Evelyn Ruth

We really can't help taking tons and tons of pictures of Evelyn. This post is simply a collection of some of those we've taken recently. :)

Hanging out with dad - this is Evelyn's new preferred means of transportation:

At Sarah and Addie's shower! We can't wait for Addie's arrival any day now!

Happy Baby!

Family Cribbage night (it's a close game!). Sadly for me, Evelyn played on dad's team. She was really into looking at the cards.

Chillin'...

Double chin!

New jammies:

Evie in her new nightgown that came with matching socks, hand mits (not pictured - not a favorite) and a hat. She likes the nightgown best without all the accessories, but we had to try them all on anyway. :)

Ikea, again! She loved all the stuffed animals and the furniture that was closer to her size. :)

Modeling her new super cute hat from our friend, Kris, at church.

Riding in Grandma and Grandpa's van - she was so excited to have daddy sitting *behind* her!

Frisbee & Friends

Last week Evelyn and I had a play date with Kjerstin and Baby Bridget who is more of a toddler than a baby now!! Since it was freezing cold, we wanted to meet somewhere inside. We decided on Ikea so Bridget could run around, we could get cheap lunch, and both girls could be as loud as they wanted. :) It was the first time Evie got to meet Aunt Kjerstin and Bridget and she of course loved them both. She was quite in awe of all Bridget's abilities. :)

Here are some pictures from the day (not the greatest of Evie, but it's important to document the fun day!). Sadly we didn't get any of all four of us!

Bridget pointing out Evie's mouth. :) She was very into pointing out all of Evie's features - we made sure to stay away from the eyes. ;)


Bridget with some of the findings from her diaper bag:

We can't wait until our next play date!!

The other week before Aaron headed back to Hillsdale he spent the day with us. It was gorgeous so we headed out to the frisbee golf course.

Notice the frisbee landing in the basket. He's quite good. ;)
Poor Aaron had one roll all the way down this hill into the ravine! Aaron is good too, this shot was definitely an exception rather than the rule. :)
Evie and I just watched.

Aaron, we can't wait for your next visit!! :)

Baby-sitter Jackson

Today I went over to my friend Danielle's house to hang out and make bread. Her two boys, Jackson and Conner, are creative, energetic and very funny. They're certainly ALL boy - very different from little Evelyn. :) They are sweet boys though and very kind to Evelyn. Jackson, the older one, was especially sweet with Evie. He was quite into entertaining his "little friend Evie. While Danielle and I made bread in the kitchen, he "babysat" Evie, entertaining her with trains, teddy bears, and other toys he thought she would like.

He was also into just laying on the floor next to her talking to her and keeping her company. :)

Thanks, Jackson, for hanging out with Evie! And thanks, Danielle, for hanging out with me! :)

Skype Baby!

Since Nana, Grandpa, Aut Emily and Aunt Caroline live so far away, Evelyn likes to Skype with them so she can see them and they can see her between visits. She's becoming more aware as well so she actually looks at them and watches them talk to her on the computer. Last time we skyped Nathan set it up on her little bench so she could have her own skype dest. She was a huge fan. :)

Thanks, Nana, for skyping with us!

Daddy's New Office

Shortly before Christmas, Daddy moved into a new office! Mellette PC's offices are upstairs on the left in this fancy looking building.

Since Dad wanted Mom's opinion on decorating his new office and since I hadn't met everyone in the office yet, we got to go visit him for lunch last week! I screamed the WHOLE way over there. I think I made mom nervous! However, I was very chill and happy the whole time we were actually in the office. :)

I really like Daddy's new office, especially the french doors!

Since these pictures were taken, Daddy got a new desk, credenza, and book shelves. He's also hung some of his pictures and diplomas. Someday maybe I'll get to go back and see it all finished.

My favorite room of all was the file room as you can tell by my face.

The lobby is also very nice:

Thanks for letting me come visit, Daddy!

Virginia Christmas

We split our Virginia Christmas with Nathan's parents in two - celebrating Christmas Eve before our trip to Ohio and Christmas Day on New Year's Day when we got back. It was fun to have such a spread out Christmas!

On Virginia Christmas Eve we went over to Nathan's parents for an amazing dinner (French onion soup - my fav!!), pickle hunt, and games. Evelyn wore her little First Christmas sleeper from Nathan's Aunt Linda - she looked quite festive. Here she is sporting her new outfit and showing how she is almost as big as her stocking! :)

She loved playing with Grandma and Grandpa Mortier - it was the first time she was really awake, alert and happy while at their house!  

We had the annual pickle hunt and as you can see in the picture below, I was the first to find the pickle! It was very nice of Aaron and Nathan to let me win - it really helped me feel welcome and a true part of the family. Thanks guys. ;) ;) ;)

We each got to open one of our Christmas gifts on Virginia Christmas Eve. Nathan and I got the little video camera that we had been eyeing on Amazon! We've had so much fun taking videos of Evie. Some have already been posted - keep an eye out for many many more. :) She is a little camera shy, however. She'll be talking up a storm and the second we pull out the video camera, she stops! :( We'll keep working on it.

New Year's Day/Virginia Christmas we headed over to Nathan's parents in the morning for a big Christmas breakfast, stockings, presents, relaxing, more good food and games.

Evelyn got her first teddy bear from Grandma and Grandpa Mortier. I have to say that it is definitely the softest, cutest, cuddliest little bear I've seen. She already loves it.

Thanks, Mom and Dad Mortier, for such a wonderful day!