Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful family-filled Christmas this year in Texas. We spent Christmas eve at Bruce's mom's house with all his brothers, then went to his dad's side of the family on Christmas morning, and then to Morgan's family on Christmas evening. Whew! Here's just a few pics:


Elijah and Grand-dad (Bruce's dad)


Our 9-footer tree (at Grammy's house -- but we call it our own). ;)


Welcome Paige Hailey Tipton - born Dec 10th to Angie & Chuck (Bruce's brother).


Elijah opening some gifts


More gifts :) Love those cheeks!

1st Birthday Party

Saturday we had Elijah's first birthday party. It was a good time by all! We ate breakfast tacos, opened presents, played with Elijah's new toys and had pumpkin apple harvest cupcakes with cream cheese frosting that I made. We played a drawing game where everyone had to draw a picture of Elijah - you had 30 seconds to draw something then pass the picture along so that everyone drew part of most of the pictures. Despite some initial party-pooper comments about the game, I think everyone enjoyed it - especially laughing at the final pictures - we'll just say some lack artistic talent. Elijah was so pooped out after a long morning that he passed out on Aunt Crystal -- she gave him a "cool" hair style while he slept, pictures below.

Party decorations

You won't believe what he got the most excited about opening - SOCKS! But he loved unwrapping all the presents.

Birthday boy shaking his new rattles from the band set he got

Pumpkin apple harvest cupcakes with cream cheese frosting

He loved the balloons and balls we had put all around the house. He was exhausted after a full day and just about passed out in the high chair.

But he waited and fell asleep on Aunt Crystal (and got all sweaty). The combination of icing and sweat in his hair made for great styling. This is him when he woke up from his nap.

Happy Birthday Elijah!

Our little guy turns ONE today! I can't believe just a year ago he was a newborn and now he's walking and understanding a lot of what we say. We are having a little party with family tomorrow, so we'll be posting more picture soon!

For now, I'll leave you with some Christmas cheer:

Merry Christmas!

This is a regular occurence these days. Elijah LOVES balls and goes up to the tree saying "bbb" (his sound for ball). We say "no touch" and he's learned to just point at the ornaments. Every once in a while the urge to touch is too strong and he'll grab one, then look at us knowing that he did something he wasn't supposed to do. Sometimes he's just so stinkin' cute we let him get away with it.

Trip to Austin

We took a trip last weekend to Austin for Morgan's grandmother's funeral. She passed away at the age of 95. She had lived a long and wonderful life - and lived to see her first great-grandson. It was a lovely ceremony - about 20 people in attendance at the graveside. Elijah slept in the car at the cemetary through the whole thing! The funny thing is that when her husband passed away, Morgan was only 2 years old - and she slept through the whole funeral in the car too. And so the generations continue. Granny, you will be missed and are so loved!



Morgan's family


Elijah fed Uncle Grant olives with a fork



Aunt Milena got a new puppy, and Elijah was so excited the dog was his size. He followed the puppy around, pulling his tail and sticking his tongue out like the dog. The puppy's name is Sasquatch (I call her Sasha - they call her Sassy). The big dog's name is Ataya.



Elijah met his cousin Sophie, who is 6 months old. This is Morgan's older brother Raymond's new baby.


Elijah and Mom Elijah fell asleep while eating..yet again