Lots of Love…

Valentine's Day was last Saturday and I'm finally getting around to posting Elayna's cute outfit.

We have a really nice weekend.  Alicia baby-sat for us Friday night so Aaron and I could have a nice dinner out.  We really enjoyed getting dressed up and discovered a great new restaurant near us!

Saturday we spent with the family and cooked a great meal at home.  Aaron has really spoiled me this year -- but we both agree that Elayna is our real valentine.

The weather in Phoenix is GREAT the last few weeks so we're soaking up lots of time at the park.  Elayna is now very excited about the swings.  She sits with her mouth wide open saying 'ahhhh' while the seat swings back and forth.  Extremely sweet.

She also finally has some top teeth.  These have been breaking through the last week and although there aren't a lot of symptoms, she's been crankier than normal.

We are working on finger foods.  Her hand-eye coordination is wonderful and she can usually get food to her mouth -- she's just not really sure what to do next.  We have successfully eaten some baby-puffs but that is a big event. 

Happy 10 Month, Elayna

Happy 10-month birthday, monkey!!  We're a few short weeks away from her big 1-year birthday ... wow, is it going by fast.

Yes, she is wearing her 'jammies to the park.  And having a GREAT time.  The many expressions of Elayna:

The Haircut

About a week ago, I had had enough of Elayna's long hair.  It got in her eyes, it was wild in the morning, and she won't let me put it in a pony.  So I spontaneously trimmed it.

And now we all agree it's a little too short.  And resembles Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber.  But I think overall, I like it....

Viva Las Vegas

To celebrate my brother Nathan's 21st birthday, the family met in Las Vegas for a long weekend.  My parents flew down from Montana and our family + Alicia drove over Thursday morning.  This was the longest Elayna's been in the car and she did great -- although she didn't sleep as much as we had expected.

Elayna had a really fun time with the lions at the MGM, the fountains at the Bellagio and the lights on the strip.  She definitely wore out fast so we took turns napping or putting her to bed at night.  It is hard to take a baby to Vegas and I don't recommend it, but we made it work.

Elayna had a GREAT time catching up with my parents too.  She hadn't seen her grandparents since August but I think she still remembered them and loved being spoiled!  Grandma and Grandpa watched her a few times while Aaron and I ran to the casinos for a quick black-jack fix or got a bite to eat.  It was really nice to have the whole family together.

We stayed just off the strip but still WALKED everywhere.  It was a long weekend but we managed to see a show, eat lots of yummy food, visit several casinos, play blackjack and poker. We were WORN OUT but it was worth it.  I think Nathan really had a fun time too.

Additionally, we met my old friend Jenny (Gilbert) Scott and her husband Dakon on Saturday for lunch.  Jenny and Dakon have lived in Vegas for several years but we lost touch a while ago.  It was great to catch up -- they look amazing and was very fun to have the opportunity to see them.

Here are a few photos:

Drinks at the bar at Planet Hollywood

Watching the lions at the MGM.  We arrived just in time to watch them being fed.