Date Night(S)

We are so excited that Elle is old enough to start playing with other kids! She is still a little behind in age...but I think she is doing great keeping up with the " big girls". My friend Samantha started a little date night operation, so Nick and I are able to go out 3 Fridays out of the month. At first I didn't know if I would be okay leaving Elle every Friday...but after the 2nd time....MAMA is on board! :) Elle LOVES playing with these girls!

( Elle talking to Helen Ann)

( Walking around Manito Rose Gardens)
( L-R Helen Ann, Elle, Indie and Scarlet)

Girls Night

A few weeks ago I had some girls over. It was really fun. WAY too much yummy food...and Aunt Susie's DELICIOUS punch!

Back in Spokane

After a fun summer in Arizona...we are FINALLY back in Spokane! Nick started school Monday and is loving his classes and professors. Elle and I fell right back into the swing of things....no daddy all day...just mommy. I was worried she would get sick of me...but that hasn't happened yet :)

We are busy going to parks, running errands and enjoying the beautiful golf course we live on!

Elle is growing up and maturing so fast. I would say it would be nice if she could slow down...but I would be lying! I love that she is learning new things every single day. It is absolutely fascinating to watch. Here are some Elle updates!

*Elle says all kinds of words now. Her newest and most used is " UP"

* She pretty much understands everything we ask her to do. She knows how to get her own shoes, throw her diaper away, pick up her toys and open and close things when asked. ( this is becoming a favorite of mine)

* This girl can take a FALL! She is banging up her knees pretty good these days...but after she falls...she just gets right back up as if nothing happened. Well....if NICK is around she is all drama...but for the most part, she can take a good fall

* Her last check up was great! She is 30 inches and 20.5 pounds. Healthy girl!

*She eats about anything...just in small bites. She is loving peaches right now.

* She can give regular kisses ( tongue out), Eskimo kisses, and butterfly kisses

That is just a start of all the amazing things she is doing!

I think I am going to start blogging again. It is nice to see a history on here and look back at the years! I will post more pictures as they come!

BIG NEWS!!!!!

Nick was able to get an internship!!! He is going to be an intern at the Defense Attorneys Office in......................are you ready for this...............TUCSON.

Nick is really excited about this amazing opportunity. I had a hard time swallowing the idea....knowing I would be giving up 80 degree warm summer days for a 110 blazing hot mess...but things have literally fallen into place...one thing right after the other. It has been amazing to see Heavenly Fathers hand in our life and I truly know that we are supposed to be in Tucson this summer. So we are headed to HOT weather, tan baby bums ( I am really excited about that), getting to celebrate Elle's birthday with loads of family, golfing with the boys ( Larry, Kenny, Ben, John and Scott), amazing sunsets, close to GRANDMA and GRANDPA...both sides, and most importantly we are all 3 able to make this journey together!!!!

March

I have really been enjoying this month in Spokane! The weather is starting to get really nice...daylight savings was today so we have a longer day in the sunlight...it is great! We took a walk today on our little path. We met Nick at the law school ( the guy needed a break from studying!), and walked to riverfront. I think every time we have been there all we can say is " We can't wait until Elle can feed the ducks!" But then I quickly remind myself how FAST she is growing up and how much I just want her to stay itty bitty! She is learning and growing at a very quick speed! She is standing alone for a few seconds at a time....trying to eat EVERYTHING mommy and daddy do....her favorites are tortollini pasta and tapioca pudding (still ). She has learned how to turn the DVD player on, and is still obsessed with Horton Hears a Who. Nick just got done with spring break...which for the most part he was SICK! Poor guy...he hasn't been that sick since I first found out I was pregnant.

We are loving life right now and feel so blessed everyday!

Friends

Elle has a little friend named Charles. Charles is a lot of fun and let's Elle play with his boy toys!

First Bubble Bath

Elle had her first bubble bath...and she LOVED it! She splashed with a lot more enthusiasm it seemed...:)

Licorice

Another sweet treat we have let Elle have the past two days is RED LICORICE! We just let her suck all the red vine goodness out and then take it away. Or....tonight was different. She chomped off a chunk of it with her ONE tooth....we didn't recover the whole thing. :)

This girl really loves her sugar. Another recent favorite is Tapioca Pudding. She eats it and then licks her lips for about 20 minutes after. TOO CUTE!

Weekend & Super Bowl party

( Elle LOVED our friend Reecie...she had Elle ROLLING with laughter!)

Yes...I did ask Nick " so who won the Superbowl?" on the way home! I think it was because between having good conversations with friends....I was busy trying to keep track of ELLE! We had fun and she got LOTS of sweets to try....she LOVES frosting! :)

I was able to go do a session at the Spokane Valley Temple. It was amazing. I love going to the temple and feeling so peaceful when I leave!

Elle Bell

As you can see by these pictures.....we have a lot of fun with Elle! The past week or so we have just been taking it easy. Elle has been sick with a cold...I am still waiting for the runny nose to stop...but she is doing a lot better! She is LOVING being in things she normally is not allowed to be....our bed, the couch. I love that picture of her stretched out on the couch! She LOVES to crawl around and knee jump on the pillows! Bath time is getting WET! She is really loving to sit up on her own and graze around the tub. She loves splashing and having water in her face.

Just some fun pictures for you all!

Lately...

( Elle loves to be read to....she also likes to read by herself too)

( Elle LOVES her daddy)
( Elle LOVES to organize our DVD collection...)

I am back blogging...I took a time out for awhile!

Today is Elle's 7 month birthday! I cannot believe she is 7 months old. It amazes me how fast she is learning and growing each day. I am just in love with her and so is Nick! She keeps things very entertaining around here.

Fun Elle facts:

**Elle is CRAWLING

** Elle can sit up by herself...and get to a sitting up position from her tummy and back

** likes to say " BaBa" and "DaDa"

** LOVES sweet potatoes,pears,squash,apples and bananas

** HATES peas and green beans

** Can wave BYE BYE

** When I sing " shake shake shake...shake shake shake..." she shakes her hands with me!

And last but not least....she is FULLY...100% BOTTLE FED!!!! My life is just wonderful now :)

Breastfeeding was amazing and I am so grateful I could do it for as long as I did...but it was time for Elle and myself to move on and become a little more independent!

I cannot say enough how much pure joy she brings into our home. We are absolutely smitten by Elle.

Nick is doing amazing in school....he is loving the law and understanding how it all works. He always comes home with a lot to say about his day and classes...and I LOVE hearing about it.

I am great too! Working on my weight is the main focus on my life. One day at a time is what I keep telling myself. I LOVE being a stay at home mommy...it is the best thing I have ever done in my whole life!