Elsie and Lucy on the Farm





"You would not believe how my parents are obsessed with farm animals. Lucy and I humored them by going to the petting zoo at Hilton Head, so they could all sing 'Old MacDonald' one more time... Not a day goes by without Daddy asking me what a sheep says... You would think he would know by now. I guess all parents are like this. Lucy's mom Tracie was all giddy at the farm. Maybe when we grow up we'll be into these farm animals, too."

New Year's Stats



Weight: 25.8 lbs (84th percentile)
Height: 32 inches (94th percentile)
Head Circumference: 46 cm (50th percentile)


At her 15th month check up, Elsie was pleased to learn how she was measuring up. She was not so pleased, however, to receive three big ol' shots. She has recovered admirably and even began to say "Mama" here at the end of her 15th month. Now, that "avocado," "alligator," "Elmo," "Oscar," and "Rocky" are common parlance, she might as well give that commonplace word a whirl...

Arrivals and Departures















So, like Santa (aka "Ho Ho Ho" according to Elsie), we had to cover a lot of ground over Christmas. We arrived in Atlanta the eve of Christmas Eve. Addie treated us all to a delicious Christmas Eve dinner including Elsie's favorite corn pudding. We got to burn off those calories at Christmas mass--Elsie spent the first few minutes of the service bellowing a festive "baaaaa" in the sanctuary, inspired by the sheep in the nativity scene. (And yes, Baby Jesus is still "daddy.") But before the first hymn was sung, Elsie was on the move, up and down the back stairs for most of the service.
Christmas morning meant more presents for Elsie. These generous gifts may have been upstaged by the herd of wildlife at 665. It is hard to focus on your new shopping cart and "See and Say" when you have three frenchies and a pug to corral. Poppa, however, had no trouble focusing. A Christmas morning Bloody Mary awakened his dormant Santa skills, and he had the cart assembled in record time--is there any other kind of time for a Howells? David muses...

Christmas in the Country














It is always good fun to head out to the country to visit the Alabama kin! Elsie was thoroughly entertained by GranAnn and Pop Roy and was generally treated like a little baby princess. Check out her playhouse--Ann, Roy, and Elsie are enjoying a porch sit in front of it since the electricity isn't in yet! Elsie enjoyed the wildlife in the country too--cows, dogs, even monkeys... Roy is working on the monkey's batteries here so Elsie can then tuck him in and put him "night night" after she is done playing with him, a favorite activity of hers. Grandpa David, Grandma Sharon, and Yanna came for a visit as well, and Elsie showed them her stuff. And when Aunt Jamie and Uncle Benji arrived, the party and presents commenced.

Christmas Tastes like Chocolate






Our photo selection will not adequately represent the distance and the depth of our holiday travels. We found ourselves so engrossed in the actual adventures I guess that we did a sorry job documenting them. They will give you a sweet taste, though. First stop on the adventure was three days in Minter Alabama, home of Pop Roy, Gran Ann, Great Grands Meme and the Bushes, the Hollingers, and Aunt Jamie and Uncle Benji. Highlights to follow--these pics do represent Elsie's first chocolate--thanks to Pop Roy!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!




from Oscar's bed to yours...
**wink, wink, says Elsie.
**swish, swish, says Baby Foo.
**I'm vewwy vewwy tiyerd, says Oscar.

What Child Is This?: Opening Elaine's Christmas Present

Deck the halls...

He sees you when you're sleeping... He knows when you're awake...

Picking out some holiday tunes on Dad's ipod

The only bowl game Alabama and Notre Dame fans are excited about...

Jesus is my DJ

On more than one occasion now, Elsie has wandered off and we have found her, holed up in her room, dancing to Christian rock. Elaine has the radio in her room set to such a station and Elsie knows how to turn the radio on and she loves to dance and she doesn't "rock out" to anything quite like she spins and head bangs to this music. We'll try to get some footage to confirm. Next thing you know she'll be changing the channel from Sesame Street to the 700 Club. We may have to draw the line there.