"...dona..."

So we hear this word from Addie often... we thought it meant french fries (and that she was attempting to say McDonald's!) but she has used it for a surprising variety of things this week that leaves me guessing once again!  

She says "dona" when we're washing her hands and she's ready for the soap.

She says it when she wants a napkin at the table.

She says it about our drinks (particularly if it's a cup of diet pepsi).

She definitely uses the word when she wants something, we're just not sure what it really means.  We've at least concluded that it's not one particular object (like french fries).  The mystery persists... so we'll just keep plodding after the truth!

Elle's Photography...

About a month ago we went to The Wild Animal Park while Sarah and Everett were in town... always a fun time.  Elle was dying to use the camera, so we let her carry it around for the day.  How pleasantly surprised were we when we saw some of her work?!?  We don't have a fancy camera and she certainly doesn't have a steady hand, but here are a few of the things she saw as photo worthy!  Who knows, maybe photography is in her future?!?

A pretty unique perspective... better than I could do!

Addie in a "Big" Bed!

Addie has been wanting to sleep in a big bed for a little while now.  We don't have a 2nd twin bed yet, so we improvised and took out her crib mattress and made her a little bed on the floor.  She was ecstatic!  Elle was pretty curious with it too!  Anyhow, they went to bed about 20 minutes ago and we'll see how it goes!  Here's the happy little "big" girl!

Sweet Dreams!

Just life...

Here are just a few "recent" fun photos! David had the girls for the evening and they had fun with food coloring in water! Easily amused these little ones are!

They also like to play dress-up... well Elle likes to dress Addie up, thankfully Addie doesn't mind too much!

Addie got a new shopping cart for Christmas, she had to fend Elle off for most of the morning. It's a very fun toy that both of the girls have enjoyed so much already!

And shortly after Christmas we discovered Addie is allergic to amoxicillin... as you can see by the outbreak she had. What a trooper! She hardly even noticed. I think it was far more scary to look at than it really was. Oh well, no more of that for her!

Christmas...

With Christmas just one week away, winter weather is finally here! Most of the month of December felt like fall (even like summer some days). We've had some wet, cold days recently though... and we're enjoying it! Last week, before the rain started, we took the girls outside for a few Christmas pictures. We discovered the picturesque scenery on some of our "neighborhood" walks this past year.

Merry Christmas to you!

Gymnastics... and Addie!

As promised, here are a few photos from gymnastics class. Elle is quite proud this week, she started doing flips on the bar by herself and also walked across the BIG balance beam by herself (usually she has requested the help of her teacher)!

And not to be forgotten! Addie wants you to know that she has been hard at work on her own projects! Elle was kind to share her patterns and shapes... and Addie took it quite seriously. She sat at the table like a big girl and was hard at work! She would love to do gymnastics too... and lucky girl, sometimes if Elle's classmate is late, the teacher lets Addie come out with Elle for a few minutes! Sorry, no pics of that... I was out there with her too!

Growing Up...

We've undertaken two new activities this fall that signal Elle is growing up!

Cubbies and Gymnastics.

She loves going to Cubbies every week and had great practice working on PATIENCE as she had to wait 2 weeks before she could "earn" her vest and book (they have to come to club for 2 weeks and say 4 verses).

This was almost more than Elle could bear... especially because some of the older kids already had vests from last year. Needless to say, she was THRILLED to get her vest... here are a few pictures once we got home that night. Next week, we'll show some gymnastics pictures!

Princesses!

We had a birthday party for a friend today... our first princess party. Elle and Addie looked beautiful! Unfortunately, I didn't get a great picture of both of them together. I tried, but hard to get the youngest to stand still! Anyhow, it was a fun day... lots of pink, glitter, ribbons, and sparkly things.

Fall Fun!

We went to the pumpkin patch the other day with some friends. It's hard to take a great picture of 5 kids 3 yrs. old and younger! The girls had fun wandering around the pumpkins, etc.

These pictures were taken at a friend's 1st birthday party. The little firetruck was pretty cute and the girls got quite a kick out of riding in it!

Happy Birthday to Addie!

Some of Addie's birthday guests... we love our family!

Our family celebrating Addie's 1st birthday!

Addie loves her new stroller (so did Elle... they've learned to share!)

Getting ready for some yummy cake!

Enjoying her birthday dinner!