Getting Ready for Christmas

One of our Christmas traditions has been having our nephew Caleb over to help decorate the tree and house. This started back in 2001 when it was just Caleb and myself. Caleb has graciously made room for Mark, and now Ellie as well. We got the house all ready on Saturday evening, enjoying pizza, dorito's, pop and a couple rounds of Mario Kart on the Wii.

Thanks to Ellie's cousin Emmarae, who was born at a similar time of year, Ellie has an extremely adorable Christmas-themed wardrobe. Mark, Ellie and I read the Christmas story in church on Sunday, and she was decked out in her "Mrs. Claus" outfit - I don't think anyone in the service was listening to me, nor do I think they even knew Mark was holding Ellie. She was very, very cute.

We are looking forward to spending our first Christmas as a family, with our extended family and Grandma Ratzlaff who is coming to spend it with us.

More pictures

September 21










December 2

Baby Dedication

With the support of our family and church family, we dedicated Ellie to the Lord on Sunday, November 16th. It was a very special event for Mark and I, made more so by the presence of our family members that were able to come.

We were given a beautiful dress by one of the ladies at church that Ellie wore that day. This dress had been used for her children, and we were honoured to have it given to us. I had been looking for a little dress for Ellie to wear to her dedication, but since she is still rather small it wasn't easy, so having one given to us was a real blessing.

Church Baby Shower

On Saturday, November 15th, Ellie and I went to our 3rd baby shower - this one put on by the church ladies. It was a brunch shower and the food was so very yummy! My Mom was able to come to the shower and brought Ellie and I corsage's to wear.

We were blessed with many wonderful gifts - lots of books, some new outfits, two little bathing suits, and our next car seat! I was able to visit with most of the ladies that had come, and Ellie was shared and passed around the room, sleeping for most of the time.

It was a wonderful morning spent with great friends.