Santa made it once again!

Here are a few snapshots from Christmas morning (Elie's second!) She took pretty much all day to open presents (not taking after her mother), and attentively opened each one and then played with it for a while until realizing (by me or Brian or one of the kids practically forcing her) that there were MORE! It's so much fun watching the kids open presents... I never wanted it to end. During one of Elie's breaks from presents she looked like a little teenager hanging out on her belly looking at stickers... After our morning at home and a much needed naptime we packed up and ended our night traditionally at Uncle Henry's. The 25th is also his birthday, so Happy Birthday Henry and Merry Christmas!! xoxoxo

christmas eve at the forbes

We love the holidays!!! Our little family was lucky to have some of our closest over on Christmas eve. Is was partly a house-warming, mostly a cozy family get-together. We turned on the carols, I baked a killer lasagna, passed out homemade coco-kits, and everyone brought over some yummies. The present opening turned into a frenzy, and I realized how lucky Brian and I are to have our family and friends with us in a home that we love. Eliette got a rad kitchen from her Minnie and Poppy, and hasn't stopped playing with it since. I hope everyone there had as much fun as we did and that the holidays brought as much joy to all of you out there as they did for us this year.

p.s. Candy is the devil for toddlers. Remember this.

haha crazy big bro and sis

I think Hayley and Tanner had a little fun with photobooth on my mac yesterday lol. So THAT'S where Elie gets it from ;)

"hot COCO!"

Hayley walked into the family room with Elie and their matching Christmas pajamas ready to watch the classic Rudolph movie (I finally bought the whole classic set... you know the old-school animations). I got into the spirit and asked if they wanted some hot coco, and this is a picture of their reaction... Hayley's smile of content and Elie's outburst of "HOT COCOOooo!" Elie is very lucky to have a big sis that likes to get cozy her :)

still in shock that we finally have a routine

After a long year of sporadic naptimes, Elie finally got into the swing of things a few months ago. THANK GOD FOR NAPS!! Here are some pre-nap pictures of E reading "Elie do it! Elie do it!"

bikes, french fries, purple boots

Elie had a BLAST at the Dave Mann Chopper Fest. She got to be around 3 of her favorite things: Daddy, motorcycles, and french fries. Our Bean definitely made quite an impression, and her purple boots were a big hit with the bikers. I pretty much followed my baby biker girl around holding hands with her Daddy while they browsed through a ton of metal thingies that I didn't have a clue about. We got to hang out with Uncle Dan and Aunt Tiffany (Tipaneee) at the Fest and then afterwards at Dan's shop (another place where Elie felt right at home.) She splashed in puddles, kissed shrunken heads, and pointed out all of the colors of Dan's custom builds. We got to follow Daddy home and Elie was very excited about watching him ride his bike. She didn't take a nap so we all got cozy in bed right away and watched cartoons with hot cocoa to wrap up our day.

(don't fall, don't fall)

(splish splash with her purple boots... that's what they're for, right?)

(aw, "Tipanee")

(really creepy how she loved this voodoo doll head, she thought her kisses would make his "owchies all gone")

(helpin out Dan and Tiffany)

day with daddy

Eliette and I are very excited to spend our ENTIRE day with Daddy. He's been working his butt off, and we have missed him. So... motorcycle show in Ventura, get together with some friends, and cozy night at home here we come.

see... toddlers CAN be nice to each other

I could not stop taking pictures of E and her buddy Taluhla on our date at the Farmer's Market / Grove on Tuesday. Can it get any cuter than two tiny girls holding hands and being completely in their own little world?! Not only did they love holding each other's hands, but Lu seemed to have a bit of a crush on Elie's big brother, Tanner... and Tanner kindly obliged to her needing to hold onto him most of the date. CUTE CUTE. (Oh and Marissa, how the heck do you have perfect, PERFECT skin?!?! Cutest picture of you and Lu on the trolley.

P.S. If you can deal with crowds, the Grove is awesome for little ones, especially during the holidays (Santa's house is fun, huge x-mas tree, it "snows" at 7 & 8pm, the trolley is endlessly entertaining—and FREE!, and the water fountain is always a hit.)

(look at how little they are next to the chair!)

(that almost counts as a smile Tanner!)

(we're on the TROLLEEEEE yeeaaah!)