November

Not too much happened in November other than our first snow storm that came early.

I found this pile up on the floor one day. She went through a phase where she started trying to stack toys on top of other toys. 

Edited to add pictures from phone: Runs around singing "Let It Go" and "Do You Want to Build a Snowman." She knocks on the door and acts out the parts.

Ellie loved the snow! We played in it a lot! And by we, I mean most of the days I sent her out on her own. Funny how cold doesn't bother kids a much as adults.  But I really think she loved the snow because of the influence the movie Frozen had on her. Funny how movies can do that. 

She LOVED eating the snow.

 On day one I could only find one glove but both have been found and more have been bought since.

 More stacking practice

 She took her baby doll to the table and was making conversations happen. I wish I could remember what she was saying. Looks like she may have been feeding the doll and Toodee.

My mom flew in on Thanksgiving day to spend a few days. This was the only picture I took, FAIL! But I made a Turkey in the electric roaster which is so darn easy and fast and I made all the sides too. Even with 3 adults and 1 toddler we still had to have it all or it just wouldn't be the same.

October

October was all about Halloween. 

When we picked out pumpkins I explained to Ellie we needed a mama pumpkin, dada pumpkin and baby pumpkin. Ellie was really into the baby pumpkin and would try to carry it around saying, "It's the baby." 

I took the opportunity to get some detail picture of Ellie. She was 22 months. Her hair really started growing in after we got back from Oklahoma in July. It really thickened up and grew long enough to have wings. It was also starting to get a lot of wave.

We carved pumpkins for FHE one night while watching Frozen. Ellie finally broke away from Yo Gabba Gabba and I got her into Frozen. We did a Frozen theme. Believe it or not, this is the first pumpkin I carved by myself. I was always intimidated by carving anything other than a jack-o-lantern but it was really a lot easier than I expected. 

I carved Anna. James did Kristoff and Olaf. Ellie thought it was gross but she loved the final outcome and wanted to go see them everyday until we had to throw them out. 

My friend Tania wanted her daughter to be a Chick this year and suggested I do the same. I looked it up on Pinterest and thought it was adorable and it took the guess work out of what she'd be so I went ahead and made her costume.
I got a white long sleeved onesie and sewed 2 white boas around it. This was actually kinda hard because the tension had to be just right or the thread would snap so I sewed and knotted one stitch at a time. Actually, there were 2 onesies. In-between the two was filling to puff her out a bit. The leggings I found as a second hand store that went with a duck costume. The hat I made with an old onesie. The Hannah Anderson brand pilot hats were too expensive so I searched for a pattern and made one myself along with the red comb on top. Ellie never complained once wearing it. Yay!!

Our ward had a Fall Dinner/Truck or Treat party that we went to.

James and I were obviously farmers. Haha.

There was a little kid game where the could win a stuffed animal. I saw that Rooster sitting there so I grabbed it for Ellie after she won. 

First time Trunk or Treating. We had to encourage her at each car but it sure prepared her for Halloween and going door to door.

A better pictures of us all dressed up on Halloween Day.

We went Trick or Treating with one of our friends. Ellie loved knocking and helped herself into some of the homes. It was cute. A lot of people commented on loving her costume and a few ladies asked to take pictures. Makes me feel good when strangers appreciate my hard work. 

Daddy let her have a big sucker while walking were walking and she got some pink drool got on her feathers so when we got home I took the boas off so she could use them for dress up when she gets a little older.

A few pics from my cell phone.

Throwing leaves.

Playing the piano singing a mash up of "Let it Go" and "ABCs."

September

I'll just jump right in...

Some of our "family away from family" moved to the East side of the state. They had a going away smores party. The marshmallows were a hit.

I took some pictures our friends...

Caught Ellie and Jolie playing in the yard

Ellie perfecting her hanging skills. She literally started hanging from everything possible. It was funny.

"Tickle, Tickle."

Perfecting phone skills

We had a surprise B-day party for our friends little girl Phoebe. She turned 2 in July but with many events going on those summer months the party never happened. So a few months late but Phoebe didn't know the difference.

August

Man, going through pictures I realized the month of August was all about visitors. Which I love.

Shortly after we left Oklahoma, Thomas and his girls drove up to Washington where we relocated some stuff. Along the way Linda caught a ride and they stopped at our house before continuing their trek. Having Grandma here is always fun. Ellie loves the attention (it's so crazy to look back at these and see how little Ellie was and it wasn't even that long ago!)

James' dad was buried in Rexburg so we had a memorial for him here too. We drove over with Linda that morning and that evening James, Ellie and I drove back. I'm surprised we made it there and back in one day, go us!

The memorial was great. All of the Idaho and some Washington/Utah family was there and it was just great hearing more stories of what a great man Rick was.

Below is James' Grandpa, his dad's dad.  

Me, Gina, Linda, Aunt Cathie and Ellie 

Also in August my friend Tania drove from New Mexico to Utah for a baby shower and thought, "Well, if I'm in Utah, I might as well should just drive to Idaho." So alone, with 3 kids, and 12 weeks pregnant she came to visit. She's wonder woman. I could never do that. I get so zoned and tired even on the shortest car trips.

Ellie, Jane and Everett sitting on the itty bitty step of the door.

Ellie (20 months) Jane (18 months)

Skyping with my sister Cassidy

Group photo- they're all so dang gorgeous it kills me. 

I think it was either the same day or day after Tania left that my mom flew in for a visit. While she was here went to this "Petting Zoo" called Babby Farms, which was fun. It was hot and if Ellie was a little older it may have been better but I enjoy seeing the different animals up close like that. 

The time when Ellie's hair was long enough for one pony. Haha.

Ellie also grew to be tall enough to turn the handle on the door. Not enough strength to open it yet though.

 And she finally learned to climb the ladders on the play set in the backyard. Yay.

James and I did our own photos one weekend. Wanted to get them done while it was still really green outside.

 Ellie's cute little scrapped up knees.