Let's paint

For Christmas we gave Ella an easel. She loves to draw on the paper and has been asking to use the paint she also got. I have been holding out on the paint because I didn't want her to make a huge mess, especially with our house on the market. I knew if I let her paint we'd get a call for a showing. Yesterday I decided it was the right time to break out the paint. She had a ball! First she was using the paint brushes, not too messy at all. Then once I cut the paper and gave her more she decided to use her hands. This was a little messy but I think she really has a little case of OCD because although it was messy she was very careful to keep it on the paper and didn't get any on her clothes. After a few minutes she said she was ready to wash her hands! She finished up her masterpiece with just the paint brush.

Big Bear

We celebrated my grandma's 80th birthday with most of our family up in Big Bear. We had a great time and more importantly grandma loved every minute of it. We spent three nights all together in a manor. I was really hoping for snow but it didn't happen, at least not while we were there. Of course two days after we left Big Bear got 5 feet! Ella loved playing with all her cousins and wore herself out!

Christmas

I can't believe I haven't posted in almost two months. Things have been a little busy around here. We had family in town for Christmas and then left for California a few days after Christmas. Ella really enjoyed Christmas this year. We went to the family service on Christmas Eve and she loved the live nativity. She was reaching out and saying she wanted baby Jesus. She liked opening her presents too. It was funny to watch her because she had to make sure all the wrapping paper was thrown away before she could open the next present. We might have an OCD child!

Crawford grandkids (except the newest addition, Brody) on the family gift exchange day. They were anxious!

Ready to go to the Christmas Eve service

Time to open presents!

Time for Christmas dinner