Christmas Time.... 10 Months and Growing...

Angel baby...

 

CHRISTMAS TIME!

10 months

 

 

 

 

Christmas is always one of the most exciting times of the year, but with a kid it is even more magical and special.  Not that Ellie knew the different between Christmas and Halloween, but the holidays are always soo much fun with family.  I took off a few more days from work since I was ending my job with the Department of Revenue after almost 9 years there and starting a new job with the Education Lottery.

 

Being home with her for a couple of days was so much fun!David was able to take off some time and we realized we had the whole childcare mixed up….Amber should be paying us to take care of our angel baby ;).She is a happy baby and loves attention – wonder where she gets that from?!?!

 

 

Ellie also got to celebrate Christmas for two days straight!  We celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve at the Cook’s and Laura and Shawn were in town and got to play with Ellie, too.  Hannah and Nathan were so sweet to Ellie all day and Ellie even got to match her older cousin with their snowman outfits… They were too cute!  And Nathan was right there beside them just as sweet…  Ellie is pretty lucky to have so many cousins that love her so much, and shower her with attention and toys!  Hand-me-downs are the BEST!

Ellie found her name on Santa's good list :)

 

 

CHRISTMAS DAY! Santa came to see Ellie…  And she was a good girl.  Ellie got some toys, clothes, books and of course a teddy bear or two.  It was fun watching her army crawl to the presents and attempt to unwrap/eat the wrapping paper.

 

 

 

After we had our family time at home (which was amazing!). We ventured to Greenville to see the entire crazy Howard Clan.  Chaos!  The loft looked amazing and smelt like Christmas, right down to the boiled custard.  Ellie got to see all 6 cousins  Howard cousins and the opening of presents was almost  overwhelming but entertaining to say the least!  Presents were opened food was eaten and Ellie was out!   Baby girl was just exhausted by the end of the second day and slept all the way back home and all night to let Mom and Dad sleep in the next day.  (MERRY CHRISTMAS TO US!)

 James and Ellie are besties!

 3 Generations...

Gracie and Adeline are always entertained by David...

 

Yes everything is in the mouth... Lovin all Mom's jewelry

Always together!

 

Bang.... Gotcha Dad

 

 

And she is Off... No more hanging out she is everywhere, so much fun!!

Gobble Gobble 9 Months!

 

Gobble Gobble….. 9 Months Old

 

We have been busy! We have been to the mountains several times to enjoy the cooler weather with some friends... 

Ellie is David's MiniMe... To say the least :)

Walking up to Chimney Rock with the Browns... Yeah David is COOL

                                                   Our first time at Chimney Rock with Ellie

 

Just hanging out around the house with Ellie.... I believe she is trying

 to tell us something real deep here... ba ba ba

HAPPY BABY!

 



 

 

I might be biased but my baby is the cutest little girl ever…  Thanksgiving was a success!  Ellie now has two little bottom teeth and is interested in all food around her, which could not have worked out better for Thanksgiving.  She tried some turkey, mashed potatoes, bread and seemed to enjoy everything at Aunt Heather and Uncle James’s house.  The day was gorgeous!  Ellie even had some time to play on the golf course with her cousins.  Hannah taught her how to fly not one kite but Tons of kites with lots of running!

Hannah teaching Ellie how to fly kite

Great Father/Daughter shot :)

Ellie, Hannah and Nathan playing on the golf course.

 

After Thanksgiving with the Cooks we headed to Greenville for Thanksgiving with the Howard

Jessica and Garrett Greer haning out at Grandmommys

Grandmommy and half the Howard Crew

 

Ma and Gigi with Craig's Family (well just Hamilton) and ours..

Dinner time... but someone we are still at the kids table, one day we

 will make it to the dinning room... or not

 

 

Another Celebration! Adelines Birthday she turned 3 years old, just in time for baby number 3 for Hunter and Joy :)

 

 

 

Adeline's birthday was a pancake and pajama party! HOW FUN

Gracie getting some lovin from her crazy Uncle David

Beautiful lil GIRL!

 

November has been a very pretty month with great weather.  We have really gotten to take advantage of our Riverbank Zoo membership and find ourselves going almost every weekend even just for an hour to see the gorilla or monkeys.  We also got to go to the zoo for Boo at the Zoo two times!  The first time we went with Mama and Papa Cook, James, Heather, Nathan and Hannah and had a great time with perfect weather.  The second time we went with Ashley, Sean,  Brenn and Kenzie who drove all the way from Charleston to see the lights and animals with Ellie and it was COLD.  We were pushing Ellie’s bedtime, but she was a trooper on both occasions and just loved being around family and friends!

Ellie's first visit to Clemson and the Lake house.

EIGHT MONTHS!

8 Months?!?!?!

It's been another wonderful month with our little angel baby!! She sure is growning like a weed and has even begun saying dada!! Ellie just loves to sit on the couch playing with all of her toys and just babbles away with her adorable Hey dadada. Deffinently a Daddy's girl all the way.

Ellie truly enjoys two things...being outside and Grizzly. Put them together and what a happy little girl!

 

 Halloween is how far away!!! haha love this face.

 I love this picture of my girls!! Oh yes it's David's turn on the blog.
Ellie and Fran had a little bit of a photo shot on the front yard while I was at the Clemson football game. Impressive thing is she took these while on a timer.

 

We also had a great weekend with all the Cook's at Fripp to just relax and enjoy the weather!! 

The next big event for the month is Aunt Laura's and Uncle Shawn's wedding! Before going down to Charleston to prepare for the festivities Laura and Shawn were able to spend some time at the house. We all had a big time with the grand parents, James, Heather and all the kids. The kids just love to walk up to the barn to see the horses

 

 What a happy family!! On the way back Hannah takes off running all the way back to the house with Nathan right on her heal. I still can't believe how big they are getting. Before we know it Ellie will be running right behind them.

 Grandmommy had the best time getting to play with Ellie and Hannah at Laura's wedding shower. Aunt Susan hosted a great wedding shower for Laura.

 Just looking at this picture I can hear Hannah's little "Ellliieeee!!!" While Ellie just cackles away. Such sweet cousins!











While posing Ellie pulled away from Hannah bumping her head on the dock. However, I hear she handled it great and hardley even cried. That's my tough little girl!

                                                     Who doesn't love a swing!!!!

 

After the girls got done with the shower and the guys got back from golfing I cooked up a great lowcountry boil for everyone at the house. Think I caught everyone off gaurd by dumping the food on the counter and said dig in! Absolutely best way to feed a large group.

                                                         James and Heather chowing down!!

 

Walking down the peir to catch the boat for the rehersal party.

 

 The Links hagging out. Brett had a big role during the wedding of holding Ellie after I walked her down the aisle as a flower girl. Brett said Ellie just sat on his lap stairing at Laura and Shawn and never even made one peep! None of us could get over how good she was.

                                                  
                                               Thought this was a cool pic under the bridge

A special THANKS go out to Ashley, Sean, Brenn, and Kenzie for taking care of Ellie during the rehearsal so that we could have a little adult time and enjoy in the festivities!!

 
           Not sure but does it look like Shawn is pushing laura over the deck!! Haha. What a great night for a boat ride.                       

 

Additional Pictures of Ellie during the month!!
 Cousin Rob even got in on feeding time! See... even a cowboy can have a soft side. Ellie loved Rob's beard and kept trying to rip it out.

Celebrating Ellie's 8 months at the Zoo with Hamilton and Zan! Nana and Pop treated the boys to some face paint....

Ellie loves hanging out with all of her cousins!! Even the latest addition Hugh Garrison Howard

And Tricia got the Bassenett back to add another Howard to the long list of babies!!!