We celebrated Thanksgiving in Park Rapids with my mom's sister. Elloise liked chasing the dogs around the kitchen island and visiting the ducks that auntie Jackie feeds.

We spent the second week of deer camp in Mahnomen. Elloise got to visit her great-grandparents, celebrate her auntie Becky's birthday, and spend some time with her cousin Ren.

Girls weekend 2009 with the Becks was fun as usual! Elloise enjoyed participating in the crafts this year! She also played a little song star, had her first viewing of Rudolph, and christened her red galoshes in some lingering puddles.

The force is strong with this one.

Although we didn't actually trick or treat, Elloise enjoyed donning her Yoda hat, popping some mimi M&Ms, and clobbering Jacob and I with her light saber.

We joined Rachel, Dillan and Kaitlin at the pumpkin patch for a nice afternoon. Lulu got to pet some farm animals, take a hay ride, go through a corn maze and choose a pumpkin to carve.

Here are a few more shots of Elloise enjoying some of the lovely parks in the bay area

and one of her checking out an exhibit at the Exploratorium.

We had a great time! Elloise did such a good job travelling!

Elloise and I joined Becky on a trip out to San Francisco to visit Jess.

Here you see Elloise enjoying the sea lions at Fisherman's Wharf, getting her first view of the ocean, and spending the day exploring the Academy of Science at Golden Gate Park.

...has recently evolved into "Bill-a-POOH, Bill-a-POOH....mumble mumble mumble....O BEE!"

Elloise has been busy this fall showing her Minnesota pride!

Despite feeling a little under the weather, Elloise enjoyed a beautiful day in Frazee with the Becks. She experienced her first scavenger hunt, obstacle course, and blow pop!

Mom and Dad spent Labor Day weekend in Moorhead. We spent a fun day at the zoo, and we attended a cousin's wedding. Lulu had a hard time sitting through the ceremony, so she was ready to let loose when the music started!

We enjoyed a fun day at Gooseberry Park.

Elloise has been enjoying the summer. We've spent lots of fun time with family and we enjoy our daily walks and adventures at the park. She is saying lots of words like "shoes" "park" "ball" "walk"... and she runs and climbs the furniture. It's a busy busy time!

PEEK-A-BOO!

We had a fun time camping on the North Shore with the Houdek clan!

Elloise even got to spend some time with her Auntie Jess and Uncle Jay from Berkeley.

We enjoyed a day on Little Cormorant with Gma Terri's family.

Elloise had her first official swim and thought it was pretty exciting!

Well...it would seem that Elloise and I are at the same level.

Elloise came over to investigate when I was watering the plants.

She LOVED playing in the hose! She didn't even mind that it was icy cold!

Elloise loves going outside to play!

If you say the word hat or shoes to her, you'd better be ready to go!

Elloise and I enjoyed a beautiful weekend at Moose Lake with Gpa & Gma Houdek!

Lulu loved her time at the lake!