Elle is 2!

We celebrated Elle's birthday three times. Once at Disneyland (the actual birthday), once at Grandma and Grandpa's in Mesquite (on Thanksgiving), and once at Grandma and Grandpa's in Murray. It was an on-going party:

She does more before 9am than most do in a day...

Our littlest is CRAZY. I don't know if it is just that I haven't had a toddler for a while, or if she is really unusual, but I can't get over how much this little girl gets into. She has an affinity for climbing. She climbs on any and everything. I decided to do this little photo gallery to illustrate what I mean. Notice how many of these pictures are in her jammies- litterally before 9 am. "Feeding the fish"- notice the pile of fish food on the counter

and the proud look on her face.

She loves to drag the barstools wherever she needs them-

mostly she takes them to the pantry where she helps

herself to snacks.

This one is new- she has been fascinated with the microwave

for a few days. Sometimes I will find her standing on the

burners on the stove. Soon she'll be cooking for the family.

This was a few months ago- I left the room for no more than 30 seconds-

in that time she used an unhung mirror as a step-stool to get on the

counter and brush her teeth, turn on and off the lights, throw stuff in the sinks, etc.

"Helping mommy garden"- Notice the nose and the soil stuck to the

drool on her hand. This picture doesn't do it justice.

Nothing like fresh baked bread- I turned around and she grabbed

a whole loaf and just started chomping at it.

Next, I got out the knife to slice some for Cam.

Elle wanted to try that too.

I used to keep a bowl of fruit on the counter-

until I started to find little 2 teeth bite marks in every fruit.

My mom said "I don't know how you get anything done." I don't do much more than follow her and try to keep damage to a minimum, but it is the best job I've ever had. She is truly a joy- we wouldn't trade her for the world. One of my favorite phrases since she has joined our family has been "I didn't know how much fun a little girl would be." I really didn't.