Baby Vera

 During our visit home, we were blessed to be able to meet my friend Julie's new baby girl, Vera Claire.  She is such a sweetie, and it was SO much fun to hold a newborn again!  I was especially curious to see how Elli would react to Vera, and I could not have been more pleased!  She just adored Vera, and when we let her hold her, she would not let her go!  I am so excited to introduce her to her baby brother or sister.

See that protective hold?  Love it!

Evan and Michaela's Visit

 In early January, we had a lovely visit from our friends Evan and Michaela.  It was fun to show them where we're living and a few of our favorite places, as well as just hang out and play games.  These pictures are from our favorite little farmer's market.

 We tried to take some pictures of Elli with them, but with Elli directing the photo shoot, we had very limited opportunity to get a good shot!

 Love this picture Daniel took of Elli.  

There really is nothing quite like friends for life.  Michaela and I met in first grade at Brownies, so we've got a lot of history.  She knows me so well and is such an encouragement to me!  Laughter is a big part of our friendship, so I love that Daniel captured such an authentic moment between us.

Club Play Date

I am seriously blessed to have had the same best friends since junior high. We call ourselves, "the club," because we became best friends by forming our very own club - dues, events, officers and all! Even though we can no longer have regular meetings, bike to each other's houses, go to school together daily, or even live in the same state, these friendships never fade! Two of the girls, Julie and Michaela, still live in my home town, so we planned a play date for Elli and Julie's two kids, Carson and Averie. We missed Alli, our fourth member, but are thrilled that she will be having the fourth club baby (her first) in August! Love that the club families continue to grow!

There really is nothing quite as fun as toddlers! Elli was beyond ecstatic that Carson and Averie came to play! She affectionately attacked them when they came in the door, and continued to (rather aggressively) love on them the entire time. Seriously, she did not know how to handle the love!

This has to be one of my favorite "toddler moments" of the day. You can just imagine the dialogue that would have been happening if they could speak in full sentences:

E: Look, Averie! Check out this awesome baby stroller!
A: Really, for me? Thanks!
A: Oh, wow... It's wonderful!
E: Yeah, you like that??.....
E: Bam! How do you like it now? Bwahaha!
A: Ah, man! E: I was just kidding, A. You can have it back!

E: We're friends again, right?
The making up snuggle.

Okay, so honestly they played incredibly nicely together. I just think the above exchange is so typical of toddler behavior!
Here are the kids just havin' fun!
And a little flirting going on...Averie's not quite sure how she feels about this!
Reading with their "Club-Ma," as my dad says.
Julie, Michaela, and I... we miss you Alli!

Time with Aunt Julie, Carson, and Averie

Elli and I also had the pleasure of a playdate with her best friends, Carson and Averie, while we were in town. I had a blast playing with the kids, and also seeing Elli interact with her peers. I gained some useful insight into my daughter's personality.

First of all, how cute is this girl? Oh man, I couldn't give her enough kisses! I love those little pigtails!
And here's the only non-blurry picture of Carson I got... that boy is on the move!Now, none of these are particularly awesome photos, but they are making me laugh every time I look at them! Averie, hunny, I'm so sorry! Elli just loves you so much... and like her Aunt 'Tine reminds me, she is a quarter Italian!
First interaction:Second interaction... Elli, I think Averie was ready for you this time!I foresee many fun times in our future!

And here Elli is playing with Julie after Averie went down for a nap... poor girl, all Elli's loving wore her out!

Time with the Aunties!

While we were visiting my family, Elli and I met Julie and Michaela for lunch at Michaela's new house (which is just beautiful!). We had such a wonderful time catching up and playing. I can't wait to see them again in a few weeks!

Michaela, Julie, and Elli reading Pooh Bear
This series of pictures captures my favorite new Elinor-ism -- snuggles! Pooh Bear is the most common recipient, but she does occasionally give them to people too! Michaela was blessed with a particularly long snuggle, complete with pats on the back! So precious!!!