Simple Joys: Ellen's 10 Months

Today Ellen is 10 months old. The month flew by quickly! Most of the month, as you can imagine, was preparing for and celebrating her first Christmas. We had a blast as a family of three this year! Between the wrapping, shopping, baking and singing she did make time for a few new developments this month.

She started clapping which is the cutest thing ever. We can't get enough of the sweet little sound her claps make. She will clap each time we say "yeah." She also uses a clap to sign she wants "more" food. We will work on refining that in the months to come.

Another big development is she got two teeth! She must have been telling Santa "All I want for Christmas is my two bottom teeth." Well he delivered and just in time for us to hit the road on Christmas vacation. We haven't gotten the sleep we are used to but those little pearly whites are adorable.

Before you read on you should be warned the rest of this post will contain TONS of Christmas pictures! You've been warned!

First we started the Christmas celebration with a Christmas for our family of three. Ellen got a stuffed bunny. She is a big fan!

On Christmas Eve we packed up and headed out for our five day Christmas trip. We were blessed to be able to spend the holiday with both of our families and no one on either side was sick. Such a blessing!

First we headed to Roca to be with Drew's family. We went to Christmas Eve service together and enjoyed celebrating Ellen and Quincy's first Christmas together.

On Christmas day we got together with the whole family at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We had good food, fun games and lots of laughs.

Next we headed out to Gothenburg. We got to spend time with everyone but the Erb family. They will be moving back to Gothenburg in January and were not able to come back home yet. We will all get together in January to celebrate their return home.

It was a relaxing few days together. We opened gifts, eat great food and watched football. There was even a puzzle completed.

Ellen spent most of the time insisting on rides in the wagon Grandpa had bought her. It was antique and in rough shape but she LOVES it! The whole time we were there she just wanted to ride in the wagon. So adorable!

Here are a few other things Ellen was up to this month......

At the beginning of the month the Thimms and Stiles came over for a visit. We had so much fun letting the kiddos play together. It is such a treat to have kiddos so close. Oh how the college boys have grown up!!