Decorating for Christmas

The weekend after Thanksgiving is always devoted to getting the house decorated for Christmas. We put on Christmas music and have a fun time taking out ornaments and decorations and getting the tree just right. The kids also love putting on Santa hats and just being silly.

Our Big Boy

Erik is looking like such a big boy now. Brad made me cut his hair because he claimed it was getting too long and he was looking like a girl. I don't think that is possible, but he said either I do it or he would. So, I took my trusty clippers out and trimmed it only on a 6 guard and then trimmed around the ears with scissors. Erik sat very well for it - I think it was harder on me than it was on him.

Happy Birthday to Me

Well, as of November 18, I am now officially one year older. I had a really fun birthday. Brad and the kids made me a strawberry cake - just like the kind I always chose as a kid. The girls were a big help; Erik was a bit of a nuisance. I got to open gifts, which is always fun. Then Nathan signed us in to Disneyland after school. It was a great day for that. It was a Tuesday, so the park was pretty dead. We rode on alot of rides and had a fabulous day. The Saturday before my birthday, Brad even took me to the ballet. I couldn't have asked for more. You know, I thought I'd be a little more weirded out more about being 31. I guess it wasn't so bad because I have now had a full year to resolve myself to being in my 30s. I have a feeling that my 30s will be wonderful and that some of the best times are coming up.

November in SoCal

Well, with all the wildfires swirling around us, we have been fortunate that they have not gotten close enough to us to cause problems. Yesterday afternoon, we looked out our front door and saw the huge smoke cloud resting over the mountain. It gave the sky such an eerie glow with the sun trying to shine through. It has been unseasonably hot this month, with temperatures still averaging in the 80s! Granted, it usually is only in the low seventies right now, but, that is a 10+ degree difference. Of course, the kids are taking advantage of the hot weather by enjoying themselves outside. I'm posting a few pics of them playing this morning - and remember, these are from November, NOT July!

New Niece has Arrived!

We are so excited to announce the arrival of our first cousin on the Sperry side of our family -

Cadence Diana Douglass. She is our first niece - all the Ellis cousins are boys. She is simply adorable!!! Congratulations to Carissa and Clint!

Halloween Fun

We had so much fun this Halloween. Erik was old enough to realize that Halloween means fun. The girls loved helping to take him trick or treating. A special treat this year was that all the Ellis cousins were able to meet for a family Halloween dinner and trick or treat all together.