A day at the Dallas Arboretum!

Yesterday was also a gorgeous day. After our normal Sunday schedule of church and lunch, we met up with Devon's parents and headed to the Dallas Arboretum. This was Ella's first trip out there. We packed the car up with lunch, a big blanket, and a cooler full of drinks. Ella did wonderful on the ride there. Once we made our way in, we found a nice spot near the Lake and had lunch. We really enjoyed our spot in the shade, spending time together and listening to the jazz band playing for the crowds of people there. After lunch, we took a tour of the grounds. Ella loved seeing the flowers, watching the other families, and introducing herself to all the pumpkins. (She quickly found out that chewing on the pumpkin's stem was NOT a good idea.) We were so proud of how well she behaved. We must have worn the little girl out... she slept nearly the whole way home. We already have plans for going again next year.... and pulling her around in little red wagon! :)

Sporting her hat and Halloween t-shirt!

Reading the map... where to go next? Having a good time with Grandpa and Grandma...

"This thing is bigger than me!"

"So much fun, I can barely take it!"

Always the explorer...

Nice family picture!

Posing with Grandpa Rod and Grandma Dawn

Day at the park!

This past weekend, we decided the weather was way too nice to pass up... So, it was time to take Ella to the park and take advantage of the sunshine. Devon had taken Ella a couple of times before, but it was nice to have the family out, enjoying the day together. Ella's been doing wonderful lately and has definitely turned into an "outdoor girl". She loves to be in her car seat whether she's out shopping with Mommy or running some errands with me. I wasn't sure how well she would take the swing at the park, but she LOVED it! Of course, I was nervous about making sure she wasn't going too high, had enough sun screen on, etc. (Yes, I can be one of those Dads.) We enjoyed the swing, having lunch on the park bench, and watching the other kids play on the playground. She's not quite old enough for that yet, but it's only a matter of time. My little girl is already growing up SO fast. I know we keep saying that, but it's true. Makes you realize how much you just need to relax and enjoy each and everyday together. My little girl won't be "little" forever. :) Here are some of our favorite pics from the park....

Happy girl... taking a ride.

Enjoying a ride in the swing! Daddy and Ella... same funny face!

Loving it!

Daddy being careful... not too high.

Mommy's turn!

Posing with Mommy...

Our Little Cutie!!

Okay, so this one is going to be a little long. I have so much to share and not enough time to blog. By the end of the day I am wiped out with everything we do that I don't normally have the energy to write. So have fun looking at all of the cute things our little one is doing!!

OUR LITTLE TEXAS LONGHORN!!!

Our little cheerleader!!

Cheering for the Texas win!

Can you see a little white in her smile? Her first tooth is in this pic. She was happy that the Horns won (so daddy says :) )!!

OUR CUTIE!!

Thinks she is a big girl in the big chair!

Getting our teeth (2nd one is coming in now) brushed! She loves it so far!

Having fun with Grandma Dawn out shopping! Thanks for all of the goodies Grandma!!

She is figuring out how to take her shoes and socks off!

Ready for a stroll around the neighborhood!

Ella giving Grandpa Rod a kiss! She loves to give them away!

While we were waiting for her flu shot she found the paper on the table a blast! She loves crinkling and tearing it! She now weighs about 16 pounds and 8 ounces and is 27 inches tall!

This is the new look, a paci in her mouth. Ever since she started to have teeth she wants it more.

Loves playing in the laundry!

And with her toes!

Seven Months!!!

Well, another month has gone by. This past month seems like it has gone by the fastest! Ella has started doing so many more things now than ever before! She is definitely our entertainment. She is so funny (maybe a budding comic) and loves getting into everything! These are just a few things that are new this month: sitting up by herself, first tooth, pincher grasp, onto her 2nd stage baby food, gives more kisses, learning to get herself where she wants to go (not crawling yet, but close), riding in a shopping cart big girl style, etc. I can keep going and going. She is exploring everything she can get her hands on. She loves anything with buttons, like remotes, computers and phones. If the remote is out of her reach she will try and get it. She still puts everything in her mouth for a taste. She also loves playing the "drop it so mommy will pick it up" game! Everything from teethers to bottles and spoons end up on the floor somewhere. I need to get some of those things that you tie to her toys so they don't hit the ground. She also is a talker! She is discovering that she can make some really funny sounds with her mouth and then laughs. It cracks me up! She just jabbers away while we are in the car or when I am reading a story. I guess she is trying to tell you about something. So I just answer back and we have a conversation going. If you ask her a question she just jabbers back like she totally understood you. I just love being around her. She brightens up my day every day!

This is her latest funny face...she thinks everything is funny!

It is getting harder to get her to sit still while you take her picture... at least I got a smile!

Trying to figure out how to get the remote that was on the table...

Mommy and Ella before church... another one of her funny faces!

Goofy daddy and Ella trying to figure out how many more pictures we are going to take!