important detail

Here's one more shot of the cutest Halloween flower ever. Notice the flower "tail." Too cute. :)

Two is Better Than One

Our little girlie is so special she got to wear two costumes to celebrate her first Halloween! First, "Uncle" Frank from upstairs arranged for Elise to have the sweet pumpkin getup. (His mom bought it for Elise and mailed it to us! So nice!) So that was her pre-party outfit. Then we put her in the flower costume to attend the Halloween open house at the Dixons. The party was a blast with TONS of little kids playing all around the house and fun Halloween food. Elise loved every minute of it. She is such a party girl.

We wish we could have gone "trick-or-treating" at grandma and grandpa's and nana and papa's house!!!

Happy Halloween!!!

Today is Halloween, and while I'm used to spending this day with twenty-some elementary school kids hyper beyond belief, I am very happy to report that I'm starting this cozy fall day with a hot cup of coffee and a sweet napping baby. So, hats off to all those teachers out there who must spend this day directing parades, helping kids get into and out of costumes, and taming those sugar crazed kids.

Elise has been sporting two very festive Halloween bibs this week, one from each grandma. The attached photo shows one such bib as well as Elise eating a cracker. She's getting pretty good at gumming this first snack.

Tonight we are going to a Halloween get-together at the Dixons. (Brian Dixon is a 3rd year resident, and his very pregnant wife Megan joins the other wives for coffee on Tuesdays.) Elise will be dressed up of course. You'll have to check back later for those photos. Trust me, she's going to look VERY cute!

Happy Halloween!

We love Aunt Tarami!

Toby's sister, Tarami, came for a visit recently. Here's one of my favorite photos of Tarami with her niece Elise.

We miss you Aunt Tarami!

Happy Baby

Elise is such a happy baby! She loves to sit on a blanket surrounded by all her toys and use her little fingers to touch and explore the toys around her. Her favorite toys these days are her baby doll and anything I can find in the kitchen, such as measuring spoons and tuperware lids. She also loves to watch her hands as she moves them (as you can see from the picture).

We just got a membership to the YMCA, and Elise LOVES going to their "Tot Watch" while we workout. She's only been there three times, but I'm sure she is the new favorite among the staff. :)

Time to play!

Getting Chilly

Brrr.... it's getting cold in Marquette. A few days ago Elise and I went on a hike with our friend Laurie around Presque Isle. It was gorgeous but windy and cold. To keep our little one warm, we tried out Elise's snowsuit for the first time. She could barely move in it, but she stayed warm.

Wish I could take all our far away family and friends on a hike!

First Blog Entry Ever

I never thought I would have a blog. I certainly don't need to have another reason to spend more time online. So, I'm testing this out. Maybe it will last or maybe this is a short-lived experiment. Time will tell.

For now here's an irresistable photo of Elise!