WELCOME TO MY GIRLFRIEND NICOLE!!

My girlfriend Nicole has just started her very own blog, capturing life with her three boys!! That would be Luka, Austin and of course Chuck (Dad)!! Check out her link on my page!! Yay! I am so excited to follow along as these two cuties grow up!

ONE HOT MAMA!!

Teagan's Grammy Gene (who lives in South Africa) recently attended a Black Tie Charity Ball to raise funds for Penguin rehabilitation in South Africa. Thought I would share a picture of Teagan's hot Grammy Gene and her handsome friend Bryane!!
Huba! Huba!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We had a wonderful Christmas! Teagan's focus being solely on all the presents she got to unwrap! "Presents" being her newest word! She was an unwrapping machine on Christmas morning, excitement and sheer amazement at that fact that all the gifts under the tree were for her, definitely took over!! She was so excited and just kept saying "oooohhh" "Presents"!! It was very cute.

We spent Christmas Eve sharing in the joy of the season with friends, at a wonderful church service, where Teagan sang louder than the Choir! She was a hit!

Christmas day began with presents and very excited little girl - I can't even remember my life without her. She is my angel and definitely a cherished blessing.

Next, I spent almost 2 hours trying to call my family in South Africa, to no avail!! All the phone networks in South Africa went down on Christmas Day due to the sheer volume! So my thought and Christmas wishes were sent telepathically to everyone around the globe!

We spent Christmas day with Lynn and her Family, opening more presents! and enjoying a delicious Christmas Dinner! By the time we got home that night, we were so full of turkey, Teagan and I played with all her new gifts and then off to bed... dreaming of all blessings life has sprinkled upon us...

IMPOSSIBLE!!

The most difficult task EVER, is trying to have your 23 month old toddler, sit still long enough, so you can try and take multiple photos to be able to send out Christmas Cards with her picture on the front!! I am sure most of you have received your Christmas Cards by now, if not, they are still making their way across the Globe! Thought I would share with you my experience of trying to get just one good shot!!

HERE COMES SANTA!!

Home at last!! I finally arrived home from Texas on Saturday morning around 1:30 am, after a delayed flight and much ice!

I missed Teagan sooo much while I was away, and was rather happy to learn that she actually missed her Mommy too!! When I picked her up on Saturday morning, I knocked on the door, and all I could hear was her little footsteps running for the door and a very excited little voice yelling "Mom, Mom, Mom"!!

Teagan and I spent the day shopping on Saturday, during a fabulous snow fall. By the time we got home, my nicely shovelled walkway and drive way were both covered with about 4 more inches of snow!

Sunday night was the "Kid's Christmas" party - we all met at Nicole's house (Muriel, Jerry, Nicole, Chuck, Myself and all the kids - 4 to be exact) had a great dinner and the kids exchanged gifts! It was soo much fun! Teagan had a blast unwrapping her gifts = a Cabbage Patch Kid who has glow in the dark hair! and some really cute clothes!!

She is going to be so much fun on Christmas day! This year, although she probably doesn't quite understand the full meaning of Christmas just yet, definitely is clear on the understanding that it equals gifts that she gets to unwrap!!

Auntie Jen - Thank You! We received your parcel for Miss "T" - and will wait until Christmas to open it!
Grammie Gene - Thank You! We also received your parcel for Miss "T" - and will also wait until Christmas day to open it!

Love and hugs around the Globe!
XOXO
Gina & Teagan


Luka, Sophia, Teagan, Austin & Gina




Sophie and Teagan anticipating the unwrapping to be done!


Miss "T" trying to unwrap her Cabbage Patch Kid!


Sophia - in the Tutu I made her for Christmas!


Sooo Cute!! Teagan's is next!

I LOVE SURPRIZES!!!

Day 2 in Texas and I got a really cool surprise!! I haven't used my film camera since I bought a digital, but over July 4th weekend I totally destroyed the LCD screen on my digital by getting it wet... I haven't been able to change the resolution on my camera and prints look terribly grainy, so... I decided to use the old faithful to take pics of Teagan for our Christmas cards and discovered 3 rolls of film I had never taken in for developing?? I threw them into my suitcase and dropped them off to be developed tonight and well here is what I found....

Teagan at a 2 1/2 to 3 months old!!!

EVERYTHING'S BIGGER IN TEXAS!

I made it! Safe and sound, and in The Woodlands, Texas. I actually managed to make it out of Chicago before the Ice Storm hits and all flights out of O'Hare are cancelled. After an uneventful flight to Houston, TX I landed and was greeted by a balmy 76 degrees!!! What a difference from the snow and cold I left behind! The real fun started when I had to drive my rental car from Bush Airport to the hotel in The Woodlands, with the help of a highly annoying GPS System!!! I managed to miss my exit twice on the way to the hotel, and was politely reminded by the GPS that I had missed my exit and should turn around immediately... on the express way!!! When I didn't make an immediate U-turn, the GPS became rather adamant and would not shut up until I turned the car around and started moving in the right direction. I completely understand the need for assistance when it comes to directions, being completely directionally challenged myself, I totally appreciate all the gadgets we have at our disposal... Although Garmen might want to re-think the personality installed on my GPS system!!! I must have looked like a complete crazy, driving down I45 arguing with the damn GPS System in my rental car!!! LOL!!

LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW!

The past week has brought below 0 temps, snow, sleet, ice & rain!! We got about 7 inches of snow on Tuesday night, and then another couple inches on Thursday night. So we have officially hit the Snow Season! It wouldn't be Christmas without the snow, now would it!? I have been here for almost 10 years now, and each year I say "That's it! No more snow! I am moving to San Diego, where it is a constant 75 year round, no ice, no snow and no below 0 temps! Well, as I was shovelling my walk way, drive way and trying to dig my car out of the snow this past week, I found my myself actually enjoying the beauty of the soft, white blanket that has been laid down for the Season.... I guess I am finally acclimating.... It only took 10 years!

Teagan is defiantly a true Chicago born kid - She officially LOVES the snow! Each morning we bundle up with snow boots, coat, hat and mittens, and off we go... through the snow, to the car, on our way to daycare. I now have to leave at least 20mins earlier than usual, to incorporate Teagans morning "Snow games" before we even reach the car. Each day she has to taste, touch and take in the cold, wet, magical- like snow flakes. It's like she is discovering snow each morning for the first time - and "Snow" is now the #1 word in her vocabulary. As we walk out the door each morning, it starts off quietly, as though in awe, "snow"... and then it get louder and more frequent, until she is shouting "Snow Mom"!! loud enough to wake the neighborhood. I look forward to each morning and the excitement and discovery that accompanies it...

Saturday was the annual "Elrod Christmas Party"!! So Teagan got to have a "sleepover" with Lynn & Stacy, and Mommy got to be a grown up for the night! We had so much fun! The grab-bag gifts, always a favorite, were a hoot as usual. And Muriel, of course, served a wonderful dinner. It was an evening of great company, and much laughter! Can't wait for next year!

Teagan and I celebrated Stacy's Birthday on Sunday night, with Stacy and her family. She is now 17 and such great girl - Officially Teagan's adopted sister! We had fun night of pizza, ice-cream cake and gifts!

Mommy is feeling a little sad tonight (Sunday)... I am off to Houston, Texas for the WEEK on business.... Teagan is staying with Lynn for the week and Mommy is ready to cry! I have never been away from my sweet girl for more than the night and I am not sure how the heck I am going to manage!! Teagan, of course, will be just fine - Lynn's house is her second home, so she probably won't even notice that I am missing, me on the other hand... No dealing so well =) The joy's of mommyhood... I leave tomorrow (Monday) and fly home very late Friday night, so I will pick Teagan up on Saturday morning. Sniff... Sniff...

I will post again when I get home...

I hope everyone is doing well!
Love & Hugs around the globe.
G & T
XOXOX


"Look at the Snow Grammie"!!




Helping "Ninn" with the dishes!


"Mmmmmmm... CAKE..."!


Shoe Shopping with Mommy!!


"I'll take these"!!


"What Chocolate Mom"?!

HOW COOL IS OUR NEW BLOG!!

Thank You Nikki - we LOVE it!! We are buried in snow here - got 7 inches yesterday and possibly another 4 tonight!! I will post with pics tomorrow!!

PRICELESS!!

I love the pure innocence and understanding of children! I laughed so hard and wanted to share with everyone!

If you need a laugh, then read these Children's Science Exam answers.

Q: Name the four seasons.
A: Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar.

Q: Explain one of the processes by which water can be made safe to drink.
A: Flirtation makes water safe to drink because it removes large pollutants like grit, sand, dead sheep and canoeists.

Q: How is dew formed?
A: The sun shines down on the leaves and makes them perspire.

Q: How can you delay milk turning sour? (brilliant, love this!)
A: Keep it in the cow.

Q: What causes the tides in the oceans?
A: The tides are a fight between the Earth and the Moon. All water tends to flow towards the moon, because there is no water on the moon, and nature hates a vacuum. I forget where the sun joins in this fight.

Q: What are steroids?
A: Things for keeping carpets still on the stairs.

Q: What happens to your body as you age?
A: When you get old, so do your bowels and you get intercontinental.

Q: What happens to a boy when he reaches puberty?
A: He says good-bye to his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery.

Q: Name a major disease associated with cigarettes
A: Premature death

Q: How are the main parts of the body! categorised? (e.g., abdomen.)
A: The body is consisted into three parts - the brainium, the borax and the abdominal cavity. The brainium contains the brain; the borax contains the heart and lungs, and the abdominal cavity contains the five bowels, A, E, I, O, and U.

Q: What is the fibula?
A: A small lie.

Q: What does 'varicose' mean? (I do love this one...)
A: Nearby.

Q: Give the meaning of the term 'Caesarean Section'
A: The Caesarean Section is a district in Rome

Q: What does the word 'benign' mean?'
A: Benign is what you will be after you be eight.

A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!

Teagan and I spent a wonderful Thanksgiving with Muriel, Jerry, Sophie and Muriel's Parents (Ted & Debbie), at their Lake House in Door County, Wisconsin. We had such a great long weekend, lots of relaxing, shopping and hanging out with the girls. Debbie made a delicious Thanksgiving dinner! This is definately the time of year to be thankful for great friends and family...


Teagan on the Beach in Door County


Mommy and T on the Beach in Door County


Sophia & Teagan


Mommy's Little Turkey!


Sophie & T playing with all the cool toys!


Teagan & Sophie hanging out with "Cappie" (Sophie's Grandpa)

WHAT A FUN DAY!!

I hosted a children's discovery toys party on Saturday, we had so much fun! The kids got to play with all the cool toys which made it much easier to decide what to buy!! I served a yummy Veggie Lasagna, salad and fresh french bread for lunch - which was delicious! It was really fun afternoon - hanging with the girls!

I am so excited! Thanksgiving is on Thursday - for all my South African friends and family... this is a Traditional North American Holiday to give thanks at the conclusion of the harvest season. It equates to over stuffing yourself with Turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, apple pie, pumpkin pie and whatever other yummy dishes you can think of to serve!! Teagan and I were invited to spend the Thanksgiving Holiday with Muriel and her family in Door County, which is just beautiful! I can't wait, Muriel and I are driving up with the girls on Wednesday and coming home on Sunday! I will definitely post pics on Monday!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!


Lynn (or as Teagan says "Nin") - playing "I'm gonnna get you", with Teagan.


Luka - "Mmmm... How does this thing work"?


"Hi Mommy"! (Teagan's newest word)!


"Hold On"!!


Jenny & Austin - Such a cutie!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKELE!!

Big Birthday Hugs and Kisses to Mikele!! Hope your Birthday is wonderful!! Lot of love and hugs from Gina & Teagan! XOXOXOXO


"HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTY MIKELE"!!

DOUBLE DATE...

Friday night was soo much fun!! I went on a double date with Muriel & Jerry, we went to this really cool wine bar called 'Flight', had a great dinner, copious amounts of red wine and laughed so hard I was crying!! As you can probably tell from the pics, the red wine was flowing a little to freely.... So we'll see if there is even a date #2!! LOL