Elli turns 4!

Wow - I can't believe my baby is 4 years old - it always amazes me how fast time flies by! And lucky Elli - I believe she also got 5 different birthday celebrations. First she got to celebrate with her McDougal cousins which included celebrating cousin Shelby and Olivia's birthday. Then on the weekend of Elli's birthday - our family was in Pocatello for a dance competition for Madison. Elli thought this was great because this meant she got to spend her whole birthday weekend with her friend Halle (our awesome friends the Richards were nice enough to let us stay at their house for the weekend). We had so much fun - besides the competition, we were able to hang out with good friends and we went out for Pizza and then bowling at ISU on Saturday night to celebrate Elli's birthday - the kids had a blast (until about frame 8 and then they were done - small attention span!). Then on Sunday we went to our old ward and had a great time catching up with so many of our old friends and neighbors and then we went back to Richards and "awesome Steph" made Elli's favorite lunch of ham and potatoes and of course Birthday cake -(Thanks, Steph) and we opened presents. It was a great weekend. Then Elli got to celebrate birthday fun again on Monday with cousin Olivia when we met up with their family at good old Chuckie Cheese - the kids played for over 2 hours and loved every minute of it! Then last - she got to have a party with the Gallacher cousins - to celebrate her and cousin Adam's birthday. Sure seems like a lot of celebration for a four year old - but who's counting!
I can't believe how independent and stubborn our little Elli has become. She is very particular on the clothes that she wants to wear each day and they are usually the farthest from what mom would pick. She lately wants everything her way or no way and she is not shy about letting you know this. She has become very clingy to mommy which I don't complain too much about except when it is time to go to primary or preschool. She loves to sing and dance and can make up a song about anything and everything. She always wants to do what Madi and Robby are doing. For how darn stubborn she can be ... she can also be that cute and hilarious- she makes me laugh almost every day - I love you Elli.

Costa Rica Let Down

James and I were so excited to find out that he had won a trip to Costa Rica for being one of the top salesmen for his company last year...until one month before we were supposed to go I was told by my current doctor and my old doctor that I shouldn't go due to where I am at in my pregnancy and the fact that Costa Rica is not known for it's awesome medical facilities and care. I feel a little silly admitting it but I was completely devastated - I became a professional ball baby for the next week(I like to blame this on my lovely erratic pregnancy hormones). So in the end James went to Costa Rica with his Dad and had a great time and I got the awesome privilege of spending a fun-filled week at home with my kids!(But I am not bitter!) I have decided that this baby had better be the best baby yet - good sleeper, great temperament, etc - because he owes his mama!

Ok - I am done venting - James is home now and life is back to normal chaos with 3 months left until even greater McDougal chaos!