February update

Crazy storms and crazy children... that's been our month so
far. Ellie is doing great... maturing and growing more and more
everyday. She's even started getting close to forming real
sentences... mostly just tonight... saying "want-a sit down",
to ask for help to sit on the couch or chair by people. But like
I said, she's still crazy as ever... I feel like that is the primary
word that describes her... the pictures will support this.

Ellie was looking cute while she warmed up in the tub after a
romp through the snow.

One of our new favorite cakes that I made...
Paula Deen's Hummingbird Cake.... DELICIOUS!

Ellie and her lemur baby... she would hug him, then beat him up
or pretend he was attacking her face, then give him a kiss, and
then she put him in the high chair and made me put his bib on.
She has a good little imagination.

Stomping in puddles and digging through snow... Ellie never
cares how cold it is... she just loves to be outside.

Just some crazy snow shots... we got a total of
like 26 inches last week... it was RIDICULOUS.

On this night, Ellie found her coat and wouldn't rest until we put
it on her and took her outside. Then she proceeded to point and
yell at the huge snowflakes falling in her face... what a weirdo.

This was our street after the first big chunk of storm... yikes!

One of Ellie's newest obsessions is sitting with a pillow behind
her and a blanket on her lap... she does it anywhere she sees
a pillow or blanket... and it has to be placed and fluffed just right.
She is an opinionated little girl.

One of Ellie's games. She absolutely soaked herself
with the little bit of water that was in that cup.. our
crazy little goof... she'll do anything for a laugh.

Another fun new recipe... Giada's Eggplant Timbale.
It was yummy, and very impressive to see.

Pulling a face for the cold temperature, but enduring the
challenge for the chocolate reward.

Ellie had a happy Valentine's Day... she got a Spongebob purse,
2 of her favorite things combined. She always puts it on her
shoulder, then points to it and says "ba-Bob"... so cute... and the
candy treats inside weren't too bad either. She liked wearing her
candy bracelet, until she discovered it was edible... at which point
it had to be taken away so she wouldn't gag herself trying to eat
the entire thing at once. She got better at it later though.
I should also mention that my wonderful husband surprised me
for Valentine's Day with tickets to Nascar in May, in Richmond!
I AM SO EXCITED! Yes, Jimmie and Jeff, here I come!
My husband is the best!

And of course, a little extra time with Grandpa Garner must
eventually lead to a love of butter. She got a hold of the tub after
dinner and repeated this process a few times while we laughed....
Dip.... Taste..... Smile Excitedly.
Then we put some on a cracker for her while we hid the tub.