THE BIG 2!

I'm 2 years old!!! (holding up the two fingers on one hand is a little difficult for us, but were working on it)

We literally had to pry Bryn's hands off this birthday toy of Ellie's.

Make a Wish!

I don't know if any of you have heard of the kids t.v. show "Yo Gabba Gabba"? Well Ellie is obsessed with it. They sing and dance and have these interesting characters. This is her favorite character "Brobee". She was ecstatic when she un-warped this gift.

She got a potty training book and a potty. Can't wait to start that one!

Thanks everyone for coming to El's party. We had a great time.

WE'VE FINALLY MOVED!!!

So I know I said we would be moving to Arizona in August, but we kind of got off to a slow start... it's so un-like us! ;) We're only about 3 months behind... and thats actually good for us! Well I guess you could say that technically Ellie and I have been living in Arizona for about 3 months with my parents, and Joel has been visiting here and there. But as of November 29th, the whole family is officially in AZ. It's been a long process, but we've finally made it and we are so excited. We were able to spend Thanksgiving in Idaho with Joel's side of the family, then make the long drive to Arizona with all our belongings. What a fun trip that was, NOT! It took us about an extra 4 hours because we were driving a U-haul and pulling a trailer (it's amazing at how much stuff we have). So about 18 hours later (yikes!), we made it safely and in one piece. We found a little house in Queen Creek and are working on getting settled in. We feel so very blessed to be here and have this opportunity to move, especially in this economy. Thanks to all our friends and family who have helped along the way and made it that much easier for us. We love you guys!

HALLOWEEN

We had a blast at my parents Halloween Ward party. Ellie was such a crack up and probable the cutest little Raggedy Ann Doll I've ever seen. Don't you think? I would have to say her favorite part was the donuts eating contest. She couldn't figure out why everyone was having such a hard time eating theirs (little did she know you were suppose to have your hands behind your back). She just looked a me like "whats so hard about this"? It was so funny!
When it comes to trick-or-treating, Ellie is still trying to figure out why she wasn't allowed in everyone's house that opened the door for her. Looks like someone is a little too friendly if you ask me. We'll get it down better for next year. :)

CARVING PUMPKINS

Ellie wanted to blow out the candle in her pumpkin, but we wouldn't let her til we took pictures. Once we were done she went to town blowing out hers and anyone else that would let her. It was too cute.

Say Pumpkin!

Ellie hated the feeling of the slimy seeds on her hands. What a girl!

Cleaning out the pumpkin.

The whole group and their pumpkins

FALL

So fall is one of our favorite seasons. It is so fun to watch the leaves change and enjoy all the beautiful colors. While in Idaho, our family decided to help Granny and Papa "Idaho" with their abundance of leaves. Ellie loved playing in the leaves and helping Joel rack them up and put them in trash-bags. What a big helper she is.

CANAL TUBING

We were playing in the back yard over at Tarryn & Riley's the other day when the irrigation came. We thought it would be fun to send Ellie down it in a tube-- Lazy River style.

She was a little nervous at first... she kept saying "wee" in an apprehensive little voice.

Eventually she got too cold and had to get out.

FAMILY PICTURES

TAUPHAUS PARK ZOO

For my 25th birthday (yes, I know I'm getting old) I wanted to go to the zoo.  You may think thats a weird thing to request for someone turning a quarter of a century old, but for those of you who know me--you know that I'm an animal lover.  Not to mention my daughter who loves animals just as much as I do, maybe more!  So what better place to go??  Ellie was too cute.  She would reach her hands out towards all the animals, as if wanting to hold them and play with them.  This included the lions and tigers and bears (Oh my!)  The only exception... the giant tortoise.  That thing scared her like no other!  Who would have thought turtles could be so scary, but the tigers? Those are like kittens. Ha! 

KNOTTS BERRY FARM

During our stay in California we got to go to Knotts Berry Farm.  Our friends Jermey & Megan and their two kids Lilly & Oliver were able to come with us.  And of course, Petey and Layne, our friends from Idaho came along for the ride.  Knotts has their very own section of "little kid" rides.  Ellie thought she was so big being able to go on her "own" rides.  She was very funny when she would go on the rides that would make her tummy flutter.  Her whole body would stiffen and she would make a crazy face.  

NEW PORT BEACH

Stuck in the sand.

What are good cousins for? (Ellie & Brady)

Kyley & Ellie

The whole crew enjoying the wedge.

Kyley and her boyfriend Ryan...... Surfs up!

Trent is such a crazy boy!

Rub-a-dub-dubbin.

Normal pictures are so hard to come by with this fam.

Endless summer.

Ellie found every piece of seaweed on the beach.

We found this random kid in a trash can. Just

kidding it's Tarryn and Riley's baby Brynlee.

Ellie loves her cousin "Baby Bryn".