Ho Ho Ho

We loaded up to go see Santa last weekend and Bass Pro was our spot of choice. There were other activities offered if the Santa meeting went awry. And, the picture was free. As soon as we got there, Amelia wanted to ride this merry-go-round. There was no wait and she had so much fun. Then, she rode it again. And again... I told her we should get in line to see Santa and as she peeked over at him she declared that he looked just like Noah. She said she wasn't quite ready (line is growing exponentially) and we move on to the ice slide.


The ice slide was ridiculously fast and Amelia loved it. And she slid and slid and slid. Not sure what Elise thought of it, but she did participate a few times. No squeals of excitement, nor cries of fear. (Looks like her dad loved it though).



Here was Amelia's response to, "How much fun are you having?"

I went to check out the line and see how things were progressing. Amelia was still putting off even getting in the line and we needed a decision. The elf helper nicely informed me the wait was two and a half hours to see Santa and that they were now giving out tickets for a later time. REALLY? I mean is this Disney World? Amelia hemmed and hawed and finally decided she just wanted to wave at Santa and write him a letter. This was a fabulous decision and off we went to look at the animals. (I promise we did not sway her in any way, and were perfectly ready to stand in that awful line).

Elise and Amelia loved the turtles and the fish and all the stuffed animals at Bass Pro. The glass elevator and the waterfalls were big hits as well. It was the most fun family day. Three hours of sheer delight without a penny spent. Okay, we did buy a ginormous chocolate chip cookie that we all split.

Amelia wrote Santa and asked for a dress up box full of dresses and a crown. She said he can just bring Elise a surprise :)

Happy 75th Memer

This is belated, but with much love. We had a great birthday celebration for my gorgeous Meme weekend before last. Everyone was there and it was a joyous time as usual when I am with my family. For as long as I can remember, I would pray that Meme would be around to see me get married and meet my children. As I watched Amelia get absolutely giddy to hand Meme her presents (something that was my job not that long ago) and wrap her present and make her a card, it made my heart so happy. Both of my girls love my Meme in a way that is seemingly the only way one can love this lady. Fiercely. Loyally. Wholeheartedly.

I hope you had a wonderful day Meme.



Ross even got to come to the party after a long week of nights (followed by another long week of nights) and very little sleep (for both of us.) I love residency!Before we left the next day, I snapped a picture of Steph after church. Liv was born two days later!! My last pregnancy picture of my beautiful sis.
And, one of my beautiful baby girl.

Ten Months Old

My doodle dee is ten months old (okay, this is late and she is almost eleven months old) and had her checkup and flu shot last week. She didn't even cry when she got her shot. Crazy! Just a grunt and a whimper.

She loves to play with any toy Amelia is playing with. Loves following her and being around her and wants Amelia's sippy cup, snack, etc.

Her favorite toy is any baby to hug and kiss or something with buttons that you can push.

She won't really sit still for many books to be read to her and honestly has never shown an interest in books much at all. We are still trying :)

Her eating habits are great, especially if it is "big girl" food. She loves breads of any kind, black beans, crackers, cheese, bananas, chicken, yogurt, and any Gerber snacks. She won't eat green veggies, but eats almost all of her fruit baby foods. Still only two bottom teeth.

Sleeping is usually an atrocious nightmare. I don't even know what to type. Praying for some big turnaround soon!

She stands without holding on to anything and squats down and can stand back up! So big. She walks all around holding on to furniture or push toys and is so proud of herself. During Meme's birthday party she took four steps. We might have a walking baby soon.

As far as talking, she says mama and dada but not always discriminately. She seems to say thank you, dog, cat, moo, duck, and hi.


Elise, I am so thankful that you are a part of our family. It is hard to remember how my heart felt before you came into this world. Loving you is a natural part of every minute. Your big smile continues to be my very favorite thing. But, I'm pretty crazy about all of you :)

Most Importantly...

Little Liv Riley was born EARLY!! We are so excited that she is already here. She is just gorgeous and I can't wait to hold her again. I had to miss the birth because Amelia was sick and I was just SO upset about it. But, thankfully G came up to be with me and help during the night and stayed with the girls so I could drive to Harrison and hold her quickly and come back. And as my husband leaned over to tell me through my tears, "Heather, she is healthy and that is all that matters." Amen.

Her full head of hair is just my FAVORITE.
6 lbs 12 oz. 18 1/2 inches long. Nov 15th.

We leave tomorrow morning to go see her and I'm just up and giddy. Can't believe we have our four precious girl cousins that will all be under one roof! Thank you Lord for our undeserved blessings.

Did I mention my sister went with a drug free birth again? ROCK STAR.

Elise Mae's Day

We dedicated Elise last Sunday and it was such a great day. The whole family came up to celebrate our decision to dedicate her to the Lord. She looked precious and did so well up there. Amelia stood up with us also and was a very proud big sister.I took very few pictures of the day with my camera because I was just enjoying my time, but I will have to get some of Steph's and G's because they took a lot. It was nice having Ross's family and mine all together and Amelia kept saying it was like a BIG PARTY because everyone was all together.

As we were standing in front of the church, I was thinking to myself that THIS is the only thing that really matters. It is easy to get caught up in schedules and finding the perfect little outfits, and preschool, and sleeping patterns, and what's for supper, and a million other parenting worries. However, the biggest worry that should occupy the BULK of my time is making sure my girls are raised to love their Lord and love others.

Yes, their ABC's are important. Yes, I will continue to work on animal sounds with Elise. Of course I will sing songs and read books. But, Ross and I's main goal is to raise our children up in a Christian home. Everything else is secondary. And while this isn't a new revelation, it is nice to have such a beautiful day as a reminder.

I love you Elise Mae Halsted--Happy Dedication Day :)

Then and Now

It was funny then...



And it's funny now...

We love you DD you handsome devil.

Built In

Steph and I have always said we have a built in best friend in each other. I know not all sisters are that way, but we hit the jackpot. I love watching Amelia and Elise interact and offer up silent prayers that they will always feel like they have a best friend that they have effortless fun with. There are lots of talks about sharing and caring and gentle hugs and no pushing that go on in our home, and while a 2 year old and 10 month old don't get along seamlessly, there are far more special moments than not. I love being the mom of sisters :)








And just for kicks, here is a picture of Ingrid, Amelia, and Elise having a morning snack at Gammy and Gampy's house a few weekends ago. Liv will be joining them THIS month. I'm so excited. These four little girls have many fun memories ahead of them.

No Rhyme or Reason

I love this fall squirrel shirt that Mom got Amelia and she loves it too. She was very excited to wear it to school last week.At 2 and 1/2 Amelia finally had her first hair cut. Meme always cut my hair growing up and it was special to me that she got to give Amelia a much needed wisp reduction. Amelia sat very still and was jumping and twirling to show off her new 'do.



A few more trick-or-treat shots just because it was so darn fun.


Amelia has been waiting and waiting and waiting to be the "Star Student" and when she finally brought home the note in her backpack, we danced a jig. She got to fill up the show and tell bag and fill out a sheet about herself. She picked her Build-a-Bear, Della, a crocodile, an animal magazine, her pull along dog, and a picture of Elise. She decided against taking the giraffe pictured because, "Boys are wild and they might break it." It was a special day for a beautiful Star Student.

Carved

I have never been a big fan of carving pumpkins. I mean, they rot almost immediately after they are carved. The seeds are gross. I seem like someone that would saw my hand off. But every year growing up we carved pumpkins and I still like the idea of the tradition if someone else does all the work :)

This is a little bit of a let-down post, but girls, when you are reading this in future years, you will just laugh and know it is true. Your mama is not a jack-o-lantern lady. However, it was a fun family night and Amelia was very into picking out the face and NOT touching the inside.

As Promised

Here are some costume shots. The first few are when Mammaw came to our house so Amelia the Strawberry Princess Fairy could trick or treat her. Precious.



Followed by our Pumpkin Patch at church. Mom and Dad got to come, so that was very exciting! Amelia was uncharacteristically shy at first, but soon warmed up and started playing the games. (She later told me she had seen a clown when we got there. That would explain everything as clowns almost certainly ruined her circus experience). The bouncy house was her favorite, and she loved the ducks.

Asher and Emily came and she was really glad to see him. I love our church and all the games were fun and spread out nicely. Elise the Duck even got to play a few. She was a champ at the hidden pumpkin game and the duck pond.

Then came Halloween night, which Amelia informed me took "years" to arrive. We spent the evening with Jen and Jared and had a great time. Jen cooked potato soup and chicken strips and had Halloween cupcakes. YUM. Before it got dark we played outside in the leaves. Amelia has been dying to play in the leaves, but we have none at our house and Mom and Dad have none at theirs, so this was the biggest treat to her! (Little Bear loves playing in the leaves, if you must know).
Elise decided to ditch the duck and was a pumpkin this time around. Amelia marched up to each house and sweetly yelled, "Trick-or-treat," followed by a precious, "thank you," after she received her candy. We went to about ten houses in Jen's neighborhood, but she could have gone on all night.

We went to Jessalyn and Greg's next and she went to a few houses in that neighborhood too. She LOVED getting to give candy when the trick-or-treaters came to their house and I am so glad she got to experience that part of it too. G and Pa were there to surprise her :) Elise was DONE by this point, so we didn't get to stay as long as I would have liked.

Basically everything we did was a hit and I just loved this whole month of Halloween fun. As Amelia said, "When is the next Halloween? I love this."

Pumpkin carving pics next and I should be caught up.