Lately I have found myself comparing my life to others and usually it isn't so bad but lately I have noticed it has been negatively effecting me. A lot. One thing I have been extremely aware of is everyone getting new cameras. I know it sounds so silly but I have been drooling over a specific camera for over a year now and it is hard for me to see others who have never really played with a camera go straight for the big guns. Don't get me wrong, I am excited for them and think its a great hobby/skill. I just get a little envious that what took me years of practicing and reading and failing they are able to accomplish within a few days or weeks if having their cameras. It all just sounds so silly, I know. But I am grateful for these feelings because they help me to recognize what I really have been blessed with. I take pictures to document how our life really is and what is really taking place. I don't have to edit out the scratch mark from Ellie's head or only take pictures when my house is spotless. I love that I always have my camera handy and don't care if you can see an enormous wreck behind Ellie's dang cute smile. I'm grateful for a great camera and the chance that I have had to really get to know how to use it so I don't have to spend hours editing a single picture, I rarely edit at all (unless it was a paid shoot).

I was uploading a few pictures from today, it was 50 degrees so we ran outside for a few minutes. I was getting frustrated that she wouldn't even look at me for one decent picture but I kept snapping away. And do you know what? I love them! They are just of her exploring, talking, and experiencing new things like mushrooms for the first time. That is our real life. Our life isn't a posed and perfectly in order. It's the little moments that truly matter and I am grateful for the most amazing family to share then with every single day.

This week has been very interesting to say the least. On Saturday we were supposed to attend an adult only work party and afterwards we were going to do some Christmas/birthday shopping. Instead I spent the whole day keeping Ellie away from her dad who was sick on the couch.

Monday night I had an economics test in town. As I was leaving Cody called telling me to get home fast because Ellie had just thrown up all over. By the time I got home he had it cleaned up off the floor and was working on getting himself cleaned up. Poor thing!

We were hesitant about leaving for thanksgiving because we didn't want to spread this flu bug. We decided we would probably be safe and left for my grandparents on Tuesday night in Utah. Wednesday was going great until about 4:30 in the afternoon. We were at target getting Ellie her birthday present and a new carseat when my stomach really started to turn. We were headed to the checkout line when I realized that I wasn't going to hold in lunch for much longer. I practically ran to the bathroom as fast as I could get there. A woman was coming out as I pushed my way threw, don't worry she gave me a nice dirty look but I think she would have rather me speed past her than throw up on her. I barely made it to the stall when I let loose. I found an available lady at the customer service counter and have never had a more awkward conversation. "Um I just got sick..." "Oh you poor thing!" I could tell by her expression that she was not excited to hear where this mess could be! "I made it to the toilet but it splashed on the walls and floor and I just don't want it to stink." I never thought I would be having one of those kinds of conversations. She was really nice about it and we booked it out of there.

I was hovered over the toilet every hour until 4:30 am when Ellie woke up with puke all over her. It was definitely not how I had planned to spend thanksgiving. I finally stopped throwing up by the afternoon and was at least able to eat a roll and some mashed potatoes. Cody has been amazing taking care of Ellie and I, especially because we weren't home. My grandparents are amazing and are the best hosts, even when you are sick.

We are finally all feeling better today, thank heavens! Ellie has been loving spending time with her great grandpa. It might be because he is really fun or because there is always an iPad or a remote near him but she sure does like him a lot. Even though we haven't been feeling the best we have still had a blast. There is nothing better than being in the company of family.

That moment when time seems to stand still as if someone has pushed the pause button. There is nothing on your mind or the to do list but what you are doing in that moment. Nothing else seems to matter. I had one of these moments this morning, one that I wish could have lasted forever but I would have settled for just all day.

When the darling girl woke up this morning we put her between us with her bottle. She has been sick and that makes her extra cuddly. We laid and played in bed with our sweet girl for half an hour. It was absolutely perfect. A happy kid with a silly dad to play with and make her let out those first giggles of the morning. I can't help but be extremely thankful today for my family. An amazing father to our daughter who does anything to help make our day easier, even if its just a quick call to say hello. A daughter who is so sweet and sassy that just loves to play all day. This is as close to heaven as I think you can possibly get!

I've officially ran out of image space. Curse you blogger!

The past few days Ellenor has been teething and running some nasty fevers. Today we watched a lot of curious George. I am teaching her how to sound like a monkey when she wants to watch it. She has gotten the hooo part down already.

I love how much Cody and Ellie get along. He stepped right into his awesome dad shoes- turned on beauty and the beast, grabbed a bottle and snuggled with his little girl. He must have some magical powers (let's call it magic to make him feel better instead of telling him about the drugs) and not even half an hour later she is starting to act like get happy self again. She even let me teach her how to brush her teddy bears head and she did it perfectly!

I love productive days, where I get everything on my to do list done in the morning and the house is spotless. But I believe you need those lazy day in between. This morning I just felt off and I couldn't exactly figure out why. And it took me until 11 to figure out that it was because I wasn't at all productive. And by not at all productive I mean we watched gilmore girls all morning and just snuggled.

Once I got the house in order and showered I felt much better and don't feel guilty about the fact that the only things on the afternoon to do list is play with Ellenor, read history, and take a walk.

Apparently I never paid much attention to babies before Ellie. She is so full of life and has such a spastic personality. She loves to give a big cheesy grin, be shy when she wants to, smile with her tongue sticking out and scream an excited scream whenever she feels it is too quiet in the house. She can stack her blocks, put them away, and stack all the rings back onto the pole in the correct order. She loves to put her pacifier in other people's mouths. She loves to flip through books and is constantly moving around. She's getting the hang of walking really well but still wants to hold your hand if you are near. She plays great by herself while I read homework across the room, reads herself stories, and will randomly look up from whatever she is doing just to give a giant toothed grin, squinty eyes and all. She loves to give high fives and kisses.

I'm in denial that this little ball of crazy, sweet, and spunk is almost a year old. But it has been the absolute best!

Because its November and thanksgiving is fast approaching I thought I would jot down a few things that I am thankful for today.

- Costco sized grapes. Because those little bags are never big enough.

- Clean bathrooms. It is a painful 20 minutes but when it's all said and do e it is an amazing feeling.

- Ellie's squeals which has become a very familiar noise regardless of where you are. The grocery store and hardware store are no exceptions. But the best are garages and any place that has an echo.

- Car washes in the winter. My car has been tan for far to long and in desperate need of its white glow again. In thankful I am not the one standing outside in 35 degree weather drying off my car. I'm also glad that they are so fast because the little one strapped in the car seat let out quite a few alligator size tears. And loud screams that don't mix well in small spaces.

- Manufactured clothes. I've been reading about the early 20th century for me history class and I am so glad I don't have to spend a majority of my day making necessary clothing items for 3 people.

- The holidays. Nothing says Christmas more than poinsettias (ok maybe one or two things). They are ordered and should be coming directly following thanksgiving! They aren't the traditional red either! They are pink and creme! So excited!

These next few weeks will be busy but they will be very fun. We have both Cody and Ellenor's birthdays, an adult work party for Cody's work, the Boise temple open house, thanksgiving with my grandparents (we are the only one not going to my sisters in Iowa), Christmas shopping, decorating, and music to listen to. There is no other time more busy an joyous than this time of year. I love it!

And because I didn't post any pictures of Halloween in my last post. Ellie was the cutest Zebra! Ok, Ok! Hailey, the cousin who happened to have the same exact costume that both my sister and I bought way back in August, made an adorable zebra as well! 

Just a few thoughts for today.

1. Being in a car with teenage girls is interesting. Topics such as who the best looking member of One Direction is and who is the cutest boy at chitchat make for a long ride.

2. After the youth temple trip this morning we grabbed some food at sizzler. The booth next to us, also some of our girls, decided a fight was in order. A spit wad landing in my hair was the highlight. But only because the men at the other table were giving us all the eye. Definitely felt like a kid again. And I am still laughing about the reaction.

3. 60 degree weather AND no wind?! A miracle! Perfect night for a family bike ride!

4. Ice cream will always taste better with a brownie underneath and the top smothered with caramel and hot fudge. Always.

5. Halloween really never is anything exciting. I made Amazing beef stew for the ward party. Ellie loved walking around screaming at the top of her lungs because she was walking and people were talking to her. Not to mention there were loud kids everywhere and you could hardly hear the person standing next to you. She played a few games and then decided she was done. We didn't even stay for trunk or treat. We were in comfy clothes on the couch with a sleeping baby by 8 pm. Loved it!

6. I took Ellenor to the pumpkin patch and she absolutely loved it! She could hit as many giant orange balls as she wanted and attempted to eat all the rocks she could find. Of course she threw a fit when it was time to leave. I know where we will be multiple times next year.