Florida

This past week we headed down to beautiful Bonita Bay Florida to get away from dreary Michigan for a few days and to spend some time with Jason's sisters and the kids. It was REALLY nice being able to spend so much down, relaxing, quality time with each other. We were able to play with the tots around the yard, go swimming, hang at the beach, go golfing, do a little shopping, eat some fabulous dinners (thanks Aden), and do some late night hot-tubbing ... It was just what the dr. ordered.

On the plane - just the way we hoped

Elena with her cousins - Mason, Lila and Max

Babes are in bed - officially mom/dads happy hour

Everyone playing

Leni taking "baby" Koney for a walk

Elena's first bike ride

At the beach

going for a swim

Golf - Leni's First Set

With Tiger out of the picture - we're working on another fiesty feline to make it big.

She loves golf...or at least hitting things with a stick.

Can't start 'em too early...

I Heart Daycare

Elena loves daycare, which is great... but she never wants to leave! She has a complete meltdown every time I try to bring her home. See this video I took with my phone. Notice her shaking her head no and then completely ignoring me.... Soon after this video I tried to get her out of the Mega Stroller and she flipped out! I guess if I were her I would rather hang with my buddies instead of hanging out with Koney and my boring mom and dad.

The quality of these video's stink, dont they? Looks like we need to get one of those HD Flip recorders!

Elena has mastered eating with a spoon. She is always looking for ways to be challenging herself. See her here inventing a new way of trying to eat yogurt. She hasnt mastered this yet, but I cant wait for it because she is looking to eat cheerios with her feet next - stay tuned!

SNOW DAY!!! Kinda...

SNOW DAY!!!

Hail, rain, dogs, cats, snow, schmo... don't matter. It's monday and monday = work day. No daycare today, but we still took care of our day. After Leni finished shoveling the driveway we had a few interior "to-do's" to tend to. I tell you we're molding ourselves a pretty impressive little clean machine. It's not the biggest pair of helping hands.. but it's help. Now, I'm not saying she gets her innate cleanliness from me, but she did NOT get it from ma ma. Anyways, she's a whole lot more than just a pretty face....She even makes a sponge look good.

Thanks for your help today Leni!

Polishing the wood - She insists on using Murphy's Oil Soap

Unloading the Dishwasher

Doing the Dishes

Swiffering the Floors

Vacuuming the rug

Feeding Koney

Watering the Plants

Bath Time

Rub a Dub Dub...Little Leni is in the tub.

We admit - we're slacking a bit on the pics these days. So we decided to do a "bath time photo shoot" of Elena in the big girl tub. She loves bath time - gets excited to get in and hates coming out. Rubber ducky you're the one... you make bath time so much fun!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Elena Year 1 Summary Video!

ENJOY! This is a big file so make sure it is the only window open on your computer. Hope it works! Love, Mary

Great picture if it wasn't blurry

This is Elena's Xmas hat that we were going to photograph her in, but she wouldnt keep it on... so we put it on Koney! As you can see Leni got a kick out of this too!

I am sad this picture is blurry. Maybe we will try to recreate it and post it again!

HO HO HO! Meeeeerrrrrry- Get me outta here!

We prepared for the visit with Santa the whole morning by playing with this life-like Santa doll I had in the house. It was going well... I would say " this is Santa, he is really nice!" then I would give him a hug and kiss, and she would giggle. Once we got to the mall I pointed at Santa with some other kids and said "Look! Santa!" - I really think she noticed the connection. She pointed at him and said - THAT! So far it was going well, Even when it was our turn and approached Santa she seemed ok...

Then... she freaked out... Which was expected.... Poor Leni! Hopefully, she will look back and laugh at these pictures next year!

One Down....

THEY SAY IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY!!!!

It was a Birthday Bash at the Dale House!

Thank you everyone for all your love, support and...well, gifts.

Elena is a very lucky girl.

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY ELENA!!

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y E L E N A !

ONE YEAR AGO TODAY you came into our lives and changed us forever.

We are so blessed to have ourselves such a healthy and happy baby girl.

Looking back through this blog it is amazing to see how quickly you've grown- hard to believe it's already been one year of memories gone by.

Happy Birthday Leni! You are our everything!

(please sleep through the night!)

LOVE YOU!

XOxoXOxoXOxoXO

mommy & daddy

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Elena helping with the tree...

THANKSGIVING IN HUDSON

Hang'n with the cousins

Grandma and Grandpa...smile Leni

Grandpa and Elena..."dancing"

It's getting chilly...time to bundle up!

Facebook

Elena Dale is frustrated that her parents still enjoy setting up scenario's where it looks like I'm doing something beyond my years (like checking facebook) when it's obvious I'm just to young / still just getting over myspace

Last Day of "Baby" DayCare / Addison Ross

Elena is quickly becoming a big girl.  She is moving on from the infant daycare room to the room with all the shakers and movers.  Elena's friend Addison, our old next door neighbor, is sadly moving on as well, but to a whole new daycare. This was their last day together as daycare buds - Addison's mom Jennette surprised us with some BFF (Best Friends Forever) matching outfits and had a little photoshoot.  We'll miss you Addison!  Hope to see you soon.  

Give 'em hell!

A SPOOKtacular Halloween

Little Leni Bug's 1st Halloween

Baby Lila, Max and Elena

A cowboy picking up Blondie..

Jack O lantern,  Fairy, Lady Bug

Baba Bistra came to town over the Halloween holiday weekend to spend time with Elena.

We went out to the BOO BASH Friday night with some friends and partied it up while Baba and Elena had some quiet play time.  On Halloween we all got dressed up,  visited some family and friends, carved some pumpkins, made some pumpkin seeds, blasted some Mike Jackson, passed out candy and of course....scared the local children.  Elena was the cutest little Lady Bug... or as we say... Leni Bug.   Next year Elena will hit the streets for some true trick or treat action.