Ellie's Pictures

Here are some pictures that Ellie took when we were all together. She is surprisingly good with the camera for a 2 year-old. Even if she cuts heads off sometimes. However, she somehow managed to catch most of us from VERY unflattering angles.

P.S. 1 month until my birthday (and Tyler's)

Pics from the wedding

Here are some shots of everyone getting ready for the big day and then some at the reception. I didn't take any of the ceremony since I was up front. There should be plenty though. The photographer was everywhere- especially when Ellie was "performing".

It was a great weekend! We've been really busy since we got home. I'll post some more pics from our trip later. I have some great ones that Ellie took.
By the way- an update to Ellie's prediction- the ChuckBaby is actually coming NEXT Tuesday. I hope for Carrie's sake that she is wrong since that will make her go over the due date. We'll see!

Thanksgiving and Wedding Bells

Hey everyone. Just wanted to say hi. We are still in SC and having a great time. Thanksgiving was awesome. We ate WAY to much and loved it. Here is Ellie at the kids' table. (She was the only one). Well, Zoe was there too, but she was in the high chair and my godson Austin is the next one and he's 10. There were 30 people total and somehow we had enough food and even had a hard time getting the leftovers in the fridge. It was the first time in 20 years that we've had this much of our family around for a holiday.

Today was my cousin's wedding and it was beautiful. Here are a few pics.

This is me and all my brothers...Ward, Brian, Tyler and Davis.

Ellie was getting really sleepy. But she did great. She walked down the aisle and everything! She was a real camera-hog and did an interpretive dance with my bouquet during the ceremony.

How do you spell Leiderhosen?

I ask because I think I should get her some. Check this out and try not to pee your pants.

Today we went to the Ft Rucker Holiday Bazaar (Craft Fair) I didn't get much. One gift for Ellie that I managed to hide from her and one cute outfit for her. Sorry everyone else in the world, you get nothing from me today :) There was some cute stuff and some not too great. Ellie had a great time playing with Baby Abby. All she talked about for the rest of the day was how she played peek-a-boo with her. There would be some pictures, but the batteries died again. I've got to get a different kind! Brandon was hunting since today was the first day of gun season and he got a deer! Then this afternoon we all rode to Dothan to take his new bike to get put together and checked out. We also went to the new Barnes and Noble and of course Dick's Sporting Goods. We ate lunch/dinner at O'Charley's at 4:00. Major Early Bird Special. We are old.

To everyone in SC- Ellie and I will see you this week! I'll update from there.

Turkeys in the Library and Santa at Wal-Mart

Today we went to Storytime at the library. Ellie really enjoys it. She likes the stories, but she really goes for the craft. Glue sticks are like crack for her. They make her insane. I am not allowed to touch the glue at any point. Today she made a really cute turkey that I will be sure to add to the Fall decorations and label with her name and the year. Just like Mom. And the crack-stick wouldn't even hold the pieces together. I had to go behind her and tape everything on the back.

We also got to check out some books today because I was finally a grown up and paid for the book Brandon ruined. We read a couple while we waited.

After the library, we made another trip to Wal-Mart. I went to get FireLogs because it's mighty cold here and we are going to try out the fireplace. I was supposed to get marshmallows too, but I forgot them. Somehow I found a whole bunch of other stuff to buy though. Not a single Christmas present or grocery in the cart. When we were out in the garden section, which is Christmas-Town-a-Go-Go right now, getting the firelogs, for some reason I got Ellie out of the cart. The reason escapes me right now, but I'm sure it was a good one. Anyway, ever since we went to the Botanical Gardens and took pictures with all the scarecrows, Ellie thinks that any inanimate representation of a person more than a foot tall is there for her to stand by and take a picture with. So I had to take a picture of her with the weird plastic lawn Santa. I had to hurry because I know Wal-Mart doesn't like you taking pictures in their store. (The reason I know this is a whole other story- maybe another time.) The other day in BigLots she stood by a giant nutcracker and yelled "Where's the camera?" It was hilarious. I didn't have it with me that day, or you would've seen that picture too. I guess maybe it means I take too many pictures of her. Hopefully she'll be this happy if we get to take a picture with a live Santa. Somehow I doubt it.

More Free Stuff!!!

I entered another giveaway. This one is really awesome. And there are new ones being added until the 24th. I can't turn down the opportunity for free stuff! You can click on the button at the top, or visit http://www.5minutesformom.com/ to check it out. They always have cool stuff on their site. I'm going to attempt to keep this post at the top of my blog until the giveaway is over. But since I'm not sure how to do that it may not happen. So be sure to scroll down for newer posts after today.

What Is A Girl?

This is a story that I think hung in a frame in my mom's bedroom when she was little. It's a little long, but worth the read, especially if you have a special little girl in your life.



There are parts that are a little outdated, but the overall feeling still fits 2 generations later. I take no credit for the lovely writing, or for the slightly politically incorrect and sexist themes that you may pick up on. I just retyped it for all to enjoy. I think there are some words that are gramatically incorrect too. There is no author on the story to give the credit to, or I certainly would.



Parts of it nail Ellie's personality exactly. Having so much Mommy and Ellie time is awesome, but I think (hope) all moms have moments when you'd just like to be alone in a quiet room (Kohl's Department Store). I found this while I was cleaning today. (It does happen here occasionally.) And after reading it again I promised myself and Ellie to enjoy our together time more.



What is a Girl?

Little girls are the nicest things that happen to people. They are born with a little bit of angel-shine about them and though it wears thin sometimes, there is always enough left to lasso your heart- even when they are sitting in the mud, or crying temperamental tears, or parading up the street in mother's best clothes.

A little girl can be sweeter, (and badder) oftener than anyone else in the world. She can jitter around, and stomp and make funny noises that frazzle your nerves, yet just when you open your mouth, she stands there demure with that special look in her eyes. A girl is Innocence playing in the mud, Beauty standing on its head, and Motherhood dragging a dolly by the foot.

Girls are available in five colors- black, white, red, yellow, or brown, yet Mother Nature always manages to to select your favorite color when you place your order. They disprove the law of supply and demand- there are millions of little girls, but each is as precious as rubies.

God borrows from many creatures to make a little girl. He uses the song of a bird, the squeal of a pig, the stubbornness of a mule, the antics of a monkey, the spryness of a grasshopper, the curiosity of a cat, the speed of a gazelle, the slyness of a fox, the softness of a kitten, and to top it all off, He adds the mysterious mind of a woman.

A little girl likes new shoes, party dresses, small animals, first grade, noise makers, the girl next door, dolls, make-believe, dancing lessons, ice cream, kitchens, coloring books, make-up, cans of water, going visiting, tea parties, and one boy. She doesn't care too much for visitors, boys in general, large dogs, hand-me-downs, straight chairs, vegetables, snow suits, or staying in the front yard. She is loudest when you are thinking, the prettiest when she has provoked you, the busiest at bedtime, the quietest when you want her to show off, and the most flirtatious when she absolutely must not get the best of you again.

Who else can cause you more grief, joy, irritation, satisfaction, embarrassment, and genuine delight than this combination of Eve, Salome, and Florence Nightingale? She can muss up your home, your hair, and your dignity-spend your money, your time, and your temper-then just when your patience is ready to crack, her sunshine peeks through and you've lost again.

Yes, she is a nerve-racking nuisance, just a noisy bundle of mischief. But when your dreams tumble down and the world is a mess-when it seems you are pretty much a fool after all- she can make you a king when she climbs on your lap and whispers, "I love you best of all!"



It makes me tear up every time I read it. Hope you enjoyed it too.

Silly Saturday

We went to the park again and took a whole box of Cheez-Its to feed the ducks. They were the White Cheddar ones which I bought on sale and incorrectly thought I liked. Ellie is the only one here who will eat them and they were pretty stale. But luckily the ducks are not picky.






And if you look closely, you'll see that she strictly adheres to the One-for-you...








...One-for-me policy when it comes to duck feeding.

And then we had a super cool pic-a-nic. It lasted about 4 seconds because from the picnic tables you can see the park. All she wanted to do was play. Big time fun. There were a million kids playing today because it was so nice out. I think she is channeling Elton John whenever she wears these glasses.

This is why...

...I'm thinking about getting Ellie her own "kid safe" camera for Christmas.


I love how her foot is in this one.
Down the tunnel.Catching Lucy.

Making portraits.

Random Thursday

First of all, it was COLD when we woke up this morning. I think there was even a freeze warning last night. I'm sure it doesn't even compare to the weather where some of you (Milynda) are, but it was mighty chilly for us. Brandon even turned on the heat when he got up.

And Ellie and I shared some body heat in my bathrobe.


Secondly, I wanted to show off my latest bit of craftiness. I saw some of these on another blog and actually bought some to see them in person, but they haven't come yet. In the meantime, I bought some felt and hair clips and tried it out for myself. I think they are pretty cute and the one Ellie is wearing is still together. We will test-drive the other ones soon. I thought I was going to be able to get by with just gluing them on the clips, but no such luck. I had to sew them on. My technique gets better with each one I make.

And lastly, I am a little sad today. When I was taking the pic of Ellie wearing the clip, she wanted to stand in the blue chair. It reminded me of when I used to take her pic each month in the same spot of that chair to see how much she'd grown. I can't believe she's been mine for almost 2 1/2 years. But on the other hand, I can barely remember what is was like before her. Not in a bad way. I don't miss it at all. It's just insane how fast she's grown and what she picks up every day. Here's a little bit of my nostalgia for everyone to share....

May 2005- maybe a week old

July 2005- 2 months

August 2005- 3 months November 2005- 6 months February 2006-9 months

May 2006- 1 year old (and I couldn't get her to be still anymore)

Today- almost 2 1/2 :( Time flies

Shameless

I really want to win this. The Pink Princess Pedal Car It's sad. I don't even know if Ellie would like it for sure. I think she would. How could she not? It's just so cute, I feel the need to enter the contest over at 5 Minutes for Mom. Here's a link to see more of what Pedal Cars and Retro Collectibles has to offer.

Sunday in the Park

Ellie and I ( and her weird side ponytail) spent some warm afternoon time at the park yesterday. Since it's nice and close, we just walked. Here she is all decked out in the stroller.
She is really getting so big that it's much more fun for both of us. She can get on and off of most of the equipment by herself and enjoys all of it (except the tunnel slide- that's a no-go).

The rock wall ladder, however, she really likes.

And she's mastered the slippery metal one that kills when you hit your shin.

Most of the time she'll go down the slide by herself too. Unless it looks really high. She can be a chicken sometimes.

This is the window where we play store. I have to pretend to give her money and she makes me food. Do you think we have eaten fast food too much, or what? I couldn't get a good pic of this because the camera batteries were dying.

And here she is driving the JEEP.

Once we were finished playing, we walked down and fed the geese and ducks Cheez-Its (which they LOVED). Ellie walked all the way down the big hill to the pond and then all the way to the big road we have to cross to go home. And for some reason, she had to stop and hug every light post on the way down. Silly girl! But I do think this is a really cute picture.

At the bottom of the hill is this sign and Ellie HAD to walk on the short wall like a balance beam.

After all that playing and walking, she took a great nap yesterday and was almost as tired as I was at bedtime.

Pooh Test

Take the 100 Acre Personality Quiz! Thought this was kinda cute. Figures, I am most like a round, slow bear that likes to eat. At least I am loveable. Click on the link to find out who you are most like. It only takes a minute.

Peanut Festival

"Approximately half of the peanuts grown in the United States are grown within a 100-mile radius of Dothan, Alabama. The National Peanut Festival (NPF) -- the nation's largest peanut festival -- is held each fall in to honor peanut growers and to celebrate the harvest season. "
-NPF website


Hail to the peanut!!!

So last weekend it was a festival for a bug and this weekend for a nut. I have to say this weekend's was much better. It is "national" after all. It was really just like the fair that is held everywhere else I've ever lived. But we had fun. Ellie rode some rides (with me) and we ate all kinds of good stuff- 2 hotdogs for E, a corndog and boiled peanuts for me and pulled pork for Brandon. And we shared some onion rings. There were lots of animals, but you couldn't take the stroller into the livestock buildings so we didn't go in. We were home by 7. I wanted to stay for the fireworks, because I thought they were at dark, but they weren't until 9 and none of us had that much excitement left. Here are the pics of us riding...


Yet another Merry-go-Round. But unlike the others, I was a little scared. If I had let go of Ellie, she would've been flung all the way back to Enterprise. Those horsies were hauling...


On our way up the steps to the big pink slide. There are a LOT of steps. That should've made me think.At the top of the pink slide. You can't really see us that well, but we are in the middle.

At the bottom of the slide. You can't see it too well, but if you look really hard you can see my hair flying up behind me. It was super fast. Especially the last hump. I made the same noise that Mom made on Space Mountain. Sort of a cross between a giggle and a scream. I was so worried about not letting go of Ellie that I almost slid over the little kid next to me at the bottom. I was A LOT heavier than him. If he hadn't cheated, we would've won.

Riding the flying elephants. I thought she would be terrified, but she really liked it. I may have someone to ride with after all!! Brandon won't ride anything.

All in all, it was a fun day. If anyone wants to come visit, the festival lasts all week!