Big Helper Ellie

Remember that red vacuum that Ellie so desparately wanted for Christmas? Here we are just 2.5 months past Christmas and she loves it. It's not just something she busts out to play with when she's pretending.  Its actually something she pulls out when we're vacuuming, so she can help us. Its home is right next to our vacuum in the closet and as soon as Jared or I pull ours out, there she is with hers. Watch for yourself - too cute!

Ellie Reading

Ellie has a couple of books that she really likes. So much that she is now able to read them. Just prior to going to Hawaii she read these two to Grandma.

No No Yes Yes - this is a picture book that Jared and I have come up with words that we generally use to read the book with. I love that she mostly uses what we say but has added her own twist (listen to how many times she says nicely).



Brown Bear, Brown Bear - A favorite. This isn't her best 'reading' of it. Since she can't actually read the words, she needs to turn the page to see the pictures to know what animal is next.



Grandma says that Ellie is really good since she's already reading left to right and top to bottom. Some of the pictures at the end of the No No Yes Yes book are multiples per page and Ellie navigates with ease.

Ryan's 1st Birthday Party

Our baby boy turned 1 on Wednesday and we got to celebrate his birthday in style with a "Little Man Mustache Bash"! Age 1 is a good time for mama's to get to pick the theme of their babies birthday parties, since it will be one of the only times they get their way when it comes to these things. :)

Mustache Sugar Cookies

Party Favors - Mustache Crayons for the kids

 

We had lots of mustaches for everyone to wear....



 

And after awhile they ended up in funny places.

First lick of frosting

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After demolishing his cake