not much of anything

We've just been trying to stay warm around here.  

Last week when the polar vortex froze everything we didn't leave the house for a couple days. 

Elise snuggled in our bed and watched the ipad.  With 8 blankets.

This is just the start of it.  Eventually it was taller than the mailbox.  And then the plow knocked our mailbox off.  Nick has repaired it with things like super glue and zip ties.  We may need a new one in the spring...

Little honey.

My mom got Elise another 6 month subscription of Kiwi Crate for Christmas. 

It's this awesome little box you get in the mail once a month and it has two really cute little crafts in it - usually with some sort of educational focus.  This time it has a balancing craft and something with beakers.  Her science loving daddy will love that.  She totally flipped when she saw it in the mailbox today. 

When it's cold and snowy we watch a lot of movies.  She usually has a fluffy friend or two she needs to snuggle with. 

We went out to Grand Rapids Brewing company last weekend.  We asked for a little ice cream sundae for Elise and the waiter had the chef make something special for her.  It was delish.

Girlfriend loves her dress up box.  And I think everything out of her mouth is hilarious.

And check it out -- we are so impressed with our big girl.  

She drew this all by herself with no help - even her name.  

She says it's a snowman with buttons and hair and a hat.  

I'm keeping this one. 

So there you have it, Lauren.  You're welcome.  ;)

phone pics and some videos

I've been kind of slacker-ish on the blog lately.  Are blogs still cool?

Elise will scarf an entire panera pumpkin cookie.  If we ask for a bite she will break off the tiniest possible piece with no frosting and sacrifice that.

She needed all her friends and blankets downstairs on this morning. 

She cozied up and watched some Mickey Mouse.

Elise and her Grandmas last Sunday.

We watched Dumbo the other day. 

This was her face on the baby elephant part at the beginning. 

I don't really like Dumbo.

When did she start looking so old??

Some new videos from dance class:

We picked up Lyza last week for dance class - we were a little early. 

Here's Elise telling Lyza to "dance like a ballerina".  Lyza was unimpressed. 

She did her dance on the "stage" for Nick when he got home from work. 

Lauren also did this song when she was little - we're going to have to figure out how to get that off the VHS tape so we can watch it once the recital comes around.  

hilarious video

She was having SO much fun outside yesterday.

flip flops

alabama {part two}

We're having such a good time.  

The weather is perfect!

No rain or flooding or anything.  

(That's a little joke since GR is currently underwater.)

Yesterday while the boys were golfing we went and walked around Fairhope. 

It's the cutest little town with lots of cute shops.  

We love cute shops.  

Elise likes to "water the flowers" around the pool.  

The pool is freezing!  Elise doesn't really care though.  

Okay this video is hilarious but kind of makes us look like alcoholics.  Haha - just kidding - but we had just ordered a beer by the pool and Elise decided she was going to get us more.  In blue solo cups.  From the "water mountains" at the pool.  


We went to a restaurant in the middle of a pier. 

Our kinda place.  SO delicious and fun.  

Oh hi.  This kid is the cutest.  

They look alike.  Wowie. 

There ya go guys!  Today we're taking a bike ride to a little candy shop and playing by the pool.   There may or may not be bloody mary's involved.   After the bike ride, that is.  :-)

i hate busytown & snow

Oh, Busytown.  

Elise LOVES these books lately.   I kind of despise them.   When I read them I skip pages on purpose.  She hasn't caught on yet.   Sure - they promote learning; counting how many Lowly Worms are on each page, Mr. Frumble's hat finding,  naming all the colors and a hundred pages that look exactly the same of cars, trucks, and things that go.   There are pigs who are butchers selling ham, cats who are the same size as worms, and mice riding in cheese cars.  It's bananas.  And it takes for.ev.er. to read.  I hide them at bedtime and hope she doesn't look for them because she probably knows where I put them.  

By 8pm I'm ready to read Goodnight Moon and call it a day.  Nick likes to read her the Space book and teach her about science.  By the way - she knows the words "telescope" and "satellite" and can name most of the planets. 

Also tonight (while facetiming my parents) we brought in some snow to play with in the sink.  She did this at MOPS earlier this week and thinks it's awesome. 

Speaking of "awesome" - it's her new word (thanks Auntie Aubrey) and it's totally hilarious. 
It goes like this:

Me:  Elise you are so awesome!

Elise:  No!  Not awesome.  You awesome Mommy.

Me:  Yep totally right. 

Her hair was in french braids today which is why it looks so weird.  She insists on taking out all hair accessories before nap time.  

(the best part is at about 1:10 where she says "this soup deeee-yishuss")

she's home! and happy birthday sis!

Today we went to the airport to pick up my mom who has been in Hawaii for the last two weeks.  She was really sick of walking on the beach, drinking Mai Tais, and snorkeling with sea turtles and was dying to come home to the white-out, below-freezing conditions that we live in.  Uh-huh. 

The airport is a really exciting place for a two year old.  There are airplanes to see, a kids area, balloons that people let go and are hanging out near the ceiling. 

 ("I go up there - so so high get balloon Mommy")

Grandma brought her some shell necklaces, hair clips, and a hula dancer barbie.  She dances around to Hawaiian music - it's super cute.  Oh -- and M&Ms. 

"Elise Goote get Grandma off on airplane"



Annnnnnd...It's Lauren's birthday!  Happy Birthday Sis!

(I have no idea why this video is so wiggly)

We went to the lake to play after we had lunch (at Panera - where else) - She didn't get a nap today and fell asleep on the way home.  Sweetheart.  

painting pictures and some random videos

Auntie Lauren's here.   And somebody refused to take a nap today - I think she was too excited.  She was still awake when Lauren got here so Lauren got to go in and get her.  She was super happy about that. 

Isn't that the cutest ponytail ever??

Elise loves painting.  We paint all.the.time.

Grandma & Grandpa Goote came over to visit tonight while all the sisters went to see a movie.  Elise was pretty excited about that too.  :-)

I know not very many people care about videos - but Lauren insists I put them up for the 5 people that love them.   So here you go.

for my mom...

...who requested pictures every day. 

 (I doubt I will keep this up for two weeks...sorry Mom)

This happens every night.  I'm pretty sure Nick got a rug burn on his face. 

For Auntie Lauren:

chugga chugga

Elise has been a little sick for the past week so I have no new pictures.    We've just been camping out watching Tangled and playing with our new toys.  Here she's enjoying her new train set from Christmas...you'd never believe she'd had a crazy high fever just the night before.

soft kitty

Elise singing her her new favorite song.  Enjoy.  :-)

Also - for those not familiar with the hilarious-ness that is Soft Kity - here's a clip from the Big Bang Theory. Some people (ahem - my mom) don't think this show is funny, but we love it.  :-)

the baby jesus song

Elise loves her little Fisher Price nativity set.  She dances to the "baby jesus song" all the time.  It's the cutest thing ever.

lazy sunday & orange snow

Today was probably the last nice day we'll have in awhile. We took advantage of it by running around outside and using the rest of our bubbles. Grandma & Grandpa even stopped by for a little while to join in on the fun.

And a little funny conversation in the bath tonight.  She always refers to herself as "'ise-goote" - like it's one word.  Hilarious.   And Nick likes to put those letters on her head and see how long it takes her to notice.  

auntie sarah gets married!

What a wonderful weekend! 

Auntie Sarah got married last night...and now we have an Uncle Adam!  Elise did great the whole weekend.  She was the cutest little flowergirl.  

(this post has a bajillion pictures and a video...)

We started off on Thursday night with rehearsal and a fabulous dinner at Mangiamos.   We are so so grateful to my sisters who took care of Elise the whole time so we could be in the wedding.  They took her home from the rehearsal and wedding and put her to bed so we could go stay and have fun. 

 Thank you sissies!

It was 80 degrees on Thursday and 50 on Friday.  (Welcome to Michigan.)

Elise and her Auntie Sarah waiting to walk down the aisle!

We had a party bus - it was pretty awesome.  Aren't they cute??

Elise kept dozing off while drinking her water.  Her eyes would close and she'd just zone out for a minute.  She got a second wind after this though...probably thanks to the candy buffet and endless supply of M&Ms.

Elise and both of her Great Grandmas.

Sweet.

She kind of snuck into the father/daughter dance at the end.  I tried to get her but was  physically held back by all the Grandmas... 

Auntie Aubrey was there too!

Dancing with Daddy.  Her dress was in shreds by the end of the night.  She kept tripping on it, getting it caught on stuff.   Good thing it was only 30 bucks and it's now in her dress-up bin.

Uncle Tom knows how to get on her good side -- candy.

I sorta made Nick go dance with Sarah.  It was pretty much adorable. 

Elise danced until almost 10.  She was having SO much fun.