Sometimes she sits in her chair and other times she will arrange all her friends on the sofa to read with her. She is still in charge. I am beginning to wonder at what age I should start letting her know I am actually in charge... am I already too late?
Headed up to the mountains for a long weekend in the snow. The absolute highlight for Elizabeth was the plethora of bears in the cabin. There were multitudes of stuffed teddy bears and decorative bears. Her favorite was this 5 lb wooden bear that had a fish in its mouth. She hugged and cuddled with that pointy hard thing all weekend long. I kept thinking she was going to fall and smash her face into it.... no accidents.
Highlight number 2 was the snow man. Much discussion centered around 'snoma' and she constantly had to check outside to see if he was still there.
She has also changed quite bit from her first snowshoe trip last January... http://mcspeert.blogspot.com/2009/01/first-snowshoe-trip.html. She is no longer burried deep in her carrier but instead is out enjoying the cold snow. Oh and mom you will be interested to know that her eyes tear in cold weather just like mine... both of us have chapped cheeks from tearing.
"Save me... Daddy has my legs... save me"
At 16 months she has finally decided to walk. At last she won't be ruining anymore pants. She will walk by herself but prefers a finger to hold.
Christmas morning Maria arrived with coffee drinks in hand. She was our Christmas Angel for sure considering Elizabeth has been rising at 3am for about a week.
Spent Christmas Eve with our friends Sam, Lynn, Anneka and Virginia. Virginia actually spent a week with us. Was supposed to be her holiday but I think with the 3am Elizabeth alarm it was perhaps not as restful. We had fun though!!
James and Kathryn desperately trying to get Elizabeth to smile. 
The cousins.
Nice after shot of the dinner table and Cory pushin' the wine!!
We got the girls all contained in the crib together... it was fun for about five minutes and then they escaped.
Check out our spattering of paint colors on the back wall... can't decide.
The gang!! It was seriously one of the best meals EVER. Cory can cook a heck of a turkey and the sides... of I luv me some sides.
This past week there was a significant wind storm in Seattle with the weather being even more precarious out on the coast so in our infinite wisdom Alison and I booked a place for the weekend. The weather was horrendous but the house was sweet, the food yummie and I loved having the girls together all weekend long.
Elizabeth and Lila LOVED the hot tub and it was a perfect way warm us all up after beach time.
Double trouble for sure!!
She lunges from my arms to get in the tub and then tries to climb in to the tub.
Halloween candy is awesome. I gave her the bag of M&M's and told her to put them in the pumpkin from Aunt Sara. She then spent the rest of the evening moving the M&M's from the pumpkin, to the drawer, to the bag, to the coffee table, etc. I read almost an entire New Yorker Magazine while she did her 'work'. We will be finding candy for months I think.
Our little yellow jacket enjoyed her costume most of the night.
It was utter chaos with 8 adults and 4 kids dressed as a bumble bee, one pumpkin, a lion, a cookie monster that would not wear her costume and Ezra (7 weeks). We didn't quite get photos of everyone but had a blast.
ROAR says Lila the lion.
We briefly attempted a group shot which ended in fits so abandoned that idea.
Eating just prior to nap time can be exhausting, messy and an opportunity for fun photos.
Boxes are so much fun and when I crawl up on them mom and dad come running. Yippie!!
The day we finally closed we had a VERY early breakfast at out new home. I believe in this shot she has half that bagel in her mouth.
My parents called and asked what they could do to make our move easier. Our answer was come and visit and take us away from our cruddy rental... so we spent a week on the Kitsap Peninsula. Our house was on the water and we saw deer, eagles... it was perfect. Jeff commuted to work via the ferry and I loved having the view, the water, quiet walks, meals cooked and extra hands for help. Now I am soooo sad to be without them but sooo lucky.
She is just nuts for that trike!!
Just when I thought we had baby proofed I realize she is now a toddler and I find her standing in the drawer.
