Bubbles and Baskets

Nick thought Ellie needed a basketball and basketball hoop.   Originally I was going to search for one when I went to garage sales in a couple of weeks, but then we found a really good deal on the at Toys
R Us, so we picked one up.   Ellie loves it.   

She also loves blowing bubbles, although she doesn't have enough force to blow the bubbles (good thing for a house windy location to help her out). 

Playground Time

With the beautiful weather, we have made a few trips to the park.   Genevieve tends to sleep, while Daddy or Mommy and Eleanor play.   Our house is right behind Nick's head... very close to the playground!

60's in January

Someone up above must know that this pregnant lady is not willing to buy a new winter coat. And that there is a 2-year old that loves to play on the playground across the street, but didn't move in until November. Both have been win-wins for us this winter with amazingly warm weather (warm for Iowa anyway). On Monday night we ventured over to the playground after work, how could we not when it was 60 degrees in Janaury! Ellie was very excited, both to play on the playground and because the little boy from down the street was there as well. Side note: we love that our new neighborhood has kids Ellie's age to play with! And lots of them at that.

Here are a few pictures:

While the neighbor boy was using the swing, Ellie would go down the slide.

Then they would take turns so Ellie could swing.
Ellie thought it was great that Daddy could swing next to her.

Can you tell she loves the swing?
You can even see our house in the right corner of this picture!
That is how close the park is to us.

Ellie also loves to look through the plastic dome at Mommy and Daddy.

No complaints about the weather around here. And even when it does get cold and snowy--- we will have November, December and January to look back on.

Ready for Spring

I am over winter and ready for spring... so it is time for a new background.

Enjoy!

Apple Picking

The other week we went to the Happy Apple Orchard in Cumming. What beautiful weather we had for our adventure. Ellie has not been a fan of applesauce, but she loved eating the whole apples! Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the day:

Daddy and Eleanor checking out the apples
Lots and lots of apples to pick from.
Having a little snack while Daddy collects apples
Ellie helping herself to a treat
" Hey Daddy, what are you eating down there?"

Outside, Please!

She loves the outdoors, and her Grandma & Grandpa's deck. So much that she waits at the door trying to get Grandpa to take her out!

Random thoughts from the drive home

- If a FedEx truck ends up in the ditch, do you think another truck comes to get the packages to deliver? And is this a good reason to buy the insurance on things that are breakable or can be damaged by movements (such as the truck going into the ditch).

- Four automobiles in the ditch within a few hundred feet of each other, must be icy around there.

- Just because you drive a 4-wheel drive automobile doesn't mean you can drive a normal speed in bad weather- see ditch for proof.

- If you want to drive fast, feel free to pass me- I have an 8-week old in my backseat.

- I think I drive a little slower since I have the baby.

- The road with the most blowing has the least number of cars in the ditch. Interesting.

- I am not going to make it home in time to catch The Bold and the Beautiful. Good thing I am taping it (yes, taping).

- Good thing Ellie likes car rides, it is much easier to drive when she is sleeping instead of crying.

- I hope I can plow through this pile of snow the plow has placed in front of our driveway.

- I think I will let Nick get the mail when he gets home. I don't want to walk through the snow.

- I really like that Nick is the main driver, and I hardly ever have to drive myself to work. I cannot wait until next week when that is true again.

- AND WE ARE HOME. I THINK WE WILL STAY HERE.