5 on Friday

1. We had a great Christmas in Ames, and then another one at our house on Sunday. I love Christmas!

2. All the Christmas decorations are put away and the new toys have found places to go. I think finding places for the toys was more difficult than taking down the tree!

3. We cannot go a week without a Drs. visit. This week it was me, with an ear infection yet again... I am hoping that 2011 brings a lot less sickness.

4. Congrats to my Mom who officially retired this today! Ellie cannot wait to help you make the most of your retirement by spending some quality time with you in February.

5. Happy New Year's everyone! 2010 was a blast (minus the sickness), I cannot wait to see what 2011 has in store for us.

5 on Friday

1. Always remember the reason for the season, the birth of a little baby that changed our lives in ways unimaginable.

2. Even when we have a rough day and find out that little Miss Eleanor has pink yet once again and another double ear infection, it is important to remember that we have it easy.

3. Looking around the house I realize how lucky we are, not by the possessions we have- but through the pictures of our family, friends and extended family. We love you all and wish you the best this holiday season.

4. We celebrated Christmas with the Thorson side of the family this past Sunday. The big Christmas surprise was that Jamie was able to join us when we thought we wouldn't see him during the holidays.

5. This weekend we head to Ames to celebrate with the Greving side. I am very excited for Eleanor to wear her special Christmas dress and to be able to 'show' her off at church Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas!

So Proud

Christmas is by far my favorite holiday. I love the 'reason for the season,' and all the other fun things that come along with it- including decorating the house. I wondered how this year would go with a walking, curious one-year old in the house. Since we are a week before Christmas, I am going to jinx our house by bragging at how wonderful Eleanor has done.

She has not touched these, which are right at eye level for her.
If you notice the tree has ornaments all over, and not just on the top half.

The gifts have remained wrapped.

And I am really proud because the ornaments are mainly Precious Moments and breakable:

I am also excited that she hasn't messed
with my favorite part of the Christmas decorations, this:

The reason I am so proud, the location:

And she plays with her toys every evening. Can we say lucky?
Oh, those are the gifts under the tree in the right corner by the toys.
Such a good little girl we have!

5 on Friday

I am sorry for anyone who felt like their last Friday was incomplete without this weekly staple. I will add a few more to this weeks list to make up for it!

1) Three colds, three ear infections, one stomach flu, pink eye and some other type of eye swelling in less than 2 weeks it too much for our family of three!

2) I cannot wait for spring so we can open up the house and get rid of all the germs. I dislike cold and flu season.

3) On the positive side: I think we are getting better, and the number of different medicines we are taking is slowing decreasing!

4) I was able to make it to my niece and nephews joint birthday party this past weekend- and had a blast. 20+ kids 6 and under are a lot of kids! Eleanor and Nick stayed home since it was at the same time as Ellie's once a day nap.

5) Speaking of naps, she usually sleeps for 1 hour max during the day. Of course last weekend when Nick was in charge of her she slept for 3 1/2 hours! Why won't she do that when I am in charge??? Not that I don't love playing with her- but think of what I could get done with 2 1/2 extra hours!

Extra 1) Nick complains because I love to listen to Christmas music and do so a decent amount of the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas (OK, maybe a little before Christmas if Lite 104.1 starts playing it). One semi-compromise we have found is creating a Christmas station on Pandora. Thank goodness for Pandora.

Extra 2) Eleanor decided she has missed her Dad the past two nights, so she woke up extra early today to spend time with him. Little did she know she was going to get to spend time with her Mommy for the first half... I am tired today.

Extra 3) Christmas is only a week away! I cannot wait. And neither can Nick, as he asked if he could give Ellie one of her gifts early. I told him no. Silly Daddy.

Just a few more favorites from Ellie's 1-year photo shoot:

Ellie and Uncle Brian

Why are you moving your head back, Uncle Brian? I just want to lick you!

If I cannot lick you, let's just make funny faces at each other.

Birthday Party: The Cake

From Eleanor's point of view:

Why are all these people singing my name?

I want to touch the fire... MOMMY- why did you make it go away!
You spoil all my fun. Seriously Daddy, I was trying to keep myself clean and you just shoved my hand into this thing. Well, guess I better taste it to humor all the people
looking at me and taking pictures.You know what, this thing isn't half bad.
I will just put some on in my hair, ear, hands
and on my high-chair to save for later
(oh, and up my nose because
Mommy MIGHT not clean off that area).