Family Reunion Weekend!

I have to admit that I was super camera lazy this weekend. There were so many cameras out that I rested on my laurels and let others do the documenting. If you were here with us this last weekend and got some good photos of Ellie, can you e-mail them to us?

Here's Ellie with Aunt Elaine (visiting from FL). They're looking at the "Ellie" book -- something she never tires of reading.

I love this photo. We gave family reports in the evenings, usually accompanied by slides of digital photos which Els enjoyed viewing too. This is a rare moment where she's relaxing into her PaPa (she's usually on the go!). I particularly like how she's holding on to his hand. Precious!

Here's Ellie with her 2nd cousin, also named Ellie, who was back in the States with her family this summer for a few weeks' break from Mali, W. Africa!

Els' latest accomplishment has been grabbing virtually any cup she sees and trying it's contents. Here Dad came to the rescue to make sure there were no spills. I caught her last week drinking bathtub water out of the cup I use for rinsing shampoo out of her hair!

In other Ellie news, last week saw her drink out of straw for the first time and pull herself up onto the top of the coffee table and couch! She's getting much smoother and faster with cruising, pulling to a stand, and transitioning from a stand back to the floor. She wants so much to walk!

Oh! And I nearly forgot!!! The 'Red Cup' is HISTORY! We're going on 4 consecutive days of eating off a spoon. Hallelujah! Now we can work on brushing teeth!