Personality

I love Ellis and I love her big personality that develops more and more everyday.

Ellis gathers no moss

What do Ellis, Fido, a wheel, a marble and a stone that gathers no moss have in common?...

If you said, "They roll," then you're RIGHT!!! I went in to get Ellis up after a nap last week and found her looking up at me (she always sleeps on her stomach). At first I didn't realize the implications, but after a second or two I realized she had finally rolled on her own! She's done it three more times since then. And she giggles now, which is undoubtedly the cutest noise I've ever heard.

Ellis got to hang out with her Grandpa Randy this past weekend. My Dad visited from Iowa for a long weekend and got a chance to get to know the peanut. We had a great time together!

This is the face Ellis has started making in an attempt to make us laugh, we've decided. She makes this VERY sad frown, looks at us for a second and then laughs or smiles really big. She's a hoot.

He starts next week...

Ellis is waking up but I wanted to announce the exciting news: GABE GOT A TEACHING JOB!!! He'll be teaching at the Denver Street School this year. We are very excited for this opportunity and think it will be a perfect fit for us and that Gabe will be a perfect fit for the school. After such a long time searching, we are thanking God for this "foot in the door" that other places keep telling Gabe he needs. With Gabe's background of working with the homeless, doing YL ministry with high school kids, leading youth trips in Costa Rica, his MFA and what teaching experience he has had, I think he'll be a very effective member of the Denver Street School's staff/community. Plus, if you hadn't noticed, Gabe is a pretty patient fella with the ability to not get ruffled very easily. This bodes well for a person about to start working with high school kids that don't necessarily have a history of "liking" school...

It's a very small school of students at risk for dropping out. They need the same skills as every other high school student, as well as people to look up to that really care about them. Gabe is set to teach English Composition and probably a Bible class. I remember how nerve-wracking that first class (of teaching) is, so we would appreciate all of your prayers and support---even though we all know he'll be great.

And I guess Ellis has fallen back asleep :)

What can I say? The girl can move.

Here is some video I took of Ellis this afternoon. I think she's hysterical, but I'm incredibly biased. Lately her favorite activity is moving all four limbs as fast as she can while lying on her changing table. She'll go on like this for 15 minutes or more. The only unfortunate part is that you have to listen to my voice for 4 and a half minutes. I'd tell you to mute it, but Ellis makes some pretty cute sounds, so I'll leave it up to you. Or you may decide, "I'm not this girl's grandparent. Why would I spend 4 and a half minutes watching her wiggle?" To that I say, because it's pretty stinking cute, and I think it's worth your while :) The choice is now yours...

Ellis' new cousin has finally arrived!

ANOTHER new little one to introduce! Welcome to the family, Samantha Jean. We love you and can't wait to meet you!

So much to say...

New friend for Ellis!

Congratulations to Eric and Chrissie on the birth of their beautiful baby boy, Keaton!!!

Check him out here :)