The tradition lives on....

We have so much to be thankful for this year!!! We had a wonderful week filled with family and friends.

Monday we went to the Jankee's house for a play date (trying to get as many in before I go back to work). Elle loved the jumperoo, she played in it for 30 minutes!

We hosted Thanksgiving for the third year in a row! David's mom, step father, brother, sister-in-law and kids; my parents, brother and sister-in-law all come over to stuff their bellies. Last year, we announced that we were expecting!!! We are so thankful to have such a happy and healthy baby girl to share this Thanksgiving with. Elle got her own VIP seating for Thanksgiving...her highchair. We are so glad that we put it together, she is now able to sit at the table and play with toys while we eat.

Elle helped with the decorations...her little hands make perfect turkeys for our centerpieces!

The crowded kitchen as dinner is almost ready.

Gramma fed Elle her Thanksgiving meal! No turkey yet, maybe next year.

Friday we continued our tradition of the past three years. Black Friday shopping...but not like all of the crazies, we head to St. Paul and stop at all of the wonderful boutiques on Grand Ave. Elle was dressed for the season in her reindeer shirt...too cute!

Another tradition, we eat lunch at Cafe Latte...YUMMY! Our crew of shoppers from left to right: Amy and Elle, Amy's mom Kathy, Maureen, my mom and me. It is a fun group of ladies to shop til you drop with!

Auntie Amy and Elle both had on adorable hats!

"Dad, I can't feel my feet....Dad, I can't feel my legs. Clark, Audrey is frozen from the waist down! Its all a part of the experience."

Another tradition is to watch Christmas vacation and recite every line! (notice the quote above!) We have been watching this movie as a family since it came out! Elle was chilling with the boys as she watched the movie...don't worry we put earmuffs and a blindfold on Elle during the inappropriate parts!?!?

Our tradition of Christmas tree cutting has changed over the past two years. We used to trek through Nicolet National forest in search of the best Charlie Brown tree, but with schedules and lives so busy we now get on a wagon and search for our Christmas tree at Pleasant Valley Tree farm.

The lights were shinning down on this tree (just like in Christmas Vacation!). It sure is not as Charlie Brown as we used to get, but it is perfect!

A certain special Mr. and Mrs. were in attendance this weekend! Elle got to meet her first Santa and Mrs. Claus, she was a very well behaved girl who is of course on the nice list!

Yummy Cereal!

This has been an emotional week for me, at Elle's 4month appointment our pediatrician suggested that we let Elle "cry it out" at night, so we tried it. Yes, I said tried it we lasted 5 nights and it was getting worse each night. I didn't feel it was right, Elle NEVER cried at night. She would wake up grunting and become restless, so I knew she was hungry. She would nurse and in 15-20 minutes we were both back in bed and this only happened once a night. Well with her "crying it out" she would wake 3-5 times a night and the crying would last anywhere from 15-45 minutes. David and I have decided that she is not ready...and I am okay with that. She will sleep through the night when she is ready!

Last week, I forgot to mention how special Elle's baptismal gown was. My gramma made it and my cousin Bret wore it! Also the cross necklace was the one that I wore when I was baptized. The gown is so beautiful and pictures don't do it justice!

Tuesday evening, the Jankee's came over for dinner. Lyle and Dave work together and Melissa and I went to Stout together and then taught one year together. Claire LOVES baby toys and thought the Bumbo would be a comfy place to sit!

Not sure if you remember, but while I was still pregnant we had the Jankee's over and Claire was just learning to walk. Paisley licked Claire's face so much that her bangs were wet...well Claire's love for Paisley continues! There was one point when Claire was trying to ride Paisley! :)

Snuggling with Paisley!

On Thursday Dave's Aunts were traveling to the cities to shop with Maureen and stopped to meet Elle on their way! Great Aunt Sue was getting kisses from Elle.

Here are all of sisters (and one sister-in-law) Terry, Patti, Maureen and Sue. Thanks for stopping ladies, it was so nice to see you!

Friday we went to Heather and Finley's house for lunch. Gavin, Maddie, their mom Jill and Finley's Gramma were over for lunch. Elle got to play with that fun teddy bear toy again and Gavin was playing with it too.

Friday we decided to try cereal, our pediatrician told us that we could start it when we thought she was ready. This was another "trick" we tried to help Elle sleep through the night...no such luck. But again, we are OKAY with getting up at night!

See her hand pulling the spoon in...I couldn't get it in her mouth fast enough! She seemed to enjoy it and she has now eaten cereal 3 times.

Daddy giving it a shot!

Elle and I hung out at home this weekend, David went back to work and it was to cold an icky to go anywhere. Elle is getting sooooo close to rolling over. On Saturday, she was getting so mad that she couldn't get over! Her bottom half is ready, but that stupid shoulder gets in the way.

Elle was playing and I was starting a grocery list for the week, using this magazine as a hard surface to write on. Elle thought it was very interesting, see her holding it with both hands!

Elle's Baptism

Everyone wakes up with bedhead sometimes...Monday morning, Elle looked like she spun on the top of her head while she was sleeping!

We have been taking full advantage of the wonderful weather that is still here. We went for two walks this week and hung out side with Paisley. It is hard to believe that it is November and we are still able to go for walks! I love Fall and I am so glad that I have been able to stay home and enjoy the weather!

It is so amazing how much Elle learns each day. Look at the concentration...how can I get this thing in my mouth???? Elle is grabbing and pulling EVERYTHING to her mouth. She has figured out how to make this toy make noise...such a smart baby!

Oh look at that, she found her mouth! Just like every other toy and/or whatever is in her reach!

Tuesday my neighbor Heather, her son Avery, Elle and I headed to Woodbury for a day of shopping. It is nice to get out of Eau Claire once in a while to shop. We stopped at Panera for lunch, yummy! While the moms ate and talked, the babies slept. Elle and Avery were on their best behavior ALL day long.

Elle had a blowout while we were in American Eagle and the nice sales people let me change her in a dressing room!

Thursday morning Elle and I headed to Finley's, Heather had a training to attend. We were greeted by a very smiley and bouncy little boy, who was ready to share his baby toys with Elle! :) Finley was such a great helper, putting Elle's nuk in her mouth....

Showing Elle how to use his baby toys....

And then taking his own turn! It was a fun morning and a glimpse into what two would be like....BUSY!!

Thursday Elle turned 4 months old! Where has the time gone???

As I said above, EVERYTHING goes into her mouth. This picture is Elle trying to put the paper in her mouth!!

Friday was Elle's 4 month check up. We are happy to report that ALL is well! Elle is wieghing in at 13lbs. 7oz. (50%), she is 25 inches long (75%) and her head measured in the (25%)....she is LONG and skinny!

Naked baby alert! Daddy and Elle waiting for Dr. Stevenson.

More shots at her appointment...OUCH!!!

***WARNING -- Graphic photo below***

Part of Elle's bedtime routine is taking a bath, well Friday night we had our first poop in the tub...and yes I took a picture of it! I was hoping we wouldn't experience this until it was solid....no such luck!

Saturday began our weekend festivities, we had family traveling in the yucky winter weather. My Aunt Cathy and Uncle Bill, Aunt Missy and Gramma came up to help celebrate Elle's baptism.

Elle was still a little fussy from her shots, so Aunt Cathy thought she would enjoy a little sedative in the form of Miller Lite. Elle seemed to think it was fantastic, look how she is holding the bottle with two hands! And of course it went straight to her mouth...no she did get any beer!!!!

Sunday was the baptism, look at the paparazzi taking pictures of Elle.

Pastor Kurt welcoming Elle into the family of God.

Elle did so well, no tears or fussing!

Elle is blessed to have two sets of Godparents - Jeff and Sue (on the left) & Amy and Adam!

Four generations - Great Gramma, Elle, Mom, Gramma!

Elle's grandparents!

Once back at our house, it was time to eat!

Great Gramma got to feed Elle her lunch, how precious is this!

Uncle Dave was keeping the kiddos busy, Brock (4) and Aftin (2) wanted to watch Paisley outside. With no shoes on, Uncle Dave picked both of them up!

The yummy cake!

Thank you to all of our family for making Elle's baptism so special. It was so wonderful to see and visit with everyone! We are so lucky to have such a great family!