Sun Valley

A weekend hanging out with aunties, uncles and cousins in beautiful Sun Valley, Idaho.  The little ones played music, Elliot got to "climb a mountain," and he did plenty of hanging out with the guys (we never did get him his own white robe--next time!).  Another not-so-great car ride for Ellie, but he did a real good job rocking the sunglasses and the headphones for a bit on the way there.  The Sawtooth Mountains are really, really beautiful.  These iPhone pics don't do them justice, but this weekend--and the snow that came with it!--was more about just hanging out with family.  But I'd definitely love to spend more time here in the future.  After all, I never did get to spot a celebrity, though I'm pretty sure it was Ashton flying off in that private jet as we drove out of town :). 

Lucky Elliot, Lucky Us

A while back, Kelly started taking pictures during her days here with Elliot.  It started becoming a really special part of my and Andrea's evening when we'd settle in, find the camera, and get little surprise snapshots of Elliot's day with Kelly.  It's one thing to hear from her what she and Elliot did each day.  And another thing to hear it from him (which is a new and incredible part of his development).  But to see little moments captured and hidden away in the camera... it's like a treasure hunt!  And it only reinforces what we already know: Kelly is a-w-e-s-o-m-e! 

Sometimes she's captured moments of Elliot at the park or in the yard or doing activities.  And sometimes it's just that the two of them are hanging out and she gets a great picture of him.  Like this one from awhile back.  Isn't it amazing!?  And it inspired a whole series after it.

On this day I came home and she said to me, "we did colors today!"  All on her own, that's just what she decided to do with Elliot on this day.  Which is awesome, right?!  I mean, I don't think I'd put a bunch of glasses of water in front of him, but she's willing.  Which means he totally lucks out 

And today I came home and found this project she had made (a background drawn on a piece of cardboard from the recycling with cutouts from Elliot's little National Geographic kid's magazine).  She didn't take this picture, I did.  But I couldn't resist another opportunity to capture some of their day together.  It is just such a gift to know this is how Elliot gets to spend his days while we're at work.  Lucky, lucky, lucky us.  

Messy Monday

Mondays are my one day of the week home alone with Elliot.  Some Mondays are super productive and some are more on the lazy end of the spectrum.  This weekend's dramatic shift from 80 degrees down to 57 and rainy has given me full license to crank up the heat and and stay, as Elliot likes to say, "Warm and Cozy."  It's definitely and inside day.  But even inside days can be fun and exciting.  With the heat up, it was the perfect opportunity for Elliot to strip down and do some messy art.  This hand and foot (and leg and belly and elbow...) painting kept his enthusiastic attention for a half hour or so.  And was followed by, you guessed it, a nice long bath.  The perfect way to spend a rainy, inside day.  Now if I can just figure out how to fill our afternoon?...

Elliot is Two

Happy birthday, amazing Elliot!  You give us so many reasons to celebrate--your sweet snuggles, your quick charm, your outstanding smarts, your cool attitude, your sly tricks, your silly humor.  You are truly amazing!  This little back yard pool party and bbq was just one of the many ways we celebrated you and your second birthday.  Though, I think I can speak for all of us closest to you when I say that every single day with you in our lives is a celebration.  You are a gift, Elliot.  Happy, happy 2nd birthday!