New words

Elsie is loving the sounds and names of animals right now, especially a cat! She walks around the house saying, "Wee-ow! Wee-ow!" She also loves to say monkey and carry her little monkey around or find a picture of one in her board books. SO funny!

She is full of expressions and phrases right now, so hard to keep up with all of them! Most are fairly clear to understand. Her favorite statement is "I want Mom!" or "I want Dad!", mainly when one or the other of us is in the another room or not nearby. She loves to have all of us together, and gets sad when we are apart. It is so funny how she will be sitting with me and look over at Mike, and say "I want Daddy!" and head over to his lap. She will sit there for a few moments and snuggle with him and then look at him and say "I want Mommy!" and head over to my lap. She will go back and forth between us over and over.

She spends endless hours playing with Ruby now, it is so fun to see them becoming little friends with eachother. Yesterday, we went to the mall play area for a bit. Ruby was protective of Elsie the whole time and would take her down the slide and check in on her while they were playing. So neat to see!

Lately we have been spending lots of time with the dogs since they have to be indoors so much. Henry is super gentle with them and so relaxed now, since we adopted our Hank. He wears him out and I also think that Henry is in the stage of his life where he has calmed down. Both girls love to put the doggies to sleep, Hank is too much of a puppy to cooperate but Henry just settles right in and enjoys all the attention. They love to pet them gently and walk them on the leashes we have. Thankful to have our pets to keep us company and entertain the girls!

New tooth coming in...

I noticed that Elsie has a new tooth coming in yesterday. It is the one to the right of her two middle teeth on the bottom! She still has one molar that it taking a long time to come in in the upper left part of her mouth!

New Bears Christmas!

Great Grandma sent the girls new bears...they are super cute and soft! They love them! Thank you so much Grandma Hunt!

RIP Morris

Our kitty of 8 years went to heaven today :( He has been sick for a long time and we decided to take him to the vet about a week ago to get checked out. The bloodtests came back normal, but the xrays showed that he had a disease in his lower intestines. He was really sick and had actually lost half a pound in one week. He was getting really skinny, he used to be super big. He was vomitting everyday and sometimes more than once a day in the end.

In 2002, he appeared at our doorstep in Vancouver, Washington. He would rub up against us and was so sweet, we couldn't understand how he could be a stray. Mike put a box with a blanket out for him to crawl into at night and he immediately took to it. He started sleeping there every night. Mike started putting food our for him to eat each day and we took him the vet and even named him. At the time, we thought he was a girl because he was so big and looked pregnant, we even gave him a girl name Sedora. We were shocked when the vet told us it was a boy, just a very big male cat. We then started taking him into our home. Sarah, our other kitty was super jealous. She had been our only cat for nearly 7 years already. We had to have them both declawed so they wouldn't hurt eachother. They eventually became the best of friends. Sarah and Morris were total opposites...she was grouchy and he was playful and sweet. He would get onto her back and hold her there for awhile, this was really the only thing that irritated her. She passed away last summer and we never found her. We had put them outside for a brief time frame, Morris started meowing at the door over and over because he was so upset that she was gone. She was doing the same thing as Morris before she passed. He loved being pet by my girls and by us. He would always snuggle with Elsie and Ruby everyday in one way or another. The first thing Elsie did every morning was wake up and go look for her "Mor Mor" and pet him. Ruby would do the same, but oftentimes she would actually lay beside him and put a blanket around the two of them. She would pet him and he would just love it.

Elsie doesn't realize he is gone, she is too young. Ruby was very upset today when we talked with her about it. She cried several times and said she would miss petting him. They both had been with him since they were born.

Mike came home with an angel kitty pin and we placed it on an ornament of a black kitty. Each year when we get the ornaments out, we will remember our loving kitty. We will miss you so much Morris, you were a huge part of our family. Hope you are playing with Sarah in heaven right now.

Lentil Soup and Dr Seuss

OMG...Elsie is so into eatting with me right now. She always wants to move over to my lap and eat from my bowl or plate. Yesterday she ate nearly all of my stew and today she ate a ton of my ham and lentil soup. So excited that she is eatting more right now and willing to try the food I am eatting. She is usually so picky!

Ruby is totally into making signs right now...she makes them almost everyday. She also loves to act like she is Santa and pulling reindeer around the house. Silly girl.

Tonight Mike and Ruby were being silly...they took a foofy scarf and put each end on their heads. It looked like a creature off of Dr Seuss. So they put it on the same way when she was getting into bed and read a Dr. Seuss book together! It was really cute and she loved it!

Weekend with the In Laws

We decided to invite Mike's brother and his family to spend time with us over the weekend as our holiday get together. It turned out to be a lot of fun.

The kiddos openned gifts from eachother. Ruby had a blast picking out her own gifts for each of her cousins and giving them the gifts. She loved the gift they brought for her and so did Elsie.

We decided to go down to Riverpark Square to ride a horse drawn carriage, ride the carousel, and then paint ornaments at Polka Dot Pottery. We waited a long time to go on the carriage ride, but it was a lot of fun once we all were able to get on. A chilly day as we waited. All the kiddos were wearing the hats their aunt made for them, all six of them. It was super cute to see them all together and enjoying their time. Ruby held hands with Makayla as they walked, Makayla held Elsie a bit, and Ruby played with her cousins Michael, Paxton, and Tyren. I really hope that they will be good friends as they grow up especially since they are all only one year apart from eachother.

As we went home, we decided to end the night at Gatto's Pizza. It was a great choice. The kiddos were able to burn off their energy and the food was inexpensive and filled out bellies. Mike and Steven spent most of the time playing the arcade games and winning stuffed animals and tickets for the kiddos. They all left with an animal and prize.



The next day, we decided to eat at the Milk Bottle in the Garland District. Love it there! It was a good time except at the end when we needed cash or check and we didn't have it. The guys went to go get the money and we waited patiently for them to return. The kids were good though and it all worked out. We were going to go across the street of cupcakes for Tyren's birthday, but Celebrations was all closed up :( So....we just headed toward Mt Spokane for our innertubing experience. It turned out to be the highlight of our time together, so much fun! All the kids loved it and we were all able to participate even Elsie and Paxton. After we went for about 1.5 hours, we decided to head in to get some hot chocolate and warm up. It was a cozy atmosphere and very relaxing. We said our goodbyes and headed home.




On the ride home, once we were in Cheney, we saw lights from the fire engines that were carrying Santa around town. Mike drove up beside them and Santa actually came up to our car and brought the girls a candy cane each. They loved it and he wished them merry Christmas. What a neat surprise.

At home, I made stew to eat. I was surprised when Elsie decided to eat tons of the meat and then moved to my lap and tried all the vegetables :) She continued to eat the veggies and almost finished off my entire bowl. She had a huge round belly when she finished,so funny! A major milestone for her, she is usually so picky with her food and will not even try veggies or anything but the meat I give her. Yay! Ruby ate all of hers too!

Elsie talking

We went to lunch with Grandma today and Elsie was thrilled to share her new words with us all. She proudly exclaimed "Grampa" when my mom got into the car with us. So funny! As we spent more time together, she continued to say it to her. Definitely sounds like Grampa, so funny! We ate at an Indian restaurant today, so yummy! The girls loved the sweet treats at the end and the bread they gave us. Thank you for going with us Mom! Love you!

After we dropped my mom back by the office she works at, I decided to stop at Goodwill with the girls. They LOVED it! They got so excited to see all the various toys and immediately started testing them all out. We also visited the book section, and I found so great books in almost new condition for next to nothing. I even found some books for Mike that he wanted for Christmas and a new book that I wanted to read. Yay! I let the girls choose two books each from their section and Ruby picked them all out for both of them. She is such a little bookworm. She picked good ones too. Elsie just enjoyed taking them all out and putting them back in. I found some good games and bought them each a toy too. Only spent $15 total for everything. As soon as we got home, Ruby decided she wanted to wrap Elsie's books and surprise her with them. She did a good job and immediately wanted Elsie to unwrap them both. Elsie did and Ruby helped her. Elsie was so excited to get the books and brought them up on my lap to take a look with me. So funny! They crack me up.

Elsie also started saying Ruby when they are playing or talking with eachother. The only thing is that is sounds more like "Booby" when she says it! She is getting soooo good at communicating now. Just a little ham and so full of personality these days. She loves to give kisses and hugs to me, especially when she trying to butter me up for something. She is so snuggly and soft...love that little girl!

Kylar's Birthday Bash

Ciara played her saxophone for us while were there visiting, she is so proud and it is great to see her enjoying it!

Holding my mom's sweet puppy Snickers!

Snickers!

Ruby and my mom's other doggy JoJo!

Elsie petting Snickers! Such a tiny little puppy!


We took Kylar to get cupcakes at Celebrations, so good! He loved the ones he picked out!

We got 12 for$10, a great deal! So fun to pick out all different types to try!
Happy birthday Kylar!

A New Tooth

I just noticed the fourth molar coming in, it is the one on the left top side of her mouth. It is barely poking through! She has two coming in right now, the one on the bottom left side of her mouth that is right beside her middle teeth has already poked through and out a ways. Now she just needs all the ones inbetween to come in!

Both girls are so hungry all the time now, especially Ruby! She could eat constantly if I let her. She asks me for snacks all day long and eats almost all of her food at each meal. She is growing like a weed too! Elsie is very picky, but wakes up ready to dive in to her cereal. I have slowed the nursing down to twice a day now and so she is wanting to eat more throughout the day.

We watch Despicable Me tonight, a fun movie! Ruby really liked it and Elsie sat through most of it without a sound. I was amazed that she could sit through it at her age. She wants to do everything her sister does, so in some ways it doesn't surprise me.

Family Sunday

Waiting to visit Santa...Elsie is so happy and both girls are excited to be all dressed up! Ruby immediately gave Elsie hugs and kisses! So cute! They both twirled in their pretty dresses over and over!

Pretty girls! Ruby was so excited and gave me tons of big smiles! Ruby loved her visit with Santa and chatted his ear off! Elsie cried the whole time, bummer :(

After pictures with Santa, we headed over to the Davenport to make a gingerbread house! Daddy helped! So much fun!

Ruby was proud of her creation!

The end result, pretty cute!

New Tooth!

I noticed that Elsie is getting a new tooth a few days ago...the left one right next to her middle bottom teeth. It just popped through today and I can actually see it!

Also, Elsie is actually letting me brush her teeth now, since yesterday! She always would get so upset, but now I tell her that we have to get it done before she can go "Nigh, Nigh" and she lets me brush. Yay!

I subbed a half day today, and when I went to my friend Tanya's house to pick up the girls they were doing great! I guess Elsie just fell right asleep and slept for 2 hours straight during her nap time. Ruby got along well with her daughter, what a great day! Also, the students I worked with were very nice and respectful the whole time! Some of the students were my old students at Reid, so neat!

Elsie is repeating so many new words right now, and has developed quite the little vocabulary. She is getting better at saying all the sounds of the word, but mainly gets the first part of it out. She is saying simple sentences like "I want open", "I want it", "I don't want to", to communicate what she is needing or wanting. I noticed her saying monkey today and she even tried to say her friends name Jacquelyn.

Ruby

Ruby has entered the emergent reader phase. She notices letters on everything, especially when we are driving. She looks at all the signs and says, "Look, there is a U and an R!" She is thrilled to be noticing all these cool new features in our environment. As she reads books, she actually runs her finger along the letters and words as if she is reading them to me. She will notice letters and bring them to my attention. Mike has taught her to notice when she sees the word "the", she sometimes will recognize it in the text of the book she looking at.

Today we went to see Santa and some reindeer at Ritter's nursery up north. Before I even said for her to go visit him, I turned around and she was already on his lap. She was turned to look at him and chatting with him. It was super cute. I tried to get Elsie on his lap, but she cried right away! They both loved seeing real reindeer!

Today she wrote her name clear as day, and all the letters in the right order. It was really neat.

Mike and I went on our first date night through program at our church yesterday. The girls stay with other parents while we go out for a few hours. Mike said that it just wouldn't work, but I kept the faith that they would be fine. Ruby cried at first, but when we returned she had made a friend and was happily playing. Elsie was crying when we returned for about 10 minutes because she got scared when they started a movie and the lights went out. She did fine otherwise. So thankful!

Elsie has three of her back molars in now, they are so big. She is missing all the teeth inbetween. Wondering when the others will come? We'll see!

Ruby has been so excited about Christmas and has been reading all about Santa and his reindeer and then the first Christmas (the Christian version). Tomorrow we are going to see a live nativity scene which will be so cool since she has been reading about Jesus in Bethlehem. I can't wait!

Trip to Camden Ranch

Going on our annual christmas tree hunt up at Camden Ranch in Elk, Washington! We take a hay ride up to the trees to pick out the perfect one!

Looking for our family tree!

It was gorgeous up there, all the trees were covered with lots of snow!

The girls next to our tree before Mike hacks it down.

Heading down the hill with our fresh cut tree, Ruby tried to help Daddy out!

We added our name to the Camden Family tree, I was amazed by how many other families had already been there before us this year!

Sick girl!

Ruby went iceskating for the very first time today! She did awesome! I could not believe how brave she was during the whole experience. She started out by holding onto my friend Tanya and her daughter Jacquelyn, but as the time went on she was actually moving on her own. I tried to go out, but felt a bit uneasy about helping her along when I haven't skated since I was a little girl too. I held onto the wall for a bit and she held my hand, but I decided to let her spend most of the time with Tanya and Jacquelyn. I am hoping to take her again with Daddy during the break!

Once we were home, I noticed that she had low energy and really didn't want to eat all day. Mike checked her temperature and sure enough she was running a lowgrade fever. She fell right asleep on the couch and by 6 pm her temp was high enough she needed tylenol. She has been sleeping ever since, hope this goes away quickly! Poor girl, I hate it when my girls feel so bad.

Elsie noticed herself in the mirror today and pointed with a big smile and said, "Elsie!" Too cute!

Snuggly baby

Elsie was so snuggly today with both Mike and I. After dinner, she kept switching back and forth between couches, she would sit a bit on me and then get down and go sit with Mike. Ruby started sitting on my lap too, she hasn't done that much lately. While she was on my lap, she noticed Elsie running around the furniture and actually running into the couch. She was laughing so hard and so Elsie kept doing it more and more to get more laughs from her. So funny!

When I was putting Elsie to bed, she started practicing her facial features again with me. It was so sweet. We both had our heads down on the bed, looking right at eachother. She actually started touching my eyes and saying eyes and then came the nose, mouth, ears, and hair. She will point at mine and then at hers and say it. We also added teeth today.

She has actually been letting me brush her teeth if I let her sit on the edge of the sink and dip her hands and toes under the running water. It was driving me crazy because she was not letting me brush at all, so stubborn.

She lets me sit beside her when putting her to sleep now instead of laying beside her. She will take her whole body and move it so that her head it laying in my lap and then she wants me to rub her hair softly until she falls asleep. So cute!

Forgot to mention....

Yesterday, Ruby and I were quizing Elsie about her eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and hair. She can say and point out her eyes, nose, and hair so far. She still is a bit unsure about her ears and will open her mouth when you say mouth to her.

My Sweet Girls...

Today I noticed Elsie rubbing Ruby's back several times while they were listening to a book being read during our learning playdate, it was so sweet and warmed my heart. I sure hope these girls grow up to be best friends!

Another new thing to report is that Elsie is getting more teeth in...she currently has 6 officially in and there are tons more popping through. I noticed a big molar in the back coming in on Sunday November 14th and when I looked in again I saw tons of white showing through on top and bottom. It even looks like she may have one coming in behind her front tooth, I am going to keep an eye on that one!

Elsie copies EVERYTHING Ruby does right now, it is hilarious to watch. Every movement, noise, action, you name it she is there following Ruby's lead to the tee.

She has become very possessive of her things and says, "Mine!" when she has something that she doesn't want to give up. When she is eatting at the table she I will say, "All Done!" and she will say, "No!" and pull it back in to eat more even if she is actually done.

She repeats everything you tell her, or tries to do it. So funny!

Ruby is loving school right now and is a shining star in her classroom. She always has a great time and loves her teacher so much. The teacher always says positive comments about her, so happy to see her thriving. She is getting to know her peers and making tons of friends. I was surprised to see my semi-shy girl be the leader in her class. I will be in her classroom volunteering tomorrow, so excited about that!

I started back to Sylvan today and actually loved it! I taught SAT Math Prep and it was enjoyable! So glad to like what I am doing to take my mind off of missing my girlies!

We joined a hiking group in the area and have gone on two family hikes. I can't get enough of the outdoors and am so excited to attend more with the girls and Mike and even some on my own.

I will be subbing too one day a week. The girls will be watched by a close friend while I am at work and then I will watch her daughter on Fridays while she subs. A great deal!

19 months old today!

Yesterday we went in to get Elsie's 18 month Dr appointment done. She was 23 pounds (29th percentile), 31 inches (22 percentile), and her head was in the 59th percentile. It was great to see Dr Seppa for a bit, Elsie was pretty stubborn with him as he examined her. She is such a little independent girl these days!

Elsie turned 19 months old today. We spent the beginning of the day doing a mystery shop at our favorite grocery store. Elsie did great, she is getting used to tagging along with mommy as she completes these. Ruby played at our friend's house while we were there, much easier for us all. On our way back to get her, I was saying different names of our friends and family and Elsie was trying to repeat everything I said. So funny! It was a really low-key day for us, we mainly stayed home most of it. Later in the day, I sat with the girls as they played with their toys together. Ruby has a little birthday set from Melissa Doug that she loves and was singing happy birthday to each of us. When we all stopped, Elsie decided that she would try singing it. It was too cute, she had the rhythm and even some of the words sounded the same.

She just wants to be exactly like her sister right now, most of the time you will find her standing beside Ruby going through the same motions or movements. It is hilarious to watch!

A whole month later...

Wow! I have let so much time pass before blogging! It has been a busy month for sure. Mike is crazy busy with marching band and administrative stuff, so he isn't home very much right now. The girls are sure missing him like crazy. Elsie is mimicing everything right now, especially her sister. You will catch her following Ruby around the house doing exactly what her big sister is pretty much all day long. She has been walking on her tippy toes like crazy lately...just for fun! It is neat to watch. Ruby is loving preschool right now, and absolutely loves every moment there with her favorite teacher Miss Rachel. She is really stepping up to being a big sister and thinking twice about how her sister is watching everything she does. She loves playing with Elsie now, they have their own little communication system going and can get along quite well these days. They are just so precious and I thank God for them everyday, what a blessing!



Here are some highlights from the past month in pics:













Playing at Fish Lake, they love to poke their faces through!

Love the fall for pictures

Ruby was invited to a firefighter birthday, she loved spraying the hose but would not get into the truck

Later that day at the marching band competition in Pasco

Another pic from the party, Elsie with Nai'a

The girls love bouncing on Daddy, Elsie is always right along side Ruby

Elsie has been crazy about the toilet, she backs up to the big and little one and says "Pee pee", she likes to act like she is wiping too with some toilet paper

This is the way to share with eachother, getting creative with the trike at a practice

climbing, climbing, climbing

Elsie peed in the toilet all by herself, she was pretty proud

Learning Playdate at Tanyas

Ruby loves to swing, this was at a great park called Polly Judd

...and she loves doggies

The whole group, Ruby and Elsie's learning playdate buddies

Playing in our front yard in a pile of leaves

On the toilet again
Little rakes for everyone at Robins house for a playdate

Sisters