Week 34

Ok, so I'm obviously a week behind... I'm hoping to get this post and the Week 35 post done today, but in case I run out of time, at least I'll get one done! This posting every week is hard work!! Especially when you are as picture-happy as I am, and when you have a little girl who has discovered that the keyboard makes a REALLY cool noise when you pound on it with both hands! She's such a helper...

Anyway, week 34 was a pretty good week. Over the weekend, we celebrated my 26th birthday with "breakfast for dinner" at my parents' house. We had a great time just hanging out. Elena was VERY interested in the cake with the candles, that's for sure! And she was happy to help me unwrap my presents! I got a bag for my new camera, a couple of movies (27 Dresses & Miss Congeniality 1 & 2), and some money for new clothes (somehow, I'm not exactly the same size or shape I was last May!). We just had a good time hanging out together and, of course, playing with Elena!!

Uncle Charlie (aka The Baby Hog) and his favorite niece! :)

With Aunt Ellen, chewing on a piece of celery. I can't stand the taste, but she doesn't seem to mind! I think she mostly likes chewing on the cool, hard texture. Teething, anyone?

Helping Mommy blow out the candles. She was fascinated, and made the funniest face when the candles were all out!

Hanging with Uncle Sam... much to his delight, as you can see!

Trying on the cute Nike sandles Grandpa Price got for her. Pretty adorable!

On Sunday the 4th we had a 30th anniversary celebration at church. We just had a special morning worship service, and then we did lunch and some reminiscing afterwards. Elena wore a new dress for the occasion... pretty cute! :)

Trying to get a picture before church. My new camera has an orange light when you push the button down to focus it. Well, Elena sees that orange light and immediately stops smiling, then closes her eyes as the flash goes off. So it took a couple of tries, and she still isn't smiling!

We're still working on that whole ladylike thing... I wasn't ever very good at it, either!

I love my daddy!

Hangin' out with Great-Grandma Looten during the lunch... and chewing on some more celery!

After the weekend, we had a pretty relaxing week. Mostly just hung out around the house. And, of course, the camera was never very far away!

I sure do love my hippo!

Let's see, I've watched Mommy read the paper... I can do this, too. First spread the ads out over here, then crinkle up the front page. Hmm... this paper makes a cool noice when I squeeze it. Let's see, oops, I missed a spot over there, better cover it up with the sports section!

Phew, it's hard work to spread that newspaper out all over the floor... time for a nap!

Well, life is rarely boring anymore... Elena is really getting mobile now, which is really fun. And sometimes a little annoying, such as with the newspaper and the fascination with the computer keyboard! Sometimes makes me wish for when she would just lay wherever I put her! But she's awful fun, and I don't think I'd trade it for the world!