Snapshot of Eva

New words: Mama, Dada and today's... "Ayaya" (Elijah)  She also says "Hi!"

First sign: Eat! She signs this all the time!  First thing in the morning in her crib Eva greets us with a smile than immediately signs " Eat? Eat?" The girl loves to eat.

Dance... she runs in place with hands flapping when she hears music or we say "Eva, dance?"

She squeals when she sees her dolls and put this necklace (see picture) on all by herself. She loves shoes and always wants them on her feet... and she loves trains and tractors, too. Perfect!

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sent from my mobile phone

Read Aloud Story

Oma and Poppi recorded this Christmas story for Elijah last year. We just pulled out our decorations and Elijah grabbed the book. When their voices came on he exclaimed "Oma and Poppi telling the story!" At the end it says "Oma and Poppi love you!" To this Elijah said "Oma and Poppi love me!"

He listened to the story about 3 times then said "Oma and Poppi love me sooo much!"

We're living in a Hallmark commercial today!

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sent from my mobile phone

Happy 1st Birthday, Evangeline!

Evangeline Elizabeth

12 months

18 lbs

29.5 inches tall

Look at our little thrill seeker, mischievous grin on her face. What a picture won't capture is Eva's classic cackle... any time she's getting away with something, or proud of herself, we here this "Hehehehe!"

Averlee was born one day after Eva, so we decided to celebrate their birthdays together. Deanna and I made dresses for them, one of my first ever sewing projects. They were adorable!

We were so glad Oma and Poppi (not pictured!) could come to celebrate with us.
Note that Eva is holding "Koko," the girl train from the show Chuggington.  Elijah had the idea that he wanted to get this for her birthday so she would have her own train for the set.

Helping sister open her presents

Eva's birthday falls during Albuquerque's Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, so it was only fitting she have a hot air balloon themed birthday. Elijah helped me make paper balloons for decorations, and Deanna made a cloth bunting for us to hang.

hot air balloon cake pops!

We loved watching the little girls start to play together. Yes, those are rocket magnets on our fridge.  Elijah can tell you which type is which.

We have a similar picture taken a few days after both girls were born.

Enchanted by her birthday candle... Elijah offers to help her blow it out.

Mmmm! Cake smash!
Reminding us of another pink cupcake a year and a half ago, telling us we'd be having a baby girl...

Sharing!

After handing her cupcake over to Averlee, Eva pointed for another piece of pizza, much to her Daddy's delight.  He's hoping she'll be like him, preferring another helping of main course to dessert.

family pictures

We are pretty behind on our blogging.

For the last month, at least one of us (if not all of us) has been sick.  We've followed the stomach virus, with a wicked bad cold.  Now it's looking as if we may have the worst behind us.

We have some fun memories to write up!

Coming soon:

Balloon Fiesta 2012... it was amazing!

Mom and Dad Otten coming to visit

Evangeline's 1st birthday

David's birthday

Mom's 60th birthday celebration at the St. James Tearoom

And some beautiful family pictures I just had to share right away.

our family!

Me and my buddy

The grandkids goofing off on Oma and Poppi's lap... some of the pictures were hilarious.  This one was my favorite, though Elijah's covering his face.

Poppi's hilarious!

Our good friends Tom, Deanna, and Averlee who celebrated Eva's birthday with us.

"I have two monkeys"

This morning Elijah discovered that we actually have two monkeys for him. This discovery precipitated due to dad not finding the monkey after searching the night before and resorting to the hidden backup for bedtime. Of course Eli found it this morning pretty quickly while playing upstairs and came downstairs holding both of them. Jamie and I hear him yell out, "look, I have two monkeys." It was funny for Jamie and I as we had mixed feelings about him finding out. It was one part worried about him reacting the wrong way, and the other part relief at the full disclosure we've been switching his monkeys on him for years. If any of you have seen the movie "The Prestige" where a set of twin brothers pretend there is only one of them as a living magic show that is the way that Jamie and I have been living with Jr. At one point Eli wanted to cut the tag off his monkey which Jamie did for him, but forgot to cut the tag off the other. When we switched them later sharp eyed Eli noticed and we had to joke about monkey "possibly" growing the tag back (Jamie quickly cut it off later). Thankfully he was great about it, and there was nothing to worry about.