Larsen's Journey: Hey, it's Ellies big day

Happy Birthday, Ellie. Two years old is a lot. Judy and I talked with Ellie in China over the computer on her birthday. It was so much fun to see Ellie jumping around and hear the excitement. She was excited to see us.
Since Ellie was living in Utah, I didn't think that I have very many pictures of her, and I thought I was going to have to use some of Kyle's pictures in this blog post. Then I got to looking and could not believe how many pictures I had of Ellie. I struggled to get it down to 27 pictures (all good memories) from the original 62 that I picked from the hundreds of photos I took of Ellie. So here they are. This is Ellie on her first trip to Minnesota to visit, just two and a half months old. Isn't she cute?

We got her to smile quite a bit. If I remember correctly (let me know if this is not true), when Ellie was fussing, I would take her down to the basement to calm her. Half way down the steps she would stop crying and she was fine, as long as I stayed there. When I came back upstairs, she would start getting crabby again. It must have been all the dust mites and mold that did the trick, or maybe she just wanted to have some one-on-one time with "Bapa". Anyway if my memory has failed me, just post a comment.

The is the outfit I wore when I was blessed at church. I look like a princess.

Just call me smiley. I can clap, too (talent runs in the family).

Here I am with my boring cousins. I completely overwhelmed them with my stories and put them all to sleep. I am going to have to be more creative to keep them from going to sleep next time.

Just getting a stroller ride. Fun!!!!

I am starting to get some teeth. Can you find them? They are right there in the front.

Peek-a-boo at the park. It's me.

I love this slide. Why can't we do this more often?

I am crawling through the tunnel on the play set at the park. I have never had so much fun.

I have a lot more teeth now, and I love my stroller.

I did go to college and attended a lot of classes with my mom and dad. I must have earned enough credits to graduate. My board almost fits. Well, actually, it fits good enough.

Here I am at the graduation after-party. I am just adorable with my little brain squeezer on.

I am expecting a very important call. I think it is a job offer in China. Hello?

Noeloni is tickling me and I can't eat my ice cream. She makes me laugh all the time.

Really Dad. You have got to do something about this grass. It is almost up to my waist and I keep tripping over it.

There is something very interesting at the petting zoo. I wonder what it is? I better go investigate it. Is it okay if I go take a look?

Let me out of here!!!!!

Moooooo. Here cow! I have some food for you, but I ain't coming any closer. You are going to have to come to me. And don't stick out your tongue so far either. That is gross.

The best time at the petting zoo was my first horse ride. I was going so fast that my hair, what little I had, was flying backwards. All I could thing about was singing the theme song to Bonanza.

I had never been on a swing before Grandma and Grandpa Larsen came to visit me. This is great fun. I don't ever want to stop. Keep going. Higher, higher!!