SNOW....

... came to Portland, and lasted a whole day. Whee! Haha.

Of course, I did let Elayna poke it for a minute and take a couple of pictures. I wish it had hung around through the next day.

These were taken just before dark, and after that it was too late to take E out to really play.

*Note, we had just gotten home when I took these, so she is not in her winter coat or gloves, but if we had known we were getting snow, she would have been! =)

Walking ALL over and some playtime...

Well, when family from out of town got here, Elayna had technically been walking for a couple weeks, but she had really only been truly walking for a couple days.

On Christmas Eve, Elayna decided that walking was her new mode of transportation and she no longer needed to crawl. During the week that we had people in town, they got to watch her really test out those legs. She walked back and forth, back and forth, in the townhouse that they rented here in town. It was so much fun to watch her learning to realllllly go!

Here are some action shots, and some shots of the playing that went on during some of their visit.
I'm glad they got to share in some of Elayna's first real walking! =)

Shadow discovery!

Elayna discovered her shadow while she was up and walking around. It was so funny. She was confused at first, then excited, then sort of annoyed by it I think. She had noticed it before when we were out walking at the park, but it was just a confused glance then. This time she took notice. =)

Story times...

Well, Elayna loves being read to. Especially her favorite books, and by two of her very favorite women. She really liked sitting with Gram and Great Grandma and hearing them read her favorite stories!

Pattycake with Gram Jackie

Quality play time with Gram...

She needs help with some of it...

... but she gets "Throw it in the oven!" =)

Christmas 2 :)

The Sandeens (barely) made it to Portland for a holiday vacation. They left Des Moines during a pretty major snow storm, literally ran for their plane in Denver, and finally made it to Portland late, late on Christmas night. Grandpa Steve, Gram Jackie, Great Grandma Ruth Elaine, Uncle Ted and Auntie Jami all came from far away.

The next day, we all got up and got cozy to celebrate the holiday together. We were so happy that they came!

Elayna enjoyed herself immensely. She opened gifts, played in the wrapping paper, tried to eat the yarn and ribbon from her gifts, and hung out with the family.
It was a good day.

Merry Christmas!!

Elayna woke up to find that Santa had been here! He brought her a few fun toys because she was such a good girl this year. She was quite excited about them. Especially her new lion friend, who she can ride on OR push along. What fun!!

Merry Christmas, everyone!!

Walking!! =)

So, Elayna started taking steps just a couple days before her 1st birthday. Now she is really walking, so we wanted to share some video footage taken over this last week. She is on the move!! =)

P.S. We caught so much of it on tape, I had to make a part 1 and part 2!

Elayna is our best Christmas gift. ;)

Our pretty girl looks so BIG sitting on her own on her little pink chair in front of the tree.

Time goes so quickly.

Love those you love with all your heart... and laugh a little (I know we do)!! =)

Happy Holidays!!

Santa and Dancer

Santa and Dancer didn't want to sit still and smile for their photo op, but they are still super cute! =)

Elayna loves her bell that Gram and Grandpa gave her.
She was excited that I finally let her play with it off the tree. =)

Cute little Santa!

Peacock Lane - A Portland Tradition

Walking or driving Peacock Lane is a Portland tradition that I remember from my childhood days. Many people come to see the small street, lined with small homes built in the 20's, covered in Christmas lights.

While the show these days doesn't compare to some more modern ones, its still fun to walk the lane and get some hot cider or hot chocolate. Jake and I have done it in the past, and this year we took Elayna out.

The evening was warm, if a bit misty with rain, and Elayna enjoyed seeing all the pretty lights. =)

Elayna met Santa.... and she loved him!!

We didn't know what to expect when we went to let Elayna meet Santa for the first time. I guess I was really ready to wait in a long line of whiny kids, but we got lucky! There was only 1 family in front of us in line and while they chose their photos, Santa came over and met Elayna in line to let her get comfortable.

They played peek-a-boo and he tickled her little bowl full of jelly.... and she smiled at him! I was surprised, since E sometimes shows signs of "stranger danger." She loved Santa, his shiny sleigh bells, and the whole wonderment of Santaland. Yay for a great time!

She is definitely on the "nice" list!

Cuteness!

While we wait in line, Santa gets some smiles

Who are you?!
We love Santa!!

Elayna Bright. =)

We couldn't decide if Elayna looked more like Rainbow Bright, or Punky Brewster, but she did look cute. That's for sure!!!

Mommy and Elayna went to "Cookie Day" at Bay's house. There were lots of people (and little ones) there, and we had lots of fun. Poor daddy had to stay home because he was sick. We missed him.

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Guess I can't lie about my age, since these pictures give it away! Haha.