Frogs, leaves and fun in Michigan

Over this past weekend Ryan & Elliana were able to go to Michigan for a long week. They were visited with family and enjoyed the beginning of fall in Michigan. During the time they were there the county fair was in town. Ryan said it was a ton of fun. At the fair Elli got to ride a pony, see all types of animals from turkeys, bunnies to a camel and a little dancing performance monkey. Elli got to experience her first campfire to at Grandma & Grandpa house! She played lots with 2nd cousin Kenleigh, Baleigh, visited with Great Grandma&Grandpa West, Great Grandma Morris, Aunt Kelly & Uncle Blake plus the rest of the family.

Froggy Froggy...while Ryan helped his folk replace there hot tub cover Elli found 3 or 4 little frogs. Hope you like the video.

Aunt Kelly helps Elli gather some leaves and play. Something she doesn't get to do in Las Vegas. She really only gets to gather rocks, cactus and dirt here. :)

Athlete in training.

New bed & new bedding!

As you saw in the previous video it was time for a toddler bed. When we purchased the crib it was a 4in1 so it has 4 different set ups. Crib, the one you see below and two others. We took Elli to the store to pick out a new pillow/bedding (had heard this helps the transition). Funny she picked out Dora the Explorer stuff. I don't think she has even ever watch the show...but that is what she liked. Check out Elli's new set up! Night one of new bed she fell right to sleep and did good till about 2:30am tried for a bit to get her back to sleep in her own bed but mommy was lazy and just let her sleep with us opps, night two we had a bit of trouble getting her to stay in bed and sleep once we did she was good till about 11PM but finally we got her back to sleep and she stayed in bed till 6:30AM when we have to get up. I think it so far a pretty good transition. Keep your fingers crossed for night 3!

Popcorn & Ratatouille = Easy Flight Home

Escape Artist

Swimming Videos

Cutie Pa-tootie

Swimming Lessons

Elli started swimming lessons last week. We go every Tuesday & Thursday for an hour. It is Parent & Me, meaning we get in the water with her. The teacher tries to teach her basic stuff like floating on her back and becoming comfortable with being on her tummy in the water. Kicking, front crawl motion with her arms and blowing bubbles are just some other things. They do fun little warm up songs and stuff to get the kids excited. Elli seems to like it so far. Thursday the water was very very cold and Elli was shivering so we didn't make it through the entire hour class. The teacher understood. Enjoy the pics.

Just hanging out...

Last night Elli and I were just hanging out. I caught her just playing and have a good ole time. Here are some funny cute pictures I had to share. El just chilling in the rocking chair reading her favorite book Good Night Moon. This was so precious because as you can see she was just sitting in her chair with legs crossed saying parts of the book (she has memorized) acting as if she was reading it.
Intently checking out the pictures.
My mom had given be some old toys that were my favorites she had kept from when I was little. One of them being this set of stencils. Elli loves them I think as much as I did. With her crazy hair do she analyses the stencils.

I had to finish up some work and Elli ran into my office after disappearing in her room for a while to surprise me with her glasses on. It was HILARIOUS!

The stencil and book!

Daddy got this hat for her in Alaska...she was seeing how it went with her shades.

She is one COOL cat!

Colorado in August Part 2

Below are more pictures of the Colorado weekend trip. This post includes more pictures of family from the BBQ and from our North Pole outing. Enjoy! Elli checking out one of the lawn ornaments the were displayed around.
Elli so excited to be in Santa's sleigh.
Feeding the reindeer.

Feeding the geese.

Loving her popcorn!

Cousin Randi Lea and her son (2nd cousin) Issac (5 months).

Great Grandma Mina & Gigi

Cousin Ashley and 2nd cousin Lucas.

Baby Issac!

Colorado in August Part 1...

The weekend of August 27th Elli and I went to Colorado! It was a quick, spontaneous trip. We found some cheap tickets that my grandparents generously pitched in to buy to bring us home. My mom had already planned a BIG family BBQ so that made it that much better that Elli and I got to see the whole family. I was able to catch up with a good friend Ronda and her two beautiful children. We all went to the zoo...it was SO much fun. That wasn't it Elli, Gigi (My mom) and I went to the famous North Pole (Santa's Workshop). The weather was absolutely perfect all weekend. It was a wonderful trip! Extremely happy we were able to make it out there. Above is Elli's 2nd cousin Leila (7 months) and cousin Megan.
Elli and her 2nd cousin Lucas (19 months)

Great Grandpa Gomes & Elli

Gigi, Firby (Great Grandma Mina's dog) & Elli

Mommy & Elli petty a baby albino wallaby

Elli, Jack & Cameron (my good friend Ronda's kiddo's) on the train at the zoo.

Opa and Elli looking at some animals.

Opa & Elli feeding the giraffes. She loved it so much! That evening she was saying to me she feed the giraffes crackers...then would imitate the giraffes sticking there tongues out. SO CUTE!

Elli & Gigi petting the giraffe.