Cookie Day

We had annual COOKIE DAY at my uncles yesterday and we had a very messy, very yummy, very wonderful time.

Lots of Sprinkles

lots of messy faces

Would you like a little cookie with your icing?

No wonder Ella didn't want to go to sleep last night!

Sugar overload.

Check out Ella and Daddy. Thanks to Mamaw Cindy and Papaw Jay, Ella can be just like Daddy in her very own recliner.

Surprise Visitor

Last night a Ella had a special visit from Santa.
She didn't cry this year but she wanted nothing to do with sitting on his knee.
Thanks Santa for finding time to visit, we know how busy you are.

Adventures in Potty Training

We have been trying this training thing now for several months with not much progress until Friday. Friday she stayed dry all day and even through the night. Its like it just clicked finally. Saturday was starting out to be another amazing day, she woke up and went straight to the potty without and bribing. Yay! A perfect day of training until this



and this



Yes, that is poo on my bathroom walls. God love her, she tried to go all by herself but just couldn't get the pants down in time. Her uncle Bryson had the privilege of catching her in the act. Try disciplining and explaining what she did wrong when your trying not to pee your own pants from laughing so hard.
The potty is missing from the first picture because it was already outside being hosed down by the time I got to my camera, but just try to imagine it just behind that smear of poo on the floor with the foot prints in it. Very thankful that I had just stocked up on the Clorox wipes and Mr Clean Erasers!

Prayer Request

I am sending out this Prayer Request for my Aunt Becky and her son Trent. Trenton is my age (25) and went to the hospital today with congestive heart failure. I don't exactly know what this means, but they have gone in and put in a stint and ballooned in two spots. They say that he has a lot of old scaring on his heart, significant build up of calcium, and a weak wall.They believe that they caught this in time. Thanks be to GOD!
As many of you know my aunt has already lost her husband and son to nearly the same thing. Please keep them in you thoughts and prayers. Thank You.

Trip to the Park

Saturday we took Ella to the Washington Park. It was such a nice day I couldn't imagine spending it indoors.
She loved the swings, loved the ducks, and wasnt' so fond of wet slides.
As we were leaving she wanted to walk in the mud and fell right in it. Before I could get to her she had picked some up and was rubbing it everywhere. Well, we ruined a skirt but a small price to pay for a great day.

New Sitter

Well, this is the start of Ella's third week at her new babysitter. I won't say it has been an easy transition, but that is mostly due to the fact that my daughter has a little of her Grandpa Jay in her and doesn't handle change well. Maggie is wonderful so lets just hope that our very opinionated two year old doesn't scare her off. She cries in the mornings which breaks my heart, but then wants to tell me all about the fun she had as soon as I pick her up. She surprisingly even tells me when she was bad.

Wiffle Ball, Landscaping, & Birthday

Saturday was a beautiful day for playing outdoors and that's just what we did. My cousin's son Larson was celebrating his first birthday at Carl's with grilling, cake, ice cream, and presents. Then the great grandkids took advantage of the great weather and played wiffle ball.

Uncle John couldnt't resist a chance to coach again.


Go Allie Go

Jaelyn really getting into the game

My cousin Scott's two beautiful girls

Larson with his Mom & Dad

Drew & Korbin helping on the farm - Grandpa George would have been proud

Drew & Korbin helping Will lay landscaping stones

Rainy Day Fun

Thursday night we met at Carl's with our girls because Tuesday just didn't work out this week. They always want to play outside but it had been raining all day. Ella found a puddle and it started with just putting a foot in and ended with no dry clothes to wear home. Thank you Lord for the rainy day, we had so much fun.

Corn on the Cob

I have finally found a vegetable the Ella will eat besides potatoes.

I made stir fry and corn on the cob Monday night and went ahead and made something else as a back up for Ella because I knew she would pick the steak out of the stir fry and eat it but I didn't think she would be interested in the corn on or off the cob. As soon as she saw Daddy enjoying his she wanted one. She said, "Can I have one too with nails?"
She calls the corn holders nails. She finished the whole cob. Looks like we will be having a lot more of this in the future.

Lots and Lots of Critters

Friday night we loaded up and headed to St. Louis. In the morning we went to the zoo. This was Ella's first time and she loved it. If you ask her what she saw at the zoo she'll tell you horses and cows. Wouldn't you know that the only thing my little girl was really interested in are the things we get to see everyday along the road. We had a nice lunch outside at the zoo. Then Ella napped on the way to Grant's Farm. I have never seen such lines before. One hour wait in the car to get in the parking lot,one hour wait standing in line to get in the farm, and 30 minute wait to get on the tram to take you in to see everything. Amazingly, and thank you Lord, Ella remained calm the whole time. The park workers kept saying that they hadn't seen crowds like that before so it must have been a fluke. I guess it was a combination of a beautiful day and a free attraction. Even with the wait I would go back again. Well, I guess with all that being an angel all day long she just couldn't take it anymore. She slept for the first 20 minutes of the ride home and the cried from St. Louis to Evansville. Needless to say, Brandon and I had to stop for Tylenol at a gas station. I had a great summer weekend with my husband and daughter and can't wait to plan our next little weekend getaway.

Quick Catch Up

I know it has been way too long but so much has been going on. I love my new job and I don't even mind the getting up early part because it is so worth it being home early. We just celebrated Ella's Birthday. She turned 2 last Monday. Can you believe it? The party went great and we can't keep her off her new Gator. The day after her Birthday we headed to Dale Hollow for a few days for a little R&R, sort of. Its a lot of work to go on vacation especially with a 2 year old. We were gone for my Dad's Birthday which is the day after Ella's so a great big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Dad! Ella missed you both terribly. Now I'll share some highlights of the last few weeks.

The Birthday Girl

Ella & Daddy @ The Fish Hatchery

Ella Loving the Water & Swimming By Herself

Lots of Changes

Well I thought I wasn't much like my Dad, but this week has proven me wrong. I like change but this is an awful lot at one time.

This Week:
Last day at work today. (Will miss everyone so much)
Start new job Monday.
Babysitter that we love love love is moving to Jasper today.
My cousins will start coming to the house Monday to watch Ella.
Today a dear friend and co-worker moved to Kansas City.

I know He doesn't give us more than we can handle, but that sure is a lot of goodbyes for one week.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy Birthday to an amazing husband and the best Dad a little girl could ask for.
Hope you had a great day.
We Love You !


Ella Helping Make Daddy's Cake

Ella Helping Eat Daddy's Cake

Ella Giving Daddy His Birthday Card

Hello Spring

What a wonderful weekend for playing outdoors. We took full advantage of the nice days. Sunday we spent the day getting starts of flowers from Lucile's house. Ella just thought it was so great that she got to ride in the wheel barrel and play with Lucile's well pump. Lots of fun on the farm. She was supposed to help Mommy and Mamaw Cindy plant them at our house, but she slept right through it. Monday rolled around and it was nice too so we didn't even go inside when we got home, but headed straight for the sidewalk chalk and colored until supper. Looking forward to many more spring days.