This morning, we came downstairs to find Twink doing a little entomology.  Then, just about an hour ago, we discovered there was a "birth" in the family:

"Here’s lookin’ at you, Bob."

[Confused? Catch up on The Chronicles of Bob and Twink - start at the earliest post and work your way up.]

Twink returned from an extended vacay in Malibu, noticeably leaner, tanner. 2008 was a difficult year with the tragic downfall of his close friend and colleague, Bob, but he was determined this year would be different. This year, there was a new elf in town…a SHE-elf on a Shelf and her name was Bella. And she had stolen Twink’s heart.

And unfortunately, Bob’s heart, too…

[Confused? Catch up on The Chronicles of Bob and Twink - start at the earliest post and work your way up.]

For those of you following Bob’s story:

Looks like the rumors are true:

We’re proud of you, Bob! Hang in there, buddy.

As we’ve seen too many times in the celebrity world, sometimes the pressures that come with fame are too much for some to bear. I learned this evening that our elven friend Bob has fallen off the wagon. It is heartbreaking to watch someone so respected in the elf world and with so much promise spiral like this. Perhaps the hardest part is seeing how this has affected Twink:

Not that it matters now, but ironically enough, Twink was fishing this morning as well:

The connection among the elves runs deeper than we could ever imagine. Why, Bob? Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy? UPDATED!!!!!

Twink picked a baaaaaad place to hang out this morning. The freezer???? I don’t believe the scarf is doing much for him either. (For those that asked…this is Twink)

This is "Twink." He’s our elf (on the shelf). This is his first year with our family. He’s the reason our boys are up by 6:30 a.m. every morning (grrrrr). He was tired of L’s elf having all the fun. It’s on now…