30th birthday fun!

Believe it or not, the day finally came... I turned 30. Not necessarily something I was looking forward to, but Devon changed my mind about that. She planned a get together at Celebration Park in Allen last weekend to celebrate with several of our friends and family members. We ordered BBQ from Dickeys and everyone brought a side dish with them. We ate way too much! Couldn't help it. The food was SO good. It was a great time seeing friends, spending time with some family we don't get to see very often, and getting a few of the kiddos together. Here are some of my favorite pics from the event. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of the UT napkin incident... let's just say I spread my Texas pride all over Celebration park! :) I really appreciated Devon putting it together for me... love you, honey!

Ella saying hello to Jackson!

Laela and Ella checking each other out. Too cute! With Grandpa John...

My Mom visiting with the Hoaks and Duffys

The grandparents, hanging out...

8 Months!!!

Another month has gone by, and I can't believe it! There are so many new things that she is doing each day! There are way too many to list but here are a few. She has been shaking her head no! It started last month but now it is more consistent and even seems like she answers you when you ask her a question! It is too funny! She has started clapping her hands when she is excited and happy! She has the biggest grin on her face when she claps. She is also starting to get the motions of crawling down but still out of reach. She still is rolling everywhere! I think she knows that it is faster just to roll rather than really trying to crawl. Doesn't matter to me how she gets around. One huge thing that has started is stranger anxiety! She will smile at all of the strangers as long as she is strapped in her stroller but in my arms she will usually start to whimper. We have come a long way though. This past Sunday was the first time in a long time that she did not cry when we left her. I was so proud that she was being such a big girl. She also has figured out about the whole object permanence thing. She will look around things and try to get what she is looking for. I can't wait to see what this next month brings!

Trying to reach for the camera...she wants everything you have in your hands. I also put her in clothes that she normally wears...jeans, a cute shirt and matching shoes.

Her silly little grin!

Standing like a big girl with her new toy! I still have to steady her a bit.

Using a big girl sippy cup with no handles!

Having fun playing with Dolly! You can see her two little teeth!

One of her new goofy grins!

Our little poser!

Happy Halloween and Daddy's Birthday!

With it being Halloween and Brian's 30th Birthday we had a packed, fun-filled day! Brian took that day off so he could celebrate with Ella and I. We had a big day of plans since it was such a beautiful day. So, we got up and did our normal morning routine of eating a bottle and getting ready for the day. But before we went anywhere we wanted to give daddy a happy birthday present. I got up and took care of Ella and made sure that he stayed in bed for a little longer. Then Ella greeted daddy with a birthday card that she helped write (I put the pen in her hand and helped write a little note from her)! He loved it, of course! And then off we went...

Happy Birthday Daddy! Our tree has started changing colors so we thought it would be nice to get a birthday picture of them. Too bad we got the ugly truck too and not much of the tree! Our first stop of the day was the doctor's office. Ella had to get a second shot of the flu vaccine. She was not a happy about that at all! The nurse said she is getting a complex from Ella because the minute Ella sees her she starts to pucker up and cries. Poor Nurse Sally! Playing with the paper...and seconds before she peed all over it! She is now 17 pounds and 1 ounce and 28 inches tall! That is just under a pound and an inch in just 4 weeks! She is getting so big and the doctor says she is back on track. Way to go Ella! Dr. Aaron and Ella having a conversation... She is starting to really like him and smiles and giggles every time she sees him. All dressed up in her Halloween outfit with a pumpkin hat and booties. She certainly is "Our Little Pumpkin"! Her shirt says "Daddy's under my Spell!" and has sequins all over it. That is certainly true too! He is wrapped around her little finger and she knows it! She loves her daddy! :)

After the doctor's appointment, some lunch at Cheesecake Factory, a walk around Stonebriar Mall, and a little nap in the car, we decided to take her to the Owens Pumpkin Patch. We walked around and saw all of the animals. She got to see some big horses, donkeys, chickens (she couldn't take her eyes off of them), and goats. She wasn't sure of the goats...they did smell a little funny! We didn't go on the hay rides because I thought she is just a little to young for that but maybe next year!

Daddy showing Ella a pumpkin...she still goes for those stems!

Sitting on the bales of hay. She was fascinated with it and was throwing it everywhere!

Those stems again!!!!

Our little Sweet Pea as a Pea in a Pod!! Too cute! She did so well with all of the pictures we were taking! I think we took 97 that day!

Another stem! She is so intent...

Finally out of the costume and ready to go! She loves to fly through the air! On the way back home we made a couple of more stops...we went to visit grandma Dawn at work since she was working close, but Ella fell asleep on the way. Since it took a little longer to get there, mommy and daddy decided to have a Starbucks treat! Yum! After that, we went to the store so mommy could make daddy his birthday dinner. Steak and sweet potatoes is always one of his favorites!

Our little Sweet Pea! We've been calling her that since before she was born! And, about ready to go trick or treating the Donnell's!

Our pea with the pumpkins...

After a very long and exhausting day we wanted to stop by a friends house in the neighborhood so she could Trick or Treat somebody. She was all laughs and squeals all of the way there! She loved seeing all of the other kids dressed up and running around. We finally got a picture of all three of us for the day! Thanks Dena and Kelly! It was so good to see you and Ella loved seeing you too! Too bad we missed Hudson! :( We then went home, fed her dinner and she went straight to bed. Sweetie girl was pooped! She did so well all day, she never complained once! She was a perfect angel and made it the best Halloween ever and a great 30th for Brian! She is getting to be such a big girl! Love you, little Sweet Pea!

Carving Pumpkins

On Thursday night we decided to have Ella help us carve our pumpkins. When we brought the pumpkins home, she thought that they were giant orange balls and wanted to keep chewing on the stems. Of course, we didn't let her do that! Who knows where they have been! We got it all set up so we could introduce her to the lovely carving experience. Once we had all of the newspaper and everything laid out, daddy started marking the top so he could start cutting. She had a very confused look on her face when daddy started cutting into the giant orange ball and took the top off. We had a great time watching her look perplexed at the strange, stringy, orange goo coming from the orange ball. She finally got up the courage to stick her hand in the goo and found it fun to mash around. Once she liked the feeling of it in her hands, she loved rubbing it on mommy's face and swinging it around like a lasso. I may find that little orange blob that went flying through the air some day. She had so much fun and we enjoyed laughing with her. Just another fun and exciting holiday with our little baby girl!

The first touch of the orange gooeyness! Still not sure what to do with it...

Flinging it all over the room!

Helping with the scooping...

OOOHHHH, More orange goo!!!

A very pleased look after taking all of the orange stuff out!

The completed family!