Drummin'

The Elsbury family was dancing in the kitchen to the ipod music, so Daddy decided to take the party downstairs to the drums. Lily had never seen Daddy play. When Lily was sitting on the floor she would dance to the "LOUD" drums. I think she is a natural at playing!

Sorry the video is hard to see. We don't have the best lighting in Matt's hunting/drum room. ha ha!

A few pictures from Matt's Elk Hunt

Elk Camp in Colorado


Left to Right: Jason Gill, Marc Starostka, Matt Middleton, Tom Middleton, Jeremiah Starostka, Dave Starostka, Matt Elsbury

Snow on Sunday night.

The bull elk that Matt Middleton shot. Jeremiah also shot a cow elk.

Sunday trip to O'Neill

We hadn't seen Grandpa and Grandma Elsbury for awhile, so we packed up and left Sunday morning for O'Neill. We went to the new house to see the progress and it looks great. It is going to be really roomy, which is great! They said the plumber was next and then the drywall. I hope the weather doesn't stop the progress too much.

Emily rescued two kittens, so now they have two kittens at home. Lily enjoyed playing with them. She is such an animal lover.

Grandma Jackie and Lily

The Pumpkin Patch

We walked through the corn maze. Lily really enjoyed and so did we.

Happy 11 months Lily!

Lily was 11 months yesterday!!!! Oh my goodness! One more month and my baby isn't a baby anymore.

Matt is now home from his week long hunting trip. It is nice to have him back. Lily didn't quite know what to think of his beard (either did mommy).

Rain, rain, go away!

Hello all! Well, Matt is still hunting and has not gotten anything yet. He did say yesterday that one of their guys shot a bull Elk. So at least they won't get skunked two years in a row. Another one of his guys saw a bear. I don't think I could sit out by myself knowing there are bears, mountain lions, and wolves. Matt called me last night right before it got dark there and said he had 20 miles to drive on his four wheeler, so he better go. Uh, yeah! Driving a four wheeler in the mountains at night with wild animals...not my cup of tea. I haven't heard from him today yet, but Lily and I sure enjoy his calls. She is so cute when he is on the phone. She hugs the phone and gives it many kisses.

It has been pretty boring here at the Elsbury household. Especially since it is so rainy. I don't even want to drive out and get fast food. ha ha!

Lily came to the school to help me on Sunday morning. She really wanted to climb into the lunch basket.

She does the cutest squinty smile. It cracks me up every time.

Sorry, I just love videos. Lily loves to make noises, what baby doesn't. But, she knows we have a picture of a dog on our fridge and I think it is awesome that she associates Oasis with that picture and also the sound. I think I have the smartest little girl around.

Lily is using her sign language!!!

I have been trying to use sign language with Lily since she has been about 4 months old. Words like "more, please, thank you, milk, I love you, eat, sleep, Daddy, Mommy." Today I think she actually used it. Can you tell in the video? She shook her head for yes, and then signed eat and tried to do more (which tends to look like clapping) ha ha! My little girl is so smart!!!

This was my entertainment during the Husker game since Matt is hunting in CO. He did just call and he hasn't seen any elk yet, but has seen moose and deer. Oh well he has 4 more days of it!!!

Mike Mennard (author) and my first graders!

I usually wouldn't post pictures of my class, but I did a short video of an author that came to visit. Mike Mennard writes poetry and puts them to a beat. The first graders helped him write a poem and he made it into a song. It was cute. Sorry it is short, my memory card was full. Imagine that!

Lily!

Look at my teeth!!!!!!!!!

Zonked out with some Mommy loves!

Mullen's celebration of Life week

On Monday night, Matt, Lily, Eliza, Virgie, and I drove to Lodgepole to be with John and Laurie and the boys. It felt better to be with family and to grieve the loss of Mullen together. I won't say a lot, but here are some cute pictures from the week.





This was the procession after the service in Chappell. The motorcyles led us to a small town before we got on the interstate to head to Gibbon. It was so neat to see and very touching for them to do this for Mullen. You can't quite tell by the picture, but there were more than 50 bikers.

Uncle John pulled Delanie's first tooth!!!

Lily liked playing in the gravel.

The girls.

Old Pics from picking up pipe

Mom and Dad had gotten a "T-Rex" this year and we used it to pick up pipe. Dad needed help finishing it, so Matt, Lily, and I went out one morning to help. I was wondering how Lily would do, but she loved it. We put her carseat in the "T-Rex" and she rode with us for over 2 hours watching the men pick up the pipe. At one time she was playing with an ear of corn. We were wondering if any other babies have ridden in one of these before? ha ha!

What's up with the Elsbury's?

Well...Matt just left today for his BIG Elk hunting trip in Colorado. He will be gone until next Thursday. So, it is just Lily and I for a whole week. Good thing she is a good baby. Although, the daycare said she was really fussy today. Hmmm....she was fine for me. ha ha! I think she is working on getting more teeth. Lily is also very interested in a variety of foods, especially what mommy and daddy are eating. Baby food is becoming obsolete, but that makes me sad because I feel she should still be a baby.

Today my 1st graders and I went to the Stuhr Museum to learn about Pawnee Life. Field trips are always exciting, but the kids always amaze me on how well they can be. I am actually having a good year, and they are great kids. I am in the process of rescheduling parent-teacher conferences because I missed them last week.

It has been difficult coming to the realization that Mullen is in heaven and I truly don't think I have actually realized it. If that makes sense.....? I am going to miss his heart warming smile and innocent and loving humor. As I journal, take pictures, and videotape our family I constantly remind myself that these are priceless things. I am thankful that I/we do have such wonderful memories with Mullen. Lily will definitely grow up to know that she has a caring angel that loves her.

I do have pictures I could post, but I haven't gotten around to it. I might possibly have an elk picture the next time I post, ha ha! I better go to bed. Grey's Anatomy was okay and I still didn't get all my school work done. Oh well!

Love

It was a long and emotional week, but Mully's celebration of life and service were beautiful. Many people came to celebrate Mully's life and that meant so much to John, Laurie, and the boys. Mullen is up in heaven now looking down on all of us with his cute and charming little smile. I continue to pray for strength for all that loved and knew Mullen John. He will be greatly missed and loved forever.

Love always, Aunt Abby