Life With Our Little Ladies

One of Abby and Ella's favorite games to play with their Daddy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4oQcGZTqBk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j3Kmm4S7Sk
(just for the record that is Abby blowing twenty plus kisses in the background)

Favorite things to do: sing and dance along, "so big", kisses, pat-a-cake, wheels on the bus, bath time with Abby, play in the water table and sandbox, remove the back of the remote control, crawl around on the floor and playing chase, sing Elmo's song, eat

Foods you can't get enough of: strawberries, avocados, cheese and your water cup

Nicknames: Ella Boops, Bells-ca-Bells, Bean, Bella, Ella bear, Ellie Belly

Firsts: first time in a swimming pool, crawled down a step all by yourself

Talking up a storm:  Abby (ab ba ba), mama, la la la (ya ya ya), hi ( haaaaaaaa), bye bye (ba ba), baby (Baaaa-bi), eieio (yayayo), woof/mew when asked what doggy and kitty say

Sweet Ella, you light up the room. You welcome everyone with a smile and a wave. When friends visit for dinner, you talk to them and crawl to visit them even if you don't know them very well. You love to be wherever your big sister is and have really started expressing your sadness or frustration when you can't be. If we try to distract you and give you something else to play with, you yell and crawl back to Abby's tea party. If we try to put you in your swing while Abby plays in the sandbox, you cry and do everything you can to get to the sandbox. You try to make it known that you are big enough to hang with the "big" kids and seem to resent any attempt to baby you. You are daring and adventurous. You are sweet and hilarious. Abby tells everyone who comes to visit that they can't take you home because you are HER baby sister and you belong here with us. She couldn't be more right. We love you so much, Bells. You might be growing up fast, but you will always be my baby.  Love, Mommy

Ella: 10 months  Abby: 3

You want to see the sign, Mom? Here!

 Nana turns 90 this year. What an honor to be a part of such a special milestone. As I searched for the perfect 90th birthday card, I loved reflecting on how much life there is to live in that amount of time. The way the world has changed. The way her family has grown. The memories she has made. The blessings she has been given. The loss she has experienced. I was the sappy girl in Hallmark, not just buying a pretty card with the number 90 on it, but recognizing all it represented and being thankful that I've known Nana for seven of those years.  It was the perfect start to a wonderful weekend.

On Mother's Day weekend, the whole family gathered at Skytop Lodge to surprise Nana and celebrate her birthday. We soaked up the beautiful location, spent time with family enjoying lots of fun activities, dressed up and ate delicious meals and watched Nana's face light up as each grandson appeared at the hotel to surprise her.

The view as we pulled in

the lodge

capturing the beauty

Nana's surprised face

Ella Margie bonding with her namesake. They love each other.

breathtaking flowers

afternoon chat with Nana enjoying pink lemonade, cookies and Les Miserables on the piano

God is an artist.

winding down before bedtime = chasing each other around the room and squealing

...while the ladies enjoyed some fun indoor activities.

Ella's first time in the pool

so grown up

having a blast

had to post this picture because Ella's personality shines here!

Abby and G-Diddy

so sleepy...snuggling with Uncle Tommy

Nana and her girls

beautiful birthday girl

Uncle Brad and Aunt Alex

smooshy baby

Aunt Alex

keeping busy at dinner

Nana's boys (and Ella)

So so blessed to be a mommy to these two sweet girls

my family

Nana ready to go skeet shooting

Abby wore pink headphones and helped push the button to shoot the clay disks for everyone.

Happy 90th Birthday Nana! We love you.