Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy 2009!

The Lord Family Christmas

After Christmas morning at our house we drove to Lake Tapps to pick up my grandma and take her up to my parents house to stay for a week. The drive was pretty long due to the snow and ice still on the roads. But Bernie and my Grammy had a fun time telling stories the whole ride and I stayed in the back and tried to keep Ella entertained. The plan was originally to go up to my brother Eddie's and his wife Chrissy's house for a gormuet meal (they are the best cooks). But due to the weather and the fact that they live even further north we decided to have dinner at my parents house. Eddie and Chrissy still made a wonderful meal for us, and we all enjoyed our time together. It was so nice to have Ella's great grammy there for her first Christmas.

Ella was listening to her wise great grammy. Ella and Grammpy always have so much to catch up on, they can talk for hours.

Ella enjoyed the ribbon more then her presents, but I am sure that will change very soon.

My mom had the tree decorated beautifully like always, and Ella was a big admirer.

Christmas Morning

We spent Christmas morning at our house and opened presents and had breakfast before heading up to Seattle to my parents. Ella got a lot of new toys to play with and a lot more clothes for mommy to dress her up in. Little girls are so much fun! Even Apollo had a good Christmas, I wrapped up a few toys for him and put them under the tree and he actually opened them up on his own. What a smart dog :)

Christmas Eve with the Johnsons

We spent Christmas Eve at Bernie's parents house with all of his brothers and sisters and their families. The kids were spoiled and us parents and grandparents had tons of fun watching them!

Nanny with Sidonie and Ella Surprisingly Ella did help unwrap a few of her presents!Hazel and Ella both had cute little Christmas dresses on and seemed to be very interested in watching eachother.

First Cereal Attempt

Since we were snowed in and Ella has been very interested in what Bernie and I eat these days we decided we would give her cereal for the first time today. As you can see from the video she wasn't sure if she liked it or not.

Let It Snow!

Update: We now have about 7" of snow!

I am still like a little kid when it comes to snow. I was so excited yesterday when I heard on the weather forecast that snow was on the way. So naturally when I woke up this morning and there was a light dusting I was a little disappointed. But then late this afternoon I got my wish and the snow started dumping down. Of course I wanted to share this love of snow with Ella, so Bernie and I bundled her up and grabbed Apollo and went out to enjoy the beauty of the falling snow! Apparently I am not the only one that loves the snow, Apollo went wild, and Ella giggled watching him run all over the place. It was such a fun day!

'Tis the Season

Our good friends Shannon and Brian had a Christmas party this past weekend. Shannon and I were in the same sorority at UW, she was a year older than me in the house. Shannon and Brian always have the best parties, lots of good drinks, good food and good friends. It was even more fun this year because a lot of the girls in Shannon's class have had kids this last year. There was definitely a baby boom! It was so much fun to see everyone's little one's, although it made us all feel really old because it doesn't seem that long ago that we were up all night partying (and studying of course) and now we're up all night with feedings, diapers and whatever else our little one's suprise us with!

Dear Santa

Ella met Santa for the first time last night. She did so good, she even gave him a few smiles when he asked her if she has been a good girl!

J.P. Patches and Santa

Each year down at the ILWU Hall (Bernie's work) they have a Christmas party for the kids. The highlight is a special visit from J.P. Patches and of course Santa. Ella wasn't to interested this year but it was so much fun to see so many friends and see how quickly their kids are growing up. It all goes by so fast! Santa and J.P. Griffen singing the ABC's

Pat introducing Colin to JP Patches! I think he liked the lollipop better :)

Bob and Michael (two and a half months old)

The Perfect Tree

We finished the Thanksgiving weekend off with a search for the perfect tree. We always seem to find them at the same lot near our old house but I am so looking forward to when Ella is older and we can go out to the tree farm and cut one down ourselves. Some of my favorite memories growing up was the all day search for the perfect tree with my family and the nights we would drive around with hot chocolate and look at Christmas lights. I want to carry these traditions on with Ella so she can have as many good memories as I do!

Thankful...

This Thanksgiving I really reflected on the past year and all of blessings in my life. I am so thankful for Bernie who is a wonderful husband and father and for Ella who makes me smile a million times a day. I have such wonderful family and friends in my life, I am truly blessed!

More Faces of Ella

Uncle Bill and Ella

Auntie Janet and Ella