Flying a kite...and hanging with brother!

Dear Ella,

You flew your first kite. You are such a quick learning at most everything, but the way you picked this up really impressed me. I mean, look at you lounging while you fly. So cool.

Monday afternoon tradition

August 2013

Jude Elliot

Dear Ella,

Your brother has arrived. From this point forward, you will be learning to share. Share mommy, daddy, grandparents, your old room, and even this site. We will do our best  to raise you feeling loved like an only child; but, we know we might mess up sometimes. If you every feel ignored, or less-loved, or like you've been replaced, you couldn't be more wrong. You are already a wonderful big sister and will always be our first baby. Here are some sweet moment we'd like to always remember....

Hospital visit

first pictures

meeting Jude!

Gma Lisa holding Jude for the first time

at home

so fun having a sleepy brother

first trip to the zoo

shopping!

Sick days

Dear Baby, 

You don't feel well. A low fever turned into a pretty big prickly rash. I love snuggling with you but really hope you are feeling better by the time your brother arrives. 

sleepy

Not too sick for a bath time pose

So much better and ready for brother! 

Iowa Summer

Dear Ella,

We drove to Iowa in late June for one last 'hurrah' before your brother was born. We had a very full week of visiting and spending time with family. You adored all of the cousin time and it made me a little sad that we don't live closer so that we could spend every weekend with them.

Cuddles with Noah

Cousin time

Time at Great Grandma and Grandpa's

Wheelbarrow Rides with Talon

Des Moines Farmer's Market with the Van Winkles

Sophia and Ella!

pool babies

Riding the Gator at the Eighmy's (Isaac, Noah, Jacob, Ella, Talon)

Ladder Ball

Poolside 

Baby Noah

Cousins

Bridal Shower for Susan

Forced to Simplify

Two things come to mind when I think about common household items that I never thought I could live without, that we currently live without.

One: A television.

Two: A blender.

The television we previously had was loaned to us by Caleb's sister, Beth, while she was at school in Australia. So, when she graduated and moved back to Colorado, we happily returned it to her. Honestly, the only time I miss the TV is at 6:00 am when it would just be so easy to flip on PBS Kids. Thank goodness we can stream some of the shows online;)

The blender was my choice. I sold our blender half a
year ago to put $ towards  a juicer. We ended up having a juicer given to us and just haven't replaced the blender. There are few moments that I miss it. Today, I am thankful we don't have a blender. I think I just made the most delicious hand-made peach shake that I've ever had. No noisy machine required for these three ingredients: mashed peaches, ice cream, and vanilla.

As you can tell, I forgot to take the picture before eating half of it. 

A day in the life.

Dear Ella,

This was our day.

Hiking in our field

First time on a Deere!

Sale ad fun!

"Skating"

What can I say? You love being outside and you have a terrific imagination;)

Love,
Mommy

Mother's Day 2013

Dear Ella, 

You learned about a new holiday today. Maybe the best holiday every created. Mother's Day. 

I was showered with your sweet, "Happy Mother's Day, Mommy!", wishes all day long! Actually, this phrase was repeated for the next three days straight. It was amazing:)

Here is my beautiful card that you and daddy made me:)

And the sweet craft from church.

You took me out to eat at Omelette Parlor.

You and daddy also let me go on an hour long bike ride by myself!!

Thank you for the perfect day.

Love you Bug,

Mommy

I Scream, You Scream...

We all scream, "Happy Birthday!!!!!!".

My Love,

We celebrated two whole years that you've been in our lives today; my goodness!

It was a wonderful day celebrated with your closest friends. All of our families wished they could have been here. Here are the highlights.

Ice Cream Sundae Bar

Family Pic

Singing 'Happy Birthday'

Checking on the neighborhood

snacks

gifts

thank yous

shape sorting

bubbles

more bubbles!

Iris

Corbin

goof 

New trampoline

yard play

You seemed to have a lot of fun and loved the attention, as usual. I love you monkey.

Mommy