Let it Snow!!

We spent a long weekend with my parents and sister Noel in Sequoia. Everything was covered in a blanket of white when we arrived. By the second day, we found ourselves in the heaviest snowfall we had ever seen. It was beautiful! Days were spent snowshoeing, playing games in the lodge, and sledding.

Woof Woof

Since January, when Eilee learned what a doggie says, she has decided that most every animal says "woof woof." So for her birthday, we spent some family time at the Santa Ana Zoo knowing full well that she would get quite a kick out of all the monkeys and such that they have there. She was completely mesmerized by the hopping wallabee and the parrots.

Then, we had dinner at her favorite place--Wahoo's. She just loves their fish. )

Cake Face

For starting out as a cautious cake-eater who delicately picked off sprinkles one by one, Eilee had quite a turn around by the end when she was devouring the frosting and smashing some bits onto Mommy's and Daddy's faces.

One year...already!

I know everyone says that kids grow up so quickly, but I never knew that it would feel like I just turned around and a year had already passed. I am so amazed at the blessing of our little Eilee. She is truly a light to the world (as her name says). Everywhere we go she reaches out her hand and enthusiastically says "HI!" I have learned so much from her about the way the Lord sees people. The homeless woman at the grocery store, the sales clerk at Target, the little boy walking into the library, the man with the toothless smile...they all get a "Hi" from Eilee. The world is becoming such a smaller place as the people I pass change from being just shadows on the sidelines to someone's grandmothers, sons, cousins, aunts, and friends each with a story uniquely their own.