Chair Dancing

Enjoy this little video of Ellie highchair dancing to the Foo Fighters...in the middle of eating a

ginormous meal, of course!!

Ellie Turns One

Let's get this party started!! Apparently, the birthday girl gets whatever she wants because this is not her bottle. She stole it from her cousin, Lainey. Sorry, sweetheart!!

We were very excited that Joe's entire family could make the trip down to Sioux Falls. The roads were once again crap, but they all made it safely. Most of Jen's family made it, too. Add in some of Ellie's bestest friends (Stellan and Susie) and their parents and you've got a party!!

We ordered cupcakes from Oh My Cupcake in Sioux Falls. We would have ordered from our favorite, QCB, but they were expecting a baby of their own right around this time and Joe didn't want to burden the very pregnant Kristine.

Rosemary finally gets to eat her cupcake...she was ooogling over them all night long!

Ellie's turn for her birthday cupcake!!

As you can see, she very much enjoyed it. She probably gets that sweet-tooth from her mom. Bummer.

Ben is tuckered out from a day of swimming and a night full of family fun.

And as the song goes, "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to."

No afternoon nap + lots of activity/attention + a severe sugar shock = a very tired one-year old.

Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated our daughter's first birthday. We and Ellie send our love and thanks!!

So Big!!

Ellie had her 12-month check-up last week and she now weighs 23.5 lbs. That's just above the 75th percentile! Holy smokes! She's also right at the 75th percentile for height and head circumference. She's a well-proportioned (and well-portioned) kid!!

An ill-fated trip to Boston (aka Chicago)

As many of you know, our trip to Boston was thwarted by the Nor'easter that hit the East Coast. We ended up spending two nights of our vacation in Chicago while our suitcases somehow made it to Boston without us. We made do with what little we had in the diaper bag and attempted to explore Chicago. Ellie was especially grateful for the grocery store next to our hotel as she could then eat and have dry diapers. We were especially grateful for the warm chocolate chip cookies that we got at our hotel...I suppose we were also grateful for the clean and dry diapers!

Our sweet little girl is all smiles in the Chicago airport

Eventually, the 4:30 am wake-up got to her and she crashed.

Ellie on her first subway ride (true Chicagoans would slap me...it's the El, not subway)

Making the most of our first night in Chicago with deep-dish pizza

We tried to have fun in Chicago, but poor Ellie froze!!! No snowsuit + no boots = really cold feet.

This was the better way to spend our time...relaxing in the hotel.

We eventually did make it to Boston (after a 6:00 am flight that required us to wake up at 3:45 am) and we had the most wonderful time!! We always seem to forget just how charming and walkable Boston is. During our first night there, we wandered into a Barnes and Noble and she saw a stuffed animal that she immediately reacted to...me being the pushover mom that I am, bought it for her. I'm so glad I did, though, because it is seriously her new best friend. She sleeps with George every night and he definitely gets more hugs and kisses than we do!!

Having some dinner in Boston...Ellie had her first taste of hamburgers and fries that night and she LOVED them!

Walking through the Central Gardens and Boston Commons

Just some cute pictures

Visiting my old place of employment

Look at this!! The Big Dig project was completed and we could walk freely to the North End. It was never like this when we lived there, so this was quite exciting to us!

How cute is this city?!?

How cute is this girl?! Ellie is geared up for her first swimming adventure.

And this was Ellie the night we got back...she was exhausted!! It was New Year's Eve and we were all sleeping before midnight. What a trip it was!!

Happy Holidays!

This year, we only had time to spend Christmas in Sioux Falls as we were leaving for Boston on the 26th (that post still to come!) It was relatively quiet which was actually quite nice. Matt was able to make it home from Denver, so it was nice to see him and Ellie bond again. He, of course, couldn't believe how big she's gotten! We hope everyone had a safe and love-filled holiday.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Sneaking around to find presents

Ellie saying hi to her godparent, Sedge, and their little boy, Stellan

The Turkey Travels

Happy Thanksgiving 2010! We have much to be thankful for this year. We were able to make the trip up to Fargo to celebrate with Joe's family this year. It was the first holiday for all the cousins to gather which was really special!

Ellie looks pretty happy for having gotten into Fargo at 2:00 am the night before!!

Ellie in her Thanksgiving outfit (thanks, Nana D!!)

Huggin' cousins (Rosemary and Eleanor)

Jen's pies

Great Grandpa Tinguely enjoying some time with Eleanor Mae

Somebody had too much turkey!!

Happy Holidays from our pumpkin!!

Turning on the smile

Ellie has really learned to ham it up for the camera. It comes out and bam...instant smiles!! It's so ridiculously cute. Here are some of my favorites.