Saela's Art

Impressed?

Not really?

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Did I forget to mention...

...that this was during nap time?

In addition to the hands and face...there were markings on her legs and belly too. This was one of those instances where you need to discipline but are biting your cheeks so hard they are bleeding to keep from laughing. Doesn't she look proud!?!

Thanksgiving 2010

I met Steve's family ten years ago on Thanksgiving -

so we decided to take a ten year family picture:

The weekend brought everybody in for cousin Mindy's wedding...
Saela at the rehearsal - she is supposed to be practicing
her walk down the aisle as she was the flower girl.

Asher just hanging out and looking cute as always!

Our little flower girl...following in her mother's footsteps

and refusing to walk down the aisle.

One of our many attempts at a family picture.

Tell us how you really feel Asher.

Saela & Brady

When we first moved from Lansing to Grand Blanc, MI, Saela and Brady shared the same nanny. They saw each other nearly every week day for about 8 months when Saela started regular daycare at one year old. It's amazing to see that she *remembers* him and gets a sweet smile on her face whenever we mention his name. Brady and his family were able to visit in late October and I thought these pictures were too cute to miss...

At this point - Steve intervened telling them they wouldn't be caught like this again for about 20 years. :)

What are You Thankful For?

So, I tend to stress out easily on occasion. If you know me, this is no surprise to you. I am anal. I know it. It is something I have been working on. In some respects, it makes me a very functional person but in others can cause anxiety.

As I sat in my very warm car the other day thinking about what I need to do/accomplish/fit into the day there rode by a clearly homeless person with his 'home' strapped to his bike in below freezing temperatures...and I realized three things that really hit home:

I have never wondered where my

next meal was coming from.

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I have never had to think about where I was going to

sleep at night because I have always had a clean/dry

bed in which to lay my head.

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I have ALWAYS known that I was loved.

There are many people in the world that cannot honestly say these three things.

How very lucky am I?!!

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How lucky are you?!!

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I am so very thankful for so very many things.

God Bless you this holiday season.

Love These Kids!

My first buzz cut...courtesy of Mom!!

Diva Time!

Septemberish

Here are some random pictures from September/early October

On day 1 of potty training...Saela received

some chocolate milk to get the party started!
(I'm happy to report...she mastered the potty VERY quickly!)

Yes, I'm eating off the floor...whatcha gonna do about it?

Teaching Daddy to wash the car.

This is the last time I let Saela

tell Mommy how to do my hair!

Family Reunion

Okay, I know, I'm moving backwards here -

but I just learned how to get the still photographs

off of the video cam - so here we are traveling back in time

to July 24, 2010 and the Ellwein family reunion...

Here are the cousins: Trevor, Jon, Kara,

Emi, Sarah, Jessica, Becky & myself.

Missing from the picture are cousins Nick

and forever missed Lee.

Here is Saela wondering how in the heck

she can get her hands on Kaylee's cupcake.

Here are the kids of the cousins...so the second cousins.


The Children
Uncle Bob, Aunt Roxy, Aunt Roni & my dad Bill


Grandpa Ellwein & Saela...having her first pop!

Here are my kids dashing the hopes of getting a picture

with Grandpa and their cousins Kaylee & Logan.

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The next day we were able to spend time with Dad "touring" South Dakota. I wanted to take the kids to Artesian (where my Mom grew up) and Mitchell (where Dad grew up)...we were able to show them the old houses, playgrounds, the Corn Palace etc. We also visited the graves of my grandparents and even though I know the kids won't remember it - it makes me feel warm inside to know that they have been there.

Elaine & Clifford Ellwein


Gladys & Robert Clyde

I know that they were there that day.
We will see them again.