6 Months Old and Very Tricky!

We passed Ellie's half birthday! So crazy! At her last doctor's appointment she weighed 17 pounds 14.5 ounces and was 26 inches tall. What a big girl! She's learning all kinds of things. She loves to play with this toy and has become an expert at grabbing the hanging toys and pulling them off.
She loves to do this trick! You can't tell in this picture because she was really tired, but she normally smiles from ear to ear when she stands like this. She knows she's doing something cool!
We finally pulled out the Johnny Jump Up. Right now she mostly just likes to spin herself in it rather than jump but she's learning.
This is her new favorite face to make. She does it all the time and it is a real crowd pleaser.

Mischief Managed!

She said she was just drawing a picture of me. Thanks Mimi, it's lovely!

Sayin' the Darndest Things

These kids are totally cracking me up lately! Here are some of the things they've been doing/saying.

• Scooter was running a "store." I shopped at said store and when I went to pay him, I tried to give him a little kiss. He quickly held up his hand and said "No, no, this store does not encourage kissing!"
• Ellie was eyeing my slice of pizza so Mimi told her, "Ellie, you can't eat that! It would mess you up!"
• During Mimi's potty training days I commented to her that she had sure gone to the potty a lot that day. She looked at me with her big eyes and said, "Oh! I apologize!"
• Scooter is currently trying to decide on a profession. At first he wanted to be a train driver but gave up that idea because he was afraid he wouldn't be able to stick to the schedule. Then he wanted to be a Trax driver, but the same issues arose. Now he wants to work at the train store, and on the show Wipeout.
  
• Mimi was so excited to be in Sunbeams at church. Her second week she was invited to give the talk in front of all the kids. She was thrilled because she got to sit in the "Jesus" chair (the chairs at the front of the room that have a picture of Jesus on them). During opening exercises she proceeded to wave and blow kisses to all the other kids and sang her heart out with the chorister. She gave an excellent talk and spoke very clearly and with expression. She even gave Mamy some tips when she found out that Mamy was giving a talk too.
• Mimi loves to wear a beautiful dress to church.
  
• Scooter is scared to death these days of pretty much anything and everything. We currently have to sit outside his room until he falls asleep. He knows the power of prayer though and has been praying every night to not be scared. He also frequently asks his dad for blessings of comfort. One night he told me that he thought blessings went to Heavenly Father like postcards and on the front is the picture of the person the blessing is for. He said, "He must have hundreds of post cards from me!"
• Ellie is very cute. She laughs at her big brother and sister who are always silly around her.
• Ellie has found her feet and loves to grab them and tries to put them in her mouth.
  
• Ellie is trying very hard to sit up on her own. So far she manages it for a few seconds before toppling over, but she doesn't give up!
  

The Christmas Festivities

Mamy stopped by to visit us on Christmas Eve and brought us these fabulous hats!
We headed over to great-grandpa's for our annual Christmas Eve party. We had a great time. Ellie especially enjoyed her first celebration.

Great-grandpa read a story to us all, with the kids gathered 'round his knee.
Santa brought gifts for all the kids.

The older "kids" took part in our traditional white elephant gift exchange.
Here's Ellie all snuggled up with her gift from Santa...her very own Giraffalo. She fell asleep sitting up!
Then Santa came to our house!
The kids couldn't wait to see the tree. They were up at 7 ready to go.


Mimi and Scooter love playing with her new dollhouse. Anyone recognize it from the ad in the paper earlier this month?
Next we headed over to Hootie and Munch's house. Santa found the kids there too!
We also were able to visit Great-Grandma June.
Finally, we went to Nina and Pa's for dinner. Santa was busy, because he visited there too. These kids sure were spoiled!
Ellie wore herself right out! So did we all! We had a fun, but very busy Christmas day.