There's Treasure Everywhere

There is this funny blog where parents can submit pictures of their kids crying and the reason why he or she is crying at that very moment. There are some really funny ones that make you realize that toddlers are crazy people. Here are some of my favorites:

themetapicture.com via reasonsmysoniscrying.com

While Ellie is usually pretty sweet and easy, there have been a few times lately when I couldn't help but laugh because of why she was flipping out. Here are some of my favorite reasons for Ellie's epic tantrums:

-We were in the car and had to stop for a red light.

-Carpet cleaners were coming the next day and we had to take everything off the carpet.

-She found out that we were giving away/selling her high chair and the double stroller on Craig's List. Andy actually had to take her upstairs when the guy came to get her high chair because she was screaming so loudly!

-She found out that Santa comes to your house to bring presents. She does NOT want Santa in our house.

-I told her we had to wait until Legoland opened before we could go.

Honestly, I never think to take a picture when she is screaming because I'm a little distracted...by the screaming. Maybe next time I'll remember to take a picture of her in all her feisty glory.

Updated: Okay, here's a picture...

This was when I told her that she has to ask "May I be excused?" before she gets up from the table after dinner.

From Fort Wayne, I flew straight to Phoenix and met Andy and the kids there for Thanksgiving. Yes, Andy made the six-hour car ride alone with the three kids. He's a trooper!

In Phoenix, the kids enjoyed their favorite Thanksgiving tradition: swimming!

Grandpa Hammond flew from Philadelphia to join us this year, which was a special treat. We've seen quite a bit of him this year, and I love that the kids are getting to know their great-grandfather better!

Last week I flew out to visit my sister, brother-in-law and nephew, Ben, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I got in really late at night so I didn't get to see Ben until the next morning. I could hear him when he woke up and Rachel was still sleeping, so I went into his room, picked him up and rocked him in his rocking chair.

He was definitely a little nervous about the whole situation, but his only reaction was to bury his face into my shoulder, which just made him more cuddly! When Rachel woke up and came to see what we were up to, Ben looked at her but made no effort to escape. We thought that was so funny!

I had so much fun hanging out with Ben! He's almost sixteen months and it's such a great age. He is very sweet, giggly, and cute! He loved wearing my boots (pictured above), having me chase him with the Fisher Price popcorn popper toy, and shooting baskets in his hoop.

Rachel and Michael were pretty fun to hang out with too. ;-) Rachel and I did our favorite activities like making delicious meals (I can't stop thinking about the pumpkin ravioli we made), making cookies, taking naps, and watching funny YouTube videos.

Saturday night, Michael and Rachel took me to a popular restaurant that just opened nearby called Scotty's. They have great, unusual burgers, although I passed on the one with peanut butter on it.

We tried to get a little photo shoot with Ben and me, but he wasn't really in the mood.

Rachel was much more cooperative.

Michael and Rachel, thanks so much for your amazing hospitality! You guys spoiled me so much! I can't wait to come back (Andy, can I go back?!?!)!

We've had such good news around here in the past few months. My sister is expecting another baby, Hank arrived safe and sound, and now I get a new sister-in-law!

My brother proposed to his girlfriend on Friday, she said yes, and we couldn't be happier for them! We skyped with newly engaged couple on Sunday so they could tell the kids their news. Benjamin and Christina asked the kids if they wanted a new aunt. They said yes, and they told them that now they can call "Miss Christina" "Aunt Christina."

Benjamin and Christina also asked Hannah and Ellie to be the flower girls, Joey to be a ring bearer, Andy to be a groomsman, and me to be a bridesmaid! Apparently, our little family will be kind of a big deal at the wedding! ;-) Ha! I just love that Benjamin and Christina want to include all of their family in their big day. When we told the girls that they get to wear pretty dresses as the flower girls, Ellie said, "Anna? Snow White?" So, we're hoping Benjamin and Christina decide on a Disney-themed wedding.

Congrats again, Benjamin and Christina. We can't wait to celebrate your big day with you!!

Reviewing the Cathechism questions...
Me: Ellie, who made you?
Ellie: God.
Me: What else did God make?
Ellie: Dragons.
(The correct answer is "all things" so really she could have said almost anything and still gotten the right answer...except for imaginary animals.)

The two year-old version of "This Land is Your Land"
Ellie: This land is my land, this land is my land, this land is my land, this land is my land...

While driving past a 7-11...
Hannah: If it is hot and my kids are good, I am going to buy them Slurpees.
Joey: I am going to be a very nice, but very strict Dad.
Hannah: Don't be too nice.
Joey: If my wife wants to stay home with the kids, I will let her.

We had a little girl over who got very nervous whenever she saw Andy. Ellie tried to make her feel more comfortable by telling her, "But he doesn't have a beard!" It made us laugh that Ellie remembers her former phobia of beards. The ironic thing is that this little girl's dad does have a beard, so maybe she has the opposite phobia!

Things that Ellie says all the time that I love:
Me: Ellie, do you have to go to the bathroom?
Ellie: No, I good.

Ellie: I want to hold you! (instead of I want you to hold me)

Yes, after Andy got laid off from Yahoo, he got a job at Google! There is an office about an hour north of here, and he'll take a free Google shuttle there and back every day. He's wanted to work at Google for a long time, so it's exciting that in the Lord's providence it finally happened, and when we least expected it!

The best part is that while his last day at Yahoo was at the end of October, he doesn't start at Google until December, so he has about six weeks off! When we found out about this unexpected time off, Andy sent me this article about his goals for the long break.

The kids and I just love having Andy home all the time. He has been mostly using his time off to work on a big project on the computer, but he also has been helping out around the house with running various errands and watching Ellie for me on Fridays while I help at the kids' school. This coming week I am taking the opportunity to go visit my sister for a few days so he will be holding down the fort while I'm gone. The best part? It was his idea!

At first Ellie was really confused about why Andy was always home. She kept saying, "Daddy, office?" We told her that Yahoo closed so now she says, "Daddy, office? Yahoo closed?" We try to leave Andy alone as much as possible so that he can make good progress on his project, but every once in a while Ellie will go up to him and ask, "Daddy play hide and seek with me?" He can never resist. The two of them also have a new tradition of sharing a bowl of cereal (Ellie's second breakfast of the day) after he gets back from taking the kids to school.

He can't resist the mooching either.

We are so thankful that the Lord provided this wonderful job and as a bonus an amazing six weeks off. As usual, He has blessed us above and beyond!

On Saturday, Hannah's good neighborhood friend Riley had a Frozen birthday party, and we were all invited. Her parents went ALL OUT and it was such a special, fun treat for the girls. They even had snow in the backyard!

Neighborhood besties: Chloe, Hannah, Riley

They invited the REAL Elsa to come! ;-)

The girls were stuck like glue to that sweet, patient girl all night and hung on her every word.

Ellie was excited about having another opportunity to wear this Anna costume again. She loved listening to Elsa, but she also liked playing with the plastic figurines that were later made into snow globes.