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!!

Ella's 1st Beach Trip!!

We took Ella to Hilton Head for a quick beach trip - also to celebrate our 7 year wedding anniversary :) Overall, we had a great time. Ella had a bit of trouble adjusting her sleeping and was sick (which we found out after we got back home); The last night there Isaac came down with a stomach flu or food poisoning, which made him pretty miserable. I know - you're thinking, "but you said that you had a great time". Take a look at the picture below - you can't help but have a great time when you see that smile!!


It really was such a joy to watch her experience new things and play...

Our trip to TN

We finally made a trip back to TN, where my mom and dad live as well as Isaac's mom. We haven't been there since Ella was born, mostly because people were coming to visit us pretty regularly AND because Ella hates long rides in the car. She has so much energy and wants to be free to do things, that it is really hard for her to stay still in her car seat. The 4 hour trip felt much more like an eternity because she was so miserable. With that said, we are going to brave another trip soon (we must be crazy!). We are taking Ella on her first beach trip this weekend - I'll post pictures when we get back. The trip back home was a quick one (just the weekend) - She really seemed to have a great time though. She spent most of her time walking around outdoors with her grandparents.

Happy 4th!!

Happy 4th of July!! We celebrated by having a cookout with friends and then enjoying lots of fireworks. Ella had so much fun waving the flag...

It wasn't me....

it was OTIS!!!!!! I was just helping him clean up before you saw, Mommy!