Biker Babe

Holidays 2010

There are so many pictures I could post.....we are so blessed!!!

This next picture pretty much sums up Elsie's Christmas......bow around her neck and sweater on her head!!! Priceless :) She was not nearly as interested in the toys as she was the "wrapping"

The reason we celebrate!

Elsie's Great-grandmother "Mama Dot"

Elsie and Gigi

We have had the best year with Elsie as a part of our family! We look forward to all God has in store for 2011!!

A few of my favs

I do not go all out with decorations in my house....I prefer to keep it minimal but meaningful if you know what I mean! My favorite part about decorating the tree is taking out all the ornaments and remembering how each one came to be on our tree! Here are a few memories I had this year....

First ornament I gave to Scott when we were dating

Baby's first Christmas from Nana and Pops

Baby's first Christmas from Gigi (missing a pic but seriously who can find a pic that small)

I am looking Gigi!!!!

There is no such thing as a labradoodle ornament (at least there wasn't when I got these) so I settled for a poodle and a lab ornament right beside each other!

This crazy guy is from my childhood....I remember racing to see who could find this guy first!!

Our first Christmas as a married couple 2007

Another childhood fav.....we took skiing vacations around the holidays!

Teachers love apples

Our first family photo after we brought Elsie home

My favorite new ornament from last year

Love this rustic one....someday when we have an office for Scott I want a "woodsy" tree in there

My friend Joanna gave me this a few years back....love thinking about what a wonderful friend she is when I pull it out to put on the tree

These stockings are special too! My mom made these over 30 years ago and I love the tradition of having my childhood stocking and tree skirt in my holiday decorations!

What is Elsie up to these days???

After all the "party" fuss I have not done her 12 month achievements post! So here we go.....

Elsie can:

Retrieve on request....Violet, Elmo, books, toy cell phone, and her pony toy! She will also hug and kiss all these things when you ask her to!

Identify.... Charlie, Christmas tree, Dada, Mama, noses, milk (from a straw...no sippy cups for her)

Walk everywhere!!!

Elsie loves:

her doggie, the computer, the remote, the iphone, when daddy comes home, to be kissed on her neck, any button she can push, the toilet (gross), and anything else she is not supposed to get into!

Elsie is eating:

Breakfast: cup of milk (mix of whole milk and Almond milk), fruit and yogurt (tried eggs and bread but she refuses)

Lunch: fruit, water, cheese, deli meat, veggie mush (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, brown rice)

Snack: Keifer (protein yogurt drink), crackers, cheese, or fruit

Dinner: same as lunch

Cup of milk before bed

She is a picky eater.....seems not to like new things and textures freak her out! But what she does like she eats TONS of!!!

Elsie's Stats:

Weight: 19lbs 6oz (25%)

Height: 29.3 inches (50-75%)

Head: 18.4 inches (90%)

We think she is the smartest, most beautiful and perfect creation God has ever made!!! She has this twinkle in her eye that brings such joy to my heart!!! My love for her grows more and more everyday! She is so much fun, laid back and easily entertains herself (except when she has teeth coming in). I occasionally see signs of a "determined" little girl when she doesn't get her way and know this will happen more frequently as she approaches two!!!!

Our Christmas corner

Where's Elmo??

Elsie's 1st Birthday party!!!

Here are the pics from Elsie's party....the one I have been planning and making things for for 6 months! I know she had no idea how much work went into this, but the picture with cake on her face made it all worth while! We love our little girl so much.....I cannot believe she is one!!!

Also a special thanks to Aunt Kristy for several of these photos!!!

All this for me......you shouldn't have!!!

Love this shot!

This one too!!!

Blocks from Gigi (per mommy's request...all natural wood with non toxic paints)

Elsie's first doll from Mommy and Daddy....it has her name sewn on the doll's belly with the scripture verse that starts with "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart.."

Pearl necklace from Nana and Pops that will be added to each year until she is 16!!!

What a wonderful day! Thanks to all who helped make it so special for all of us :)

The REAL Santa....

When I was a little girl I remember driving to Richmond, VA from where we lived in Norfolk, VA to see the "REAL Santa" at one of the big department stores. We would have lunch with Santa, sit in his lap for our picture and shop with the elves for our parents in a junk store that cost a fortune. Only kids and elves could fit through the doors of this shop! Well... in keeping with tradition I thought Elsie should visit the real Santa too. Rumor has it that the real santa resides at Phipps Mall. For those of you that live in Atlanta....this is THE santa to visit. You have to make reservations way in advance to see him. Well...I tried to get reservations but there was some kind of computer glitch...I tried a few more time and then completely forgot. About a week later I realized I had missed the boat...or should I say "sleigh"! Someone mentioned that sometimes they will put you in a cancellation spot if you call up there the day of. So....that is just what I did! We were in and out of there in 20 minutes!!! That is my kind of Santa visit :)

Santa was not a big focus in my family growing up and he will not be in our house either. We want Elsie to know that CHRIST is the reason we celebrate the season.....we want her to learn to give to those less fortunate, serve people that need love and most importantly to be a shining light for Christ! He is the reason for the season...not Santa!

Birthday preview.......

more to come!!!!

Thanksgiving

Our internet has been acting up so I am a little behind on postings! We had a small Thanksgiving this year (Barb was in OH with her mom, Grammie, who has been ill) so it was just Steve, Cadie and us! We had a great time....I loved being with Scott's famly

The table

Aunt Cadie

More turkey please!!!

We are so thankful to our Savior for all the blessings in our life!!!!