Snow, snow, snow!

Here's Elena holding hands with the Mommy and Elena snowmen. Aren't they cute? Daddy snowman is at work...And Elena loves eating snow (for the most part).

Slow week

Our colds have been keeping us mellow so far this week. But today, with 4 inches of snow on the ground, we may have to get ambitious and build a snowman.

Kitties to the vet!

Elena and Mommy took the three kitties to the vet today. It was just for program injections (to prevent fleas) but a trip anywhere with three cats in the car is an adventure. Elena held Warrick in the car on a leash while the other two were in crates. Now Mommy's car is nice and fluffy... At the vet, Elena kept telling Warrick not to pull her, but she was the one doing the pulling. While Mommy discussed Perrin's behavioral issues, Elena amused herself by crawling into the crate with Whitto (if only someone had a camera!). Here's a weight update for all the cats:

Whitto 15lbs 10oz (up about a pound)

Perrin 8lbs 11oz (down over a pound)

Warrick 13lbs 2oz (gigantic!)

Warrick is hiding...

in Elena's bed! We found a nice surprise when we went to make Elena's bed the other day. Warrick can be a real sweetie sometimes.We were even able to move him during the chore, and he stayed until Elena climbed up into the bed and pounced on him.
This picture is for you, Auntie Tracy! Come visit us real soon.

Mid-Winter Break

Grandma didn't have to work this week and that means playtime with Elena! There was a sleepover and a trip to KidzBounce. Of course Elena had to find the princess ball right off and then take it everywhere with her. Poor Grandma had to carry it up steps to the slide and push it through tight spaces E couldn't get it through.
Because it was mid-winter break, the place was packed. Mommy was sad because it was hard for her to get on the bouncers too. And there were lots of big kids there...

Weeeee! We'll be back soon Kidzbounce!

Elena loves Tape, Tate loves Elena

Even after meeting her cousin, she still calls him Tape, not Tate. Oh well, you can obviously tell it's a term of endearment! She loves that little baby and finds him especially cuddly. Can you see the little grin on Tate's face? Guess he finds Elena cuddly too!
While meeting Tate, we also visited with Nana, PopPop, Aunt Amy, Aunt Sarah, Uncle Greg, Ruby, Nattie, Jasmine, and Cat. Elena got to show her cousins (and everyone else) all her cars and tell how she "earned" them. This picture shows Nattie's short hair - she looks so different!

Playtime in California!

I know we've been back from CA for two weeks, but there was problems posting the video.

Elena loved playing with Luke during the visit. We were all happy they got along so well despite their different interests... The both like to play with cars but Luke likes to crash them and Elena likes them to have conversations. Elena likes to do stickers and color while Luke would prefer swordplay or throwing balls. They both like playing hide n' seek and tickling each other, watching Curious George, and taking baths.

Elena took this cute picture of Mommy and Luke with her camera. Uncle Al was a huge hit with the kids! Elena enjoyed watching him act silly but then he'd do something scary and he'd have to start all over again to get on her good side...

Oh Sandy!

Yesterday, we were out hunting for cars from Cars when we found Sandy, this nice pony that lets you ride for only 25cents! That's pretty exciting when most rides are double that - and it's a pony to boot! Unfortunately Elena forgot the money Auntie had given her, so there was only one chance to ride... Our "treasure hunt" for cars wasn't very successful (we only found Mack) but it was a fun day thanks to Sandy!

Kitties Everywhere!

Kitties on laps Kitties for naps
Kitties on chairs
Kitty's new lair?

Elena loves her Warrick and Mommy's Whitto. They got into some curious places last Wednesday and are always good for a giggle.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Nana and PopPop sent Elena a wonderful Valentine's Day outfit. Her exact words were, "I love it!"
Elena made some valentines today, and put on her heart tattoos from Auntie (cheek and hand).
Aubrie is celebrating the day with us too! She helped us make a chocolate cake for the daddies.

And of course, Happy Birthday to Grandpa! Elena picked out a special present for you today and can't wait for you to have it.

Hello Great Grandma!

After visiting Luke in California, Grandpa was nice enough to drive us to see Great Grandma in Nevada. I took this silly picture of Great Grandma. She had just as much fun watching me as I did her!
Great Grandma has a great nail polish collection. I looked at every bottle, showed it to her, then put it away. Great Grandma has her "ears" in to help hear the movie - we were watching Cars.
We looked at old pictures of Mommy and Auntie.
Mommy and I made this tent in Great Grandma's living room. That's a blanket Auntie made!
It was Nevada, so of course I gambled! Great Grandma's poker machine is fun to put money in. And it beeps.

Love, Elena
** We have one more post about our trip, but the video isn't cooperating.

Mushrooming in February???

Grandpa took this nice picture of me and Mommy in the forest. Mommy and I have so much fun together!
Luke, Nonno, Nonna, Mommy, Grandpa and I all put on our hats and went mushrooming. We found lots of chanterelles - enough for dinner - and had lots of fun in the process.
There was poison oak in the area, so Luke and I couldn't go in overgrown woods, instead we had fun at the creek. We threw in rocks, "fished" with sticks, filled holes with water, and quacked at the ducks. We were very good at taking turns with the bucket and even let Nonno have a turn. Mommy played hide and seek with us.
We also saw a lynx! Grandpa first thought it was a kitty, but when I wanted to pet it he stopped me. It seemed very used to people being around. We also saw a herd of deer in a field.
Grandpa let me help get the mushrooms ready for cooking. I pulled them out of the bag so he could cut them, then I put them into a pan. I wasn't much help once they got on the stove because I wanted to keep adding butter. When they were cooked, I ate them! I didn't have to wait until dinner was ready like everyone else did.

Love, Elena

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!

After Deer Hollow Farm (and a nap) it was time for the Superbowl! Grandpa made room for me on the couch and read a Thomas book.
It was a big celebration, so of course I had to put on my Ariel dress... Auntie Jean set out sandwich makings, chips, and cake for everyone to eat. Tony was there, and Luke, and Nonna, and Nonno, and Uncle Al, and of course Mommy, and Grandpa, and me, and even Auntie Joyce and Logan showed up!
Auntie Joyce and I took turns talking to Grandma on the phone. Auntie Joyce is Grandma's sister, and Grandma couldn't come to California with us because she had to work. So did Daddy.
Luke and Logan had lots of fun too. The wrestled a lot though and played swords. I had more fun talking on the phone and playing with the cars and trains. Luke's house is lots and lots of fun. I miss you Luke!

Love, Elena

Deer Hollow Farm

This was a really nice farm with chickens, bunnies, pigs, sheep, and a goat. And it was a great day to for a walk!
Apparently this is a great bug viewing/pony drinking tub. We didn't see any bugs or ponies near by, but Luke and I threw in a rock and blew in the water. My blowing was more like spitting...
Luke and I met this nice kitty named Samson. It was the only kitty I got to pet all vacation since Luke's kitties and Nonna's kitty don't like little kids.
At the farm there was an old hay barn with a stage. Luke and I played peek and chase with Mommy there.
Before heading back to the car, we stopped to throw rocks in the creek. What a fun morning!

Love, Elena

Another party in CA

Luke's friend Jessica had a birthday party while we were visiting and she was nice enough to let us join in the fun. It was her 3rd birthday and everyone dressed up as princesses and princes. I was Ariel of course... Mommy was impressed that all us kids stood for this picture.
There was a playhouse outside that I liked hiding in and peeking out of. Luke played house with me too. It was so nice outside - like spring or summer!
This is my first ever pinata! I got to hit it three times and it was fun! When it broke, I collected lots of candy which I ate after using the potty.

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary!

Mommy and I drove to California with Grandpa to surprise Nonna and Nonno at their anniversary party. Boy were they surprised to see us! Grandpa had smuggled us in the night before and we hid out at Luke's house all day so we could surprise them at the celebration. There was dancing, an accordion player, and gelato! Nonna, me, Luke, and Nonno
Me and Nonna dancing to accordion music.
Luke and I spent time at the kiddie table watching movies and eating bread.

Love, Elena

We're home!

Elena, Mommy, and Grandpa are home now! We took a road trip to California to visit family (on Grandpa's side) and then to Nevada to visit Great Grandma. We had a great time, and Elena was an excellent passenger. We drove to and from in one day - 15hrs down and 14hrs to get home - all in all, gone 9 days. So, there are lots of adventures to post about.... We went to 3 parties, had cake almost every day, saw a lynx, and got lots of new cars from Cars. Stay tuned!