Christmas in Dixie

I've had a great Christmas down south! I love being on the farm. Mama thinks there's dirt in my blood. My Uncle Casey and Aunt Erin put some pictures on their blog of me at their house and at Grandmama and Grandpapa's. Check it out http://kinseyfarmhorses.blogspot.com/

Christmas Anticipation

I got my first Christmas present in the mail from my Uncle Pat, Aunt Ann and cousins Madison and Samantha. THANKS - I LOVE my new CLifford dog and video. If only pictures could squeal with excitment you might see how happy I was. This is me watching my video with Clifford while Mama packs.

We leave today to head south for Christmas. I'll write more next year.

My new stool

Mama is getting a little too big to pick me up (that baby is growing!) and wash my hands so she got me a new stool. I really feel like a big boy climbing up on it to wash my hands. I've also found other uses for it like turning it upside down and pushing it around and climbing up on other things I have trouble reaching. Daddy, Mama and I had a fun evening. What do you notice about me? Did you notice my diaper was hanging almost to my knees (mama was trying to get our money's worth out of this one)? And where are my pants (I took them off in the living room)? And my other sock was somewhere inbetween. Can you see the big goose egg on my forehead where I dove head first into the door frame? But most important - do you see my happy smile? The whole evening was so full of fun and laughter that I had a hard time settling down for bed - Mama says I am ALL BOY!

Below Zero

The past few days have been COLD - And for those of you who live in Florida, I don't mean it's below 50 - I mean it feels like it is below zero. Last night the high was 5. Yep that's a plain 5 with no zero after it. I've been playing inside, trying to let my ears heal (they seem to be doin fine so far!) and finding new things to wear to keep warm - like mama's scarf and some long johns!

Successful Surgery

This morning I had tubes put in my ears. I had a nasty ear infection (my 10th of the year) but the surgery went well. Hopefully this will prevent so many ear infections for 2007. Thanks to everyone who prayed for me to be healthy enough to have the surgery - God made me healthy enough to have the surgery and I wasn't as cranky as the doctors usually see little boys. Please keep praying that the infection will go away soon and that my hearing will be just fine. Here I am practicing wearing my ear plugs while I bath (and mama practices my munchkin hairdo).

EXTRA EXTRA!

Check out the link to the local paper. Daddy and I made it in the paper! It will only be up until December 9 - I think. http://jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/tngallery?Avis=BY&Dato=20061202&Kategori=NEWS&Lopenr=612020802&Ref=PH

I'm Back!

Well, yesterday was an inside day. We were supposed to get lots of snow but instead we got nasty rain with 35 degree temperatures and crazy wind - 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph - whew! I explored all day and found ways to entertain myself. I really like the rocking chair...

At noon our electricity went out and by dinner it was still off and getting chilly. We were getting cold and getting ready to head to our friends', the Gould's, when the electricity finally came back on around 7 pm. For dinner entertainment I feed daddy teddy graham snacks - I had so much fun and daddy didn't complain. Here is our "inside campfire" fun.
Today it was cold and sunny so we headed downtown to see the festivities for Christmas. We rode a horse wagon (I really liked the horses and wanted to touch them but we couldn't - I'll have to wait until I get to Aunt Erin's horses) and walked around with our friends.

Here we are outside a candy shop - boy was the candy good!!

Go Seminoles!

Today it ws beautiful and sunny but there were strong winds - 40 miles and hour - and it was in the 40's. We stayed in a watched some football. We aren't able to watch the Seminole games on TV but we do get to watch some football. Whether they win or lose - I'm still a Nole fan.

everyday fun

Who knew boxes could be so much fun! This box has been a constant plaything this week.

I know it looks like I ate an oreo - but no, this is dirt I ate in the backyard today. I had a great time playing outside and even enjoyed the dirt.

We went for a walk in the neighborhood and found a backhoe/bulldozer - I really like construction trucks and I got to get inside this one. It was so much fun and mama and daddy enjoyed the free entertainment.

Ready for the snow!

Snow is here all ready - ok, there have only been flurries but this morning it was 31 degrees and today with the wind chill it is in the 20's. I borrowed this hat from a friend so that I can practice my fierce "you can't get me down Mr. Winter" look - I think I need some more practice.

It's a good thing I can survive inside. Being outside is my FAVORITE place to be but the one good thing about being inside is books. Mama and Daddy read to me in the morning and before nap and before bed and throughout the day when I bring them a book AND when I get really quiet throughout the day mama comes looking for me and more often than not she finds me looking at books. My favorite books have trucks or animals (when I see a cow I say MMMMM). I also like books with other children in them. My favorite stories to listen to are nursery rhyms. Here are some times mama caught me reading -

Morning Milk

Before my morning milk...
After my morning milk...

Curious, Curious Sam

Hmmm... now that I've taken everything out - can I get in here?

Yep, a perfect fit...how far can I go?

I like to explore .. I wonder what other tiny places I can fit into?

Pumpkin Patch Part One

After church today we went to a pumpkin patch near our house with our friends the Smoldt's.

We road behind this tractor in a wagon full of hay to get to the pumpkin patch... When we got there mama and daddy said we could pick out pumpkins - here I am with my game face "watch out pumpkins - here I come!!!!"

I really liked this one - I gave it a hug. There were several more I really liked but we could only take two.

"Hey mama and daddy I think there are some more over here!"

Pumpkin Patch Part Two

Daddy helped my find just the right pumpkin..

After we got back to the barns we saw more pumpkins and played on them - they were more my size and I could sit on them.
This is my mama and my new little baby brother or sister (the baby is too small to see right now but the baby is almost 4 months old!)

Mama packed PBJ sandwiches for her and daddy and I got to eat a cheese sandwich and grapes - yummy!
There were animals I got to see - cows, ducks, sheep, goats, a donkey and a llama (he looked silly).

Look at my shirt!

Big news! We were all a little surprised when we found out but we are so excited! I can't wait to meet my new baby brother or sister in March (of course it could be April since I came two weeks late!)...big news..I'm a BIG BROTHER!

Off to Grandmama's and Grandpapa's

For all of you wondering where in the world is Sam? I'm in Florida for a much needed vacation on the farm. I am having a ball with Aunt Erin and Uncle Casey AND Grandmama and Grandpapa. If you want to see me playing with goats and dogs and horses check out Aunt Erin's blog at http://kinseyfarmhorses.blogspot.com/ - she is taking great pictures to show mama and daddy what I'm up to. I'll write later.

Ready or not...Here I come!

This week I started walking all by myself AND I am quite fast. Here are a few action shots. One is of me clapping because I am enjoying walking in the grass so much!

Black olives..

The fashionista - I like mama's new purse (thanks aunt vicki!) I like to zip and unzip it, carry it with me when I'm playing music and just have it near. Doesn't it match my outfit!
In true Ellis style I had my first (and second and third and fourth, etc, etc) black olive last night. I love them.

More Time with Granpa Noonan

Reading with granpa!

"Trot, trot to Boston, Trot, Trot to Lynn..."

"Watch out little boy you don't fall in!"

I forgot to tell you more about my time with Grandpa Noonan. When we were in Atlanta in early August we spent time with Granpa Noonan. I got to see his BIG dogs Marley and Avery and venture through the house with my cousin Jordyn. Our favorite thing was to play "Trot, Trot to Boston" with Granpa. He bounced us on his knees and then when he said "watch out little boy you don't fall in" we fell off his knees. Jordyn and I had so much fun doing this over and over. I had fun with granpa!

Back home

Since we returned I have been trying my hand at walking - I've ventured a few steps by myself and walk for long distances holding mama or daddy's hand. I'll keep you updated on my adventures as a bi-ped. Other new found enjoyments are sweeping and brushing my teeth. Teeth brushing is a new found enjoyment because I'm getting a couple of molars and an eye tooth looks like it is popping through - ooo - does that brush feel good.

Also, I've ventured out with Daddy on his bike with my new helmet - it's pretty nifty and even glows in the dark.

ATLANTA!!

While we were in Atlanta I stayed at my Aunt Vicki and Uncle Steve's it was lots of fun. I really liked her sink! I also got to meet my cousin Jordyn and my Uncle Kenny and Aunt Jackie. We spent time with Grnadpa and my cousin Tori too. Here we are at Underground Atlanta.

My Mama was the maitron of honor (doesn't that make mama sound so old!) in Aunt Sarah's wedding. Aunt Sarah was beautiful at her wedding and Mr. Jerel smiled ALOT! I can't wait to visit them in Greenville.

Well - so much more to tell. I'll write soon -

Travels to LEE

I had so much fun with Grandmama and Grandpapa in Lee. They put me to bed at night, fed me fun things like ice cream, let me play with anything I wanted and even let me take baths on the porch in the turtle pool. Here is a picture of me and Ruger on the porch in the middle of one of my baths. We also saw lots of people including my Great Mema and Papa and my Great Granny and Grandpa. I hope to visit again when it isn't so hot!



I spent alot of time with Uncle Casey and Aunt Erin. I got to see Aunt Erin rescue a goat (see their blog for more info on goat rescue 911) and race her horse at a barrel race. I got to be superman and spiderman, ride in Uncle Casey's big truck and play with their dog Ruger. Thanks Uncle Casey and Aunt Erin - I hope to see you soon.

Tomorrow I'll let you know what I did in Atlanta