I am the luckiest! This little ball of fire is my daughter and nothing can ever change that! She has so much spunk and personality yet she is so sweet.

She loves to hold your hands and walk everywhere. Yesterday I tried getting her to walk while holding only one hand (she will only do it if she wants to) and yesterday she was not in the mood. She threw herself on the floor and as she was whining crawled behind the recliner to hide. It was her best fit to date.

She is trying to be independent. She likes to grab the spoon and put the food in her mouth herself. She's been using sippy cups for about two months now and always wants to hold them. As of late she likes to stand while drinking her bottle or sit on her knees.

If you make weird noises or faces she either gives you a blank stare or gives you the eyebrows. If your lucky she will give you a nice loud "AHH"! She is such a talker. She is happy in the mornings and first thin she says is dada. She thinks its a game when I try to get her to say mama, her usual response is either whispering or yelling dada.

If you aren't playing with her she will climb on you and either pull on your hair, ears, eyes, and yesterday she discovered that if she is fast enough she can get eyelashes to.

She is teething again, another on the bottom is starting to show. Maybe she won't get two front teeth? The past week she has been biting everything, it has been my legs a few times, arms and really anything she thinks she. Can get her mouth around. Ellie is fascinated with mouths, if you want to hold her just expect her to inspect your mouth.

She has started paying attention more when we have a movie on, I sometimes put it on just for noise but she will now stop and watch for a minute or two, good thing we have a decent Disney collection started.

She is constantly jabbering and its easy to know when she's eating things or getting into others. She stands anytime she is in her high hair even if she is strapped down and loves to bounce in it. She constantly on the go and trying to be independent but is always looking over her shoulder to make sure you are right behind.

She loves books and has learned how to rip page out. The first time she cried but now I am convinced she likes the sound!

Ellenor is the funniest kid I know and I am so excited to see what these next couple months bring. So far this 10 month stage is my favorite!

I think I may have an obsessive personality and when I say I think I mean I have a really obsessive personality. Especially when it comes to food. Last week all that I wanted for lunch was a turkey sandwich/wrap and for the entire summer enchiladas for dinner sounded absolutely magical. Tonight I made meatloaf and have a feeling it is going to be the new enchiladas.

This past week we bought the movie the Avengers. Cody saw it in the theaters and has been raving about it ever since. I am hooked! It was so good but I was mad that I couldn't remember everyone's story, the only one that I didn't have to have him explain was Iron Man.

Well it was bugging me that I have never even seen a preview for Captain America or the fiery red headed woman in hot black leather. I have now made it a mission to watch all the Marvel movies, especially those whose characters were in the Avengers. This morning while doing laundry and dishes I watched Captain America and I already have Iron Man 2 planned for tomorrow morning.

Today was exactly what I needed. I straightened the house back up, did homework, and then relaxed the rest of the day while playing with only the cutest girl ever! After this crazy weekend it was so nice. The wedding on Friday was great and hanging out all day with my adorable pregnant sister was great! Staying up late looking at pictures of my mom as a little girl an staying up late talking ro grandma is definitely on my top ten favorite things ever! I sung a solo in church on Sunday and I am more than thrilled that it is over. I just have my fingers crossed that I don't get asked to sing it in the other ward in our building (hopefully it was bad enough!).

I included a picture because I finally got one. Ellenor does not have her two front teeth (maybe for Christmas?) and she looks like a kindergarten when she smiles! I love it!

The Searle household lives for fall. The colors, change in weather, layers upon layers of clothing and blankets, the smell of harvest (but not all the crazy fast trucks driving by at mock 5). I love living in Idaho specifically for the fall.

But this weekend we watched Holiday Inn (only the best black and white movie ever). I woke up thinking about where to put the Christmas tree and what size snow boots to buy Ellie. And that's when it hit me.

There will be no snow this Christmas. The chances of it actually snowing in December are slim and when it does it rarely sticks. I miss real Christmases. Alaskan Christmases. Where no matter what there is guaranteed at least 3 feet of snow plastered to the ground. The odds of being able to sit snuggled on the couch reading a book with only the lights of the tree and snow falling silently outside. Sledding every weekend. Unlimited supply of hot chocolate that actually gets used.

Snowball fights. Christmas caroling and running from the car to the door singing as fast as you can an running back because it is below zero. Bundling up in hats, scarfs, and gloves just to run to the mall for last minute shopping.

But mostly I miss my family in Alaska. Grandma and grandpas house for Christmas dinner. The nice china, linens, and sparkling cider. Sitting and talking as snowing is slowly gliding to the ground right outside the big windows. The smell of fresh powder on the ground mixed with the warmth of cinnamon candles burning inside.

I miss Alaska. I miss that ol' house where we sat on the stairs waiting for the clock to strike to be able to see what "Santa" had brought. Breakfast casseroles and endless amounts of stocking candy. Puppy trying to eat all of that candy and occasionally succeeding.

So basically if anyone wants to donate air plane tickets for me to show Cody how Christmas is really done, with the snow and all, we will by more than willing to accept them.

I am extremely frustrated right now. Blogger has decided that I have too many pictures and cannot load anymore! How rude! All I wanted to do was post more adorable pictures of my favorite girl along with some funny stories. Well I guess one will have to suffice until I quit my pouting and cookie dough eating and either delete something or pay up.

We have been loving fall and taking pictures around here. My first activity with the beehives (12&13 year old girls) was this past week and we had a blast doing a fall photo shoot! The pictures turned out great and it was fun to just see them act goofy!

I joined a book club! A bunch of ladies (mostly older which I actually love) get together once a month to discuss a book but this month they decided to visit an internment camp here in Idaho since we just read Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. It was amazing being able to see everything and what remained of one of the darkest periods in American history.

Other than that I am getting excited to shoot my first wedding on Friday at the Salt Lake temple, it's a bucket list item of mine!

Ellenor still loves her dad the most. Anytime I try to get her to say mama she just smiles and says dada. She does say mama when she wakes up an wants out of her crib or when she is crying at my feet to be held.

Classes have been good and I am able to keep up with the work load. I got test results back yesterday and I got a 96% on my test! Boo ya! Take that e economics!

This song just sums up my mood and how I feel. I love it.  

Last night Ellie was playing on the floor. 

I was reading a book. 

A quite moment in our home with just the three of us.

Cody stopped what he was doing and just looked at me. 

He tells me that he loves me and Ellie so much. 

Its little moments like that that help me recognize what is of the most worth.
It isn't school work.
It isn't how nicely decorated my house is.
Or how clean it is.
It isn't how many activities I can fit into my day.

Or how many times I go out with friends.
What is worth the most was there right in front of me. 

My family. 

My two favorite people. 

I have been trying to finish our book club book for the month before we take a little jaunt out of town on Thursday morning. Every night for the past few days Cody has asked me to snuggle on the couch with him. But I tell him no and climb into the recliner to be consumed by a book.

Not tonight.

I am the luckiest. 

I have the happiest little girl. 

She screams (an excited one) and smiles all day long.
She loves her mom.
She loves her dad.

Her dad loves us both. 

We are the luckiest.

 

 

Today was Monday. Usually Monday's consist of getting the house back together after the weekend. Today it consisted of exercise and studying.

I was really nervous about taking my economics test in a classroom tonight. All my recent tests have been online and all open notebook. No sweat. I've been studying hard and trying to remember all the terms. Its been 3 years since I've actually had to study! And I aced it! No problem! I was the first one done and was out the door by. 7:25 (class started at 7).

I also had to take a running test, run a mile and then check your heart rate. I would not suggest doing a leg workout that leaves your legs sore and unable to bend easily right before you try running. I miss running everyday. If you have an iPhone you should try the Nike training club app! It will kick your trash!

Saturday we went shopping and had a blast being able to spend time with each other and as a family. Poor Ellie had to put up with dads crazy ideas of what is cute. Good this she has a mom to keep her clothes in check!

Because I can't stop laughing about it I thought I would share.

I don't usually put shoes on this girl because we usually never go anywhere. Well it's Saturday and we are getting out of the house!

These boots have Pom Pom balls on the end of the laces. And Ellie has decided that they are delicious.

But apparently it is too hard to eat them sitting up, laying down is preferred.

Oh goodness! I love this girl!