Week 50 & 51

I find it hard to believe that the title of this post is actually 50 and 51 weeks... it doesn't seem possible that a week from now our little girl will turn one! It doesn't seem possible. It's kind of like being married... it doesn't seem possible that it's already been a year since she was born.
But, at the same time, I can't imagine (or really remember) life without her.

Anyway, the last two weeks have been really busy, and full of fun new tricks- like talking on the phone and walking!! The two weeks ago we had the Fall Kickoff with the youth group, which really turned into a huge water fight! I took some great pictures of Elena playing on the playground equipment at Cosmo Park, but I think they're on Aunt Ruthie's camera, so I don't have any to put up.

Over Labor Day weekend we headed to Illinois to visit my grandparents. We had a great time. We just relaxed on Saturday, hung out and goofed off around the farm. Then, on Sunday, Josh got to preach at Grandma & Grandpa's church because they don't have a pastor. Afterwards, the whole family came to Grandma & Grandpa's house for lunch- we had 36 people there! It was crazy. Elena had a great time re-meeting all of her great-aunts & uncles, cousins, etc. Monday we went to Grandma & Grandpa Hook's house. They are my great-grandparents, so they are Elena's great-great grandparents. Elena LOVED Grandpa Hook's walker, she just pushed it all over their living room. I took some great pictures of that... on Ruth's camera, so those will have to come later. But I did take GOBS of pictures on my own camera, and here are a few of my favs...

Hanging out with Great-Grandpa Price. Check out the shoes!! Daddy decided that, since she was walking now, she had to start wearing shoes. So we stopped at the Carter's outlet on the way to IL and bought these ADORABLE brown and white tennis shoes. Doesn't she look like such a big girl?!

Driving Uncle Davids new zero-turn mower... all the guys in the family were salivating over this thing... Aunt Jane, not so thrilled! :)
Elena spent lots of time helping Aunt Ruthie with her physics homework!
At lunch on Sunday Elena got to hang out with her cousin, Addyson. Addy is actually 2 months younger than Elena, despite being quite a bit bigger! Guess Elena really is just that petite. She certainly doesn't fit in with the Price side of the family when it comes to body type!
Elena and Addy weren't too sure about each other at first... but they warmed up to each other pretty quick!

Long weekends require lots of naps... and what better way to take a nap than with Daddy?

We got to ride the Mule around the farm to look at all of the animals. We saw pigs and cows, and Elena LOVED them all!
We stopped at the lake and fed the fish, which meant there were massive catfish jumping all over the water. Elena thought that was pretty cool, too!
Hanging out with Grandpa again... she DESPERATELY needed a nap, but she wouldn't go to sleep for anyone, not even Grandpa!
ted This is back at home... apparently she wasn't done with her cereal! She has become fascinated with her bowl and spoons, trying to eat out of them and pound on them after I finish feeding her oatmeal.

Now that she has started walking so much, I'm finding that I LOVE these pictures of her walking with somebody. Poor thing, nobody loves her enough to walk with her, but I've managed to capture a few shots...

Walking with Daddy...

With Aunt Ruthie and Uncle Charlie at church...

Aunt Ruthie and Uncle Charlie again!

Grandma Price and Aunt Ruthie

I just think there's something so sweet about seeing the little girl walking with the grown ups.

Anyway, there has been much planning and preparing for the big party next weekend! I get the feeling it's going to be a big ol' party! I hope you all are coming!! If not, stay tuned for pictures in the next big update next weekend!!