Artist in the making

Ella is quite the finger painter these days

look at that technique...

she is a natural!

 Her final masterpiece

I couldn't love it more!

A Family Resemblance

These pictures below are of me when I was between one and two years old.

Look like anyone you know?

Here are some pictures of Ella between one and two years old!

And here is a look at Bernie and Ashley!

I guess no one can question who the parents are of these little girls!

First day of preschool...how can that be?

My baby had her first day of preschool today. How is this possible? Yes she is only two and yes it is only two hours a day, two days a week but still a big milestone for Ella and her stay at home mommy! Ella did great and was thrilled to wear her backpack but the real fun came when she went into the classroom and saw that they had a giant kitchen and bonus a Dora doll. Once she saw all the new cool toys I was history. Miss Cindy (her teacher) said she did awesome. I knew this when I came to pick her up and she cried because she didn't want to go home. My baby is becoming such a big girl!

Bank to Bay

So as I was eating pizza and drinking a glass of wine on Saturday night I saw a commercial for the Bank to Bay run on Sunday morning. I have been "talking" about getting into shape for five months now and decided that enough is enough. So I told Bernie that Sunday morning he was driving me downtown Tacoma to do the 5K Bank to Bay run. He laughed and said, "sure babe!" He seemed shocked when I woke him up Sunday morning and told him we had to get going if I was going to make my run. Those of you that know me know that I don't run unless I'm being chased so this is a big accomplishment for me! I am proud to say that I completed my first 5K run in just under 35 minutes.... I know so pathetic but hey you have to start somewhere!

You can do it at a trot, you can do it at a gallop!

We did the Puyallup this past weekend and had a great time! Ella got to see all of the animals and even pet a few of them. Our first stop was the Big Slide which may have been a mistake because once she went she wanted to do nothing else. As you can tell from the pictures this is were we spent the majority of our time. This was definitely the highlight for Ella. Although in all of the pictures she has a look of terror on her face at the end she kept asking to go again and again and again. When we told her that we were out of tickets she cried, "but mommy I want to do more slide!"  Needless to say she LOVED the slide. I am hoping that next year she will actually try something else :) 

Scott and Kendra's Wedding

Our good friends Scott and Kendra got married on Labor Day Weekend! It was a beautiful ceremony and a great party and I have to say a lot of fun to have a night out without kids! Congrats to a beautiful couple :)

Growing up too fast!

So I remember when we first started giving Ella solid foods and I was sure that she was showing me signs that she was ready to have more than just formula but Ashley is much more obvious than I had remembered. She stares at you when eating and watches every bite you take, she grabs for the food and will actually try to take it out of your mouth. Needless to say she is definitely ready! So last night she had her first taste of sweet potatoes, she ate half a jar with cereal, which to me seems like a lot for her second time eating solids. She was actually shaking in anticipation as I was getting more on her spoon. This girl is all business when it comes to food!

Dear Grammy

This was in the program at my Grammy's funeral and I LOVED it!

God looked around his garden

And found an empty place

He then looked down upon this earth

And saw your tired face.

He then put his arms around you

And lifted you to rest

God's garden must be beautiful

He always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering

He knew that you were in pain

He also knew in heaven

You would never hurt again.

He saw the road was getting rough

And the hills harder to climb

So he closed your weary eyelids

And whispered "Peace be thine."

It broke our hearts to lose you

But you didn't go alone

For part of us went with you

The day God called you home.

If tears could build a staircase

And memories a lane

We'd walk all the way to heaven

And bring you home again.

Grammy I love you and will miss you terribly but I know you are home now.

Love you Grammy!

Grammy I don't even know how to begin to say goodbye...I feel so blessed to have had you for 32 years! I will remember your kisses, hugs and stories but most of all I will remember your neverending love. I miss you already...