Eliana turned three on Monday, May 7th. We had a fun brunch party at
our house on Sunday and totally lucked out with the weather. The party
was an exercise in controlled chaos, but a good time was had by all.
We've been a little busy around here. Obviously. I can't believe I haven't posted since January.
The first months of 2012 flew by in a blur. Working, playing and organizing for our new addition took up most of our time. Now, here we are in the first weeks of May and our family has grown from 3 to 4. Julian Gregory Stiles arrived on March 30th at 7:40pm. He weighed in at 9 pounds 1 ounce and measured 21.5 inches long. Six weeks in and we are beginning to settle into a routine. Julian is a very mellow little man - which counteracts his rambunctious sister quite nicely.
Here are a few photos from the last few weeks. Enjoy.
Eliana received a snowboard for Christmas and we headed up to Diamond Lake to give it a try. We tried to get her to ride up at the lodge, but she was more interested in drinking hot cocoa, standing by the fire, hanging out with Grandpa Steve and being pulled in her sled. But, on our way back down to Roseburg, she announced that she wanted to snowboard. Luckily, we were still in the snow zone. Greg turned the car around and we headed back to a small forest road. This is resulting awesomeness.
Eliana really understood Santa this year. We went to Bridgeport Village with Nana and Pops where we waited outside in the cold for close to two hours. There were a few tense moments as we stood there - wondering if we would have to wait an extra hour while he went to "feed the reindeer". Thankfully, we were the second to last family to get in before his break. Whew.
As we entered the little Santa house and I put Eliana down, she raced to Santa and jumped in his lap. He sang a couple of Christmas carols to her and she snuggled with him as though he were a long lost friend. The only thing she asked for was a candy cane. It was really sweet. For all of her rambunctiousness, she has a very tender heart.
Nana and Pops came out from Maine to join us in the Christmas festivities. My mom arrived later in the week. We all enjoyed pupus on Christmas Eve with family and friends. My brother, Jannaeah and Megan came for Christmas dinner. There were enough gifts for 20 people and even more food. We are blessed.
Eliana and our tree Making cookies Yum! Our cookies Gingerbread house Eliana, Sive and Archer on Christmas Eve Do you know how hard it is to take a picture of six people? Christmas loot Reading a Richard Scarry book from Grammy Pam Bug puzzle book from Nana and Pops The roast Mashed potatoes with no less than one pound of butter Brussel sprouts with bacon More food...
We came back from Maine and enjoyed the last few weeks of summer vacation at home. Finished up summer on Labor Day weekend with a camping trip to Lake Takhalakh. Incredible setting and perfect weather. It was just the right way to say goodbye to summer.
September flew by in a flash. Every year when school starts, life seems to go into a blur and I finish out the month wondering what happened. Except for our camping trip on Labor Day weekend, we took ZERO pictures during the month of September. What a couple of slackers.
October was filled with bike racing and Halloween. Greg made Eliana an amazing homemade robot costume that she still enjoys putting on. She's really into robots and space shuttles right now. I'm excited about encouraging our budding engineer!
November was mellow. We spent Thanksgiving with my mom and then started counting the days until Christmas.
Eliana, Mt. Adams and Lake Takhalakh
Bored at yet another bike race Bike racer Greg Future cyclist Choosing a pumpkin Eliana with her friends Parker and Taylor My girls, me and our kiddos at Thanksgiving weekend brunch
Our second week in Maine was filled with more swimming, sunning and playing. We made it out to Peak's Island for a bike ride - where Eliana promptly passed out in the bike seat. One rainy day - I have no idea which day because well, I'm on vacation - we went in to Portland to play at an indoor play park.
Other than that, the most exciting thing that happened was that Dad-o arrived on Friday and I became infinitely less cool. Then, on Saturday, Greg's brother Dan and his family made it from Wisconsin. Eliana's new favorite person is her cousin Lily. She follows her everywhere and yells for "Cousin Lily". Cute stuff.
Ferry Landing at Peaks Island Checking out the view of Casco Bay On our bike ride around the island Heading out to hike Rattlesnake Mountain with Popsicle Taking a break on the hikeCalling for birdsOn the float with Dad-o No, she's not out there alone. I promise, Greg is right there. Dad-o, Eliana and Cousin Lily Another great day in Maine! Headed out to grill on the party boat Pirate Booty! Cousin Lily and Aunt Michelle Headed home
Making cookies
Yum!
Our cookies
Gingerbread house
Eliana, Sive and Archer on Christmas Eve
Do you know how hard it is to take a picture of six people?
Christmas loot
Reading a Richard Scarry book from Grammy Pam
Bug puzzle book from Nana and Pops
The roast
Mashed potatoes with no less than one pound of butter
Brussel sprouts with bacon
More food...
Bored at yet another bike race
Bike racer Greg
Future cyclist
Choosing a pumpkin
Eliana with her friends Parker and Taylor
My girls, me and our kiddos at Thanksgiving weekend brunch
Checking out the view of Casco Bay
On our bike ride around the island
Heading out to hike Rattlesnake Mountain with Popsicle
Taking a break on the hike
Calling for birds
On the float with Dad-o
No, she's not out there alone. I promise, Greg is right there.
Dad-o, Eliana and Cousin Lily
Another great day in Maine!
Headed out to grill on the party boat
Pirate Booty!
Cousin Lily and Aunt Michelle
Headed home 
