The Visitors

We've had company the last couple of weekends. It's strange to think of them as just visiting when they come home now, but nice because I feel like I'm on vacation while they are here; best friends around all day and all night.

Ella misses Lauren, aka her other mother.

Tate misses Mason, aka my brother.

Doesn't get any better.

paper. shoes. dirt

newspaper ads.

I had to include this one.

He was quickly flipping through the pages saying what he saw on the page.

It all happened so fast.

Just as I took the picture I heard him say "girls boobs" and as quickly as it came it was gone. He kept going, repeating what he was seeing.... only I have the evidence this time! :)

shoes. on the wrong feet.

dirt. on the face.

spring.

big dreams

The boys left for a quick trip to idaho to help with the move, leaving Ella and me behind for a little girl time. I was quickly reminded of the simplicity of life with one child. Huge difference. I can only imagine if we were to add a third. :) I'm thinking pure chaos.

After my photo shoots on Saturday she let me snap a few of her.

This is Ella in her truest fashion: Rash cheeks, dirt under her nails, bruise on her arm, and a cheesy little googly grin.

Our little girl with big dreams!

She made you smile, right?

Farwell

today. i said farewell to my besty, my brother and their two kiddos.

yesterday. these two little boys were out in the sandbox playing. i did what any good parent does and listened in on their little conversation.

it went like this:

Mason: "we are moving"

Tate: "i know"

Mason: "will you miss me?"

Tate: "yes, (long pause) will you miss me?"

Mason: "yes"

later tate said to me: "mom, it's ok that my buddy is moving cause i still have two buddies. Dad is my buddy, and ben too.

he also keeps saying: "three weeks! that's when we get to go see them."

today

today has gone like this:

ella doing something on her own. unusual.

ella covered in lotion. head. to. toe.

ella in her crib for a nap.

ella back out of her crib. discovered she can get out.

ella found frosting. frosting all over the legos.

ella found gum. gum in the carpet.

it's only 1:00

lucky for ella, i'm in an extra good mood :)

El's Day

Two years ago today I was off to the hospital getting ready for this little joy to join our family. I can't believe how fast time seems to go these days. Ella is such a free spirited little girl. She is adventurous, care free, and love attention. I love how she sits around and sings, takes care of her animals, loves to play with pretend food, sings to her dolls, put makeup on, pull her hair out the second it's done and run her hands through it messing it all up so she looks like I never take care of her, sings you spin my head right round right round over and over, says thank you almost 100% of the time, makes me cry because I can get so upset & impatient with her, always wants to be doing something, never sits down to enjoy a movie or cartoons, cuddles on my lap with her feet up on the desk as I work at the computer, LOVES to be outside, loves animals, pushes me in ways I never thought possible. This little girl is a handful for me... and as crazy as I sometimes feel - being her Mom is the best thing ever. I love you infinity!

Two Little Monkeys...

... Jumping on the bed!

Happy Valentines Day!

I hope you are all feeling loved, and loving others!

Make it a good one.

... and no I didn't do an outfit change for these.

Tate insisted on the red so I said we'll make a little compromise.

Some in the shirt you want, and some in the one I want.

It's all about compromising.

Bedtime Stories

My Mom came home with the cutest book Tickle Monster by Josie Bissett.

My kids loved being tickled by the little Monster Glove as she read along.

Not only are the words to the story great enough, the illustration is so cute!

She found her copy at The Gatehouse, but it's also here. I'll be getting a copy as soon as Cole get's home. :)

Smiles

I am constantly thankful for families.

I love watching other kids interact with their parents, family members or friends. It comforts me to think of how much I love my kids, and then in return think that my parents must love me that much, and even further - looking at others and thinking they are all individually loved that much by somebody. We are all loved. What a blessing these crazy families of ours are.

A couple of pictures of Ella smiling the other day: