Happy Little Things

Mercedes Marathon Sponsorship for Lucy

2012-01-31T11:29:00.000-08:00

Photo Card

2011-11-14T10:23:00.001-08:00

Initial Impression Pink Baby Announcements

To see Shutterfly's birth announcement designs, click here.

View the entire collection of cards.

Destin - Day 3

2011-08-02T08:51:00.000-07:00

From 7-29-11

Our last full day in Destin, we spent at Big Kahuna water park. We didn't take any pictures there. But afterwards we walked down to Pompano Joe's for some GREAT seafood!! (and a beautiful wait.)

From 7-29-11

Ella saw a little boy running on the beach in just his blue swimming diaper, so she and Emma are SCREAMING....."I SEE YOU LITTLE DIAPER BOY!!!" over and over.

From 7-29-11

My baby tried crab claws, shrimp, and calamari! I was so proud of her!

From 7-29-11

Between cleaning up ketchup, her appetizer, and wrestling knives away from her.....I was wore out!!

From 7-29-11

When we got back from dinner, we let Ella go to the pool, since it was her last night. She couldn't sleep with chlorine in her hair, so after her bath she just couldn't stay awake to have her hair dried...lol!

From 7-29-11

I had to get Daddy's help to get the back. :)

Destin - Day 2

2011-08-02T08:32:00.000-07:00

From 7-28-11

If we couldn't find Ella, chances are she had taken "chocolate blankie" and settled in somewhere to watch TV. We found her here in Mike and Mandy's room.

From 7-28-11

The kids had a blast jumping on the beds together all week, especially the girls!

From 7-28-11

Back to the track to use up the rest of our tickets. It had been raining on and off so it wasn't too hot to go in the middle of the day.

From 7-28-11

She fell asleep on the swings. Poor tired baby :(

From 7-28-11

Then on to bumper boats, which I thought she would hate because you spray each other water. But she did great!! She even got soaked and didn't cry! She didn't ask to do it agian though .... lol. The adults had a great time though!

From 7-28-11

Spraying the people in line!

From 7-28-11

One last spin around the track to burn our last two tickets!! Ella never got tired of go-carts!

From 7-28-11

I love walking on the beach at night!! There were some fireworks off in the distance that the girls loved! We followed some people for a while that were hunting sand crabs. Ella touched one, but after that they weren't very interested. They decided to just put sand in the nets. I dont know why, but in the dark, Ella had no problem with sand.

From 7-28-11

Destin - Day 1

2011-08-02T08:14:00.000-07:00

From 7-27-11

This Life Jacket was the best purchase we made the whole trip! It gave Ella so much freedom! She was swimming all over the pool by herself!

Jason had his hands full most of the time. From 7-27-11

From 7-27-11

One of the few pictures of me. Doing what I do best.....Chillin'! From 7-27-11

This is what I got when I asked Ella to smile for Daddy. She is still holding her breath, even though there wasn't a chance she was going under water all day :) From 7-27-11

I can't believe I didn't take more pictures of my sweet girl by herself! Well with 4 hungry adults, 3 tired kids, and 1 (mine) that didn't want sand to touch any part of her, we did the best we could. From 7-27-11

Sweet Cousins! From 7-27-11

From 7-27-11

After dinner we took the kids to The Track. From 7-27-11

From 7-27-11

Cooper wanted to ride the skycoaster. The fact that he was so young drew a crowd. He never cried or screamed. He acted like it was no big deal. Jason and I were watching from the stands. Ella fell off backwards and hit her head while we were waiting. I went to check on Ella and EMMA fell off. So everyone was watching us too to see which kid we were going to drop next! From 7-27-11

From 7-27-11

Ella was big enough to ride in the go carts this year! She was so excited. This is how she wants Daddy to drive all the time! From 7-27-11

From 7-27-11

Ella's 3rd Birthday Present

2011-04-06T15:47:00.000-07:00

From 4-4-11

Thanks to some good friends: Jesse and Stephanie Holt (Steph took Ella since Im on bedrest), and Stephen (the profession-al) and Natalie Fowler, they ALMOST finished in one day!

From 4-4-11

That slide was a BOOGER!

From 4-4-11

Finished Product!!! Now....we need mulch...sigh.

March 2011 - Month in Review

2011-04-06T15:32:00.000-07:00

From March

I made Ella a new outfit! I think I did pretty good considering its been awile.

From March

Ella started swimming lessons, but its not going to well (She doesnt like to get wet, go figure.)

From March

Here is an ULTRASOUND pic at 9w5d, of baby Slye!

From March

Finally, We are getting ready for Ella's 3rd birthday by doing major construction in the backyard....more to come!

Visiting LuLu in the Hospital 2/27/11

2011-02-28T10:08:00.000-08:00

From Visiting LuLu in the Hospital 2/27/11

Remembering POP 2/26/11

2011-02-28T09:58:00.000-08:00

Exactly, ONE Year ago (2/27/10)! What a great picture. Who ever thought this day would come so soon. What an amazing family, I am so proud to be a part of it.

From Remembering Pop

After the service at Elmwood Cemetary, the family returned to Mark and Carol's.

From Remembering Pop

What better way to enjoy your family than with some friendly "Slye" competition. Which consisted of throwing footballs AT each other. Racing down the street. Push-up competitions. And seeing who could laugh the LOUDEST! It was a GREAT time!!

From Remembering Pop

Oak Mtn. St. Park 2/20/11

2011-02-28T09:23:00.001-08:00

From Oak Mtn. 2-20-11

Cooper's 5th Birthday Party

2011-02-28T09:07:00.000-08:00

From 2-19-11

My Birthday, Homewood Park, and Valentines Day

2011-02-28T09:02:00.000-08:00

From 2-7-11

Playing at the Park - 1/8/11

2011-02-28T08:45:00.000-08:00

From Playing at the Park 1-8-11

Christmas at Susan's

2010-12-28T14:13:00.000-08:00

From Christmas at Susan's 2010

Christmas at MeeMaw and LouLou's

2010-12-28T14:10:00.000-08:00

From Christmas at MeeMaw's 2010

Christmas at the Dickerson's - Jesus' Birthday!

2010-12-28T14:04:00.001-08:00

From Christmas at the Dickerson's 2010

Christmas Morning - Santa

2010-12-28T14:01:00.000-08:00

From Christmas Morning 2010

Christmas with the Wilson's

2010-12-28T13:56:00.000-08:00

From Christmas with the Wilson's 2010

Christmas with Poppy and Cici

2010-12-28T13:52:00.000-08:00

From Christmas with Poppy and Cici 2010

Christmas with PawPaw and Mimi

2010-12-28T13:49:00.000-08:00

From Christmas with Pawpaw and Mimi 2010

Breakfast at the Manger

2010-12-28T13:36:00.000-08:00

Loveless Park Baptist (Grace Life Baptist) - Children's Sunday School Party

From Christmas at the Manger - LPBC 2010

12/17/10 Covenant Classical Christmas Party

2010-12-28T13:30:00.000-08:00

From Christmas Party at Covenant Classical 2010

The DAD's were GETTING ROWDY playing "Ring around the Rosy"! lol!

From Christmas Party at Covenant Classical 2010

Ella - 2yrs eating dinner....Im a big girl DADDY!

2010-08-02T11:34:00.000-07:00

Slye Family Christmas Party

2009-12-14T11:29:00.000-08:00

We drove up to Huntsville Sunday, to exchange Chirstmas with Poppy and CiCi at Jason's Brother's house. We LOVE Michael and Mandy's new house! It is everything we would want in a house. One story and BIG rooms!! This is the playroom.

From 12-13-09

Ella-Vader!!!

From 12-13-09

I'm gonna get ya!!

From 12-13-09

Hat's, Hat's, Hat's. She loves hats!

From 12-13-09

Emma and Ella watching Dora's Christmas Special.

From 12-13-09

I love you "EMMO"!

From 12-13-09

McWane Center

2009-12-12T11:25:00.000-08:00

From 12-13-09

Dickerson Family Christmas Party

2009-12-05T11:13:00.000-08:00

From 12-13-09

There were actually a lot of people there, not just tiny people. They are so much fun to take pictures of though. I really need to work on this picture taking thing. No family pictures this year. I think we were all too anxious to get home to watch the SEC championship game!Actually, I really wanted to get some good pictures of the beautiful Christmas dress my mother made Ella. Isn't it beautiful?!?

From 12-13-09

November Review

2009-12-01T07:57:00.000-08:00

Since, I have had some problems with uploading pictures, I have fallen waaaay behind in posting. So, I just decided to do a month in review!

From 12-3-09

We had a leak in the window behind the TV. So we had to watch TV with the entertainment center pulled way out into the middle of the room. Ella loves the laundry basket. She prefers to have you pull her around the house in it, but it also serves nicely as a way to relax and watch a little Special Agent Oso.

From 12-3-09

Ella loves Hats!!

From 12-3-09

Happy Birthday CICI!!

From 12-3-09

Thanksgiving

From 12-3-09

It was FREEZING!!

From 12-3-09

Ella teachers (and our friends!!) We love you, Grace and Hishonda!

From 12-3-09

Iron Bowl Party

From 12-3-09

Cousins

From 12-3-09

McKenzie, she turns 9 Dec 1st.

From 12-3-09

Halloween Fun

2009-10-31T09:50:00.000-07:00

As promised, here are our Pumpkins. This is as good as it gets at our house folks! I'm saving that third one to make "Pumpkin Bake." I'm sure my MIL won't mind me sharing the recipe!! I have been thinking about it for weeks. It is so good!

I will post the recipe soon.

From 10-31-09

My Darling Raggedy Ann! I could just eat her up!

From 10-31-09

We never could get her separated from her snack!

From 10-31-09

Oh well, she still loves the camera.

From 10-31-09

Our first stop Halloween night, was Glen Haven Nursing Home. We stopped to visit my Grandmother (my Dad's mother).

From 10-31-09

She is in the rehab unit and I don't really know how that differs from the residential patients, but that place was immaculate! MawMaw is there trying to rebuild some of her strength before she goes back home. She has stage 3 dementia but she knew all of us! She may be declining physically but her spirits were up! Babies do that to us adults!

From 10-31-09

It was good to see her. I hope we can get back for a visit soon!

From 10-31-09

We left Glen Haven and went to Lakewood Baptist, to meet up with my brother and his family. From 10-31-09

Aunt Erin and Ella.

Erin is getting over Encephalitis and Spinal Meningitis! Can you believe it? Please keep her in your prayers though, the doctors did find a small aneurysm. She will be going to a neurosurgeon soon to find out if she needs surgery.

From 10-31-09

Haley was The Cat in the Hat, Luke was the fish.

From 10-31-09

This was Ella's first "trick or treat" experience. She totally GOT IT. She managed "twick or tweet.............."

From 10-31-09

"tank you"

From 10-31-09

She loved the Candy Land exhibit!

From 10-31-09

Luke is eyeing his loot!

From 10-31-09

Isn't this the cutest Cat in the Hat you've ever seen?

From 10-31-09

Ella adored Luke. All night she tried to hug him and kiss him. She wanted to hold his hand but finally resigned to hold Mommy's.

From 10-31-09

Haley loved giving hugs too!

From 10-31-09

There were lots of games set up for kids that were a little bit older. Ella still won us a strawberry Sunkist!

From 10-31-09

She waited her turn, she listened to the instructions, and put the ring over the bottle!

I'm not just bragging because shes my child. Really....she never ceases to amaze me!

From 10-31-09

Then cousin Luke did the same thing! Good Job Lukie!

From 10-31-09

At the Beverly Hillbillies booth, she had to give the doggie a kiss.

From 10-31-09

Then the three wild Indians got into the bouncy house. OK, they are kind of small, but they wanted to bounce too! Big kids are scary! I wanted to snatch them all up for not being careful around those babies! Help......get us out of here! I had them all pinned up against the wall :( Poor things!

From 10-31-09

Erin's sister's kids were Thing 1 and Thing 2. Too cute!

From 10-31-09

Raggedy Ann had had enough!

Stroller Envy

2009-10-30T09:38:00.000-07:00

I think this baby stroller may be Ella's favorite toy at MeeMaw's house. When she finished pushing her babies around, she took a seat and waited on us to finish eating. Please note that my BABY is wearing pull-ups!

From 10-30-09

Beep...Beep....Beep. I'm backin' in!

From 10-30-09

The stroller is sliding out from under me! Hmmmm....this is going to be tricky!

From 10-30-09

From 10-31-09

I also wanted to show the GP's Ella new bedding set. She is so excited to sleep in the Dora Bed!

From 10-31-09

Pumpkin Play

2009-10-25T09:12:00.000-07:00

No, that's not a ghost, it's just my white legs. It was hot OK! Pumpkin carving is hard work!

From 10-25-09

Can you believe, after all that, I didn't even take a picture of our finished 'Jack-o-lantern's'? I will try to remember to post some before they rot. No promises though.

From 10-25-09

I see my $100 "book fee" wasn't for nothing. Look at my cute little squirrel.

From 10-25-09

Old Baker Farm & Pumpkin Patch

2009-10-24T08:15:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we drove over to Harpersville to The Old Baker Farm for their Pumpkin Patch and 'Cotton Pickin' Celebration.' It was $10 to get in, Children under 2 entered free and the cost of admission included all activities and your pumpkins to take home. Can you believe this was the entire family's first pumpkin patch? Sorry mom, but if you ever took me to one, I can't remember. As you enter, you pass a fun play area for small children (under 6) to ride on toy tractors and even sit on some of the big ones! Keep walking and you come to the Maize maze...hehe. It was a little muddy so we passed on that activity. Then we passed the food. Barbecue, grilled sweet corn, popped kettle corn, and lots of other delicious smells and some live live blue grass music! I'm a fan. Next we passed the pony rides. There was a weight limit of 125 lbs. So, Ella was too little to ride by herself, but together, we were over the weight limit. Poor baby, she was so excited. Next, we came to the petting zoo......

From 10-24-09

Disregard the lazy eye and consider the fact that this was the BEST picture we took together all day...lol.

From 10-24-09

Chickens, Ducks, Goats, Turkeys, Pigs, Horses, Cows, and Bunnies.
One of the baby goats still had its umbilical cord, it was soooo cute!

From 10-24-09

We love you baby cow!

From 10-24-09

This is the way you wash your hands on the farm. At least they provided a way!

From 10-24-09

After washing our hands, we joined the hundreds of people standing in line to get on the hayride to the pumpkin patch. The line actually moved pretty fast. They had 4 or 5 tractors pulling about 40 people in each.

From 10-24-09

Ella picked us out 3 beauties!

From 10-24-09

We let her do the heavy lifting.

From 10-24-09

The pumpkins were starting to get pretty scarce. We had to walk a loooooong way with 3 big pumpkins, a diaper bag, and a baby.

From 10-24-09

If its on the ground right in front of the hayride, its rotten, keep moving.

From 10-24-09

Ella kept putting random discoveries in her mouth, so I felt compelled to plug it up!

From 10-24-09

After you return from the pumpkin patch, the organizers put stickers on your pumpkins with your name on them and load them on a trailer a take them to the parking lot so that you can claim them on your way out. How AWESOME is that!!!

From 10-24-09

We returned from the hayride just in time for a Civil War reenactment. I think it was good, but I couldn't really see and it was REALLY muddy out in that field. It was really loud that's for sure. Since most everyone was watching the battle, we went here.......

From 10-24-09

There were also some Indian Teepee's set up and huge bales of hay to jump on and slide down. Maybe next year Ella.

From 10-24-09

One last photo op on our way out.

From 10-24-09

The whirlpool...

2009-10-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

When you buy a house these days you often decide that you can't LIVE without a whirlpool tub in the master bathroom....only to discover upon moving in that you never really use it. Despite the fact that you want to more often, it's just not a practical way to get clean. Well, Jason thought it would be fun to let Ella play in the jets. The first couple of nights it was a fun change and an excuse for Mommy to use the tub too. Now, a 15 minute bath is now a 45 minute bath and do you know how much WATER those things use!?! Not to mention the extra cleaning hassle. We are transitioning back to regular baths, effective immediately! We will miss you fun tub!

From 10-22-09

Look at me...

2009-10-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

It's so interesting to see Ella becoming aware of herself. She loves accessories, to brush her hair, where hats, and sunglasses. She looks in the mirror and makes a face like...."Oh yeah...I'm cool". Where are these influences coming from? Mickey Mouse Clubhouse? Daycare? (Gasp) Me? Is this just part of being a girl? Is it because of all of the adoration she gets from her parents, grandparents, and random passersby in the grocery store? Mom, did I ever act like that at this age? Is it that cultural influences have already reached my 18 month old child? I see the beginning of a very long road ahead of me.

From 10-20-09

Aldridge Gardens & Pleasant Grove Park

2009-10-03T12:48:00.000-07:00

We wanted to go to the zoo Saturday but we resigned ourselves to try to do only free activities. We had a great day. We went to Aldridge gardens, there was a LOT to see so Ella was thrilled. We walked around the lake, the trail was a little over a half mile, which was perfect for a toddler not interested in the stroller. We saw ducks, fish, turtles, butterflies. There was also a couple there getting married and the wedding photographer was taking pictures around the lake. Of course, Ella thought they wanted her in all of the pictures. It was a beautiful day! They also had some neat Halloween "sculptures" out. I took some pictures of them but I thought I probably already included too many pictures so you'll just have to go by and see them for yourself!

From aldridge gardens

I just love her CHUCKS!!

From aldridge gardens

She was also intesely interested in leaves and pinecones. More so than Ducks.

From aldridge gardens

After the gardens and a quick spin through Toys R US, we met Nonnie at Pleasant Grove Park!
It really is one of the best parks around!

From aldridge gardens

She may have lots of Auburn gear, but she's a BAMA girl!!

2009-10-03T12:06:00.000-07:00

From 10-2-09 Auburn Gear...Bama Girl!

When I went with Jason to an Auburn game, I was scouting out a cute AU outfit that was also a bargain. This one fit that description. You can't see the AU on the front because of Jason's hand. I didn't think about the fact that she wouldn't be able to wear it very long because it would be turning cooler outside. So the only solution was.......to make her an Auburn outfit. When I went with Jason to an Auburn game, I was scouting out a cute AU outfit that was also a bargain. This one fit that description. You can't see the AU on the front because of Jason's hand. I didn't think about the fact that she wouldn't be able to wear it very long because it would be turning cooler outside. So the only solution was.......to make her an Auburn outfit.

From 10-2-09 Auburn Gear...Bama Girl!

Look....an Aggie, a Volunteer, and a Tiger......where are the Bammers? I didn't have time to applique the tiger paw on the front before Friday came so I will do that after I wash it. I ordered the cute tiger buttons on the Internet. Mom made the hair bow.

From 10-2-09 Auburn Gear...Bama Girl!

I also sewed ribbon around her socks.

From 10-2-09 Auburn Gear...Bama Girl!

She's such a big girl. She wanted to swing on the big swing! She stayed on it nearly 10 minutes, I thought her arms would get tired. I kept asking her over and over, "you wanna get down?" Which totally scared me because she usually raises her hands to say "all done." But she just shook her head over and over and said "no.....no.....no." Like, leave me alone, mom!

From 10-2-09 Auburn Gear...Bama Girl!

Wake up daddy!!

From 10-2-09 Auburn Gear...Bama Girl!

She can wear all the clothes she wants, you can see where her allegiances lie......with mommy!

I actually went to an Auburn game!

2009-09-17T14:14:00.000-07:00

Well, first, I never thought I would marry an Auburn fan. Second, I certainly never thought I would be attending an Auburn game that wasn't an iron bowl! I would have lost both bets, happily! We arrived on campus Saturday a little after 2pm. The game wasn't until 6pm but Jason wanted to show me where he used to live and where his classes were, so we made sure we were plenty early. Besides, I want to take in a little of the spirit of the tailgater's. We weren't tailgating, so we ate at a fabulous little restaurant on their "strip" called "Pita Pit." MMMMMmmmm!! I loved it! Oooooohhh, I could drive two hours for another pita right now! I digress, the point is, we were were walking all over campus and it was pretty much a ghost town! There wasn't a lot of traffic, there wasn't a lot of people. I had no trouble at all walking down the street. Oh, there was the random tent, or RV but nothing like what I've seen in Tuscaloosa at the lowliest game. I was thinking to myself, "This is the turnout for an SEC game!! WHAAAAT? What kind of fans are these? Good Grief!" We finally crossed campus, turned a few corners and WE FOUND THEM!!!! They were all waiting for "Tiger Walk" apparently.

From 9-12-09

We had just purchased shakers (mainly because I told Jason, I would shake a shaker but there was no way he was ever going to hear "War Eagle" pass through my lips) when this guy walk up and starts handing them out for FREE. Well isn't that just typical!

From 9-12-09

We had a good spot during tiger walk, there was only one person between me and the players. Jason took a hundred pictures of them and I could post some of them here, but honestly I don't know who any of them are. So here is a picture of the only person I recognized :)

From 9-12-09

He was pretty hyped up!

From 9-12-09

There is an Eagle somewhere in this picture. If you can find him flying....let me know. LOL!

From 9-12-09

Ella reading numbers - 17 months

2009-09-11T14:42:00.000-07:00

Ella has gotten really good at recognizing her numbers! She doesn't usually count in order, or if she does it's usually, "7, 8, 9, .....10!!!" She can recognize them by sight though. We took a couple little video's of her "reading" this weekend. The quality of the video is not that great so you can't really see what's written on the book to see if she is getting it right. I added a little "text" help to the video so you can understand her. Also, whenever she finishes reading a book she says "Amen." I would love to take credit for her learning so much, we do work with her, but she goes to an awesome daycare and they have taught her alot!

Happy Birthday Daddy....the big 3-0!

2009-09-07T13:23:00.000-07:00

We had a big birthday weekend for Jason. Saturday we went to the Zoo. We had a fabulous time, the animals were wild! I forgot the camera. Then Sunday, we had a cookout at my mom's, I made a banana pudding, and we all sang "Happy Birthday." I forgot the camera. Then Monday, Labor day, we went to Cheaha. I remembered the camera, but these are not our best moments...hehe. Happy Birthday Daddy! We had a great weekend and I hope you had fun! We love you and we'll always REMEMBER how special it was....lol.

From 9-7-09

I think we waited too long to take away Ella's paci. It's a permanent fixture now. We were going to let her throw it off the mountain, it wasn't happenin'. This picture cracks me up.

From 9-7-09

Note to all Daddy's: Please remember that a paci is not clean until both sides have been washed! Running the bulb under hot water, just won't do it. If it wasn't clean before, it is now!

Galleria

2009-08-30T13:21:00.000-07:00

I'm not even gonna tell you how many times Ella rode this thing! What can I say.....It was raining.

From 8-30-09

I.T. Group shrimp boil

2009-08-29T13:17:00.000-07:00

The last time the I.T. group from Geomet got together for a cookout, I didn't take a single picture of an adult. Well, nothing has changed, but we had a great time!

From 8-29-09

Sips-n-Strokes

2009-08-28T13:09:00.000-07:00

Our Sunday school class at Loveless Park Baptist, got together for a little girl time!!! I had so much fun!! I hope we can do it agian soon!

From 8-28-09

Gulf Shores - Day 7

2009-08-22T13:00:00.000-07:00

Good Grief, I have been so busy I haven't posted anything in 3 weeks, not even the last day of the beach trip! So this post is dated for the day of the trip, but I'm actually posting it 9-14-09. Anyway, I'm still busy so the next few posts will be brief. Quickly, let me just say that I was not with my husband when he put our daughter on these rides! You should see the video! Needless to say, she survived. Our last day was beautiful! I miss the beach!

From 8-22-09

Gulf Shores - Day 6 If your happy and you know it!

2009-08-21T09:40:00.000-07:00

Here, Jason and Grandma Lou are singing "If your happy and you know it," and Ella is doing a little jig for them. Lord, she loves to Dance!!!

From 8-21-09

She also loves the pool. We had to be very cautious, because she would just run and jump off of the side, whether there was anyone to catch her or not!

From 8-21-09

Day 5 - Ode to Dora

2009-08-20T09:25:00.000-07:00

After taking Beach pictures, we changed clothes and headed for the Original Oyster House for dinner. While we were waiting, we ventured into a nearby shop. My prissy princess found a pink Boa that I wasn't sure I was going to be able to part her with. Best meal of the week BTW!

From Beach pics

When we got back from dinner, this was the scene. She had head-bangin' for Dora for quite a while before Jason managed to get the camera turned on.

From Beach pics

Gulf Shores - Day 5 Beach Portraits

2009-08-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

From Beach pics

Gulf Shores - Day 4

2009-08-19T09:44:00.000-07:00

The water stayed really rough until the last day of the trip. But it didn't matter, in fact Jason liked it better that way.

From 8-19-09

Its really hard to hold a crying baby and play frisbee!

From 8-19-09

She's bawling her eyes out because she is sitting in the sand.

From 8-19-09

She could stay at the pool all day though.

From 8-19-09

"Daddy, this is as far as I'm going. Come get me!"

From 8-19-09

The pier was really, really long! The long walk was worth it, there was a beautiful view. No one was catching anything though, I'm guessing because of the weather. Too bad, that's the really fun part of the pier.

Gulf Shores - Day 3

2009-08-18T09:41:00.000-07:00

From 8-18-09

Gulf Shores - Day 2

2009-08-17T09:38:00.000-07:00

The best decision we made about this trip was to bring the wagon!!

From 8-17-09

Gulf Shores - Day 1

2009-08-16T09:19:00.000-07:00

We had a great time last week at the beach. It was Ella's first time to feel sand or see the ocean. She didn't care for any of it at first and it really took most of the week for her to feel confident enough to walk in the sand. She never wanted to touch it with her hands though. With a tropical depression looming, it was wonderfully overcast. We still wore our sunscreen but no one got really burnt. It rained mostly at night and the few times it rained during the day, we took those opportunities to go shopping. It was perfect. We took over 1100 pictures, but I'm only posting about 15 or less per day. Believe me, that was hard!

From 8-16-09

She didn't learn this at our house!

2009-08-14T09:16:00.000-07:00

Just because we have a broom and dust pan, doesn't mean we have ever used them. I mop and vaccum the kitchen floors, I have never swept them or used a dust pan. I'm thinking she must have learned this at daycare.

From 8-14-09

Doe-raa!

2009-08-12T14:21:00.000-07:00

This is a super long catch-up post so bare with me. We had a really busy fun weekend. Ella and I went to stay with my mom for the weekend for a little "girl time." Friday night we took Ella to the Iguana Grill in Tuscaloosa. She loved it!! She ate some of her food, but mostly she loved the atmosphere. She was bouncing up and down and singing and waving and looking all around her. Anyone who hasn't been should go once. The food isn't great but it is absolutely gorgeous inside! There are hanging baskets and stars and beautiful lights. Doesn't sound like much, but it is!

Saturday morning we headed for Cathy Martin's pool for a little fun in the sun.

From 8-8-09

Ella had a great time in the pool. She even tried to jump from the side to me. Jason was a little upset he missed it, and not even so much as a picture to prove it.

From 8-8-09

Ella said "Lou-Lou" for the first time this weekend. She and Lady Lou spent a lot of time bonding this weekend. They chased turtles, ate puffs, went to the potty, and looked at the creek. Speaking of potty, my 16 month old daughter, only had one dirty diaper all weekend! She went to the potty each time! She still wets her diaper though. I don't think she has the bladder control or the communication skills she needs to move to pull ups. We just take her to the potty A LOT. I don't think it will be too long though. Woo Hoo! I am so proud of her I could burst!!

From 8-8-09

Ella loves to look at the "Babies" on the walls at home, which are actually just pictures of her. She also loves for me to show her pictures of our family. She likes to name everyone. So, I made her two books that she can take with her anywhere she goes. The first one is just pictures of her. It also has pages about her everyday activities like brushing her teeth, eating, sleeping, taking a bath, going to the potty, playing on the playground, etc. There is also a couple of pages identifying her eyes, nose, mouth, fingers, toes, belly, etc. The second book is all about family. There is a page for each immediate family member through 1st cousins, so its a pretty big book.

Normally when I make these sort of books to remember a vacation or the past year, I use a service like MyPublisher, Blurb, or Picaboo and make actual hardback books. This time I wanted to make a book: (1.) that she couldn't tear up (2.) I could add pages to. I would recommend any of these other services if you are looking to preserve your memories, but don't like photo albums. I think all of us probably use digital cameras now and by the time you print out all of your pictures and buy an album, you've probably spent more than one of these professionally bound books cost. One word of caution. If you do decide to go with one of these services, go with hardback, don't cheap-out and get the softback. They are usually glued together and eventually will fall apart. I learned this the hard way. The hard back books are sewn together like a regular book.

I have derailed my thought train.

Back to the books I made Ella. I made a template in Photoshop Elements for a 5x7 picture. Added the images I wanted and wrote text on each picture. Then, I uploaded them to Samsclub.com and had them printed out at our local Sam's. Then I put them together front to back in the order I wanted them for the book and took them to OfficeMax to have them laminated, cut out, and holes punched in them. Ella loves to "read" her books.

From 8-8-09

I mentioned in a previous post that Ella had no attachments yet. I thought I had a year or two before Dora was a big deal at our house. Well, when the first thing your daughter says to you in the morning is "Doe-raa" and points, it is a serious obsession! She used to grab the remote and start pressing buttons, usually messing up whatever she was watching. Now she realizes, whatever she presses will not make Dora come on, so she politely brings me the remote, looks up and says "Doe-raa peas."

From 8-8-09

Meemaw only has two episodes of Dora on DVD, but I think we watched each one 4 or 5 times, while dinner or lunch was being prepared. Below she is "running" with Dora.

From 8-8-09

Later Saturday night, we went to Riverside park to meet up with my brother, Scott, and his kids for a picnic. Other than the stinky fish smell, it was a beautiful evening.

From 8-8-09

This is my grandmother, Lou. She has been battling Ovarian Cancer for nearly 4 years now. Her doctors have started her on a new treatment and her hair is growing back. Isn't she beautiful?

From 8-8-09

Luke and Ella giving kisses. I just love the innocence of children, they will kiss anyone.

From 8-8-09

We had a picnic of PB&J and Goldfish, of course. Afterwards, we went on a long walk in the park. It was nice to do something different and the kids had a really good time.

From 8-8-09

Finally, my sweetheart has reached another important milestone. I can now pull all of her hair up in a ponytail not just the top. This is a momentous event and could not go unmentioned. Ohhhhhhh.....my baby is growing up....(wail!!!).

From 8-9-09

Lured by Goldfish!

2009-08-02T14:05:00.000-07:00

Today we stopped by Pleasant Grove to visit Jason's Grandparents. Ella hadn't seen them in a month or two, so it took a few minutes to warm up. There was no way she was ready to climb up in the recliner with Papaw!! We armed Papaw with Puffs and Mamaw with Goldfish. You've never seen a child change her tune so quickly. All of a sudden, she ran with arms up to Papaw, climbed into his lap and plunged her hand into the puffs. Once she had her fill, she climbed down and reached her arms up to Mamaw, freely giving hugs and kisses!

From 8-2-09

Once she finished eating, she climbed down, got her pappy, and returned to her normal spot under Mommy.

From 8-2-09

We are ready for the beach!!

2009-07-30T13:57:00.000-07:00

Even Ella is excited about going to the beach! She keeps getting my beach tote out of the closet and carrying it around like a purse. It's bigger than her! Daddy thought it would be fun to "tote" Ella around in it. As I snap pictures, I'm just praying the bottom of that bag holds up!!!

From 7-30-09

Then Daddy and Ella conspired together to do this:

From 7-30-09

Poor Kenzie, she was so stressed out! Ella thought it was hilarious!

From 7-30-09

My Little Stair Master!

2009-07-27T09:16:00.000-07:00

I feel like I'm always yelling, "AAHHH!! No, Kenzie, get your tongue out of Ella's mouth!!! Mckenzie is our dog, by the way. Every time I turn around, she licking Ella's legs or back. Or sticking her tongue up Ella's nose or in her mouth! UGH!! Disgusting!! Ella loves every minute of it though. Good Grief!!! Once I have gotten the dog to cease, Ella screams and runs after her with her cute little plodding run, screaming "Kenzie, Kenzie," Play with me!!!

From 7-27-09

These are all of Jason's old stuffed animals from when he was little. They were all lovingly taken care of and still look brand new. Ella hasn't really formed any attachments to any "thing" yet. There isn't a blankie or baby doll or toy or anything she really prefers. She loves books and she will find a book that she likes and want to read it over and over, but even those make the rounds. She doesn't even really need her paci, we are thinking about taking it soon. I don't know. I wanted her to be able to keep it until all of her teeth came in, but I don't know if she would really even miss it that much. Any advice?

From 7-27-09

Look at my little stair master!! She has mastered the stairs! Up and Down without help, holding the banisters, not crawling. She used to come down backwards on her knees, which I was much more comfortable with. She will still get in BIG TROUBLE though, if she goes on the stairs without Mommy or Daddy! We don't have any baby gates.....(all readers GASP). Don't worry she knows her boundaries. She always comes and gets one of us if she wants to go on the stairs. She's a really good baby.

From 7-27-09

Gorgeous Diaper weather tonight!

From 7-27-09