A Little Trip to the Playseum

While we were in DC for Christmas, we got to take a little family outing to Bethesda, Maryland and see the Playseum.  It is a used book store with various activity rooms set up for kids.  There is a dress up room, tool box room, fire truck room, music room etc.  Elli loved it.  Makes me wonder if something like that could make it in New Bern?!?  It is always nice to have the opportunity to visit new places while in Maryland.

 This room was called Grandma's Attic and it was one of my personal favorites.  I love this picture.  

 I dressed Elli up in a blonde wig and Jacob and I thought this was hilarious!
Doesn't she look crazy?!?

PeAcE oUt!

A New Kind of Christmas

This year Christmas was different for me.  I felt like I was 7 years old again because I was so excited to experience it.  It has been a long time since Christmas held so much excitement, but this year I got to see it all through Elli's eyes. I can't begin to tell you her favorite parts.  It might have been the "pretty lights," the "a-clauses," or the "jingle bells."  She really got into the manger scene too and could point out angels and Baby Jesus.  She learned to sing Happy Birthday Jesus.  Christmas meant so much to me this year - it meant so much to see her so happy, to see her excitement, to share with her about Baby Jesus, and to watch as she took it all in.  It truly was a special time for our family.  Here are some pictures from all of our festivities!

 Elli meets our traditional Bender Party Santa!  She loved it!

 Papa Johnny got Elli her own Cozy Coupe!  

 Elli is discovering what Santa brought her for Christmas!  So excited!!!

 Naughty elf?  I'm not sure but I LOVE THIS PICTURE!

 Christmas Day Celebrations!

 Yes - Elli is in a diaper, but all the present opening can make a girl hot!

 Ho Ho Ho!

 It is never too early to learn to vacuum in style!!!

 And on to Maryland where Elli got even more cool toys!

 Giving out hugs and kisses...

 Dress up clothes for the princess

 Aunt Rachel knows how to style a girl!

 And our annual visit to the National Christmas tree...thats the White House behind us.

 The best part of the tree - the plethora of trains going round and round!

 And we had time to find yet another Santa and this time...his wife!!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!

Happy Birthday Jesus

Merry Christmas Everyone!

A Couple New Videos

Here are a couple of new videos from the last few days!  Enjoy!!!

Stuck Inside!!

We are going stir crazy.  I'm trying to keep Elli as still and calm as possible to help her get over this sickness before Christmas weekend and all the festivities.  This house is getting smaller and smaller each day.  So this morning I thought it would be nice to make some cupcakes.  We have this Christmas cake mix that we were going to use for my birthday party (cancelled due to Elli's sickies) so I figured we might as well go ahead and make it.  Elli was a great little helper.  

 Ok - the icing part didn't go as planned because she wouldn't stop eating it.  

Here's the truth about the cupcakes.
#1 - I didn't realize that we were out of vegetable oil so they are made with applesauce as a substitute.  Actually I don't taste any difference so I may start doing that all the time.
#2 - They are Christmas cupcakes, green icing and Christmas tree sprinkles.  If you could enlarge the picture you would see that they are in Happy Easter cupcake liners.  Oh well!  Mission accomplished anyways - we passed some time and Elli was happy!!

We're Still Here!

No blogs lately!  I'm sorry.  It has been crazy at our house.  Elli has had several rounds of sickness - we are currently on antibiotics and hope to be well by Christmas.  Between last minute Christmas shopping and wrapping, I haven't had a chance to post.  Here are a few pictures...nothing too exciting since we are trying to get her better!  I have decided not to take Elli to Jacob's Christmas lunch tomorrow and that makes me sad since we were looking forward to meeting his coworkers.  Still, the more she has time to rest, the more she will be ready for all the Christmas festivities this weekend (at least that's my theory!)

  This is an old slide that the church was getting rid of.  It is nothing fancy, but it does keep her entertained outside.  Of course, this was taken before the sickies kicked in.

 Love this shot!

This is a picture in front of the Santa down the road.  She loves this thing even though I didn't capture that in the picture.  When Santa is not inflated, she is very concerned and wants to "help a Clause."  When we convince her he is just "night night" she is very adamant we give him a blanket.  I love to see compassion already in her little heart!