New Pics of Makenna and Hollis!

I am so lucky to have a girlfriend here in Flagstaff that used to take pictures professionally. She does such a great job and offered to take our kids pictures because she had some new equipment she wanted to try out -- thanks Jen!

Valentine's Day - 2010

Valentine's day was great this year and Makenna couldn't hardly wait for it -- it is so fun when your kids actually start getting excited about holiday's and understand them a little. We started out our morning by having heart shaped pancakes -- they were actually pink but you can't really tell after I cooked them, plus they are wheat. Hollis didn't really care about what shape they were, he just wanted to eat! In the afternoon Makenna and I made heart shaped sugar cookies together and she got to wear her new apron that Grandma Janie got her -- it looks so cute on her! After the cookies were made, Makenna took a long nap in her apron. Just a little side note story -- when Makenna opened this package from Grandma Janie she was thrilled to get this apron and Valentine marshmallows, but the best part was when she then pulled out Mr. Potatoe Head's butt that she had left in New Mexico at Christmas time. She wasn't sure what it was and just kind of looked at it funny and then she continues to pull out her pants that she left there as well and we got the same reaction. Then, she pulls out the pacifier that Hollis left there and says excitedly, "here Hollis, this is for you"! It was so fun to watch her pull the random things out of the package and try to act excited about each one.

Later that afternoon Makenna had some girlfriends over and she got to have a real tea party -- one with girls who actually cared about the process! :) Makenna served them water, candied hearts, and her sugar cookies. Later that night Dustin surprised me with a great Valentine's gift -- apparently, Target sales pre-made "fry sauce"! He knows me all to well. :) Makenna and Hollis also received Valentine's package from Grandma Savik and Makenna's favorite part, no joke, was the princess card! She said, "oh, this is from my best friend"! She then took the card to church with her the next day and I told her she had to leave it in the car and then when we came home from church she brought it into the house and took her Sunday nap with her card in her arms -- too cute!

I also put a random picture of Hollis and Makenna on here just because I thought they were cute and needed to go on my blog somewhere. :)

Fun Stuff!

Quite often, Hollis is playing dress up with Makenna now. Dustin is not to sure about the outfits he has on sometimes, but he really doesn't know any better at this point. It probably doesn't help that often his big sister is helping him dress up. In fact, I have some pictures that Dustin forbids me to put on our blog -- pretty funny! Hollis is so lucky to have a big sister that cares so much about what he is wearing. :) She often uses the princess blanket Grandma Savik made for her as her picnic blanket now and has her little tea party in the middle of our living room floor -- of course Hollis always has to attend because he is the only other little kid at the house to play with.

Christmas with the Elliott Family - 2010

We got a huge break this year for Christmas and we were able to stay at Dustin's parents for a whole month! We were blessed to have a little bit of work while we were there -- every little bit helps! :) The kids loved the chance they had to play in the snow and we built a snowman like I have never seen before. :) I also tried to help Makenna make a little house, but it was not so great -- she thought it was the best thing ever, so I guess that is all that matters. Makenna and Hollis had one Sunday together in nursery just as he turned 18 months and then Hollis was by himself in nursery while Makenna attended her very first Sunbeams in New Mexico. She was probably a little confused when we came back to Flagstaff and she wasn't in nursery anymore but in a whole new class. We all went Christmas caroling, which is a huge deal in the Elliott family! The family joke is that their family Christmas tradition is "not" going Christmas caroling. For New Year's, Dustin made his Chinese meal again -- I think this has become a tradition -- 4 years in a row now! We all love his cooking! It was great to be able to take a break from everything and just spend time with family.