BRADLEY CHRISTMAS 2009

Ellie celebrated her first Christmas in Wausau at her Grandma and Grandpa Bradley's house. Uncle Joe, Aunt Patty, Uncle Lance and cousin Clara were also there.

Clara helps Grandma decorate cookies. She soon discovered that frosting is yummy and began taking the frosting off the cookies.

Ellie helped Daddy set up a game for us to play. We never got to playing the game because no one wanted to see if they were dumber than a 5th grader.

Grandma busy getting food ready for Christmas Eve feast.

Ellie was not happy when she learned she had to wait until Christmas morning to open presents.

We tried to get photos of Ellie and Clara in their holiday garb. I learned that it is very difficult to get 2 babies to look and smile in the same direction at the same time. Here's attempt #1.

Aw, pretty Clara.

Pretty Ellie.

Attempt #2.

Grandpa Bradley started a new tradition, reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to his grandbabies. Ellie was content watching Grandpa. Clara was slightly confused - Grandpa looks a lot like the man in the book.

Finally, Christmas morning came, and we all gathered in the living room to open presents. Clara is ready in her Santa hat.

Attempt #3

Attempt #4

Uncle Lance in his holiday "sweater," Auntie Patty in her pjs and Clara in her Santa hat.

Clara tackles into her first present.

Ellie helps Grandma open her gift.

Who is that masked man?

Clara had fun playing with all the toys - even Ellie's.

That's fine, Ellie was happy with the plastic "CDs" that came with her "boombox."

I tried to capture Clara talking to Ellie. Its very dark, I hope you can see everything. Mom and Dad, get some lighting in your living room!

After opening presents, it was time to clean up.  Clara was teaching Ellie how to play in the water.

The next day, Ellie played with more of her toys, like this alphabet train she got from Uncle Joe.  Looks like someone had too much egg nog.

Now it looks like she is getting the hang of it, I think.

MEETING GOVERNOR PAWLENTY

This year at the Minnesota Great Get Together (aka state fair), Greg's fraser fur won grand champ, giving Pinestead Tree Farms the honor of bring 2 trees to the state capital for display. We were also invited to the capital for a photo op with Governor Pawlenty.

Here we are waiting to get into the press room where the tree is displayed. Notice the sweater Ellie is wearing, my friend Melissa knitted this sweater for her.

We got a chance to pose in front of the tree for some photos before the governor came in.

More posing.

Finally, in comes the governor, and, of course, he is taken with Ellie...

...and the head fuzz she has for hair.

Governor Pawlenty held Ellie (that's why you must vote for him if he runs for president). Ellie didn't know what to think of this new person that was holding her.

I had to turn her head so she would face forward for photos.

Finally, everyone looks nice - well, almost everyone.

Ellie's new game, grabbing anything and everything on your face.

I guess I should have photos of the trees. One tree.

Two trees.

Another family photo. Notice anything different in this photo?

TREE SEASON 2009

This title is misleading. I didn't get any chance to take any photos of the tree farm in full swing. So here are random holiday photos.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus paid a visit to the tree fram right before Thanksgiving. Ellie did really great until Santa went "Ho Ho Ho," then she started crying.

We're not the only ones tired after a long day working at the tree farm. During the day, Scout is busy running along side the hay wagon, scoping out the ground for any dropped hot dogs and brats, and posing with children for photos. It's not surprising that Scout comes in and collapses on the first available blanket.

Ellie is modeling the Christmas onesie Granny Lala brought her.

ELLIE"S SITTING - SORT OF

The other day, Ellie sat unsupported long enough for me to take 3 photos of her before she toppled over.

ELLIE IS 6 MONTHS OLD

It is hard to believe that Ellie is already 6 months old.  I was going through photos on my computer and found this one of Ellie taken just hours after she was born.  She was so small.

But, she is growing.  At the doctor on Monday, Ellie placed in the 32nd %tile for height - 25.25" (up from 6.8 %tile at 4 months) and 20th %tile for weight - 14 lbs 6.4 oz (also up from 6.5 %tile).  She still has a small head though (only in the 7 %tile).  See for your self how much she has grown...

This photo was taken when Ellie was about 1 1/2 weeks old (she's next to Greg's shoe).

This is Ellie at 6 months, next to the same shoe.

THIS IS FOR BETH

I had made a comment to Beth that I had wished she would post photos on her blog more often because I love seeing the daily activities of Isabel and Claudia. Of course, Beth responded in her smarta** way - she said I should concentrate on updating my own blog.

This is for you Beth.

Ellie at 6:14 PM 11/13/09

Ellie at 6:15 PM 11/13/09

Ellie at 6:16 PM 11/13/09

Ellie at 6:17 PM 11/13/09

ATTEMPT AT SITTING

We are beginning to have Ellie practice sitting.  Take a look. (Just to warn you, this was my first attempt at a video...I'm no professional).



In case you were wondering, the beginning of the video, I was trying to set Ellie up while holding the camera - Ellie thought it would be fun to try to stick the camera in her mouth.

IS BLAZE ORANGE ELLIE'S COLOR?

It is hunting season, and Greg was getting ready to take Ellie out into the woods with him.  Is blaze orange really Ellie's color?

Ellie has been eating solids for about 2 weeks now.  I think she might be ready to feed herself.

On second thought, maybe not.

ANNE'S PHOTOS OF ELLIE

Our friend Anne is a talented photographer.  She took Ellie's 5 month photos.