Ellie's First Field Trip

Yesterday, Dan and I joined Ellie and her preschool class for their very first field trip (to a pumpkin patch of course!). The day was beautiful (NO RAIN!), the kids had a great time, and Ellie made some great memories. There were two highlights to the day for me: the first was that Dan was able to join us. He is so blessed to have the flexible schedule he has and a day does not go by when we don't at some point say, "We are so lucky you work for the State Patrol." He is such a great daddy and I always notice that Ellie is the only one with both parents at all her "events" (ballet lessons, field trips, etc). I know it means a lot to Ellie because Dan always adds that extra element of fun. You know how dads are...they jump right in to all the play and fun and Ellie just loves it. Anyway, the second highlight of the day for me was watching Ellie interact with her class and surroundings. Ellie has always been so full of personality...bright, articulate, and humorous. But she also has been shy and tended to sit back before jumping in to any new situation. Yesterday was different. Ellie is the youngest (and tiniest!) in her class but definitely a leader. She was so outgoing and tried everything with enthusiasm and confidence. I watched her classmates follow her lead much of the time and also watched how she really engaged with her teachers...asking questions, striking up conversation, seeking out their opinions, etc. I was just so proud to see her strong sense of self and fun nature. I was truly a happy mama. :) Just in case you were wondering, Ellie's highlight of the day was eating the apple she picked by herself. :) All in all, we had a wonderful time and took some great pictures and video to remember our day. I was so blessed to spend a beautiful, crisp fall morning with those I love the most. Simply wonderful!

At home, ready to go!

Class picture...look at my little petite lady!

Silly with Daddy

So full of personality

Technically not even 3 feet tall!

This picture reminds me of one of me at Kelsey creek when I was around her age

Ellie did the shopping all by herself!

And the paying too!

Very mad on the way home because she didn't get to talk to Papa on the phone

Just Being Me

Hi everyone! Mommy has been trying for two days to upload some really cute videos of me but they won't upload. She is getting very frustrated so I thought I would help her out. Daddy took these pictures of me last night and I wanted to share them with you so Mommy could relax and not feel bad that she is technologically challenged. :) Nothing major going on in the pictures, just me being me! Love you! -Ellie

12 weeks and Counting!

IT'S OFFICIAL! We are pregnant and have made it past the 12 week mark! Thank you thank you thank you to everyone who has been praying for us. I cannot tell you how ecstatic Dan and I are to know that we will be welcoming another little gift from God very soon! OK, maybe not until April but still...soon enough! Ellie does not know yet and we plan on not telling her until we find out the gender (sometime in November) or later if we can keep it a secret. This is proving to be very difficult since I am sick every single evening. Now Ellie says, "Mama, it's OK. I will get the bucket." She already knows when Mommy starts feeling icky and automatically brings me a bucket to puke in. Sort of twisted but endearing too. Anyway, baby is healthy and moving a lot. We have had three ultra sounds already and the last one (this past Friday) showed a very active little one. He/She was boxing, kicking, stretching, and crossing legs at the ankles. The best moment was when the ultrasound technician turned up the volume, and the little heartbeat filled the room. Dan and I smiled (and cried) and rejoiced at the reassurance that so far, all is well. Honestly, the three sweetest sounds in life so far have been heartbeat on ultrasound, cries at birth, and "Mama" spoken the first time. Anyway, I am rambling. Here are some pictures from the ultra sound and of my growing belly. It is VERY true that the second one pops out much sooner. I feel like I look 5 months pregnant, not 3! Nevertheless, no complaints here. I hope to be well enough soon that I can really start exercising and eating normal foods (my stomach is very picky these days and I don't eat anything of merit after 4pm). Enjoy and check back for more updates of our now growing (literally) family!

This was baby at 7 weeks.

For comparison...here is our baby at 12 weeks! What a miracle!

Notice how both belly AND butt are expanding outward! YIKES!

Hope you enjoyed the pictures! I hope to add some video of Ellie very soon. Love to all!

Tippy Toes

Ellie had another ballet lesson last night. OK, honestly, I have decided that watching her dance is perhaps one of the sweetest moments I have had with her since she was a tiny baby. She is totally backward in all her moves, cannot get first position to save her life, and her plies are about as graceful as a bird hitting a window! Nevertheless, it is so sweet to watch because you can see on her little face that she believes she is the sugar plum fairy herself. It's just too cute. Anyway, here are some photos I took for her daddy (he had to miss ballet lessons last night). Can't you just see how much she loves it? (Thanks for the new ballet bag Mema!)

Visit With Friends

Our good friend Ruth and her three kids (Alice 3, Joey 2, Alice almost one) came to play this Friday. We had so much fun watching the kids play. Ruth and I actually were able to have a real adult conversation! I know that is surprising considering there were four kids under the age of three but usually there are more of us at play dates and we never get to catch up! The highlight of the visit was when Dan caught a little frog in our yard and gave it to the kids. Then Saturday, Sandy and Greg and their dog Riley came to visit and bring Ellie her belated birthday gifts. Per usual, their visit was ridiculous fun and Ellie couldn't have been more happy. Thanks Greg, Sandy and Riley for all the wonderful gifts and especially the visit! It was great to see you!

Flower Girl

Here are a few of MANY MANY beautiful pictures from Tara's wedding. Ellie was SO excited to be the flower girl and of course, I thought she looked adorable! I was really happy that we were able to walk down the aisle as a family. It was a great moment. The first picture is my favorite. And check out that GORGEOUS bride!

Three, Preschool, and More!

My word! I have SERIOUSLY neglected this blog for too long! We have been SO busy this past month I cannot believe that fall officially begins tomorrow! I am so excited as it is my absolute favorite season of the year. Dan and I are excited to decorate for Halloween soon as it is a HUGE event in our neighborhood...apparently people caravan in just to trick or treat here so we need to be ready! Ellie and I also have already started our at-home fall crafts. It is so fun that she can actually help cut and paste now. Today we made a maple leaf art project with some old tissue paper and some cut outs from the Internet. It turned out very cute. Anyway, blah blah blah...ON TO PICTURES!!!!!! I wish I could relate all the details of Ellie's 3rd birthday, preschool, Mema's long visit, her first ballet class, and even her debut as flower girl but there is just not enough time. I hope that the pictures and captions will give you at least some idea of our last few weeks! Enjoy! First, we partied at Ellie's birthday party. Unfortunately, I cannot find our pictures! She had so much fun with all of her friends and family. Her party theme was "Camping" so the kids went "fishing" for all their goodies to fill their goody bags (thanks Auntie Claire for the idea!). It was definitely the highlight of the party! Then we went to the Puyallup fair the next day with Uncle Andre, Aunt Mary, Mema, Olivia and Nathan. The following Monday, Ellie started preschool. It was a VERY traumatic day as she was scared and did not want to leave Mommy. The good news was that by day two, she "liked it" and couldn't wait to go back! I think it helped that the second day (Thursday) was her birthday and she got to bring donuts, wear a tiara and tutu, and pick a treat from the classroom birthday box. I was relieved!

Day One:

Ellie finding her name tag Saying goodbye and putting backpack in her cubbycelebration lunch at Applebee's

Day Two: Ivy and Owen came by before school to surprise EllieOpening presents of course!

Ellie had such a wonderful birthday! But I enjoyed it most because I really enjoy Ellie. At three years old, she is so bright, articulate, and imaginative. I love how affectionate and gracious she has become, never greedy or thinking she is entitled to everything. And she is so full of joy. My mom remarked time and time again, "she is such a happy little girl." Of course, this is all I can ask for. That same week, Ellie also started ballet lessons! I told you we have been busy! It was the sweetest thing I have ever seen and I cracked up at how graceful she thinks she is and how backward all her movements were! She was adorable.