Laugh Often. Love Much. Live Well.

We're very busy preparing for Thanksgiving, Christmas and the new baby. For those of you who know me well, that shouldn't come as a surprise. I'm not big on procrastination. I AM big on holidays though. Especially this year, as Elena is VERY excited, aware and full of the holiday spirit. She is especially concerned with being 'naughty or nice' for Santa, though several reminders do help.

We're very excited to be in the second trimester of this pregnancy and according to all the information we read and ultrasounds we see, the baby is about the size of a lime now. Elena loves to listen to the baby on a little tummy monitor we have and is eager to meet little Cinderella. We are truly grateful this year... Daddy got a new job he loves, we are surrounded by family and are eagerly awaiting a new addition. I'd say there's plenty to be thankful for and we and plan to laugh our way through this holiday.

Taco, Tahoe... Whatever.

Elena DID master the word Tahoe by the time we got in the car and on our way to share a weekend of relaxation with the Greens. We enjoyed good food, some very lazy days and Lala enjoyed "Baby" Wyatt. Had the kids let any of us sleep, it would've been perfect. :)

Wyatt and Elena have become fast friends and Elena enjoys 'teaching' him about everything. She is learning how to be a big sister and is very eager to carry the title. And incidentally, she is quite certain this baby will be a boy and she has named him Cinderella. Or Paul. We can't get it straight. :)

The cutest "Elena-ism" as of late? We were driving and Elena was singing "You are my Sunshine." I started on the second verse (When I awoke dear, I was mistaken...) and I looked back to see Elena's eyes FULL of tears and lip trembling. Startled, I asked her what was wrong and she said, "Mommy, that is the SADDEST song." She broke into tears. I had to pull over to hold her. It was the sweetest, saddest little moment. I think she's three going on 50.

Pearly whites

Who knew brushing your teeth could be such a comedy routine?

Oh and the hat? Mine when I was her age. It features Bert. Timeless...

New beginnings

Some big news today (and I'm not talking Decision 2008)... Elena started preschool and loved every minute of it! As her teacher, Ms. Debbie said, "She's SO ready." Elena liked the little potties the best. Go figure.

Following her day of school, we went to Mommy's doctor to see a 'picture' of the new baby. Shown here is Elena arriving at school and of our little "Grohshopper" who is due to arrive June 8. Elena guesses that it is a baby doggy in my tummy.

**Please excuse the quality of the ultrasound, but our scanner is down, so I took a photo of the photo.

Rrrrroar!

Lion Lala enjoyed Halloween as much as any kid ever has! Daddy got in the spirit as a 'cowboy lion tamer' and Mommy as a witch. What fun we had!

Pardon the intermittent and brief blogging lately, but for those of you who aren't aware yet, Mommy is pregnant... HOORAY... and as nauseated as can be at almost all times. The blogging may suffer for awhile. I wanted to get these Halloween photos posted for Grandmas and Grandpas though.

I hope to be back more soon. XO