Yes, we are still here.  Birthdays sure make things busy.  Last weekend we had a small party for Elizabeth with a few of our friends.  It was so much fun to see her excited to blow out candles, making her lion puppet, and open gifts with other little kids crowed right in helping her.  She received a Tinkerbell book and Tinkerbell’s treehouse so the night was all good.  On Sunday we met our friends and I was able to take their photos of their family.  Their son is three months old and it seems they grow so fast.  So I have been really busy this week editing and working on pictures for them.  I am still new to my editing program and find myself spending countless hours each night in front of the computer just trying to figure things out.  I can’t believe how nice the weather has been.  I am beginning to question whether or not I am actually still living in Minnesota.  No snow yet, and it is still nice enough to run in and out of stores without having to throw Elizabeth’s coat on.  I’m definitely not complaining.  I know the snow and bitter cold will come, but hopefully really late this year.  Wouldn’t it be nice if all winter could stay just like this?

Monday Erik took the day off work.  It was our first birthday to celebrate with Elizabeth and we wanted to make it special.  We all got to go to school as a family that morning and Elizabeth had fun showing daddy around.  We then headed to the Mall of America (which when you live here is really for special occasions only) where  Elizabeth got to make a bear at the Build A Bear factory.  All she really cared about there was getting to use the computers.  She loves to use the computer!  We then took her to Rainforest Cafe to spend an outrageous $7.99 on a kids meal.  She really like eating there so it was worth it.  Unfortunately we had to end the day with her 24 month trip to the doctor and more shots.  She did really well and only had to have two.  Yes, we opted for the H1N1 so we will have to head back in one month for one more booster shot.  She weighed in at a whole whopping 19.8 pounds.  So in three months she has gained half a pound.  I just don’t get it.  She eats a lot now.  I guess she is just going to always be my little tiny peanut.  How lucky for her… she is going to be one of those people who will get to eat whatever she wants and never gain a pound.  She is growing tall though, and has now reached 31.5 inches!

We drove late last night for my parents in Illinois and will be here through Thanksgiving.  So sorry no pictures, but hopefully I can figure how to load them here and get some soon!