Poor Ellie

We went to an appointment and they had to check Ellie's iron level. The first poke didn't work so they had to it again. She did great but was concerned after the band aids were put on.

Tiny Ellie

Ellie: "I'm riding a turkey!!!"

Ellie and Mikey went on their first carousel ride together. Ellie got on an ostrich and was so excited to be riding the turkey that we didn't have the heart to correct her. We were with some friends and she is yelling to Mommy, Auntie Shanoa and her friends Noah and Nea.

Silver Bells

Before Thanksgiving, we went to Lansing for the Capital's Silver Bells celebration. My Uncle is in charge of getting the tree. We got together with him and my Aunt to watch the parade. Because he is in charge of the tree, he puts out chairs for the family that donated it. There were enough chairs for all of us to sit in front of the barriers along the parade route. It was awesome to be right up front and in chairs. We didn't have to worry about where Alexis was or how her legs were doing. It was perfect for Ellie and Mikey to see as well. Thank you so much Uncle Steve!

Mikey didn't like being in the stroller.

He had a better time when he was out.

Brian helped take down the chairs. What a boyscout!

This is Alexis at dinner after wards. She just kept doing this over and over. I guess what ever keeps you entertained and not bugging your siblings is fine with me.

The kids really liked the parade. We were glad and got really excited for Disney World.

Ellie's Firsts

The other day Ellie went to the dentist for the first time. She did great!

Then last week Ellie got her big girl bed and put herself to bed for the first time. My heart about broke when she told me that she didn't need me or Brian to tuck her in. "I do it myself." oh boy...I made Brian take a picture of her sleeping that night.

She did fall out of the bed the next morning. I have since rolled up a blanket and put it on the edge. That has seemed to have kept her from falling since.

Grateful

I was looking through pictures and just wanted to share a couple that I really love right now. These photos also make me grateful for my family. I am grateful that my children get to know their Great Grand Parents. I was lucky enough to know all but one of mine and I got to have my Grandma Betts until I was an adult.

I love this one! It is so sweet! I love that Brian captures great moments.

This one makes me crack up.

This is my Grandpa Robert Doty. My mother's father. I see him in Mikey sometimes. I know that Ellie and Mikey might not remember this but I am glad we have pictures. I hope My family is around for my children until they are adults.

Learning to Love Michigan

Like I said before we are finding ways to love Michigan. Also like I said before one of the cool things of Battle Creek are the balloons.

We were switching bedrooms around and I heard a very familiar sound. I heard the roar of a balloon engine (that is probably not what it is called but oh well). I hollered  for Brian and he and Ellie ran out side. Boy we get excited easy. Right away Brian put the kids in the car and we were off for a balloon chase. That is fun. Ellie was so excited and was always looking for the balloon. We followed it all the way until it landed.

Fun times!!!

Cheap Entertainment

We love cheap entertainment! Ellie and Mikey love the pony ride at Meijer. It is still a penny like when I was a kid. I love Mikey's smile! All of my children bring me great joy (amongst the craziness).

Shopping with Mom

Today I took Ellie and Mikey to the store. They were so cute. We got a lot of compliments on how cute they are. What can I say?

This is Mikey most of the time. 

Then he realized I had the camera on him and had to cheese it up.

Then Ellie climbed the STOP sign. I am saving this one for later. She cracks me up and is still so tiny.

Learning to Love Michigan

It seems that we will be in Michigan for longer than we had anticipated. So we are finding new places that make us feel good about being here.

In August we went to South Haven. I had been there before but I was a teenager then and not really interested in my surroundings unless they involved boys. 

Anyways, we got there and instantly fell in love with the town, the beach and the lighthouse. It is our new favorite spot.

We then went back in September when Brian had a delivery there. it was too cold for the water but not for the sand and a stroll along the lighthouse.

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Ellie is fun and TWO!!!

Ellie is a fun girl but she is also two which can be difficult at times. The other day she found my mini post-its and showed her how magic they were. I had to label her. She thought that was fun...until Mikey started to pull them off. She screamed and then pulled them off herself and threw them on the ground.

I labeled chicken because she said that it was in her tummy.

Mikey is ONE!!!

We had a lot of fun celebrating Mikey's first birthday! He is such a big boy. Every one thinks that he and Ellie are twins.

We kept his birthday low key. On the big computer we had Hawaii and on the net book we had Iowa. I am so grateful that technology allows us to stay connected as families so that my children can know their relatives and continue building relationships.

He are some photos...enjoy!

He's not so sure about the cupcake.

I just love this face he is making. He cracks me up all of the time!

Ellie got into her cupcake...

and had to show us.

That is Hawaii on top and Iowa below. You can't really see Iowa. Sorry.