The things she says...

Ella has been saying the funniest things lately. I find myself cracking up quite often these days. I wanted to jot them down so I didn't forget. 

• Friday night Ella was sitting on my lap on the love seat and Adam was sitting on the couch. Ella passed gas pretty loudly. I looked at Adam and smiled. As I did this Ella said, "Mommy farted." We both started laughing hysterically. I see who she is going to blame this on from now on. Lucky me!
• Yesterday, Ella was in her swing. Adam was coming out the door and sneezed. Ella, being the sweet girl that she is, said, "bless you daddy." She has said this a couple times before, but I don't think Adam had ever heard it. He was shocked. It was so cute! 
• Ella has started putting out names behind things she wants. Yesterday she wanted to hold a drink. Instead of just saying, "hold it" she said, "hold it daddy." 
• I have been trying to teach her what "lady like" means. She tends to stick her finger in her nose or put her feet on the table when we are eating. I always tell her "no, it's not lady like to do this." Now she will stick her finger in her nose or put her feet on the table and say, "lady like" and smile. I don't think she is quite getting it. :) 

I love that Ella is starting to talk a lot. It's so entertaining to listen to her!

My first 5K

Today I participated in my first 5K run. I have been running consistently since the end of February. My first goal since I started running was to complete a 5K. I never thought I would be able to do it. I have never really been a fan of running. I remember in high school barely being able to run a mile in gym class. Ever since I had Ella I have realized how important it is to keep myself healthy. I have been trying really hard to stay active and eat healthy not only for her but for myself also! 

I was a bundle of nerves last night and this morning. I think it was just fear of the unknown. I have never done anything like this, but I had to give it a try. 

Taking off! I had a little bit of trouble getting my breathing down at the beginning, because I had gotten myself so worked up. After a couple of minutes of deep breathing I was good to go!

This run was not easy. At about mile two I thought I was going to have to stop and walk. I wanted so badly to run the whole thing so I kept visualizing the finish line. Thirty-one minutes later I was coming into finish! 

I'm done!! I was so glad to stop running:) 

I was so happy I did it! I never thought I could do this, but I am so glad I did! 

Wordless Wednesday

Two and a half

Ella turned 2 1/2 this past Sunday. I know I ALWAYS say this, but I can't believe I am so close to having a three year old. I am happy she is growing and progressing, but it makes me so sad. I wish she was still a little baby. 

Ella has become VERY independent in the past few weeks. I hear "I do it" a hundred times a day. She wants to do everything from dress herself to get in her car seat by herself. It is exhausting at times, but I am glad she is becoming so independent. 

Ella's speech continues to grow daily. She has went from saying new words daily to saying new phrases daily. I am so proud of the fact that she is still progressing without First Steps. 

Ella has learned so many things since her second birthday. She knows her abc's, but she will not sing them on command. You just have to catch her singing them when SHE wants to sing them. She also can recognize quite a few letters.  Ella can count to twelve. Counting is another thing she will not do if you ask her. She has to do it on her own. She also knows shapes and some colors. Her brain is like a sponge right now!

Ella is so silly and always gives us a good laugh by things she says and does. Her laugh is infectious. I wish I could ingrain it in my mind forever. 

Ella loves being outside. She loves to swing and slide. She especially loves "big slides." She says that as soon as you say we are going to the playground. She seems to have no fear of anything. She loves riding on anything that moves, especially with her daddy.

I still think Ella is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen! I love her curly hair and big brown eyes!

Ella I hope you know how loved you are! You have enriched our lives in so many ways. We look forward to watching you grow in the coming months and years. To us you are the sweetest most beautiful child we have ever laid eyes on. I hope you continue to be as sweet as you are right now. We love you forever! 

Father's Day Weekend

We had an action packed weekend! Saturday we headed to Pike Co. to eat and spend some time with Poppy and Nana. It's always an adventure when we go there. Adam reverted back to his childhood as he usually does when we visit. We could not get him off this thing...

Since Ella is just like her daddy she had to ride it too! 

Ella was able to ride a pony for the first time. She was pretty excited about it and did a good job of sitting still on the horse. She may just be a jockey one day..who knows! :) 

We visited with almost all of their animals. Ella is really enthused with the goats and the horses.

We can't forget about their German Shepherd, Bruiser. He may look a little scary, but he is just a big baby!

To round out the night we took the kayak's out again. Ella had a life jacket this time, and unfortunately she HATED it. She kept saying "jacket off" the whole time we were out. Adam and I took turns riding with her. I didn't realize how much the added weight would make a difference. I had a hard time paddling with her in the boat. 

Notice how happy Ella is about her life jacket!

We had a fun, exhausting evening. We didn't get home until way past Ella's bedtime. She asked for milk as soon as we walked in the door, and she was out like a light shortly after! Thanks Poppy and Nana for dinner and a fun night! 

Sunday morning Adam unwrapped a couple of gifts from Ella and I. This is what Ella picked out for him...

Ella and I love our geek:) 

We went over to my mom and dad's house to eat lunch and visit for Father's Day. My mom made some yummy lasagna. It was a long, fun day of playing outside! The girls had a fun time of running through puddles in their bare feet. Ella had mud all over her outfit and her legs. It was such a fun day. I think Ella had a little too much fun. She hit the sack early tonight! 

What a beauty! 

This is what you get when you ask Ella to make her "daddy face." I have no idea how she came up with this.

My grandpa and I! 

Ella and "PP" She loves him so much! . I am so glad she has him in her life! 

Lastly, I want to wish Adam a Happy Father's Day! He works so hard and is always trying hard to juggle his time between work and family. Ella lights up when she sees her daddy. I am pretty sure she loves him so much, because he is a big kid himself! Adam I hope you know how much we appreciate everything you do for us! You are a great daddy and husband!

Ella's first "boat" ride

Adam, Ella, and I headed to Winslow this afternoon to eat dinner and visit with Ma and Papaw. After dinner Adam and I rode over to his dad's house on the four wheeler.  Adam had to take Ella on a ride before we left though. She loves riding on the four wheeler with daddy!

Adam and I rode over to his dad and step-mom's house. They had just got home from kayaking. Adam thought it would be fun to take their kayak's out on the pond. I had never done that before so I was excited about it! I wish I had some pictures of Adam and I in the kayak's, but we didn't take our phones or my camera with us. I am happy to say that neither of us tipped over in the water. Adam thought it would be hilarious if I fell in the water, but I was not going to let that happen!  We headed back to his mom's to pick up Ella, and we went back to Adam's dad's house so she could feed the fish. 

Once she saw the kayak's she wanted to get in. Adam really wanted to take her out on the water. For the grandm'a reading this and seeing these pictures below please don't have a heart attack! I know Ella should have had a life jacket on, but we did not have one. Next time she will definitely have one on! Adam had her between his legs and didn't do anything crazy!

Adam was laughing at Ella in this picture. Once they got off the bank Ella said, "water" really loud. It's like she just figured out there was water all around her!

We didn't get home until way past Ella's bedtime. We had a fun night doing things we don't typically get to do! Hope everyone had a nice weekend:)

Happy Birthday Autumn!

Autumn turned 2 years old this past Wednesday! 

Today we celebrated her birthday! She had a garden themed party with the cutest cake made by one of the moms in Autumn's tumble class. She put a little fire truck on it, because Autumn loves fire trucks!

Autumn was not a fan of the birthday song (can't say I blame her), but she did a great job blowing out her candle! 

I know one person who thoroughly enjoyed their cake...

Ella is still talking about "Autumn's party" and "cake." This girl LOVES her sweets. 

Autumn got lots of nice presents. I love watching her and Ella open presents now. It's so fun to see the expression on their face!

Even though Ella was EXTREMELY bashful today, she had such a fun time! I love seeing her and Autumn together. They have such love for each other and enjoy playing together so much! 

I had to get a picture with Autumn to commemorate her second birthday! I can't believe she is already two. These past two years have flown by. Autumn is such a fun loving little girl with the spunkiest personality! I could sit and listen to her talk all day long. It makes me laugh the way she walks around singing to herself. It is amazing all the things she knows at only two years old. She is such a smart little girl! My favorite thing about Autumn is that she calls me "Auntie Miranda." It makes my day every time I hear it! I am so lucky to be her aunt!