Look, No Wheels... Training Wheels, That Is

Stephen took off Eli's training wheels today, and I was so impressed with Eli's first try at riding without training wheels. I thought it would take a few times for him to get it, and I definitely thought there would be many falls before he would be able to ride. Wrong!

Bella wanted in on the action, too.

I think Eli is just an athletic little boy. I was terrified of him trying to ride a skateboard, but he is moving right along with that, too.

Just a few weeks ago, he finally did this for the first time...

This has absolutely nothing to do with his athletic abilities, but this is just too cute...

Ears Pierced

Incomplete Post from January (terrible!)

I have THREE posts that were started long ago and never completed. I was just going to delete them, but I decided to just post them the way they are. I am going to make an effort to blog at least once a week. I know Stephen really enjoyed reading the blog last time he was gone.
INCOMPLETE POST...

Who knew that, at the age of three, a child could say some of the things Eli says.
Where is Jesus? If he lives in my heart, he can't hold me.
When I said something to him he really didn't want to hear, he responded, "Are you kidding me?"
Just the other day, he looked at Bella, shook his head, and said, "Bella, you're something else."
Eli cracks us up everyday with the things that come out of his mouth. I love that boy!






Bella has to be the most perfect little girl ever. With her petite frame, dainty features, beautiful smile, gorgeous eyes, radiant personality, independent attitude, and all around loving nature, she brightens our lives each day. Knowing how quickly moments can pass, I felt I should write about some of the things she has been doing lately. (Note: I did not write about any of those things, and like I said, just like that, those precious moments I meant to reflect upon have passed. Sad.)

Overalls

Eli has been asking for overalls for a while now, but he still doesn't have any. Bella wears overalls sometimes, and when she does, Eli asks me to wear her overalls. I always tell him that they won't fit him. "You're a big boy, Eli. Bella's overalls won't fit you, silly." I think it may be time to take Eli shopping for some overalls of his own.

Look Mommy...

Most mornings Eli will appear wearing something that cracks me up. These are just some of the get-ups I have captured on camera after hearing, "Look Mommy." I never know what I'm going to see...

Notice the mean, tough-looking face.

These gloves from Grandma were, "Just what I've always wanted."

I know there must be some reason a knight needs knee and elbow pads.

I think Eli will definitely see this one again one day. It's too funny not to embarrass him with later in life. :-)

three shirts, gloves, cowboy boots, and a helmet

When Eli appeared wearing this, he was also galloping around the house on this stick horse. Notice the reflective belt.

SFC Stephen Dix... Woohoo!!

After months of waiting, Stephen was finally promoted last week! There was a promotion ceremony for him, at work, on December 1st.


Everyone who spoke about him had such nice things to say... how he works hard, steps up, is dependable, goes above and beyond, and how he has a great family. When Stephen was presented with his award, he first thanked me and the babies. I thought that was very sweet. The entire time we were standing in front of everyone, Eli and Bella were so good. They both stood there, held my hands, and listened. They were perfect.

At the end of the ceremony, everyone walked by to shake Stephen's hand and congratulate him. Someone congratulated Stephen on the promotion and congratulated me on my raise. I thought that was pretty funny.

Little did they know they would all have to shake Eli and Bella's hands, too.

I made a lot of food, Stephen made two cheesecakes, and his office got him a cake. I didn't get a pic of the cake before it was cut. Classic.


This promotion ceremony reminded me of Stephen's previous promotion. It was in 2002, not long after we first met.

We both looked so young and skinny!

Congratulations SFC Dix! I love you and am so very proud of you!!!

One To Ten

Out of the blue, Bella counted to ten. She has said, "One, two, three," for a while now, but I was so impressed with her when she just kept going. I think it's awesome that she's not just reciting her numbers. She realizes that she can count objects. Beauty and brains... Go Bella!