Standing and Teeth Update

On Christmas Day, Eliza stood independently for the first time. I also wanted to update you on the mouthful of teeth she has now. She has her two front teeth, the two on either side of them, her two bottom teeth, and two back top AND two back bottom molars coming in. She has really been great and only occasionally wakes up in the middle of the night for some Baby Orajel.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Here are some highlights of our Christmas vacation in Houston. We had a Hawaiian themed Christmas thanks to Uncle Loc, Aunt Maria and George who traveled there over Thanksgiving and brought us all back shirts and sarongs. Eliza had so much fun opening all of her presents from family and Santa. It was a great Christmas.

Our Hawaiian Family Picture

Eliza ready for her presents!

The beginning of present opening on Christmas Eve

Almost the end of present opening

Santa came!

Merry Christmas!

Happy 5th Birthday Sadie!

Our precious Sadie turned 5 years old today! I can't believe so much time has gone by. She was once our sweet little puppy, and now she is quite the grown-up.

We love you Sadie!

Reindeer Run 2008

I ran my first 5K today with my good friends Emily Beckham and Maggie Kerr. I have been battling a cold pretty much since Thanksgiving so I wasn't sure I was going to be able to run, but with no voice and practically hacking up a lung...I did it! I had a TON of fun too! It was a great day topped off with Richard taking me to the Melting Pot for my birthday! YUM! (Well, at least I ran off some calories before I stuffed myself silly!)

Here we come a-crossing the finish line!

Sorry for the blurry pic!

Rich and Ellie came to cheer us on at the finish line!

Me, Maggie and Emily all smiles after the race!

Ellie's 1st Thanksgiving/Pre-Christmas

Hi all! Hope you had a happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday. We traveled home to Utah for Thanksgiving and Wood family Christmas. We had planned to have Christmas as a family on Thanksgiving because originally Suzanne was going to be on her mission (and has currently postponed due to back problems), Taylor was supposed to be at boot camp to complete his enlistment in the US Marine Corps (and has also had to postpone due to breaking his hand Thanksgiving night), Bryan and fam were going to St. George to spend the holidays with Melissa's family, and Rich, Ellie and I were to be in Houston. Anyway, we had a great time as a family eating, drinking, and being merry...with a couple of presents to boot!

Ellie and Daddy by Grandma's memory tree

Grandma and Grandpa Wood gave her a Busy Ball Popper

With the Jingle Bears...So CUTE!

Ellie's 1st Thanksgiving...Turkey and Sweet Potatoes...YUM!

Her Thanksgiving outfit...I'm glad it still fit! (sized 3-6 months)

Happy with Mommy on Turkey Day!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We know it's barely November...but since we are heading to Utah for Thanksgiving and won't be back until December starts anyway, we figured we should get into the Holiday spirit and come home to a decked house. To start, Richard hung the lights on the house (he did such a fabulous job...although it scared the living crap out of me to see him hanging on the roof like that).

Last night I made this wreath to hang on the door.

I was pretty pleased with myself.

Lastly, I got out my most prized possession...my Lenox China Jewels Nativity set. It retired last year, and a couple of weeks ago Richard gave me the last piece for our nine year dating anniversary, the very hard to find kneeling shepherd boy. (And yes, we celebrate our dating anniversary.) Thanks also to my wonderful mother and good friend Rob who gave me all the other pieces. I should note that I don't have the angels in the set. There are like five or six of them (and as you can see, it's big enough already), and they have big wings that I don't like. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Happy Holidays!

Don't Blame Me...

...I voted for McCain.

Happy Haunting!

Ellie was a BYU cheerleader for her first Halloween. (Thanks for the costume Aunt Nanny!) We had a lot of fun going to the trunk-or-treat and spending time with Grandma and Aunt Tami.

Dallas Arboretum Pumpkin Patch

Last Saturday we went to the Dallas Arboretum to take our Halloween pictures in the pumpkin patch. Here are some of my favs from our outing. Enjoy!

Utah Adventures

Ellie and I got back on Monday from our 10 day trip to Utah. We went to Charisse's bridal shower and wedding, Suz's mission farwell, and got to spend a lot of time with the fam. Here are a couple of cute pics from the trip.

Oh yeah, and Richard ran a triathlon while we were gone. :)

Dawsonisms

I have the most adorable 4 year old nephew. Dawson is very smart and energetic and enjoys testing the waters of his mom and dad's patience...but we sure do love him.

Today, I spent some time at Bryan and Melissa's with Suz, and she and I got to overhear a conversation that Melissa and Dawson were having as he was taking his evening shower:

*Dawson jumps in the tub, slips, and falls (after having been told not to do it once before already)*

Melissa: Dawson, you are one lucky son-of-a-gun. You could have bitten your lip and it could have been a lot worse.

Dawson: Mom, what's a son-of-a-gun?

Melissa: (Pause) Oh, it's just a silly term.

Dawson: (Pauses then asks very concernedly) I'm a silly term?

*Steph, Suz, Melissa (and then Dawson) laugh hysterically*

And then we were having FHE at their house a few minutes later. We learned about the articles of faith. Melissa wanted to do a review with Dawson before bed. It went something like this:

Melissa: Dawson, who wrote the articles of faith?

Dawson: Um, Jesus?

Melissa: Uh, no.

Dawson: Heavenly Father?

Melissa: (chuckles) No.

Dawson: Richard?

*Again, hysterical laughter by all*

You gotta love this kid!

I ♥ Aunt Nanny!

I am so happy that my Aunt Nanny came to visit me. She was such a help to my mommy! We went on walks, went shopping, watched movies, and I loved spending time with her. I can't wait to see her again next week when mommy takes me to Utah for Aunt Nanny's mission farewell. She is going to serve the Lord in Stockholm, Sweden for a year and a half. I will miss her but I know that she has an important job to do to bring the gospel to the people in Sweden.

I love you Aunt Nanny!

♥ Ellie

Teeth AND Crawling?!?

My baby broke her bottom two teeth last Saturday. Aunt Nanny was here visiting and felt them first...but didn't feel like it was important enough to share. On our way home from dinner that night, I put my finger in her mouth to let her suck on it (awful, I know...but it helps her calm down sans binky) and I felt the little sharp edges of her teeth. I was totally excited and exclaimed to Richard and Erik who were also in the car that Ellie was really teething. Suz was like, "Yeah, I felt those earlier. I thought you already knew." Pretty exciting!

Hard to see, I know...but they're there!

And then tonight while I was straightening up, this is what I came upon. I cannot believe it...my baby is actually CRAWLING! I think she will be doing this for a while though because I can't imagine her actually walking on those little feet. She's almost 8 months and can just now barely fit into shoes! Good times.