Nov/Dec 2008 B4 Christmas

Hi all, Well no excuses Ella in that Dad is a few weeks late posting this update - we're already almost to Christmas, 2008 and our upcoming annual trip to NY to celebrate but first lets review the last month and a half or so...Ella went on another trip solo with her mom - this one to Minnesota in November to visit Preston. One of the highlights was visiting the Mall of America with Preston where they went on many rides (and mom didnt quite feel so well afterwards!) Most importantly it was Preston's 3rd birthday that weekend. Also Ella continues to enjoy dance class with Addison and I believe her first performance is slated for May of 2009 - that ought to be fun! Thanksgiving saw a return to Featherstones to celebrate with several neighborhood families. And Ella, I even snuck in a picture of Mom and Dad at an adults dinner with the neighbors...

Oct 2008 - Brother's Confirmation and Halloween

Hi all, Ella had a wonderful October with the highlights, a celebration of her brother Evan's confirmation (with her grandma and grandpa in attendance) along with a princess costume for Halloween (she doesn't even need the costume!). She continues to improve her speech and is preparing for her first dance class in November along with a trip to Minnesota to visit Preston for his 3rd birthday before ending the month at home for Thanksgiving. Here are some pictures for October.

Another September to Remember 2008

Hi everyone, Well Ella had a wonderful September, 2008 which was highlighted by a visit to the Lazar household by Ella's lifelong friend Maya and her parents (now our rest of life friends, luckily!) Jill and Mike McFee. We had a wonderful weekend with the McFee's starting out at a Friday night dinner at Rod and Wendy's house, followed up with an all day visit to Stone Mountain Park. The girls got along famously and the we are already planning a winter trip - maybe to Snowshoe in West Virginia next February. Ella also continues to grow, continuously improve her speech and most importantly have fun. Her best friend, Addison Ritchie, is also featured in some of these pictures - all of the girls are just so CUTE....

August with Some "Ella" Attitude in Atlanta

Well it was a fairly typical August - hot, hazy and lazy in Atlanta and Ella watched her brother get on the bus to start high school this August. Dad had some sinus surgery and mom just enjoyed spending as much time as possible with you including watching you play with your "play" friends Dora, Mickey and Baby, taching you to pedal and dressing up as well. September arrives today and Ella is eagerly anticipating the arrival of her lifelong friend Maya (all the way from Yangchun, PRC)who is visiting in 2 weeks from her new home in West Virginia. Light Month on Pictures but we'll make up for this in September.

June/July 2008 Including Ella's 3rd Country Visit!

As July, 2008 winds to a close, we wanted to remember the special month we had beginning with a great trip to Tampa (Innisbrook Resort) with our friends Jamie and Susie over July 4th weekend and culminating with a trip July 19-26 to Turks and Caicos with Ellas grandma and grandpa as well as cousins Mike, Melissa and their daughters, Brianna and Elyse. Below are some pictures from Turks and Caicos, including swimming up to the pool bar (cool), enjoying the night life with her mom, kissing Elmo, swimming in the ocean with mom and laughing with Brianna and Elyse watching Blues Clues! Ella especially thanks Grandma and Grandpa for the memorable trip - She is also pictured with Grandpa on stage at Beaches and with the Entire Family after dinner at her favorite Beaches restaurant, Schooners.

Fathers Day 2008

Always a special day and even moreso today, celebrating Fathers Day with Evan, who is growing up into a handsome and good boy and Ella, who is just an beautiful little girl with an incredible spirit. Thanks God for the blessings bestowed on me with my two little ones and a wonderful wife, Laura, who we often refer to as the glue of the family. The month started out slowly with Evan graduating to High School (no formal ceremony, hence no pictures, but we are so proud of Evan). We did get a chance to go to an end of year party with his community where Ella tried a hot dog (she liked the ketchup - we just have to work on that eating style). Moving on into the month, Ella took quite a fall and was badly bruised around her eye, she has now healed nicely from that spill which occured while watching her brother skateboard (perhaps trying to imitate him!). Memorial Day came around and we had a BBQ here in our driveway with our new grill and it was a success (my definition being noone got sick!). A cute pic of Ella and Addison below, followed by Ella, au naturale, helping in the clean up effort. Evan, soon afterward, left for Lutheridge Sleep Away Camp and had a wonderful time. Pictured with Mom, Dad and Ella right before leaving, Evan came home wiser and a lot more proficient at using the Text Message feature of his cell phone (yes Dad upgraded to the unlimited plan - ugh!!!) Then finally Mom accompanied Ella to Minnesota in the beginning of June where Ella had a wonderful time watching the Morton girls dance and kissing, yes kissing, Preston - I have the proof below. Anyhow, the trip was a blast I am told. I, for one, am glad to have everyone home and enjoying the summer - though right now Evan is up in NY with Jordan on an incredible Trip to experience the Big Apple (thanks Grandma and Grandpa!) - I'll have some of that next month. Turks & Caicos, Destin and NY trips planned later in the year - Bye everyone.

 

 

 

 

Ella Turns 2 - April 2008 (Into May)

Hi Ella, Daddy is a bit late in getting this update done, which would be less explainable had it not been for your refusal to smile for so many pictures!!!! But we'll give it our best shot and remember a special April that saw your 2nd birthday (and how you can now hold out two fingers - one on each hand) to tell everyone just how old you are. In addition to your birthday, we took a trip to the Dogwood Festival in Atlanta, held this year at Lenox Mall. You also took your first bicycle ride with Addison's dad Jay, and finished up with your early gymnastics training. Plus you always have fun with your brother. Here are some pictures.

Ella 2 Year Old Pictures

Bonus Post.....Ella's 2 year old pictures are just adorable (OK - she is not quite 2 but she is certainly our beautiful little girl). We hope you enjoy these - and thanks to Brother Evan for Assisting with the Smile Procurements for the shots - he has a real talent to get a BIG smile out of his little sister!