Christmas Eve 2009

We celebrated Christmas Eve at my parents' house this year. Here are the green wreath cookies I made. They were much harder to make than they look. If you eat enough of them, your poop turns green!

Buzz took Ella over to his mom's house for the day because his sister and Brent flew into town for the holiday. As you can see, Ella continues to be a bully to Colton. But she looks cute doing it.
Ella had her first taste of wine - just kidding.The dogs and us spent the night at my parents' house.

Ella got tired of waiting around to open presents.

Here is my cousin Nick. I love this pic because it looks like they're a happy, gay couple. Ella got a Cubs hat. Look at how excited she is!

This is one of her favorite toys. She got it from my cousin and her Grandma Jeanie. It's Violet the dog. You can plug her into the computer and she learns your child's name and favorite things.

Everyone was gone around midnight and then we exchanged presents with my immediate family. My parents got Ella this chair from Land of Nod. It says, "Ella Jae." I love it.

That night, Buzz and I slept in separate beds because he couldn't stand to sleep with the dogs. Although, he ended up sleeping with Otis so I guess it was just Greta he couldn't stand to sleep with...TMI?

We had a great time and everyone bought such nice presents for Ella. She is one spoiled little baby!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I'm 7 months old!

First, the biggest news...I said my first word and it's, "Dada." I've been toying with mama, dada, nana but now I repeatedly say Dada. Except for when my mom turns the video camera on. Then, I say nothing.

I have sampled all of the stage one foods and I've decided that I HATE peas. Really. But I love bananas and carrots.

I've gone from being bullied to being the bully - right Laurie?

I have the cutest feet.

I look good naked.

I've been thrust into this whole Christmas bonanza and I like it.

I tried out my high chair but my mom put it back in the basement cuz it's so big. I heard she's going to pull it out again after the new year.

I keep trying to master this whole sippy cup thing but it's pretty hard. I was thrown into the snow and left for dead. But I'm cool with that. EVERYTHING amazes me. My mom says that she can hear my brain growing.

No signs of crawling or pulling up yet but I sit like a champ. No teeth either. I continue to adore my two dogs. I had my second flu shot today and did not even flinch. I am starting to get mad when things are taken away from me or when I can't reach my favorite toys (phones and remotes). But I am still one easy baby.

The Making of the Christmas Card-outakes

Our Christmas cards are usually difficult to make. I'm the brains and development and Buzz is the brawn. Buzz comes in when I'm ready and attempts to control the dogs. He's the reason I get the shots I want. So kudos to him.

Here's Ella waiting patiently on set (the family room with our bed sheet jimmied up on the couch and chair).
Here's Otis bitching about the long hours he puts in.

Look at Greta's face...she's waiting for Buzz to kill her. This was almost a winner but Ella had to go and blow it. Just kidding!There's Mary, but where's Joseph? I bet he's in the kitchen looking for a snack. I love this because they're all looking at Buzz. After taking about 25 photos, I ended up having to use three separate photos to get a good one of each of them. Here's my mom's nativity scene that I added them all to. I set it by the x-mas tree so the lighting was a little glowy - is that a word? Once I added the dogs and Ella I messed with the lighting, tones, shadows and junk on the entire picture. Don't I sound like a professional?

I'll post the final product on Christmas Eve.

Now the real question is...what to do for next year? That's a rhetorical question people.

My sister, the author

My sister's hectic life in a house full of boys (including the dog) has inspired her to re-write, "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Pretty darn funny. Also, she's hoping that by posting this on you tube, she'll get on the Ellen show!

Great Grandma Kane

Buzz doesn't have any living grandparents and I am down to only one - my dad's mother. She lives in the city and my dad makes or brings dinner for her every other week. Because I'm not working I've been going with him so my Grandma gets to see Ella very often.

Well, she thinks Ella hung the moon. She tells me all the time what a little prize and treasure she is. She's says that we're lucky to be her parents. Whatever Grandma, she's lucky that I'm her mom (I kid, I kid). They like to read the church bulletin together to see what's what.

I'm so happy that I've got the time to take Ella to her so often.

Snail Mail

Ella is a little nosy and likes to check out the Christmas cards that people send. She loves when there are pictures of people's families. She was shocked to see how much weight Aunt Mildred put on this past year... ...just kidding, there is no Aunt Mildred!