Family Blessings

I knew I married an incredible man, my no-kidding Prince Charming. However, it's these "stop-and-drop-painting-to-read-Ellie-her-favorite-book" moments that prove that Ellie's got it made in the shade with her father.




He had been working upstairs in the guest bedroom painting and installing new ceiling fans so Ellie and I took several peek-a-boo trips up the stairs to check up on his work. This was this past weekend, so now all week, every time we pass the steps, she looks up them and says, "Da?".


These are the feet of a little young lady who is taking 16 steps at at time now! She also can point to feet, shoes, hair, nose and tummy. What a brilliant little booger.


And we also spent a little time with my Papa this past weekend as he was visiting from the heat of Arizona. We are all trying to convince him to double retire here in town. (He's already retired once from Nebraska to Arizona. So we're pushing for retirement squared.)


They were pretty smitten.


She's kind of a charmer.


And turning into even more of a lover. She even reached for Cousin AmyAnn. And, if you've had the privilege of spending any quality time with Miss Ellie in the past year, you've probably been a little surprised by the level of her stranger danger. But...we're working through it...and she's turning into quite the flirt.


I think it's in the eyes.

Whatever it is, we know we're blessed. And we plan on raising Ellie to know this and own this fact.

Our Little Entertainer

I've been trying to upload a few photos for awhile now, but I keep getting distracted in the process and haven't finished. So, in the meantime, I will share proof of the little entertainer Ellie has become. What a joy.

Morning at the Park

Ellie and I spent the morning somewhat at the park as a couple friends and I attended a Mommy Baby exercise class that meets weekly to walk and workout together. It's a paid membership so probably not something we will do regularly, but it was fun to do something different.


We were the first ones there so we played for a bit.


She's just so dang close to walking; I can taste it!


But I'll enjoy every ounce of her pre-walking while I can. I've got too many years of complete independence to be concerned about the lingering of her cuddly baby stage....And we're back - had to rescue the cutie from the entanglement she managed in daddy's shoe rack. No idea how that happened.


The crazy things we mommies do to look like we're not mommies...


Enjoying the sunshine after our workout...




And enjoying our friends of course...

100th Post

I actually have a lot of fun things to share. And it's our 100th Post so I think it is going to be a doozy.


My honey and me have had a nice couple of weeks together. Today is five years ago that I said yes to the best question I've ever been asked. Who woulda thunk we'd be having such a great life together! Well...we kind of did...

First, last weekend we decided to try to make Sushi together for the first time. We have a favorite restaraunt and I discovered a blogger friend who shared her find of frozen edamame, so decided to see if we could pull it off!


The funny thing is, it ended up costing us probably twice as much to purchase all of the ingredients and included two consecutive trips to the Asian market because after the first we realized we not only forgot the sushi rice (rather vital to the success of the roll) but had purchased rock solid frozen crab and tuna meat. So then we went to the normal grocery store and have the frozen in our freezer still. I'm not sure I know what recipe will call for our leftover imitation crab...but we will see...


Our new favorite, edamame with soy sauce.


Rolling the sushi roll.


Our California rolls and Spicy Tuna Rolls.


Enjoying our creation.

The laugh of the evening: Chocolate Ice Cream Balls.

No comment.

In other news...


These little tootsies are getting really close to total independence. It's a regular occurrence that little Ellie takes two or three steps several times a day. In fact, she's taken up to five or six steps and doesn't even fall, but plops down on her little rump as she suddenly realizes what she's doing. A few weeks ago now, I actually asked Infant Toddler Services to come out and complete an evaluation for my little non-walking almost toddler. It was such a great experience! It's funded by a grant through the state and is a free service for families who might have any concern or question about their birth to three year old. I highly recommend it as I felt they heard my concern about our little girl having little to no interest in ever graduating from her four appendage commuting. They reassured me that this is just her personality and she is well on her way. They were right, she's gotten much closer even since their visit.


We sneaked...snuck...snooked...(what is the correct past tense of sneak???) back to the Bend this past weekend for Nana's surprise 60th birthday. This is my favorite shot as she walked in and saw nearly 100 of her favorites gathered just for her. Gary did an amazing job pulling it all off.


Then, we stayed through the Fourth. Ellie is quite patriotic you know.




We just didn't realize quite how patriotic until we were finished taking photos.


We did realize though how much Ellie loves playing with other children. I didn't get dear Andrew in the shot, but Ellie and I had a great time playing with Natalie next door to Nana and Papa.


This face cracks me up. She didn't have a great time taking photos, apparently.


Daddy working pretty hard at brainwashing little Ellie into a greens girl.


Or perhaps Daddy just wants his own personal caddy.


Either way...it appears he is succeeding.


And while he is, we're having a...ball...with our little girl.

Tuesday Dress Up

Our little girl loves playing dress-up.




You should see her in her sunglasses...pictures to come.

Wedding Day Bliss

Chris and I got to attend one of the most beautiful weddings we've ever been to on Friday night. A dear family family friend who crawled and cried with my sisters and me as babies married her honey at their home out in the country. It was dreamy.



I didn't get to snap any shots at the actual ceremony, but let me just say two things. When the bride and groom kissed, three little children had been hiding in the stand behind them and sprinkled white rose petals down them as a surprise. Also, while we all dined (and sweated) outside during the reception, guests were welcome to visit and hold baby kittens.



I actually got to help assemble some of the boutonnieres the day before and felt about as privileged as could be as an insider into the preparation.






You wouldn't know it, but this actually took quite awhile as we threaded wire through the blossom and sprig and then wound it tightly with floral tape. Quite the feat for uncrafty me.

Ellie came along with me and, as cheesy and way ahead of time as it is...it actually made me excited for her fairytale day...someday...


Sweet tummy...





Of course in order to walk down the aisle....she'll need to be able to....walk....

Summer moments

First, and most importantly...

Yes...my little sister is going to make me an aunt for the first time!


Which means Ellie is going to have someone to play around with!


In addition to these fun friends, of course.


And speaking of fun...ice cream is fun...


And yummy...




From mommy or daddy...


But mostly daddy...




And our first baby?


Well...we can't forget her...


Yes, these are our fun summer moments...

The Women of Ellie's Life

We've been enjoying our days lately, full with a wedding and preparation, baby shower (for two different friends...) and staying cool as summer has blossomed, but before pictures of our recent antics, a shout-out to two of the most important ladies in her life...

As much as I love my daughter, I know deeply I can never be the complete picture of everything a woman can be...and that's what her grandmas are for. My Ellie has it good, with a Nana and a Grandma....life couldn't get sweeter.



Nana French


Grandma Taylor

And, speaking of what a wonderful life we have...Ellie's been quite the dancer lately...Every time we get in the car, I ask her, "Do you want me to turn on the music?" To which she replies, , so then I say, "Do you want to dance?", to which she replies and then we continue with the following type of grooving to the music...