Happy Weekend!

On The Move

At almost four months, Olivia is on the move! She can roll from back to front and vice versa. Every time we put her on the ground, she wiggles her way all over the place.

The Newest Sam in my Life

This morning at 9:44am, my sister-in-law Alyce and brother-in-law Michael welcomed a beautiful baby boy into the world.

Samuel Robertson Dillon
8 pounds, 13 ounces
20.5 inches

We love him already and cannot wait to meet him in person. Olivia is thrilled to have an Elsener cousin! My husband Sam is a crying mess over the new baby Sam in our lives and couldn't be more honored to share his name with our newest nephew.

Congrats Alyce and Michael!

Straight to the Mouth

Liv has started all exploration with her mouth. Any toy she can get her hands on go directly into her mouth. And if toys aren't available, her fingers do the trick!

Goodbye Mercedes...

Hello Honda Pilot!!!

We've welcomed a new member to the Elsener family...it's a brand new Honda Pilot and she's quite a beauty. Our new family car (or as Sam says, our mini-van or mack truck) seats eight people and has sixteen different seating configurations. Exciting! Olivia, Penny and future Elsener babies are thrilled about the purchase.

Call if you need a ride (because now I have room for you) :)

Talent Show

This is the second year that I've held a Murray-Giles-Elsener talent show. The kiddos love it, while the other adults seem to dread the mandatory participation (this year all the adults but Nana and Uncle Sam protested, but I will get them back next year!). Overall it was a total success, check out the videos below...

Ellie's Hula Hooping


Finn's Break Dancing


Brendan's Blackhwaks Tribute


Seamie's Musical Talents



Saoirse's Stomp Walking


Olivia's Standing Tall


Group Number for the Finale!

Best Friends

Exactly eleven months apart, Liv and her cousin Saoirse are destined to be best friends. Saoirse is extremely interested in Olivia and always trying to get her hands on her. No doubt these two will get into their fair share of trouble in the years to come.

Water Baby

Somebody is loving summer...

Lake Geneva

For the past few years, the Murray-Giles-Elsener clan has been going up to the Capizzi's amazing house in Lake Geneva for a weekend each summer. It's hands down one of my favorite events of the year. I love being all together...eating, drinking swimming and playing. And with seven kiddos now all under the age of six, it's always entertaining. I already cannot wait to go back next summer.

Rolling

A Daddy and his ladies

Sam with his two favorite little ladies, Penny and Olivia.

Tongue

Olivia's tongue is always in action. It has been since she was born. I find it totally hysterical how she is constantly sticking it out and moving it around. Too cute.

Independence Day

Happy Three Month Old Birthday!

Somehow my baby girl is already three months old. People say that time flies, but it seriously is true! I feel like Liv will be one before we know it. Her smiles just get bigger and bigger each day, and we're still waiting for some giggles. She has started to be extremely vocal with her cooing. On her stomach, she can roll herself back over to her back which is pretty impressive. By far her favorite activity is to stand. Olivia barely lets you hold her without pressing up with both of her legs to show you how tall she is.
Happy birthday to my sweet girl!

Hail to the Victors

Miss Oliva went on her first college visit this week to her mom's beloved alma mater, the University of Michigan. Go Blue! Ann Arbor is one of the best college towns, so we thought it was best to introduce her to the campus at an early age. She told us that she cannot wait until the fall to start watching Michigan football.
We did a little tour of all her mom's former stops like Kappa Kappa Gamma, 917 Greenwood, the Michigan Union, Pizza House, Ricks, etc. So many good times were had there.
Maybe Liv will follow in the footsteps of her mommy and Aunt Cate to become a Michigan Wolverine herself one day. No pressure though...