When Ella Goes Missing...

When Ella goes missing, she can usually be found in Lauren's room stealing some more lip gloss. I can already hear the future teenage fights about sharing make-up!

6 Months

Luca is now 6 months old and is turning into such a big boy! He can sit independently now which makes playtime a lot more fun. He started rice cereal a few weeks ago and has moved on to squash and sweet potatoes this week. We also had our first round of antibiotics. I guess we are pretty fortunate, Lauren is almost 4 years old, and neither she or Ella have ever been sick enough to require antibiotics. Poor Luca had a double ear infection last week along with some congestion. Add to that some teething pains and we had a pretty miserable week. His first bottom tooth popped through last Thursday, and the other on Monday, so he is starting to get back to his happy self!

New Year, New Hair!

After our great trip to the waterpark, we had some issues with Lauren's hair. I had left it in a ponytail while we swam, and it turned into a giant ball of knots. It was terrible. I did some deep conditioning treatments on it, but didn't make much progress. So, it was the final push we needed to cut her hair. It was hard to do, she had such nice long hair with the perfect amount of curl in it, but combing it was always such a struggle. I am happy to report that she loves her new hair, or at least loves how easy it is to comb! And it is pretty adorable on her. Even if she looks a lot older now.

This is the last picture I have of her long hair!

Three Bears Lodge

The week between Christmas and New Years, we headed to Three Bears Lodge with our friends Megan and Scott. The kids had a blast at the waterpark and thought the cabin was pretty neat too.

Luca in the swing

Lauren was really brave and went down the big slides with Dan. I thought she would be scared since they are all dark, but she loved it! I think she felt pretty special being a big girl.

Pretty Cecelia posing for me.

Ella, Lauren, and Maddox playing a game.
Back in the water...

Lauren also loved these fast little slides. She finally got over her dislike for water splashing her eyes!

Ella had fun swimming around.

Ella loves Luca!

Luca didn't spend a whole lot of time in the water. He was really content in the stroller.

Lauren did these red and purple slides over and over and over! It was really nice that she could go down and back up all on her own.

Christmas

In no particular order, here is our Christmas in pictures! We made it through another holiday season with 6 family Christmas parties in 3 long days!

Ella wearing her new backpack from Grandma Pam with Bitty Baby tucked safely inside.

Grandpa surprised the grandkids with dirt bikes! Here is Aunt Tina taking Ella for a spin.
And Lauren trying one out.

My favorite picture from Christmas!

Luca loved all of the attention!

Ella looking cute at Grandma Krumm's.

Luca enjoying the exersaucer while we ate dinner at Dan's parents' house.

Listening to a story with dad.

Santa surprised us at Kelly and Dave's! Here is Ella getting her gift.

Lucy and Lauren waiting patiently.

The stockings were hung...

The stockings were hung from the stairway with care! And Santa delivered. The kids were spoiled this year and we are still finding room for all of the gifts.

Lauren received the changing table she has been asking for since October. She also got a Leappad that she has been playing with quite a bit. Ella got a carseat for the new Bitty Baby grandma Pam bought her.

Christmas Baking