And the Christmas travels begin!

McCulley Christmas 2008
I got this post started over a week ago and now I'm just getting to write to tell about it! :) Our Christmas travels started on Thursday December 19th as we braved the winter storm to head to Iowa!!! We ended up getting stranded half-way there because of the ice...but finally made it on Friday by lunchtime! It was worth the long trip for sure! We really enjoyed our time with my family... We only overlapped with the whole gang for a little over 24 hours, but long enough to snap some cute pictures... Enjoy!

Ellie with Grandma Becky, Aunt Renee and Cousin Sydney

Mom and Ellie with Uncle Joe and Cousin Wyatt

Wyatt and Ellie weren't so sure of each other at first :)

But I'm quite sure they are going to be very good buddies...

Ellie loved her Great Grandma Barb and Great Grandma Surber!

Couldn't help but post this cute shot!

Grandma Becky and her girl!

Bonding with Uncle Jay!

Looking cute in her pink outfit!

5 months old!!!

Yesterday was another milestone for our little girl! She turned 5 MONTHS OLD!!! Here are some pics from her birthday. She was all dressed up for church and a party! She had a very fun birthday, for sure! As you can see...she is looking more like her Daddy everyday! I love that!

Little Miss Personality!

Here she is! Little Miss Personality who constantly lights up our lives! Isn't that smile just the greatest? I could stare at her all day long... She really gets more fun by the day and we are loving each new stage... Below are some pics we took right before bathtime. As you can see, our little one is also becoming quite independent. She's trying to sit up by herself and takes advantage of every opportunity to try out that leg strength! I have a feeling she'll by running circles around us before she's one year old. Not sure I'm quite ready for that! Please notice her incredibly cute chunky monkey thighs! :)

One more new development in Ellie-land. Her newest favorite pasttime is to lay on her back with her legs straight in the air! She can lay like this for quite some time. It looks uncomfortable to me, but it's her new thing! Sometimes I go in to get her after her nap or first thing in the morning and there she lays, legs straight up in the air!

And last but not least, we couldn't resist adding yet another sleeping picture. She just looks so precious when she is asleep! And please note her "future heartbreaker" onesie. Watch out boys. Ellie's Dad is going to be a tough one! :)

So much to be THANKFUL for!

The last few days have been fast and furious! We've celebrated THANKSGIVING for the first time with our little girl, celebrated Joel's 32nd birthday, went to the Omaha Zoo with Grandma and Grandpa McCulley and Joel and I got to go on an extended date with the Grandparents watched Ellie! It was a fun and refreshing few days for sure...

When life gets so busy, it's good to stop and reflect on all we have to be thankful for... Thank you Lord for your goodness to us.

The epitome of cuteness!

Cute as a bug!

One of our students bought Ellie this cute little sweat suit and I have been so excited for her to finally get big enough to wear it! Doesn't she look adorable? The pants are still a little too long, but we decided to still put it on today! Here are a few pics of our little lady... As happy as she can be! The picture above of her and Joel was from right after the KSU Men's basketball game tonight. She had fallen asleep at the game and was just waking up when we walked in the door. I thought this was a sweet shot. :)

4 months old!

Well, she went and did it! Ellie turned 4 months old on Friday. I can't believe how quickly our little girl is growing up...

We had her 4-month check up today and all went well. She was a champ through her shots. Barely even cried this time. What a little trooper! :)

Here are her 4-month stats - this is more for me to refer back to in future months! Not sure if any of you care quite so much! ha!

Height: 25 1/2 inches (89 percentile)

Weight: 14 lbs. 8 1/4 oz (57th percentile)

Head: (60th percentile)

She's long and lean and a movin' machine! She just can't be still anymore. Long gone are the days of our stationary little baby. You have to keep your eye on her or she'll scoot or roll!

Here are some pics from her 4-month birthday (in the purple) and then of our doctor's visit today...