Halloween!!

Can you believe another Halloween has come and gone! This year Eli was Yoda and was adorable. He loved dressing up and carrying his pumpkin around. He had a blast trick-or-treating with all his cousins. He actually lasted alot longer than I thought he would. And would probably do it every night if we let him.

At our ward's trunk-or-treat. I was actually in charge this year. Let's just say I am glad it is behind me. I had a lot of fun planning it all but after so much you are just ready for it to be over. The sad thing is with all the craziness of the night I didn't take any pictures of the decorations :(
The front porch picture is tradition in my family for all the kids that dressed up. I remember doing it when I was younger. I still can't believe that I have a child in those pictures!!
(it is pretty much impossible to get everyone still and smiling this is the best I got)

Trick-or-Treating!

To get the full affect of Eli's costume you have to see him walking in it. Too cute!!

First Haircut and alittle extra

Not by choice a couple weeks ago Eli had his first hair cut. It was getting so long that in the front it would be constantly getting in his eyes, nose and even his mouth when he ate. We couldn't just trim the front because people would think he was a little girl. The lady who cut it tried to leave some curl which I love. It is funny how a first haircut can turn a baby into a toddler. He is growing up so fast!!!

Before

During

He did alright. Well let's be honest it wasn't his favorite thing to do.

After

Eli is learning alot of new words. His new favorite is blue. Yes just like every other momma out there I think my baby is a genius. I probably shouldn't add that everything is blue. He did say yellow once though, I have witnesses.

A few pictures...

Here are a few pics to show what we have been up to lately....

I was so excited that one of my good friends Andrea came for a visit. It was so much fun watching our kids play together. I think they had a blast. Andrea ya'll have to come back soon!!!

Eli puts anything and everything on his head like a hat...he thinks he is so funny when he does, its hilarious to watch him laugh at himself.

Last Friday Eli went to his first Ringgold game of the season. He actually did a lot better than I thought. What can I say he was born a football fan.

As mentioned already Eli loves to put anything on his head. For about 30 minutes he climbed on and off the laundry basket...crazy kid!

~alittle side story...so I thought that I would try and be a good mom and instead of telling Eli something is mine when he is getting into somebody's stuff I would say "That's mamma's" or "That daddy's" well since let's be honest its pretty much just me and Eli I noticed I was saying "that's mamma's" alot. Eli noticed too. Now if there is something that he wants he doesn't point to it and say Mine he says "mammas" so to all those we pass at the grocery store with their buggies full a things a one year old would love to get his hands on, no he is not calling you mamma he just wants your stuff. (atleast I hope he's not:)

Update time...

We are way over due for an update. This past month has been pretty busy. The weekend of Eli's birthday Troy's parents came into town on business. we had a lot of fun spending time with them and were able to meet up with them in Kentucky for some more fun. The day before we went to Kentucky we moved into another apartment. I know prefect timing. It was a little hectic for awhile but we are all settled in and finally adjusting to living on the other side of town. Troy has started another semester which means he is gone a lot :( He also got a new calling in the Young Men's Presidency which he has really enjoyed. Eli is growing up more and more everyday. It is going too fast! He has definitely entered the toddler stage of life with getting more independent which also translates into being more stubborn (I wonder where he gets that from:) He is such the talker to anybody else it is just babbling but when you are with him 24/7 it starts making sense. Yes juice, shoe, and Jesus all sound very close to the same. As well as blocks, books, and, ball but I know what he means well some of the time. He is always asking, "what's that?" At his year check up last month he weighed 24 lbs and was 30 inches tall, even though he feels like alot more. And his greatest accomplishment this past month....He is FINALLY walking!! It is so cute to watch him get his balance and go. He is starting to get pretty fast and is everywhere. I still can't believe I have a little boy that walks. we still haven't gotten a new camera so please don't be too critical of the poor quality of pictures or lack thereof. I hate not having a camera and HOPE we get one very soon!!!

I meant to post this on his birthday, just a little something to show how much he has grown this past year

(make sure you sound is on)

Kentucky

This picture is mainly to show his hair. It is starting to curl around his ears. I know I probably need to cut it soon but I think it is adorable.

Eli loves Pixar movies. Right now its Monsters. He doesn't sit through the whole thing but it is nice to have 10-15 mins of quite.

I know this maybe alittle long but I wanted to get some of Eli walking/talking. Sorry for the poor quality its hard to video tape with a 1 year old trying to grab the camera the whole time.

( I left his squeekers in his shoes just for you Elizabeth:)

Just thought this was cute

He's 1!

Last Friday the 7th was Eli's first birthday. I know everybody says this but I really can't believe how fast this past year went. He is growing up so much. Here are a few pictures of his birthday and of course a little flash back of how much he has grown.

He is such a little boy. He still isn't walking yet. But he has taken 3-4 steps and is starting to get really good at standing. Some of his new favorites are playing catch (he actually throws pretty good!), climbing on everything, trying to tackle you, and playing with cars ( he is even making noises when he drives him that sounds like cars). He sure keeps me busy but I love this little guy! I will try and get some video up soon.

Where's Eli?

No Eli is not walking yet. He is so close. He will stand up by himself but that's about it. His latest "trick" is climbing. He loves to climb in and on everything.

Sorry the pictures may not be the best quality. Our camera has decided to stop working (well, I actually dropped it...still a very sensitive subject) and we have resorted to our phones to take pictures until we either get it fixed or get a new one

He took everything out and got in all by himself...yes we do have safety locks on the cabinets well expect this one.

Coupons!!!

Yes, I have joined the couponing world. For the past few months I decided what the heck I will give it a try. And now I am addicted. I mean who doesn't want to save money. Like I said I am new to this so those of you that are pros might not think these are amazing deals but they were to me!

Publix-$9.16

Publix-Total $8.72
Bi-lo Total-$7.26

I thought I took a picture of my CVS deal but guess I didn't because I can't find it anywhere but for $16.72 I got 5,yes 5 bottles of Febreeze, 1 Febreeze Noticeable(there version of a plug-in), Pantene Pro-V Shampoo, Condition, Hairspray, and Deep Conditioning Treatment, A Venus Spa Breeze razor (not the disposable kind either), 50 photos printed, and 2 things of pantyliners. I think that was all but for some reason I feel like I am forgetting something.

For those that know me know that I am what you may call "cheap" (I prefer frugal) and yes now with my new addiction it is worse!!!!!!

11 months

It is that time again for Eli's monthly update. I cannot believe next month he will be a year old!! He has completely mastered crawling and is fast. He will climb up on anything and everything. We thought we had our house baby proofed before but had to make some recent changes. He will stand up on his own for a few seconds and will walk along the furniture. Eli loves to push his highchair around as he walks. It won't be long and our lives will change again with him walking!!


He still will eat just about anything. His recent favorites are waffles, muffins, gold fish, yogurt, peaches, watermelon, and peas/carrots. It is so nice that he has learned to feed himself. He usually makes a HUGE mess but it is nice to be able to fix dinner or actually eat myself. His top 2 teeth FINALLY came in last week. Which means he is also sleeping alot better.


It is so much fun just to watch him play. You can tell that the wheels are turning and he is starting to really understand how things work. His favorite games include rolling or throwing the ball back and forth, peek-a-boo(as always), wrestling on the floor, and putting his toys in and out of the toy basket. He also went swimming for the first time last month and loves the water. He will just babble on and on. Still working on saying mama he says it but not consistently. I swear he says Kinsley (his cousin). Whenever he see her he makes a sound that sounds just like her name. It is so sweet, he gets so excited when troy comes home and will say dada dada da non stop. Oh another thing he started doing is taking one of our old cell phones putting it up to his ear and talking. It is really cute. I am still trying to get it on video.


I am sure I can write forever about all the things Eli has learned but most importantly Eli is just one happy little boy. You can't help but smile just being around him.

Clingman's Dome

On our way back from Pigeon Forge we stopped and did a little hiking up to Clingman's Dome. On the way down we took a detour and hiked some of the Appalachian trail...just to say we did. The weather was actually perfect, besides the fog, I guess that is why its called to Great Smokies. Eli was fantastic the whole time but he usually is if he is outside. I think this just might be a new tradition in the making.

Dollywood

If you know my family then you know that every summer we go to Dollywood. My family is big on traditions and this is definitely one of my favorites. It was so much fun going with everyone especially with it being Eli's first year.

D-D-Dollywood and P-P-Pigeon Forge

(Lisa that's for you)

We also went to Splash Country, the waterpark right next door. I was a little worried with how Eli would like it. He absolutely loved the water. By the end of the day he was worn out.

In the big tub

More Dollywood

...until next year!!

Sound asleep

These past few weeks Eli has been going through yet again another "phase". He would only sleep for maybe an hour during his one and only nap. And when it was time for him to go to sleep at night I would have to rock him until he was sound asleep. If I laid him down before he was asleep he would scream. I would try and let him cry it out. And that is exactly what he would do...cry and cry and cry and cry. I felt horrible. But today gave me hope. I know I am probably jinxing myself by celebrating too soon but Eli took a 45 min nap this morning and then a 2 1/2 hour nap this afternoon and I just laid him in his crib for the night while he was what appeared to be wide awake thinking here we go again but he didn't make a sound and is now fast asleep. Oh I hope this is a new "phase!"

This was from earlier this week when I took Eli with me for a run. And yes it was one of his only naps that day

run...run...run

Last weekend Elizabeth, Lindsey, one of our friends Sarah, and I ran the 10k Riverbend Race. It was my first race since I had Eli and was actually a lot of fun. I finished in in about 52 mins. which I was very happy with. I think the fastest guy ran a 5.15 min/mile which is crazy!! We did it to finish it which we all did and are currently planning for our next race in August!! I do have to say it was quite enjoyable to do something just for me.

Take me out to the ballgame...

Eli went to his first Braves game on Friday. I was a little worried with how he would do since the game didn't start until 7:30 but he did AMAZING. We didn't have to get up with him at all the whole game. He even sat and watched the fireworks without crying. I guess he really is a true baseball fan.

We were also able to stay with my brother Paul and his wife Sarah that night so we could go to the temple Saturday morning. It was a well needed trip. Thanks again guys for watching Eli and letting us stay!!!

Oh, Eli turned 10 months old on Sunday...He is getting so big. I know we all say it but I really can't believe how quick he is growing up. He is everywhere and into everything and I know it will only get worse when he starts walking. He pulls himself up on just about anything. He has even let go a few times to stand on his own for a few seconds. He is pretty much done with baby food and will eat just about anything. He LOVES sweet potatoes, chicken noodle soup, green peas, and mandarin oranges (and chocolate pudding what can I say he takes after his momma). He is still babbling all the time. He finally is starting to say mamama. yeah!!!

I am not sure how we figured this out but he is completely memorized by Finding Nemo. He won't watch any other movie just Nemo. It is nice to know that I can turn it on while I get ready without him trying to crawl up my legs.

Yes he can be a handful at times but how can you not love the little guy I know I do!!!!!

Congratulations

I just wanted to first congratulate my brother Jonathan on his graduation from Dental School earlier this month.

And also my other brother, Eric, on his wedding this past weekend.

Congratulations!! We are so proud of both of you!!!

~Oh and if you are wondering where I got that adorable tie Eli is wearing...Elizabeth, my EXTREMELY talented sister made it. And is adding it to her Lazybee collection. They are very reasonably priced and indestructible to a very active 9 1/2 month old.

Here are just a few random pictures of Eli

Eli and his cousins Kinsley and Benjamin

Eli giving me my Mother's day flowers...it was adorable

Eli and Kinsley

The"cage" the only way we can keep him in one spot...it is not as bad as it looks :)

3 years and a day

Yesterday Troy and I celebrated our 3rd Wedding Anniversary...How did I get so lucky?

oh little update...Eli has FINALLY had a tooth come through!!

And so it begins...

Eli is 9 months old today!! He is getting so big. And so grown up. You can tell that he is really starting to understand the world around him. Here are some of his recent accomplishments:

1. Crawling

2. Pulling himself up

3. Clapping

4. Waving

5. Turning off the lights

6. Closing doors

7. Repeating sounds (mainly da-da and num-num, while he eats)

8. Sleeping through the night, again YEAH!!!!

His 9 month stats:

21.10 lbs

28 inches

Like I said Eli is crawling and our lives are never going to be the same. These pictures and video are from last Saturday when he was just starting to figure it out. Now less than a week later he is everywhere!!

Eli loves his cousin Kinsley. When you say her name he looks around for her. This is them playing at my dad's office.

I know I am very behind in posting these but at the beginning of March when we went to out to Utah my very talented brother-in-law, Daniel, took some pictures for us. As you can tell I can't choose which ones I like the best. There is even more than this. Thanks Daniel you did an amazing job!!

Swing Swing

With warm weather finally here I am sure we will be doing a lot of this this summer

Typical Eli...tongue out, shirt covered in drool, and "trying" to move