas from where he's currently stationed in Mississippi and we spent Christmas Eve with him, Jennifer and the girls, as well as my parents, of course.  Grandma and Papa got Tonka trucks for our girl, and she loves them!  She got her very first tea set from Aunt Jen, Uncle Bryan, Brooke & Cassie, too.  All kinds of toys and books as well, but the ribbon, wrap and boxes got equal play.  Santa brought Elsie her first doll, which she was afraid of at first.  Fortunately Elsie and Chloe (her dollie) have become friends...but on Elsie's terms of course.  Two bunnies in her stocking made her absolutely ridiculous and giddy.  She ended up throwing herself onto the floor with laughter and excitement!  Christmas Day we shared with the Billington fam, and once again our girl was showered with amazing presents.  Grandma and Grandpa brought fun new toys and made a contribution to her savings.  Auntie Kel and Uncle Ed brought her an adorable scooter she can push around when she walks, as well as books and noise-making toys (thank you very much).  Elsie got an adorable Little People school bus that also makes noise (can't get enough of those noise-makers), which she adores.  Elmo was tied to the top of the package and she likes to have Elmo ride in the bus with the Little People students!  What fun it was watching her open all of her gifts and discover what each of them does.  She's enjoying all of them very much - thank you all!! 

I've been remiss...

It's been a very long time since I've updated...and I've been scolded by many so here's what we've been up to.  Elsie started (and finished) her first swimming lessons.  The first lesson did not go well.  She either didn't like the water (very different from bath time) or she didn't care for the other children's screams of excitement as they bounced up and down in the water!  By the second lesson, she was smiling and having fun.  We unfortunately had to miss a couple of lessons in the middle of the eight week session because we were all plagued with the nasty cold, so when we returned for swimming it was like starting over.  I think in the end she will love the water, and we'll enroll her again after the first of the year.

First lesson...not so happy.

Second lesson with more smiles!

These pictures were taken during our photo shoot to get the perfect Christmas picture for our Christmas cards.  It's just not fair to plop her down in the front of the Christmas tree she's not allowed to touch, then walk away and expect that she'll stay put.  She was a good kid though, and we got some cute pictures.  Happy holidays everyone!