Swimming in early May?

Yep that is right, we went swimming this weekend! I can't remember the last time that I could say that we went swimming this early in Ohio. But yesterday at Pa & T's house we did! The last time Elli was in the pool she was 5 weeks old-how time flies! She still wasn't sure about it but I imagine by the end of the summer she will love it!

11 Months

It is so hard to believe that in another month Elli will be a year old. This past month Elli has been signing more and more.  In addition to signing "more" she has also picked up signs for "fan" ,"please", "milk" and has even made up her own signs for "sleep" and "all done"  It so amazing how quickly she has started to pick up on things.  We believe she has her own language and is constantly jabbering away to everything and everyone. She blows kisses and waves "hi" and "bye." She still listens pretty well but has started to shake her little finger back at us when we tell her "no."  She hasn't really shown an interest in walking yet but did take her first steps this month.  Of course it was when Mommy wasn't home but at least Daddy got to see it.  She hasn't taken any more steps since then so we kind of think it was an accident!    

Future Bulldog?

Our little Monkey

Leadership Forum

As an early birthday present for "T", we bought tickets to the annual Leadership Forum at Ohio Christian University in Circleville where John Maxwell always presents as the headline speaker.  This year was a bit different.  Maxwell had a special guest speaker this year - Tim Tebow!!!! It was a very inspirational, touching and spiritual experience that left tears in my eyes after listening to Tim Tebow speak.

2012 March of Dimes

Today we walked in the 2012 March of Dimes in Downtown Chillicothe.  We walked in memory of Ava & Ella Burke and for Simi & Libby Anderson. Despite the cold weather putting a bit of a damper on the morning, it was a great time.  It is always such an amazing thing to be part of.  Wasn't able to get many pictures but here are a few.

Elli bundled up in her stroller.

The "Anderson Girls" crew waiting to walk

Ethan with his Uncle Joe

Emily bundled up in her stroller too

Cozy with Uncle Canon

Bad Dogs

Poor Elli only got to enjoy a part of her Easter gift from the Easter Bunny for a couple of hours.  Part of Elli's gift was a puzzle that had over sized pieces and the one below was one of them.  On Easter Sunday she had it in her hand when we went outside to let her get Easter Eggs and we put it on the front porch.  Well Mommy and Daddy forgot to pick it up when we let the dogs out and this is what we found in our yard later that week.  Just when we thought the dogs had gotten out of their puppy stage and chewing everything up..........I guess we were terribly wrong! 

Easter Weekend

We had a very eventful Easter weekend.  On Saturday, Grandpa Duckworth and Grandma Tammy came over to visit with Elli.  Pa & T also came over and had dinner with us and helped us color eggs.  T & Elli had fun getting into all the colors.  Sunday, we went to church, back home to hunt Easter eggs, out to Grandpa Propers and then to Pa & T's for some more Easter Egg hunts and fun. We were a bit exhausted by the end of the weekend but had a great time with Elli on her first Easter and with Family.  We really missed you Sikora's and can't wait to have you back home for next year.

Elli had Smurf hands by the end of the night!

 Waking up on Easter morning!  All Smiles as usual.

 The Easter Bunny hid Elli's basket in her favorite cabinet. 

 Elli was more interested in tearing the grass out of her basket than finding the eggs.

 Sophie enjoyed rolling around in this new contraption.

We took Elli mushroom hunting for the first time.  We didn't come up empty handed but only found 3. 

10 Months

Yesterday, Elli turned 10 months old.  She has really started to walk a lot around the furniture and we occasionally catch her standing on her own. Lately, she has started to mimic noises we make and some motions.  She finally started picking up on some signing.  She mostly does the sign for "more" and occasionally "eat."  Over the past month she has become more and more mischievous by the day.  At Elli's 9 Month Check-Up (which was just a couple weeks ago)  she weighed 18 1/4 pounds (48th percentile) and was 28 3/4 inches long (90th percentile).  Elli finally got some teeth as well over the past month - she is now up to two!!

 Visiting the cow with T

Elli got to swing for the first time this month  - she wasn't to sure at first but loved it by the end.

 Our ornery girl getting into every cabinet that isn't locked