As usual, we took my grandfather "Pop" to dinner at Cracker Barrel for his birthday followed by an always laugh-inducing evening of bowling. We had lots of people out of town, sick or working this year, but those who made it had a wonderful time. I snapped this photo namely because she looked so darn cute in those corduroy pants and floral top AND she couldn't be happier that she got to wear bowling shoes like the big kids. She wasn't old enough to require it, so I thought I could skip out on that $3.50 purchase, but she was having NONE of it. My philosophy is if $3.50 is all it takes to keep her happy, then shell it out! I don't know if you ever seen a 6.5 month pregnant woman attempt to bowl, but it isn't a pretty sight. Instead, I saved my money, found Ella a 6 pound ball and ...
ella
Christmas, Finale
My whole life, my immediate family has celebrated on Christmas Eve with communion, a snack supper, Christmas movies and presents. It has always been our very favorite part of the holiday season. We knew once we "grew up", got married and made babies this tradition would likely change. This year was the first year we tried something different and I'll have to admit it was quite fun. My mom made a fabulous breakfast spread the evening after Christmas and we had a sit down dinner instead of the usual finger foods around the fire. Ella didn't quite make it to dinner, but since she doesn't eat eggs anyway, we fixed her bacon and biscuits earlier in the evening and she became the meal's entertainment. In addition to the seven of us (Garan, Poppy, SD, Me, Ella, K & Cory), my ...
Snow Bunnies
Snow bunnies, without the snow, obviously. The Sunday after Christmas Ella couldn't bear to be separated from Lucy, her bitty baby, so she (Lucy) got decked out for church in her only church-appropriate attire. Luckily, Aunt Lane sent Ella a coat and hat that almost makes them twins. Ella was thrilled to see how cute they looked together! ...
Yesterday
I'm still waiting on a few family photos from K before sharing round 4 of our Christmas celebrations. I didn't take many pictures at my parents house at all because we were too busy stuffing our faces, stealing presents in an always-brutal round of Dirty Santa and watching the boys throw washers in the yard. In the meantime, I thought I'd share a few pics from our little adventure yesterday. Who LOVES to get up at 5:45 on the Monday after Christmas? Yeah... me neither. Unfortunately, I managed to schedule my OB appointment at 8 o'clock and it's a good 40 minute drive. Ella had a major meltdown when I attempted to wrangle her curls and brush her teeth, despite the fact that I tried to put her to bed early the night before and warn her of our early departure. We had to wait awhile, but ...
Christmas, Round Three
Round three had me up at 6:30, baking sausage balls and pigs in a blanket, starting the coffee pot and getting our video camera set up. We told Ella the night before that when she woke up, she should call us to come and get her. I was so worried she would be distracted by the presents and we would sleep through her excitement. While I was cooking breakfast in the kitchen, I had the dishwasher running and must not have heard her yell for us. All of a sudden I heard a few guttural screams and made my way to her room. When I opened her door, she was visibly irritated and wanted to know if Santa came or not. When I told her yes she said, "Then lets open presents!" We woke SD up and all ran into the living room to see what the big guy brought. Beemer was beside herself because she got a ...
Christmas, Round Two
After Christmas gifts were opened at Nana's, we all laid around and played with our toys all afternoon. The girls skipped their naps, but played so well together and it was nice to have a few hours to visit. After Christmas Communion at our church with my family, we were home to get ready for Santa. All of our Christmas lights were turned on, we got our Christmas pajamas on and decided to write Santa a letter. Ella wanted to stress to him that she did NOT want him to come in her room! He was welcome to come down the chimney, leave presents and enjoy his snack, but she wasn't interested in catching him in action. I wrote the letter that she dictated and we snuggled up on the couch with a movie. Gran and Poppy came by to read "The Night Before Christmas" and then she fell asleep on ...
Christmas, Round One
We have had such a wonderful Christmas weekend, but just like last year, we have been so many places and taken so many pictures, that it will take me a week to share it all! I don't know what is different about being 3 years old, but I didn't take as many pictures as I usually do and there are many things I missed. I think we were just so excited by Ella's reaction to everything that we were enjoying ourselves too much to remember the camera. First up... Christmas Eve! Despite the fact that she knew Santa was on his way and that this was the the first day she got to open presents and eat a lot of junk, Ella woke up in a funk on Christmas Eve. She was really whiny and complained about everything. It didn't matter what we suggested, she wasn't happy about anything. I even threatened ...
Merry CHRISTmas!
Merry CHRISTmas, friends! "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 ...