The Other Eli

Eli's Nana sent me this email she put together ... so funny.

Hey, Listen Up.

I don't usually tell people this but...

I'll tell you. Just keep it on the DL.

While my parents are sleeping, I write financial analysis & forecasts for Fortune 500 companies for a very handsome fee. You should see my college fund.

Psyche! Just Kidding!

I know, That was *so* funny.

I really crack myself up.

Trip to Seward Alaska

Last week, Robert had some work he had to do down in Seward Alaska (about 2 hours south of Anchorage), so the family decided to go along! His schedule was not too rough so we were able to do a few family things together... although Eli and I did spend a bunch of time in the hotel... nap times were kinda boring for me, but hey! I was so glad we could be together as a family instead of sending Robert off for 3 days. Anyway, here are some pics from our trip.

The first thing we did was head to the SeaLife Center. It was a little smaller than I was expecting but Eli enjoyed seeing the fish, seals, sea lions, ducks and puffins. And I can't expect much for a teeny little town in Alaska.



There was a beautiful view of Resurrection Bay.






Another thing we did was go to Exit Glacier. We parked and it was a good walk up to the glacier which was beautiful with the fall colors and Eli had fun running. We couldn't stay too long because of Robert's work, so we didn't make it to the glacier but we still had fun. And everything takes longer with a toddler!

Trash the Dress Contest

I'm doing this post to try to win a trash the dress underwater photo session from Lukas VanDyke who did our wedding photos. I saw these photos and thought it would be fun to do some of these photos for our collection. The pictures are so fanciful, fluid and fairy-like that it would be awesome to have them in our daughter's bedroom one day (if God blesses us with a girl at some point) or if not, to make a new memory in my wedding dress almost exactly 5 years after Robert and I were married. That's why you should pick us, Luke!

Here are some of my ideas. I mentioned fairy-like - so maybe recreating some classic scenes from fairy-tales like Sleeping Beauty being kissed after falling into a spell sleep, taking a bite out of a red apple from Snow White, combing my hair with a fork and maybe having a pumpkin at the bottom of the pool.



Another idea I have is to bring some fresh, vibrant colored flowers under the water to be like a bouquet. (tulips are some of my favorites...) It would have to be a substantial flower so that it would hold up. Maybe red roses too.



The last set of ideas I have is to re-create iconic wedding "moments" like seeing the bride for the first time, the kiss, the first dance, the bouquet toss etc. but with a twist since it will be under water.



That's my bid for winning this contest! I'll let you know if I win.

Eli is 2!

The past few days, it has really hit me that Eli is turning 2! He's not a baby anymore... He doesn't fit in my arms as easily... He's talking, running, playing and learning new things everyday. I love to watch him learn new things and have new experiences, but it also makes me pause and remember that is is growing up and someday will have a life of his own. I'm looking forward to this journey with my family and feel so blessed that God chosen me to be the one to raise Eli. Here are a few pics from over the past 2 years!

About to pop with Eli...

Sept. 11, 2008 3:36 pm

8lbs 6oz

Beautiful Eyes

Silly Boy at only a few weeks old


Smiles (about 3 mos)


Saying Goodbye to Daddy for awhile (5mos)



Cutie (about 7 mos)


Reading!


Eli is 1! Daddy home for R&R


Around Christmas 2009



Welcoming Daddy home in February


Our little guy this past Summer


Our family at Eli's 2nd birthday party last weekend!

The Alaska State Fair

Last weekend we had a chance to go to the Alaska State Fair. It was so fun! We had a blast watching Eli learn and explore new things. He really liked the desert exhibit and thought the big tortoises were the coolest. We saw the farm animals which was fun and then got a balloon and headed toward the firetruck which E. is obsessed with, so that was a hit! I has been such a joy to watch Eli learn, grow and absorb new things. We feel so blessed to be Eli's parents and are enjoying making family memories like these.

Football Cake!

My Mom and I made a football cake for Eli's birthday! She has a lot of cake decorating experience so I knew we could pull off my vision! Here is how it went!

Music in the Park

Recently we went to Music in the Park in downtown Anchorage with some friends, here are some pics!