Best of Friends

Eli has taken an interest in my expanding belly.  He pushes my shirt up and pokes my belly button while he giggles.  Recently he started hugging and kissing the baby too.  We are all getting so excited to welcome Eli's little brother to the family in April.

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

Eli has become increasingly mischievous with age and I know it will only get worse!

Here he is squeezing to get something out of the corner.

 Sitting in a cake pan...

 Emptying my cabinets and then making raspberries with his mouth..

 This is what my floor looks like EVERY day!  It takes him 5 minutes to disperse the toys just how he likes them.  I pick them up ONLY after he goes to bed, otherwise my efforts are futile.  Autumn enjoys them spread out too.  As she learns to crawl, new toys are always accessible!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!!

The first time Eli has gotten to play in the snow.  He wasn't that fond of it, but giggled when Mommy and Daddy threw the snow at him. 

Family Pictures

Our first family Christmas picture!

While we were there, we took Eli's 1st Birthday pictures as well.  I'm pretty pleased with our handsome little man!



Eli's 1st Haircut

On December 1st, the day after Eli turned 1, I took Eli to get his first haircut!  Anthony's cousin Denise did a great job!  Eli did surprisingly well, it's amazing what a little sucker can do! Here is his transformation!

 After..

 After from behind



WARRIORS GO TO STATE!

Anthony, Eli and I went down to the Edward Jones Dome last Saturday to cheer on the Warrenton Warriors as they competed in the state championship game!  I'm convinced 1/2 of Warrenton made it to the game--it was such a fun time! Eli was SO good too!  He sat on Anthony's lap most of the game and played with people around us, ate goldfish crackers and watched some football.  Here he is making faces at the people behind us....

 Although we took 2nd, we are all SO proud of our home team!  Here they are strategizing.

Watching the bands at halftime



Oh Baby, Oh Baby!

For those of you who can't "enjoy" my expanding baby bump, we have once again started to keep track of my growth!  Here I am at month 3, 4 and 5!  For those of you who haven't heard, we tried something new this time around and found out we are having another BOY!  We are so excited for Eli to have a brother so close in age.  We are keeping the name secret until his birth, so don't bother asking because we won't tell! 

Snapshots of our 11 month old

Playing in the bath tub...with a starfish-shaped squirt toy.  He's such a ham!

 Enjoying a chocolate-chip cookie with Grandma Kathy

 Spending time with Uncle Pete.  Although he was only home for a short time, we tried to soak up as much Uncle Pete time as possible! 

 My first taste of ketchup...does it look like I enjoyed it?



"Just Me and My Dad"

I've always loved Mercer Mayer books, and as I snapped some of these photos I could help but think of the book "Just Me and My Dad".  I know I've said it before, but Eli loves his daddy!  He lights up every time he sees him. 

Here is Eli trying to see just what daddy is up to..."if only I was a little taller"

 Eli, daddy and his baby doll. 

Every father's dream...walking around Bass Pro with his son.  Eli loves to ride in the cart like this & today was no exception.  Here they are making a list for Santa!

 Licking the bowl and spoon.  I don't know who enjoyed this treat more.



Eli's First Trip to the Park

I know I'm a slacker, but trips to the park are truly a "trip" because we live out of town.  Eli loves to swing though, so today I took him to the park while we were in town.  Of course he LOVED the swing and giggled going down the slide with mommy!  Here he is enjoying this beautiful fall day!

Recent Moments

Anthony's youngest brother Nick celebrated his birthday this weekend too!  Happy 12th Birthday Uncle Nick! 

Of course Eli and Grandpa celebrated by sharing some cake and ice cream.

Eli's new trick...starting on Halloween, Eli began smiling while wrinkling his nose and squinting his eyes.  Daddy says he looks like a opposum eating...you know what!  It's so darn cute!

Halloween 2010

We had so much fun with Eli's first Halloween!  After his 3 hour nap (surprise!) we took him out trick or treating to a few family members.  By the time we got back home he was ready for another nap (which worked out great bc mom and dad could carve some pumpkins!)  After he woke up, Eli's grandparents and a few friends came over to visit and eat.  We had fun watching the trick or treaters stop by too!  This annual event is definitely something to look forward to!

The only picture I have with Eli's hood up.  He wore his costume all afternoon without a complaint--even took a nap in it--but he wasn't fond of the hood/lion's mane.  That's okay...he is just a baby after all!

"Much better!  Now...what exactly are we doing?"

At Eli's Great-Grandparent's house.  I love this picture with his cute little tail!

Aunt Debbie shared some M&M's with Eli.  His first for the day, but not his last!  Yum!

Anthony's pumpkin (left) Eli's (center) and Sara's (right)

I think Anthony did an AWESOME job this year!  

Chloe Turns 1

My cousin Christina's little girl celebrated her 1st birthday last weekend.  Here are a few pictures from the get-together.  Check out the cake! 

Eli loves Chloe's swingset!

Eli and Chloe playing

Chloe loves her swingset too!



Our Little Pumpkin

Even before Halloween arrives, we are ready!  Here is Eli in a ghost shirt with his pumpkin.  He loves this big soft pumpkin and burries his face into it! 

 At the pumpkin patch with Autumn... 

I tried to get a good picture of Eli in front of a pumpkin, but that wasn't going to happen with a wagon nearby! If it has wheels, Eli is playing with it.  Here he is pushing the wagon down the hill.  

Catching Up

It has been almost a month since my last post...WOW how time flies!  October is always such a fun month.  As the weather changes I can't help but think back to last year and the anticipation of having a little one around.  Little did I know at Halloween last year it would only be one month until we met our little man.  He is such a blessing and I thank God every single day for his presence in our lives.  Eli has become such a ham over the last month.  He loves to 'farm' with his toy tractors, pushing them around all day long.  Eli loves hide and seek, splashing in the bath, his blankie at bed time, snuggling with Mommy and of course his favorite is Daddy!  Eli has gotten really good at drinking from his sippy cup and loves to "read" books by turning the pages and pointing to the pictures.  Here are just a few moments frozen in time of our little man.

Stealing an apple that mommy and grandma picked. I love apples!

Hiding under the kitchen table....Daddy caught me! 

After a walk...this is what my hair looks like after a stocking cap!

Mommy went outside to take clothes off the line...since Eli can't make the trip with me or be left alone to roam free, he got to play in the excersaucer (a treat!) and watch Mickey Mouse.  I think he did okay, don't you? 

Mommy and Eli coloring!  We also made "ghosts" for Halloween out of Eli's footprint....they turned out REALLY cute! 

Beef stew...YUM! 

Again, I walked out of the room to switch the laundry and I hear a BOOM...a whole basket of folded clothes are dumped on the ground. 

Helping daddy farm is rough!