Sammi's crawling

This is how Sammi crawls. She is getting pretty good at it too. Quite fast if she wants to be. 

 

Tangled

Ever wanted to know what Rapunzel felt like in the movie Tangled when the girls braid her hair? Ellie and her cousins must have because one night this happened. 

 

 

This is every hair thing we own. 

Ellie-isims

Ellie has been on one lately with some of the things she says. One of my favorite things she says is "lasterday."  This word means any day previous to today. Ellie says it all the time, until recently when she started using last year or last month. Although she isn't great about time lines and usually says it when she means the other day or last week.

While riding in the car and listening to Christmas music, the "Little Drummer Boy" came on. This particular version was not my favorite so I changed the song. From the back seat I hear, "Hey changed it back. I like 'da-bum, bum, da-bum' song."

As I was putting her down for bed, she was being a typical toddler and doing everything to delay it and stay awake. Finally I gave her a stern "Good night Ellie" to which she responds, "Why are you so ornery?" Really? We must have been saying that to her a lot recently.

She told Stefanie to not worry about being alone because Grandpa would be home soon.

Everyday it is something new with her and I love it.

Fall in Utah (part 2)

I love my girls. They love each other and love playing together. Ellie is such a great big sister.  

 

Fall in Utah

It's been nice living in a place with a yard. Ellie has really enjoyed everything that comes with it. Although you have got to love Utah weather. These pictures were taken only a few days apart.

 

Ellie asked to rake leaves about once a week while the weather was good. 

 

Of course she had to jump in them.

Sammi just wanted to eat the leaves.

Sophie didn't like being in the leaves

Ellie even went next door with me to help a neighbor rack leaves. She was such a big help.

Of course, later that week I was out building snowmen at least 2 times because of the amount of snow we got.

Yes that's a real carrot nose.

Yes, we love having a yard, although Ellie wants more snow.

Season of Giving

Lately I have felt a great desire to give and donate towards a good cause. I'm not sure what the trigger was but I have really just wanted to buy stuff to give away for those in true need. So I did a little research and found some websites with good information about donations they accept or ways to volunteers. Most of these even go on year round.

Candy Cane Corner and their wish list this season. I hear this place is great because you tour the facility when you drop off your donation.
Primary Children's Hospital is always looking for items to help children and their families who have extended stays.
The Road Home takes care of homeless families.
United Way has tons of resources for volunteering throughout the community.
Utah Food Bank
Also, many hospitals and first responders accept new or gently used stuffed animals to give to children involved in a trauma.

I like these because they are simple for an individual or great for larger groups.

Please let me know of any other places or ideas you know of or like to donate to.

"A Utah Fan am I"

If you can't tell, we are University of Utah fans. Jake and I have each been able to attend a football game with my dad. Each time, Ellie has asked if she could go. Finally came the game my dad could attend, Utah vs. Washington State. When we told Ellie we were going to a game, she was so excited. Although the game was a blow out, the girls really enjoyed being at the game.

 

The family that sits around us really loved the girls. We had such a good time.

 

I had Jake and the girls pose for this picture and apparently the TV camera guy behind us thought the picture was cute because he snapped one too and used it at the end of the game. They were on TV. Luckily fellow Utah fans from Denver were watching the game and told us.  



 

Proud daddy, happy Sammi, and cheeser Ellie.

 The family behind us took this shot.

The next week, we went to a Utah basketball game with Poppy DeVon. Again, the girls had a blast. Ellie ran every where and danced to ever song. Poppy DeVon, along with help from my Uncle Russ, was able to catch a ball thrown into the stands. Ellie loved it.

Maybe soon Ellie will be able to sing the Utah man song. Go Utes!