Almost 7 months old!

Elise is so funny! She is learning to sit up by herself. She can sit up, for a while, on the couch or in her high chair, but sitting on the floor has not been mastered. We will continue to work on that.



Elise likes to be on the go! This particular day when I was talking on the phone, Elise would not stop crying. I needed to talk to this person, so I decided that I would put her in the "kangaroo suit" to keep her happy. I walked around the house as I talked and we were both happy!



Elise can hold her bottle now! What a big girl! It sure helps me to be able to get some things done while she is eating. I never knew what a blessing it could be for the baby to be able to hold their own bottle!



Elise always loves to be with Daddy. We have become addicted to the show "Biggest Loser" so on Tuesday evenings we watch the show. Last Tuesday was the finale which Nic and I were so excited about...evidently we were the only ones excited! Elise soon was caught with her eyes closed sleeping away!



Besides eating, Elise's next favorite thing is to "kick it" with Daddy! Eight out of ten pictures are of Elise and Daddy hanging out! It is so adorable! She is definately a "Daddy's girl!"

Nic has been working diligently for the past two semesters on his Publishable Paper and presentation- it was an alternative to a Thesis Project. We are hoping that his paper will be published in a Journal...we'll keep you posted. Elise loved to sit with Daddy and "help" him put his presentation together.



Here Nic is with his Committee on the day of his Defense. He had a full room of Professors, students and family members. We were all very excited to be there, except Nic. He was glad to get it over with! He did a great job, though! We are proud of his success.



For the past year, Nic has become friends with Mohamed. He is a graduate student from Libya. We have enjoyed getting to know him and learn about his culture. He will graduate in May and hopefully be able to get a job so that he can stay in the states.



Nic worked all Thanksgiving break on his presentation. This is one of the rare instances where he was just lounging around. Of course he wanted to "kick it" with his favorite little girl...ELISE!

We are so excited for Nic to be done with Graduate School. He has worked very hard these past two years. He has earned excellent grades to show it. We are in the process of getting a job...a task that has proven a bit more difficult than expected. Yet, the Lord is mindful of us and we will have a job in no time!

May the Lord bless each of you. We hope you have a wonderful Holiday Season.

My Thanksgiving Trip to McCall, Idaho

Grandpa and Aunt Liesel took such great care of me...they even changed my diaper! Thank you!!



Grandma made a beautiful pie...Mom said that I couldn't have any! I did eat some sweet potatoes, though! I loved them. Since then I have eaten peas and green beans. I loved all of them!



Uncle Ben is an excellent piano player. I could have sat on his lap all day long and listened to him play. I love music. I can't wait until Mom lets me play her piano!



This is Riley. She and I had a great time together. Riley would hold me. When I started to get upset, Riley would rub my belly. It calmed me down and even tickled a little bit!



This picture shows just a few of the people that were at Grandpa and Grandma Holland's house for Thanksgiving...it was quite a day! Aunt Candice, Riley, TJ, Great-Grandma Holland, Me, Mom, Dad, Uncle Ben, Great-Aunt Josephine, and Aunt Holly. I love them all so much!



Cousin T.J. and I had fun together, too. He liked to hold me as well. I cried a bit, but he really was a nice boy. When I get bigger I want T.J. to teach me all about how to fix things!



Some of these kids are my cousins on the Holland side. My Aunt Bonnie got married to Uncle Brian on the 25 of November where I finally was able to meet my cousins. I had a great time looking at all their faces and playing with them. I can't wait to play with them again.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! I love you all! Have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

Love, Elise