E quote and M update

Gabe accidentally stepped on Daly's tail and said, "He's fine. Cats are forgiving."
Ellis responded by saying, "No, cats are for petting."

AHHHH!  We love her so MUCH.

I took some pictures like this with Ellis when she was a little bambino.  Maci did not think this was a good idea.  And also, I have food in my teeth.  So this picture was a bust all around.

Sleepy.

Reminds me a lot of E at this size.

Doing this a lot lately.

Ummm...will you LOOK at the rolls?  This girl is so delicious.  She's as happy as she is rolly. 

Maci goes to bed at 9.  Wakes up 4 or 5 hours later to eat.  Then again 3 hours later. And is up for the morning two hours after that.  It's nice to have that routine finally.

Maci has officially let out real giggles. It's so sweet to hear.

Maci loves,  LOVES, to have her diaper changed. And she always enjoys bath time.

Maci smiles at anyone easily, and would always prefer being held to not being held.  Thank goodness for my beco baby carrier.

Gabe remarked yesterday that the width of her cheeks is close to surpassing the length of her face.  It's true :)

Grandpa Duffy

First time for Maci and Grandpa Duffy to meet.

We had to promise that Dad (Grandpa) wasn't going to swing.  Ellis is still getting used to all of the potential fun of the new swing set.  Sliding is a big hit...everything else will come.  We hope.

Ellis is attempting to wriggle (with everything she had) her way out of my arms while yelling, I want to stand!

So here she is standing.

We had a great visit with my dad.  Ellis put him to work immediately.  He was constantly being invited outside to play.  If they weren't outside, he was instructed to be Cinderella while Ellis pretended to be Rapunzel.  A very good sport, indeed.  When Ellis and I dropped him off at the airport, she cried a little and said she wanted him to stay at our house.  Sweet girl.

Indiana

Ellis learned how to go under the water while swimming at the hotel pool.  Twice was plenty for her, but she did it :)

Maci was just fine on the sidelines.

First time for Maci and Great Grandma Knipp to meet.  They hit it off :)

Gabe's cousin Kristi ended up being one of Ellis' favorites, too.  Here it appears that Maci would agree.

Ellis with Gabe's cousin, Alan's,  little girl, Bella.  Bella is 4 and the second these two met, they went everywhere hand-in-hand.  Fast friends.

Ellis and Josh had a few opportunities to pal around, too.  Very cute to see.

I love this picture.  And the people in it :)

With Grammy out in front of the Stockman's home.

With Grandpa and the back-scratcher she found at the Stockman's house.

Visiting with Great Grandma Stockman.

We loved being able to see and spend time with family we rarely see.  Grandpa Stockman was greatly missed, and we were honored to be able to celebrate his life, together with everyone (those present, and those who couldn't make it). 

I know less is more. This post full of pictures does not qualify for "less is more" standing.

This one is obviously blurry, but I thought it was cute enough to make the cut, anyway.

"I'm hugging the fwowews, Mama."

Here's the flowering tree from our yard, Mom.  What is it?

Telling me to take just ONE picture!  After I'd taken around 100 already.