Meet Eleanor Kate

 

 

On October 25, 2012, the three of us became four. We welcomed Eleanor Kate into the world at 12:26pm. She weighed in at 7lbs. 6oz and was 20.5 inches long. It was actually a big surprise for us, because most everyone, including both Jeff and I, had guessed that she was going to be a boy. In any case, we are both delighted and overjoyed with our new daughter, and I don't think Jeff could be more excited about being the only man in a household full of girls!  Looks like it will be all sugar and spice for us...

Here are some pictures (I am sure the first of many!) of our new little doll. 

 

 

 

Absolutely perfect in every way.  Eleanor is such a beautiful little blessing. 

 

 

 

One very happy mommy

 

 

One very proud papa!  Jeff is such a smitten kitten when it comes to his baby girls.   I have never seen anyone wrapped around such a tiny finger so fast!

Alice meeting her new baby sister.  She told us she wanted a baby girl, and she got her wish :)

 

We are all madly in love.  I am sure there will be many more pictures coming.  We are planning to head home with our new addition tomorrow...

 

 

 

Pumpkin' Pickin' 2012

 

We took Alice to the "pumpkin patch" (not exactly a patch, more an empty lot next to the grocery store) last weekend and let her pick out some pumpkins.  She took the task VERY seriously.  We found ourselves taking pumpkins out of her wagon as fast as she was stacking them in there.  Apparently, she must have thought these pumpkins were free.  She had a great time though, and now requests to go back and get more everyday.  I think the kid really likes autumn decor!

 

 

 

Stacking them high...She rounded up enough pumpkins for the whole neighborhood!

 

 

 

 Looking for more "must haves"

 

 

 

                    Taking a break from the hard work                               The look of success!

 

Autumn is here, time to prepare for Baby #2!

September was all about enjoying the new autumn weather and preparing for Baby #2!

Daddy and Alice at the Tri-State Fair parade.  Alice has become a big fan of parades, so now we make an effort to attend all of the local small town parades that we can.  

 

 

A trip to the Tri-State fair

Alice fell in love with this turtle.  If it had been up to her, he would have come home with us.  She is still talking about it.

 

                                           Biker Chick                                                             Riding the train

 

Alice "won" a stuffed cow.  (Her Dad actually forked out $5 for it.)  She named him Sunny and sleeps with him every night.

 

 

 

 

 

Here area a few photos from the "Baby Sprinkle" held to celebrate our upcoming new arrival.  This was hosted by my sister, and attended by the many great girlfriends I have that spoiled us with diapers and essentials for the new little one!



 

 

 

 

It's almost time...we have spent a lot of time lately trying to explain New Baby to Alice.  I hope she is as excited to be a "Big Sister" as it seems that she is right now.  Big changes for us are on the way, and luckily she finished potty training just in time!

 

 

 

Summer Fun Merrell Style

 

Summer flew by at the Merrell household this year.  We celebrated Memorial Day with a cookout and took a trip to Pueblo, CO with Jeff in May.  In June, Jeff and I got to visit Coeur d'Alene, Idaho when we attended a leadership conference for the company he works for.  We had a very busy and eventful 4th of July, and in August took Alice to Wonderland for the first time.

 

 

 

 

Memorial Day

 

To be honest, there is not a whole lot of fun to be had in Pueblo, Colorado.  We tagged along on another work related trip with Jeff and made the most of it.  Alice enjoys going anywhere, and usually thinks the hotel pool is the best part!

I can't believe that mama duck let her get so close!

 

At the zoo

 

 

Pure joy is having Daddy push you high in the swing! 

 

 

 

 

 

Trip to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

By far, one of the most beautiful places I have ever been!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Alice enjoying her pool

 

 

 

 

We celebrated the 4th of July this year by making a whole day of it.  We started off by attending the parade in Canyon, had a barbecue in our backyard with local family, participated in the kids bike parade (Jeff pushed Alice in the stroller) and ended the evening by watching the fireworks display from our backyard.

At the parade

 

 

 Staying up past bedtime to watch the fireworks

 

 

 

 

                                        A budding artist                                                               Cutie pie

 

Alice had friends over to play in the backyard several times

 

 

 

 

Alice took her first trip to Wonderland, our local amusement park in August.  It was a VERY big deal for a 2 year-old.  She is still talking about it!

 

 

                                                                                                            Alice and Daddy with the "prize"

Captain of the ship

She wasn't sure about this one...

Her absolute favorite...cruisin' in her pink Cadillac.  We had to let her ride this one about 15 times...

 

 

 

 

  

 

 This kid LOVES to dress up, in anything and everything available.  This is my favorite fairy princess!