Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays to you as 2006 comes to a close. It has been a busy year for us.

Our first full year of parenthood and we have survived!! From Alyse’s department getting shut down with CitiMortgage and her starting a new job with The Principal Financial Group working in health insurance. What a change from mortgages, and of course sending Ella to daycare for the first time. Alyse also got some quality time by herself taking a quilting class this fall through a community education program.

Charles continues to work at John Deere Credit and likes his job for the most part. He really enjoys the people he works with and the company itself. He’s on daycare duty most days – dropping off and picking up Ella. This extra time paid off when she said her first word, Da. Or was it Dao? Which in baby language is dog – for her ever-faithful companion, Duste.

For our 5 year anniversary in November, Charles and I headed to Colorado for a few days of snow skiing and our first Denver Broncos football game. Charles is quite the fan, you know! And Charles got to experience skiing in Colorado for the first time. It was Alyse’s third at Winter Park. It was our first experience away from Ella and we all managed well. Ella had some quality bonding time with her grandparents.

We wish a wonderful 2007 for each of you and may God richly bless you.

Love, The Anliker’s – Charles, Alyse, Ella & Duste

PS: Keep checking the blog for updates throughout the year.

Helping

Here is Ella helping helping Charles put together her Christmas present -- a John Deere pedal tractor w/ a loader. She loves it!

My little helper

Here's Ella helping me wrap Christmas gifts. What a good little helper --

All ready...

Here are Charles and I -- all ready for the Broncos game.

Broncos Game

Here are Charles and I at the Broncos game. As you can tell, this is the start of the game, since Charles is still smiling and I'm not shivering.

Casa Bonita

There is a pretty well-known restaurant in Denver called Casa Bonita. It's a rather large Mexican restaurant that has lots of entertain. Not a dull moment. From a mariachi band to all kinds of shows and cliff divers, it is truly a great place to take a family. This is only 1 section of the restaurant.

Coors Brewery

While in Colorado, we took a tour of the Coors Brewery. Here is Charles posing by one of their etched windows.

Happy Holidays to you as 2006 comes to a close. It has been a busy year for us. Our first full year of parenthood and we have survived!!

From Alyse’s department getting shut down with CitiMortgage and her starting a new job with The Principal Financial Group working in health insurance. What a change from mortgages, and of course sending Ella to daycare for the first time. Alyse also got some quality time by herself taking a quilting class this fall through a community education program.

Charles continues to work at John Deere Credit and likes his job for the most part. He really enjoys the people he works with and the company itself. He’s on daycare duty most days – dropping off and picking up Ella. This extra time paid off when she said her first word, Da. Or was it Dao? Which in baby language is dog – for her ever-faithful companion, Duste

For our 5 year anniversary in November, Charles and I headed to Colorado for a few days of snow skiing and our first Denver Broncos football game. Charles is quite the fan, you know! And Charles got to experience skiing in Colorado for the first time. It was Alyse’s third at Winter Park. It was our first experience away from Ella and we all managed well. Ella had some quality bonding time with her grandparents.

We wish a wonderful 2007 for each of you and may God richly bless you.

Love,
The Anliker’s – Charles, Alyse, Ella & Duste
PS: For more up to date information about our household, visit our blog at http://anlikerfamily.blogspot.com/

Skiing in Colorado

Charles & I recently took a short vacation to Colorado to go skiing in Winter Park for a few days and also to see a Denver Broncos game. Here we are in front of our condo.

Birthday books

Ella has really gotten into listening to books in the past few months. She will bring a book over to me and turn around and sit on my lap. So silly she is!

After Ella got a book for her birthday, she was more interested in that than the rest of her presents, so here she is with her Great Aunt Renae and her cousins, Patrick and Allison.

Ella eating her cake

Here is Ella eating her birthday cake with Charles. She also decided that she really likes playing w/ tissue paper. Christmas should be fun this year with the wrapping paper, ribbons, tissue paper and boxes....oh and those things called toys!

Ella's Birthday Party

Here is Ella at her first birthday party. We had it at the Pizza Ranch in Pocahontas on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. Ella really liked the chicken. This is her when everyone is singing, "Happy Birthday" to her.

Pecan Pie

Here is Ella guarding the pecan pie at Christmas. The table and chairs were just her size.

Happy Thanksgiving

From the snow bunny. Here is Ella at the Anliker Thanksgiving. She really likes this rocking chair and has requested one for Christmas. We'll just have to see if she gets one.

Putting up the tree

We spent Thanksgiving at our home and so we decided to put up the Christmas tree. Ella thought she would help, so she got the ornaments out of the big box and handed them to us to put on the tree. Here she is with a lid from the ornament box. She just thought this was the funniest thing to do and has since been doing with clear Rubbermaid containers.

Birthday Cheesecake

For Ella's first birthday, she had a Cookies and Cream cheesecake. She didn't make a mess with it or really eat it. Just played around. Since her birthday was on a Monday, Charles & I just sang Happy Birthday to her.

Happy 1st Birthday Ella

Happy Birthday to a wonderful little girl who has truly blessed our lives in the past year and given us more laughs and tears that we ever imagined. I can't believe that our daughter is 1. It is truly amazing how fast the first year will fly by. Here are some of her 1 year pictures.

Yum!

Ella likes to help us with laundry. Not necessary folding or washing or drying, but she does help shut the dryer door and pull laundry out of the basket. Tonight she decided to take one of her socks (already been washed and dried) and just went to town stretching it, biting it, throwing it, whatever she could possibly do. She just thought it was so fun! After we had folded the laundry and took it upstairs, Ella decided to try to take off her dirty socks and do the same thing. Needless to say, we stopped this from happening!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Fun!

Ella and Grandpa Hohensee playing this morning before church. My parents were down spend time with us and to watch Ella last night, so Charles and I could go out for our Anniversary. Today, we got the Christmas lights put up on the outside of the house. Thanks!!!

When Ella wakes up

Sometimes she just babbles, sometimes she whines, and this morning she was playing with the birdies. We have a birdie toy on the side of the crib and this morning when I went to check on Ella, there she was on her knees looking at the birdies. Tonight after we put her down for bed, I thought I heard the birdies singing and lo and behold, she was doing this again this evening. She must really like her birdies. Thanks Paige, aka Josh & Heather (last year's Christmas present)!

Visiting

Ella playing with her Great Grandma Hohensee the last time we were in Pocahontas. We try very hard to see as family as much as possible and we always enjoy the company!

Toy Box

Ella thought that it may be a good idea to get in one of the boxes that we keep some of her toys in. The only thing is that the box really isn't mean to have a child sit in it. Oh well...Ella wanted to be close to the action!

Playing in the leaves

Here is a Ella a few weeks ago playing in the leaves as we are trying to rake them up. She didn't know what to think at first, but soon had a lot of fun, especially when her Dao (our dog, Duste) joined her.

Halloween Treat Bowl

A little bit delayed, but here is Ella on Beggar's Night here in Des Moines with her treats (Cheerios). This is right before she decided to pick up the bowl and drink her Cheerios from it. Way to go Ella!

Happy 1st Birthday Ella!

Happy Birthday (11/20) to a wonderful little girl who has truly blessed our lives in the past year and given us more laughs and tears that we ever imagined. I can't believe that our daughter is 1. It is truly amazing how fast the first year will fly by. Here are some of her 1 year pictures.

Happy Anniversary

After 5 years of marriage, we are both very happy and have this picture to prove it! We celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary last Friday. Nothing too spectacular, except a new ring for me and a really great vacation coming up to Colorado for a little snow skiing and really great tickets to a Denver Broncos football game.

My girls are just chillin'

Finally, after almost a year, Duste is pretty comfortable with Ella and likewise back. The other night, I set Ella in the chair with Duste (as you can see) and Duste didn't move. Maybe she was scared vs excited, but I was more than a little bit happy! And this morning, I got Ella up out of bed and gave her the binky (like I always do), she spit it out and said, "Dao" (aka, Dog/Duste) when Duste came upstairs. Ahhh, the things that entertain me!

The little Punkin is helping to carve punkins

Since Ella wasn't quite with us last year at this time, this is her first experience with carving pumpkins.


At first Ella was so excited to carve pumpkins, she was stomping her feet and smiling and giggling.






Then when I finally got one open, she had to look inside (no touching) and then as you can see, tried to pick it up.

Then, I thought maybe she would put her hands inside, but nope again, she just wanted me to do the dirty work and she'd touch the seeds. Later on, she decided to pick up a glob of seeds, tried eating them, threw them on the floor and tried to eat them again.

Here is the Peacock, but what about Bob?

My brother Brian and sister-in-law Sarah decided this year to be a peacock and SpongeBob Square Pants. I don't know if these were their #1 choices for costumes or not. They had just returned from Hawaii, so only had a week to get costumes. Too bad, huh? They just love Halloween and so the costumes they come up with are never surprising!

Ella is an Indian, nope, Ella is a Seminole

We decided to put Ella in a Indian, I mean, Seminole costume for her 1st Halloween. We even had the cute moccasins (thank you Schultes' family). Here is Ella at Uncle Brian & Aunt Sarah's annual Halloween party. Ella did so good at the party and got her groove on. She is really getting into dancing when she hears music. I think we can thank daycare for that since they listen to music everyday there.

Ella is growing so fast and starting to run, not walk to where she wants to go and is up and down most of the stairs. This week she also is standing up from a sitting position without needing to hold onto anything. She is also starting to climb on more stuff. For instance, she is now able to sit on the edge of the fireplace. Apparently she is tall enough now to get her legs up there.

Wheel of Fortune Fan Club

The past two weeks have been quite the headache -- literally. Last week I had severe allergy headaches, Ella went to the doctor for eczema. Charles went to the doctor this week for an infection (we think) and then Ella has been there three times this week trying to diagnose her high fevers and high white blood cell count. Through finger pokes and IV draws, we still don't know for sure what the issue is and we're now on the 3rd different antibiotic. Her body, for some reason, just doesn't seem to take the antibiotic. Hopefully she gets well soon.

This picture was taken earlier this week in the evening. I like to watch Wheel of Fortune (thank you Grandma Eleanor) and Ella came down by me and when the contestants would clap, so would she. Ella just thought that was the best thing ever.

New Family Picture

This picture was taken at Brian & Sarah's wedding. One month from today, Ella will turn 1 Where does the time go?

Sarah and "The Pink One"

Here is Sarah and "The Pink One", aka Ella at the wedding. They both look so beautiful.

THE WEDDING!

Yes, they really got married. My brother Brian and his wife Sarah -- boy that's weird to say! They tied the knot on Oct 7th at the Sheraton Hotel. Here are some pictures of the happy couple. Congrats again!

They have been honeymooning in Hawaii. They not only got to visit a beautiful destination (I only know from pictures), but they also got to experience an earthquake. I think it was about 6.6 on the Richter scale.

Their son, Logan, got to spend some quality time with our parents. He had quite the fun time farming with Grandpa and riding his bicycle and visiting all of the relatives.

Wheeee!

Ella has really enjoyed being able to be pushed around on her tricycle and this weekend was no exception. With the beautiful weather here in Des Moines, Ella got to ride on the tricycle again and enjoy the fresh air. As usual, Charles is pushing her around and I am taking pictures.

Our leaves have really started to change colors and our neighbor's tree has lost almost all of its leaves. Our trees are just starting to lose their leaves, but the colors are beautiful.

New Tricks

I can't believe how fast Ella is growing up. 10 1/2 months already. Her 1st birthday is next month. Wow! Here she is in the bathtub playing with her fish. She started sticking the fish in her mouth, so I'd fill them with water and she'd bite down and squirt out the water. So glad we could capture the water squirting out. Great photography Chuck!

She is really starting to boogie around the house. She continues to pull her Cheerios out of the cupboard and is really enjoying supper, since she usually gets a bit of whatever we are eating, plus her own "baby food". She enjoys being outside and playing with her toys. Anything that has wheels on it that she can push around -- either while standing or sitting, it doesn't really matter.

Ella has 4 teeth on the top and 2 teeth on the bottom -- no new ones in a few weeks now.

This weekend was a busy one around our house. My mom and niece, Paige, came to visit on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. Paige hasn't been to our house and so she was a little confused as to where Ella lives. So, she got to spend some time with us and had a fun time at the park meeting some new friends. Girls that we recognize from the neighborhood, but don't know personally. Paige just jumped right in and started playing. Good natured kid she is. Then on Sunday afternoon, we watched our nephews, Logan and Dylan. Again, we all had a fun time playing and Ella really enjoys playing with people more "her size".

Ella's (& Duste's) Buffet

Well, now that Ella is walking, she is all over the house. Up & down stairs, from this room to that room. Wow! She has been opening drawers and cabinets for a few weeks now and has figured out where some things 'belong'. Case in point, her Cheerios!

Apparently I didn't get the lid on too tightly and Ella knew right where to find them. As she picked up the container, off came the lid and the Cheerios were all over the floor.

So what did she do? Sat down to her buffet. And...her partner in crime, Duste, decided to have a little snack right along with her.

Ella grabbed the Cheerios by the handful and shoveled them in her mouth just as fast as she could. Then she started to move her leg back and forth (that would be her right leg) and kick the Cheerios all over the kitchen floor.

So tonight, after playing for a while, Ella walked up to the kitchen, opened the cupboard, pulled out her Cheerios. Then what? She walked over to her dad and handed him the Cheerios to open up. After he gave her a couple and shut the lid (tightly), she walks over to me and shakes the container as if I am to open it and give her some more.

Ella turns 10 months old this week -- I can hardly believe it. She is really getting to be a fun baby. She hasn't really turned down any baby food specifically and really likes yogurt a lot. Table food is starting a little bit at a time. She ate green beans from the can last night and cheesy potatoes over the weekend. Like I said, a little bit at a time.

Charles & I count our blessings every night for such a wonderful little girl. She is truly a happy baby and a joy to be around. And a sleeper too! Enjoy your fall like week here in Iowa...

Are you ready?

Ella is walking. She started today...a few steps at a time. Before going to bed for the night, she was probably taking 20 at any time. For those of you who know our house. She was walking from Charles (sitting at the base of the fireplace) to I (sitting on the love-seat) We agreed that we have not seen her that tired in a long time. She was pooped...

Over the weekend, I traveled back to my parents' to go garage-saling...found lots of cute new toys for my little Ella and a few clothing items. Came back to Des Moines for my new sister-in-law, Sarah's, bridal shower. Fun times --

At any rate, the weekend goes too fast like normal -- but having Ella to keep me busy and entertained is so much fun.

Have a good week!

Busy times...

I know that it's been a very long time since I last wrote. We have been busy ending our summertime fun. Grandma Hohensee & Great Aunt Debbie came for a visit and stayed a few days to spend time with Ella.

We went back to the Iowa State Fair for a 2nd time and had a nice day w/ Grandpa & Grandma Anliker, Uncle Clark & Cindy. Although Ella didn't quite like it as much as the first time. Something about the building we were in -- oh well, she's over it now.

Then we had a quiet weekend to ourselves here in DSM. Got a few things done that we had been wanting to. We got to spend some time w/ Uncle Brian & Aunt Sarah out at their house and cousin Logan.

Ella went back for her 9-month checkup....22 lbs 8oz and 29 1/4" long. She's growing!

Sometime in this mix, Ella decided to work on getting some top teeth through. We can see both I-teeth on the top and one has popped through. She also got one of her top middle teeth. She's doing really good w/ Cheerios and has even started to munch on some real food. She's had chicken and potatoes (mashed and chunked) and even a little hamburger. She continues to be a good eater (suprise there, huh?) and really likes yogurt.

Thursday evening (08/31), Alyse's Godfather & Uncle arrived from Florida, so Ella got to meet her Great Uncle David for the very first time. It didn't take long before she was comfortable with him!

This past weekend, we went back to see our parents and our family. A few of Ella's great aunts & uncles, great-grandparents and even Uncle Josh and Cousin Paige. Got to spend some time at Lost Island Lake with some family and Ella got to experience her first bonfire -- even though it was cut really short by rain. That's where both of these pictures were taken.

We came back on Sunday night, so we could relax all day Monday and boy did Ella ever relax -- 6 hours of naps worth of relaxing! Plus she still slept 11 hours overnight before we had to wake her up!

Well I'm tired from all of this writing -- sorry again for the long delay in posting. I'll try not to get so lazy in the upcoming weeks/months. Hope all is well with each of you -- keep in touch!

Giddy Up

So we've been practicing at home how to ride a horse, as you can see.










This weekend we went out to the Iowa State Fair and this horse was awfully curious in Ella. The horse started licking the stroller above Ella. It was so funny.







Ella just couldn't get over how big the animals were. Her mouth opened so wide everytime she saw a big animal. It was a lot of fun and she did very well, even taking time to relax and falling asleep in the stroller for about 30 minutes.





Ella has been fine since her surgery. She has been sleeping a lot. Up to 14 hours a night and 6 hours of naps during the day. She must be growing too because she's been eating a lot -- more milk and she's getting used to a sippy cup now too!