Friend's Disco Birthday Party!

Pictures taken Dec. 16 ~
Elli had fun at her friend's disco birthday party! Her party dress was shiny like a disco ball.  :)

An "Evil" Nutcracker Comes to the Christmas Village (Video!)

Picture and video taken Dec. 15 ~
Elli pretended that an evil Nutcracker came to the Christmas village.  :O

Video ~

2nd Grade Winter Party

Pictures taken Dec. 14 ~

"Snowball" fight!

Elli and Mommy.  <3

Marshmallow Sees Santa

Pictures taken Dec. 9 ~
Marshmallow got to see Santa at the pet store and then got a puppuccino (cup of whipped cream) for a special Christmas treat!

Santa at the Bank!

Pictures taken Dec. 8 ~
Elli got to see Santa at the bank!  She asked him for a Batbot Xtreme.  She is looking forward to playing with Daddy and Brady.  :) 

Santa gave Elli a little gift bag and a Rudolph ornament.

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Elli on Ice ~ Basic Skills 3-6 Dec. 5

Ice skating friends.  <3

The Magic of Christmas

Picture taken Dec. 5 ~

I love that in this picture Elli is holding the Hallmark "China ~ Joy to the World Collection" ornament from 2007 that we got to celebrate our Chinese adoption log-in-date of Feb. 7, 2007.  We waited four Christmases without her, and on the fifth Christmas our precious baby girl was home with her family!  <3

Holiday Mart and Sleepover at Brady's (Video!)

Pictures taken Dec. 2-3 ~
Elli was excited to go to the Holiday Mart at the school to buy secret Christmas gifts for us again this year!

Elli looked so adorable in her braided pigtails and Santa dress.  <3

After the Holiday Mart, we headed to Brady's college apartment for a sleepover!

Video ~ Singing "The 12 Days of Christmas" in the car. 

We met up with Brady and then went out to eat at the college town's popular Shakespeare's Pizza.

Later, we had fun playing Brady's new TripAdvisor edition of The Game of Life.

We made Indoor S'mores Dip for our sleepover.

Put milk chocolate chips in a pan and cover with mini marshmallows.  Broil in the oven until light golden brown, making sure to watch it closely so it doesn't burn.  Serve with graham crackers.   

The next morning, we had breakfast and Brady fried some eggs.

Elli's note on Brady's refrigerator.  <3

Dear Brady hope you are doing good in school love you lots. 

P.S. we are still team awesome.

Elli on Ice ~ Basic Skills 3-6 Nov. 28

Public skating session fun.  :)

"Coco" Movie!

Pictures taken Nov. 25 ~
We went to see Disney's "Coco" at the movie theater.  Elli liked it!

Thanksgiving ~ 2017

Pictures taken Nov. 23 ~
We missed having Kaitlyn and some of our family at our house this year for Thanksgiving, but we enjoyed dinner and the afternoon with Grandpa and Brady's girlfriend and her mom!

Our Thanksgiving dinner included turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry apple crisp, and rolls.

After dinner, we had fun playing Disney Scene It?, the DVD game!

Brady and his girlfriend.

Elli wanted a pumpkin pie with a crust (not just in ramekins, haha) and an "X" on top like in cartoons!  :)

After the game, we had pumpkin pie, warm pecan tassies, and hot coffee.  Brady also had some chocolate-filled pastries from a party, so we warmed those up too!

Playing in Fall Leaves!

Pictures taken Nov. 19 ~

Grandpa and Brady

Picture taken Nov. 19 ~

Grandpa and Brady looking alike in their glasses in Sunday School.  :)

Easy Bake Oven Cake for Brady

Pictures taken Nov. 18 ~
Elli and I made an Easy Bake Oven chocolate cake for Brady while he and Dad were at the movies seeing Justice League to kick off Brady's college Thanksgiving break!

Using the decorating pen to write "Welcome home". <3

 That should be enough sprinkles...  :O

Brady loved it.  :)

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Dentist Appt. ~ Nov. 2017

Pictures taken Nov. 15 ~
Elli had a good dental checkup.  Still no cavities!

Elli has fun playing in the underwater-themed children's dentist office.

Elli on Ice ~ Basic Skills 3-6 Nov. 14

After Elli's group ice skating lesson and before she skates in the public skating session, Elli always helps set up the cones around the center circle of the ice skating rink for the private lesson area.  She is such a sweetie.

Ready for Sunday School!

Picture taken Nov. 12 ~

Pearls and a flower in her hair... just like her JieJie.  <3

A Little Morning Piano Practice

Picture taken Nov. 10 ~

Practicing for the Christmas recital!

Marshmallow's Haircut "Tribble"

Pictures taken in Nov. ~
Mom gave me a haircut, and ANOTHER "tribble" appeared!  Where do these things come from any anyway?

"The Trouble with Tribbles" (Star Trek)

Ready for cold weather with a warm (dolly) nightgown!

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Elli on Ice ~ Basic Skills 3-6 Nov. 7

 Working on Shoot the Duck.

Ice skating friends.  :)