Happy 2nd Birthday Ella!!

WOW!! That title was a little hard to write - surreal really. I am constantly amazed at how fast time seems to go by. The past year has been amazing though. Ella is such a little girl now - really coming into her own. She is one of the sweetest souls I've ever known and is such a joy to be around (let me also say that she does in fact have her "moments" as well). Every single day I thank God for blessing us with her - what a gift from above!! We celebrated her birthday this year much like last year's - family and friends over at our house for celebration. We had a Spring Bug theme, with ladybug, caterpillar, bumble bee, flower cupcakes, and a special butterfly cupcake for the birthday girl. We also decorated baskets and had a bug egg hunt and bouncy houses (and Ella's birthday gift - a playset). Ella had a great time! On Ella's actual birthday (Monday), we went to our regular Gymboree Art class at which time the "terrible 2's" began - I really didn't expect them to happen THAT quickly!! Not sure what happened with her, but it was crazy! Afterwards, Ella and I had a birthday lunch with our friends Seah and Sophie (turning 2 soon as well!) and ended the evening by going out to dinner with Daddy and having ice cream. She has been so cute telling everyone that she is "toooooooooo" - I've got to be so much better about video taping her! I just wanted to take a moment to write and honor her birthday and express my gratitude of being her mommy...

And then there were four....

Last week I went to the dr and heard the new little one's precious heartbeat and also got a sneek peek.....



I'm due September 29 and can't wait to meet our new little baby!! We hope to find out the sex sometime in late April. I just know Ella will be such a great big sister...

Let it Snow...

Ella absolutely loves to be outside, no matter what the weather~~

Here we go again....

I know - it was about this time last year that I decided to start the blog to keep everyone updated. I have not done a great job! SO, I'm gonna give it another hearty try. stay tuned.....

Happy Halloween!

Ella was a fairy this year for Halloween. She had so much fun this year. Our neighborhood had a party for the kids and then we walked around trick or treating. I'm pretty sure we've created a monster though - she LOVES candy. She walks around saying "ca ps" (her version of "candy please") - hey, at least she is polite about it!! :)

Women's Retreat at Lake Lure

Every year my friend, Michelle, invites me to go with her to her church's women's retreat at Lake Lure, and something has always gotten in the way of me going. Well, not this year! We went this past weekend and had so much fun! Being in the mountains really reminded me of home and made me miss it so much! It was just beautiful and so relaxing! I did really miss Isaac and Ella, though. I did a few things that I haven't done since being a kid - rode a zip line, jumped from a rope into the lake (well I attempted to anyway!); jumped off of a wooden tower into the lake; rode a crazy slide contraption into the lake; and, umm, relived the 80s!

Following in Daddy's footsteps???

I think we may have a future CPA on our hands....

Enjoying a good nap...

Ahhhh.... to be a kid again!!

Ella and Zoe

Welcome, Liam!

Our nephew was born 1:52 am (UK time) this morning. He was 6lbs 13oz and 19.5 inches long. We can't wait to meet you!! Congrats again, Ian and Lisa - we love you all!!