Valentine's Party at Preschool

Today was the Valentine's Day party at Ellie's preschool. I helped out at her school today so was able to witness all the festivities. It was so fun! I love seeing Ellie in her element with her little preschool buddies.

Ice cream with sprinkles! YUM! Served the same day that the kids learned about the food pyramid. I thought that was pretty funny :)

It was Ellie's turn for sharing day. She brought her favorite My Little Pony.

YEAH for outdoor play time!

Learning to balance.

Waiting in line to head back inside.

Bainbridge Island

We took a fairy boat ride to Bainbridge Island last week with Ellie's cousins. It was a cold, windy and foggy day but we still had fun. On the return trip home the fog lifted a bit and gave us a great view of Seattle.

Asleep on the floor

When she said she didn't want to go bed.... I didn't know she meant it literally.

Family Photos

Christmas

So I know I am a bit behind.. but I think I have a pretty good excuse :)

We spent the holidays in Guatemala with my parents. We barely made it out of Seattle among the chaos of a week long snowstorm in Seattle. Being that this area isn't used to much snow, they aren't exactly prepared to deal with it. People had been stranded in the airport for days, half the flights were canceled the day we left, but somehow we thankfully made it out without any problems.

The pilot invited Ellie to check out the cockpit and she excitedly accepted the invitation.

Santa made his rounds about the airport and Ellie was ecstatic to meet him. He had a real white beard and everything! He even gave out coloring books to keep the kids entertained. It was so fun. There were also Charles Dickens carolers walking through the airport singing. It was really the best airport experience we have ever had! I think they were trying to entertain all the stranded people!

So there are a few experiences in Guatemala that I didn't get documented but the highlights included Christmas morning with the orphans, a day at the amusement park, a couple of days at the best water park we have ever been to, an eye clinic for 500 Guatemalans and TONS of time with my family :)

The cousins at the end of a fun day at the water park. The best part was that Ellie could go on so many of the rides!

The wave pool. The little Miss was hesitant about the wave pool at first (like a little bit hysterical) but once we got out she kept talking about how much fun it was.

One of the many places for the kiddies to play.

The water slide at the resort we stayed out. There were about 20 peacocks that roamed around. They weren't afraid of the people at all. They were so pretty!

We spent a day at Antigua with my Mom. Ellie and I had been before but it was Brandon's first time. It is such an amazing city with so much history.

The little Miss

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

After much anticipation we received about 4 inches of snow today. It is definitely the most snow I have seen since moving here. Ellie's Christmas Program at preschool was canceled today. Upon hearing that Ellie ran to her room, leaped onto her bed with a huge frown on her face and then put her covers over her head. She was pretty upset about that.
But I think playing out in the snow today made up for it :)

The Holiday Season

Ellie playing with her friends at the ward Christmas party

YUM :)

The first snow of the season!

All dressed up for church

The Next Sasha Cohen...

Ok maybe not. But we had fun :) We went half way around the small rink and Ellie said, "Ok I'm done." But by the time we finished that lap she was just getting warmed up. I had to beg her to be done after an hour of skating.

Garden d'Lights

We checked out the Garden d'lights display this weekend. They seem to outdo themselves every year. It is pretty unbelievable what they come up with. So beautiful!

Gingerbread House

We decorated the Gingerbread House this weekend. Always a fun tradition. Somehow a lot of the candy is already missing... hmm I wonder who could be eating it?

Day after Thanksgiving Traditions....

First stop.... Macy's Day Holiday Parade. I have never seen a little girl so excited to see gingerbread and snowmen! It was adorable to see Ellie's excitement this year for the parade. Of course she loved the candy canes that they threw out to the crowd as well :)
Our next stop was the Gingerbread Village display at the Sheraton. This year's theme was super heroes. This was the one we voted for.
Next up was the Festival of Trees. This was Ellie's favorite.
Our final stop, before heading to Pike's Place for lunch, was the Teddy Bear Suite. A suite full of Teddy Bears and Christmas decorations. Ellie found a comfy place to rest for a little while after a busy morning.

Ellie's Photo Shoot

Brandon's brother, Michael, did a great photo shoot of Ellie last week. I love how they turned out. For more... check out the posting on his blog.

The Big Night

After a week's worth of anticipation and ten outfits later she is ready.... yes ready for her first official daddy-daughter date. It has been the topic of the week. She couldn't decide what to wear (but then again that is always a tough decision for the little Miss). She finally settled on the above combination. I'm not so sure about that sassy pose but I am just happy that the chosen outfit coordinates.

Every morning the first thing she has asked is today the day? Hope you have fun little Miss. Today is the day. Have fun with your daddy.... I'm off to see Twilight with my friends.

It is 2:30 AM.. do you know what your child is doing?

I woke up to an abrupt cry... not one the one from a child scared but from one that was hurt. I thought to myself, did she fall out of bed? No, upon entering her room I realized that was very far from the truth.

We had cleaned up her entire room before bed. Not a single toy on the floor... but when I entered her room at this very early hour of the morning the lights were on.. and there wasn't an inch of carpet to be seen. The toys covered the floor. My daughter was dressed from head to toe in princess attire (not exactly the pajamas I had put her to bed in earlier that evening). The only reason I had been awaken by this little escapade was because there were SO many toys on the floor she had tripped while wearing her princess shoes, fallen and hurt herself. That's what the crying was about.

3 going on 13

Situation:
Ellie getting ready for preschool. She puts on her skirt and we proceed with the following conversation.

Ellie: "Mom I want to wear pants with my skirt."
Mom: "Ellie you don't wear pants with your skirt you wear tights."
Ellie: "But Mom, all my friends wear it like that."

I was in complete shock. I didn't think I was going to be hearing anything like that until my little girl was 13 not 3!

PS. This kitchen window sill is where Ellie waits to keep on eye out for her Dad's daily return home from the office. Sometimes she is waiting for a VERY long time....as in she starts looking out for his return as soon as he leaves!

Our Little Princess

Preschool Field Trip

Ellie went on her first field trip with her preschool.
They went to Kelsey Creek Farm.

Each of the kids helped make the straw beds for the animals.
Ellie is doing her part bringing the straw to the stables.

Checking out the animals.
The highlight was the 500 pound pig chomping on an apple but I missed the photo opp for that one.

Fall Traditions...

Pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies... we are LOVING Fall!

The little miss hard at work!