September and October 2011

Hi all,

During our fall break from school, Evan and Paul stayed home while Ella and I traveled to South Dakota to visit my sister Lisa and her new baby Jaden.  Ella and I stayed with Lisa for a few days so we could catch up and love on Jaden.  While in South Dakota, we (Lisa and I) took a boat ride with our Aunt Charlotte, Uncle Elmer, Cousins Rhonda and Sean to spread our dad's ashes into the Big Stone Lake.  It has been eight years since dad passed away and it was time to follow through on what he had asked us to do.  It was the closure that was necessary.....we miss you dad!!  Prior to flying back to Atlanta, we spent an evening with Dawn, Larry and kids....so fun!!

On September 29th, I surprised Paul by renewing our vows at the church on our 20th wedding anniversary. It was very simple renewal with kids and Pastor Paul.  Happy 20th honey!!

See you in November.....

Little Jaden

Cousin Rhonda, me, Cousin Sean and my sister, Lisa

Ella feeding her Cousin Jaden

Whitney, Ella and Preston

Renewal of our vows

Halloween 2011
Ella is Ariel and Addison is Little Red Riding Hood

July and August 2011

Hi all,

We began the first weekend of July going to the Woodstock 4th of July parade with Ritchie family then driving up to Ellijay, Georgia to barbeque and tube down the river with Veith's, Ritchie's and Stricklin's.....always such a great time!! For a little over two weeks, Evan, Ella and myself flew up to New York to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa. The kids enjoyed their pool and beaches as well as Grandma's cooking/grilling....yummy!!! Once we got back home, it was time to get ready for another year of school.....August 1st, Ella entered kindergarten and Evan entered his last year of high school........

My sweet children relaxing at Grandma and Grandpa's!!!!!

Ella ready to jump into grandma's pool.....soooo fun!!!

Enjoying the beach on Long Island, NY

Evan enjoying grandma's BMW.....sweet!!!

Celebrating Laura's 42nd bday in St. James, NY with grandma and grandpa

Addison and Ella playing at Kidstock playground

Ella's getting a ride in Nona's walker!!

Addison and Ella on first day of kindergarten!!!

Our elementary school bus stop..... 20 kids

May and June 2011

In May, the kids finished another year of school on May 27th. Evan completed 11th grade and Ella graduated from preschool. June was a busy start of our summer. Ella had two weeks of vacation bible school (week and our church and another week at Hillside Methodist Church). Evan spent a week in Boonville, Arkansas with his youth group from church serving the community in Boonville. The last week of June, Ella participated in Safety Town Program (program designed for upcoming kindergarteners teaching them all about swim, bus, bike, etc. safety). Evan also participated in Safety Town again this year as a volunteer. June was so busy....I'm exhausted just recalling and typing it. See you all in July !

Ell and Quinn walking down to get their preschool diplomas...cute!!

Ella and Olivia dressed as the statue of liberty at preschool graduation...happy girls!
 

Addison and Ella posing before their dance recital......beautiful girls!!

Ella at Sascha Mackey's 3rd birthday pty!!

Ella reading a book to all her friends.....super cute!!!

Ella about to jump into Lake Allatoona.  Thank you to the Dance family for inviting us out onto their pontoon boat.  We always have such a fun time!! 

March and April 2011

Hello all,

So March brought us slightly warmer weather and believe me we were ready after a cold winter for us in the deep south!!  April consisted of spring break, Paul's 46th birthday, Easter and Ella's 5th birthday.  Below are some highlights.....

During spring break, we visited the Altanta Zoo with your friends Reese and Rowan...so fun!!

Got a quick picture of Evan and Ella after Easter Sunday services before Evan went to work at Pikes.

Picture taken with Olivia and Brooke Myers on Ella's birthday after our Chinese Language Class.



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Below are photos of Ella's 5th birthday party.

 She and her friends painted flower pots, ate pizza/cake and planted flowers in the pots.  It was a great party!!!

January and February 2011

Wow.....2010 completed and 2011 here we come!!  We began January with plenty of cold weather.  The kids had no school for the entire week of January 10th due to ice and snow that would not melt because the temps stayed in the 20's. Paul was asked to participate in the Live Help Desk at 11Alive News.  He volunteered representing Wells Fargo Insurance Services.  He ended up staying at a hotel in Buckhead for four nights since it was too icey to get home.

February brought us a very big milestone.  Evan passed his driving test and received his drivers license!!!!  So of course, Paul and Evan went car shopping a couple of days later.  Evan got a white Ford Sportrac.  He looks so grown up driving it.....where did my baby boy go?????

The end of February, we celebrated "5" year gotcha day reunion with Maya and Molly.  We stayed at the Embassy Suites in Cinncinnati, Ohio.  The girls were so excited to spend the weekend together.  It is such a special bond that they have with each other.  Its so sweet to see them laugh, sing and just be girls.  Thank you Mike, Jill and Teresa for continuing to celebrate our girls blessing our lives!!

Evan and Ella sledding

Ella making snow angel.....cute!

 

Molly, Ella and Maya

Evan's New Car

Ella celebrating Chinese New Year at Georgia Tech

with Olivia and Brooke Myers

December 2010

Of course December was busy with Ella's Christmas program at her preschool, traveling to New Jersey to celebrate Brianna's Bat Mitzvah(Jewish celebration on your 13th birthday - Brianna is daughter to Mike and Melissa Shapiro, Melissa is Paul's cousin) and Christmas/Hanukah. See you all in 2011!!

Ella and Evan at Brianna's Bat Mitzvah

 

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Below is videos of opening Christmas/Hanukah presents.



Ella and her Corelle Doll "Lu Lu" - Hanukah gift from her Nona!!!!

Ella singing at her Christmas program!

November 2010

Below are various photos and videos from our Thanksgiving family vacation.  The Lazar's (Paul's parents - Lynn and Marty, Paul's brother and his kids - David, Alex, Sydney and Ethan) and Havas's (Jamey, Susy, Justin, Jiselle and Jayson) went on a 7- day cruise to St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Coco Cay Bahamas.  The weather was a little chilly in the beginning but as soon as we headed south, it was beautiful and warm.  We all had such a wonderful time with our family and great friends!!!

Ethan, Ella and Sydney

Grandpa, Ethan and Ella

Freedom of the Seas - Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship

Ella and Jayson - Beautiful!!!

August, September & October 2010

Ella's ready for her first day of preschool at Childs Play on August 11th

We spent a Saturday afternoon in August picnicing at Brasstown Bald (a mountain in North Georgia).

Evan got a "seasonal" job at Pikes Nursery!!  Below is a photo of his 1st work day!!

Addison, Ella and Alli enjoying the pumpkin patch!

"Halloween" - Addison (pirate) and Ella (cinderella)