Santa's in Town

We decided to take Ellie to see Santa before the Christmas rush set in.

While we waited in line, she kept turning to me with wide eyes and saying, "It's our turn!"

Once she sat on Santa's lap, she was in awe of him. She could hardly talk, and just repeated the last few words of whatever Santa said.

She hasn't stopped talking about him since.

Since my camera battery was dying, we just got a short video clip and a phone pic:

It's fun how having a little kid makes you get excited for Christmas like a little kid!

First Christmas festivity of the season

We went to a local lights-on festival and loved it.

It's true -- we are getting into Christmas festivities early this year.

Christmas music, decorations and all.

 Ellie enjoyed a cookie and apple cider while we looked at the gingerbread houses.

 This little cutie and his parents joined us.

The highlight of the night was the carriage ride. Ellie wanted to get up close and personal with the horse, Charlie. I thought he looked hungry for fingers.

Note for next year: Get in line for santa super early. After 10 minutes of not moving up in line, we decided to try the santa thing another time, despite Ellie's begging to sit on his lap.

Sweet Babies

 When my sister came over with her baby Kaylyn the other day, Ellie begged to hold her little cousin.

She then put her hand on Kaylyn's head and held her hand. It was so sweet.

Can you tell how much she adores her?



Ellie & Rachael Ray.

Have I mentioned that this girl loves to cook? She always wants to help me measure out ingredients, pour them into the bowl and mix them together. She can't stand to be on the floor while I am at the counter cooking. She has to see what is happening at all times.

Maybe it's just childhood curiosity, but I'd rather think I am instilling a love for cooking in her. 

One day, she skipped her nap, so I told her she could watch one of "mommy's shows" with me. 

She had no complaints. In fact, she was mezmerized.  

Her interest in cooking makes me think she will really like her Christmas present.

A Scrumptious Halloween

Our Halloween costume plans changed at the last minute when I found Ellie's little cupcake outfit at Old Navy for 5 bucks.

A couple Krispy Kreme hats and a makeshift cupcake necklace later, we became the Christenson Cupcake Company.

We Christensons make some good cupcakes!

Our nephew Chase was a cute little bat.

Halloween is no small matter around our house, and we couldn't wait to take Ellie trick-or-treating. She LOVED it, but was all business. Once she said her "Trick or Treat" and "Thank you," she shouted, "Next house!" and off we went. She is still talking about Halloween and trick-or-treating.

Good thing there's next year!

Cornbelly's

Clay and I have been going to Cornbelly's pretty much since we got married. We love it. This year, we coaxed some friends into coming with us, despite the bitter cold weather.

First, we stopped at my favorite cafe: Flour Girls and Dough Boys.

 

Ellie couldn't take her eyes off the pumpkin princess.

Ellie didn't want to go further than this into the Creature.

 Love these girls and these babies!

 Ellie adores Krugh and talks about him pretty much every day. No joke.

My favorite pic from the night.

Ellie and Jayne sharing the wheel.


It was such a fun fall night with friends.

Pumpkin Patch

Happy Halloween!

Enjoy some pictures from our trip to Pumpkinland —

a charming little pumpkin patch that might just become a yearly tradition.

(Thanks for sharing your pics, Dayna!)

 Love that man, and love that handsome little boy.

Seriously. If I were a kidnapper, I'd have my eye on him.

(Lucky for you, Dayna, I'm not.)

We came away with a pumpkin for everyone in our little family and a sugar pumpkin, which I made this coconut pumpkin soup with. Yum.

After Pumpkinland, we went to Kneaders for lunch. It is my favorite lunch spot ever. It also sells my favorite dessert ever — the French pastry "Napoleon." Delish.  

It was so fun see Jayne and Ellie run around and have fun together!