Fall Family Pictures

We had family pictures taken back in October for our Christmas card. Anyone who knows me know how much I love Christmas cards. It's so important to me to get a good picture for our card. We typically use a Florida picture, but we didn't get to go in September like we usually do. 
Since this is our last card as a family of three I wanted to get some professional fall pictures taken. I LOVE how they turned out. Ella (and our dogs) were so cooperative. I didn't even have to bribe anyone. :) My favorite pictures will be on our Christmas card this year. I don't post them, because I like them to be a surprise.  I will definitely cherish these pictures forever. 

First snow day of 2014

I have been hoping for a snow day this coming winter. I didn't really appreciate snow days when Ella was not in school, but now I welcome an unexpected free day at home with her. 
I never thought our first snow day would be in November. I can't remember the last time we have had snow in November. It's a little early, but it has at least been pretty to look at.  Ella wanted to go out in the snow first thing this morning. I contemplated getting her up, doing our normal school routine, getting her ready, and then telling her she didn't have school. I was not that mean though. I let her sleep in and told her when she woke up. She was SO happy. 
We braved the cold and went out for about ten minutes before she decided it was too cold. 

It was so nice having Ella home today, but I'm afraid it's back to school tomorrow. We are looking forward to a short, two day school week next week. Bring on Thanksgiving and Polar Express!!

Painting birthday party

Yesterday we went to a painting birthday party at Snickerdoodle for Ella's classmate, Lexie. I am sure this is the first of MANY birthday parties we will go to this school year, and the many school years to come. 
It is so important for Ella to go to these parties. She is super quiet at school, and it was no different yesterday. It is very painful for me to watch. All of her little friends were congregating when we got there, and Ella stuck with me. She has such a hard time in a group. I just keep hoping that one of these days she will come out of this. I do know exactly how she feels. I am the same way. I get really uncomfortable as well. I don't like being in a group of people. I do so much better one on one or in a small group. I feel for her but one of these days she has to start talking. Right!? 
Back to the party... All the girls painted a Christmas tree. 

It was already sketched out for them, and all they had to do was paint. It took a little while to paint. You don't just slap some paint on the canvas. You paint and then blow dry and repaint again. 

Little hands hard at work! All these little girls in Ella's class are so sweet. I have had fun getting to know all 7 of them. Her class if full of boys!

Ella did a great job painting! I thought she might get bored and quit, but she really seemed to enjoy herself. 
It was fun to see all the  paintings, and see how all the girls painted differently. I think they ended up looking really good. 

Ella had to get a picture with the birthday girl before we left. Even though she didn't talk, Ella graciously gave Lexie a hug before we left. She is such a sweet girl!

In just a few weeks we will be throwing a party for Ella's 6th birthday party at Pump It Up! 

Halloween 2014

I am sure it's no big surprise that Ella picked a boy's costume again this year. I definitely tried my hardest to talk her out of it, but she had her heart set on the blue power ranger costume. 

Halloween was SO cold and windy. Ella didn't even want to go trick or treating. I was not complaining. I didn't really want to get her out in the cold since she just got over her ear infection. We just can't win with the weather. 

The Ice's came over to eat dinner with us. Sarah loved handing out candy to all of our neighborhood kids. I think I will have them over every year so I can just sit and eat my dinner, while Sarah hands out candy. :) I didn't get any pictures of Isabelle. She didn't have a costume on, but she had the cutest Halloween outfit on. She slept most of the time. 

It was a fun Halloween spent with friends! 

12 weeks

I can't believe I am three months pregnant. I would like to say time is flying, but it's not. I think (I hope) God is having mercy on me this time around since I went through so much after having Ella. Besides being extremely hungry, I feel really good most days. I am not tired anymore which is wonderful, because I have a ton of projects to get done around the house before May.
I had my 12 week appointment yesterday. My doctor has a little hand held ultrasound machine. It was so cool to see a TINY baby kicking it's legs and moving it's arms. She could also see it was moving it's mouth. It's pretty amazing that I have that going on inside of me when I can't even feel it. 
Ella is getting a little more excited about the baby, even though I have a feeling it will be a hard transition for her. She calls it "her baby." She wants a little brother so badly. Our ultrasound is on December 30th, and she will be going with us to find out the gender. I have told her many times that we can't change it's gender, and we will be happy with a boy or a girl. I have a very strong feeling that it is a girl. I felt this way with Ella as well. We only can agree on a girl's name (just like Ella), and I already have the bedding picked out. Neither of us care either way, we just want a healthy baby.