Life is fine in 2009

Belated Happy New Year! 2008 was a heck of a year for us--both wonderful and terrifying. As blessed as we have been (and continue to be)...we're glad to move on to a new year. 

Here's the latest:

Dinnertime!

Our bookish Hoosier friends, Francis and Teri recently repatriated from Canada and came back to the East Coast. They came to visit, meet the ladies, and spent New Year's with us

Ella reads herself a bedtime story
Nora wants someone to read the story to her
It was time for bed...
Mama's first attempt at making baby food (carrots)
Daddy and Ella.
Nora in the Cutie outfit great Grammy Fay bought her for Christmas (thank you!)
Ella hanging out with her Lil' Peanut doll from Auntie Mia
HAPPY!
The girls visit with Grandma and Grandpa Richards in Pittsburgh (they needed a baby fix!)
Here's a cute little video of Nora occupying herself in the bouncer she and Ella got from G&G for Christmas. She can go like this for over an hour!

Christmastime

Sorry it took so long to post--technical difficulties including a lack of internet access that will hopefully be resolved with the purchase of a new computer. In the meantime, enjoy the photos!

We spent Christmas in Indiana at Grandma and Grandpa Richards' house in Kendallville. It was the girls' first road trip!

Ella spent a majority of the trip holding onto her her carseat toys. As you can see, she fell asleep holding them--just in case they tried to sneak off.

Nora spent a lot of the trip thoughtfully gazing out the window...
Ella tasting her new Bumbo chair from G&G:
The girls get a bath from Grandma and Auntie Mia
Arghhhhhh!  (Nora wants to be a pirate)
Daddy and his crazy Ella elf
Auntie Mia and silly Ella
Ella reflecting as Nora sits back
Great Uncle Jim sharing his hat with an apprehensive Nora, who is held by Daddy the Mad Elf
Ella and Grandpa decide a nap is in order
Ms. Ella Claus with Daddy the Mad Elf and Uncle Mattie
The girls with Auntie Mia and "Uncle" Tim
Nora and her "twin" (from Grandpa)
Aunt Nat and Niece Nora
The pretzals were making them thirsty
Mama and Nora, hanging out
Uncle Matt and Aunt Nat chillin' with Ella
Cuddles