Catch-up

Our week with Mike and Julann was so much fun! We enjoyed lots of great time together. They are a great uncle and aunt to our children! Eleanor even started asking for Aunt Julann to do things normally she would only ask Mama or maybe Daddy to do! And Will thought Aunt Julann's sneezes were the funniest thing he had ever heard.

Todd and Mike got to spend a day skiing together...followed by attending a Costco VIP party...I'm not sure which event was the highlight! :D

Our dear friend Chantelle (we're related now because she and Julann are sisters) and her son Elias were here at the same time. Eleanor had a great time with Elias and enjoyed all the kiddos that we had around our house during the week!

He's getting big, isn't he?! My heart still melts every time he grins at me (which means my heart is in a constant liquid state). Yia-Yia gave him this activity jumper and he already loves it!


Will isn't a big eater, so we started rice cereal this week. He wouldn't open his mouth until I let him help hold the spoon! Then it all went in...and right back out. Hey, we'll get the hang of it soon!

These two love each other, they really do! Every night after our dinner William sits in his swing and Eleanor lays her head in his lap and they smile at each other and "talk" sometimes. It is pretty cute! I love when Eleanor spontaneously runs over and gives her little brother a kiss. Her newest word is his full name - "Will-Wummm" - I love it so much and she is pretty proud of herself, I think!

My sweet girl is sick again...ER visit last evening. She had such a high fever all day (102-104.7) even with constant medicine and seemed so miserable and not herself. Probably strep, so she's on antibiotics. Part of living in a sin-cursed world, I know...but oh I hate to see my babies sick!

Uncle Mike and Aunt Julann

Eleanor and Will are having SO much fun with their uncle and aunt!!

Will you be Mine?

Pictures of our littlest valentines! Last night Todd came home from work with a red rose for Eleanor. "Eleanor, will you be my valentine?" She replied, "mmm-hm", gave him a hug and a kiss, and spent the next 5 minutes proudly dragging her rose around (it was as tall as she is) and smelling it. It was so, so sweet! Eleanor helped me make valentine cookies yesterday, heart shaped. I asked her afterwards, "Who made these yummy cookies?!" She said, "God did!" I grinned. We always talk about how God is the Creator and made everything. I told her that God made all the ingredients that we used, then we put them together to make cookies!

Will is a a good little valentine, too, with his cuddles and big open-mouth kisses (he is really trying to chew on us, I think). He is so strong - the last couple of days he has started doing crunches, I am not kidding! Raising his head and shoulders up off the ground all the time. The kid is going to have a 6-pack by the time he is 6 months!

Day of Love

Dear Trader Joe's...

...I think you are the Store of Glory. My husband would fight me to the death over this, claiming only Costco has the right to that title, but I would beg to disagree (though I too love Costco...mmmm, samples....oooh, aisle after aisle of bulk goodness...hey, my engagement ring was purchased at Costco! Anyway...). Point is, I like you BETTER than Costco! Yep, BETTER! Grocery shopping at Trader Joe's was like going on a date (even if I was alone, go figure). You know: eagerly anticipated, thoroughly enjoyed, daydreamed about after. I use the word "WAS" because Trader Joe's has become part of my past. It has gone the way of slouch socks, fanny packs, curled bangs, sleeping in. Not by my choice! No, it is because I live in Colorado Springs, where 93.8% of the population has never heard of Trader Joe's. "Trader who's? Is that that casino just the other side of Vegas?" Leaving me speechless. All this to say: Trader Joe's, if you are out there listening, come to Colorado Springs (I'd even settle for Denver)!

Sincerely missing you,
Noelle from the Springs
p.s. Check out the blog of my BFF Amy. She too is going through withdrawal.
p.p.s I stole this letter idea from my sister Polly, hope she doesn't sue me or something. I'm taking a risk here!

Okay, already!

This is for those of you (POLLY!) who are bemoaning the fact that since something like 2 weeks have passed since my last post, you have no idea what my children currently look like. Here you go! (They are beautiful, aren't they?!)