HALLOWEEN!!!!

Happy Halloween!!!!Today Elly dressed as a cheerleader. My mom and sister sent her this adorable costume and she looked so cute! I had to put her hair in little pig tails, but since they're on the top of her head, they look more like antennae. She wouldn't sit still enough for me to tie the bows, though. I tried to teach her to say "rah rah" too, but that was a little too much. She had a good day. She met her dad at lunchtime, so he could see her outfit pre-nap, because after the nap all bets are off. You never know what she could be wearing or what state her hair could be in. Then, she went to Mima and Papa's office where she was adored by all. She let Mima feed her and play with her a lot. She did all her tricks and even did some dancing! These are just a few of the pictures, see more on our web albums!

Also, last weekend we attended two parties where Brandon and I dressed up as well. Elly went as a bunny and see if you can guess what Brandon and I dressed as...

If you need a hint, click the link.

When we're helping we're happy...

Elly wants to be wherever Mommy is. (I know, I know, she's just like me.) When I'm making dinner, being on the floor or in her walker just isn't close enough to the action. So, sometimes when I've had enough whining from her down on the floor, I bring her up to help me on the counter for a minute. This particular time, as you can see, she got her hands on the paper towels. That was helpful.

Mima's Doggies

They're fun, they're country, and they're Mima's doggies...
In case you need more info: "Mima" is what her grandchildren call Brandon's mom. Mima's house is where Elly first learned the word doggie. They have two labs who've been raised in the country huntin' little scurrying animals, etc. They look pretty tough, but they're sweet and cuddly, mostly. Look at the way Elly just grabs the dog's face with no fear. She's not afraid of Mima's dogs at all. But, sometimes we'll see a couple of chihuahuas in the park and she doesn't want to get too close. They do usually look like they're hiding something...

Friends

Elly has many friends all over the country. This is a post illustrating her great social skills...

This is her friend, Lincoln Hale II.

She's always so smiley when she meets new friends!
Lincoln lives in Utah with his mom and dad, our friends Anna and Lincoln Hale I. We met Linc I in Romania while serving full-time missions for the LDS church. We are such great friends and we miss them terribly. Hopefully, whenever we get together, Elly and Linc II will get along and play beautifully. Lincoln II is two months younger than Elly. This picture was taken when Elly was 7 months and Linc was 5.

This is her friend Ava Green.

Notice how Elly is giving Ava some space.
Ava lives in Las Vegas with her mom and dad, our friends Chailyn and Brian Green. We met Brian also while in Romania. We went to visit them and took this picture when Elly was 3 months and Ava was 1 month old. We also miss them and wish we could see them more. Somehow, we always move away from each other! Look at how little Elly is. Seems like a million years ago.

This is Elly's first cousin once removed, Rose Fletcher.


Notice where the little white bow is in each of these chronological pictures. Elly is so good at sharing! We saw Rose at Grammie's house in July at "Family Gathering". It's a tradition in our family to meet each Sunday evening at my Grandparents' home in Utah. If you're in town you'll always find cousins and new friends when you go to Family Gathering. She is adorable and very used to being poked and prodded since she has 9 older siblings! That's right, 9!

These are Elly's friends from Stroller Strides, Sage and Timothy.

She knows them better than all her other friends, because she sees them every day! She gets so excited to see them and has a great time playing with them after the moms are done working out! Elly is two weeks younger than Timothy and two months older than Sage. This picture was taken today!