Easter Fun Part 1.... Ella's 1st Hunt

Ella was invited to her 1st egg hunt last week. One of our close families from the church, Brody and Jane Ann Stone, have a yearly egg hunt for their entire neighborhood. The Stones did a great job pulling the community together. We were so glad to be apart of the egg hunt....Ella loved every moment of it.

We have been working with Ella on drinking from a cup. Chrissy wanted to make sure that Ella was hydrated for the big event.

At first we had to coach Ella in the object of putting the eggs in the basket.

Ella learned quickly... but the hunt ended once she found this blue egg. The one blue egg was obviously all she wanted.

We put the blue egg in the basket.... Ella went searching for it.

In the end... Ella realized there was a prize in the egg. As you should guess it was candy.... we were glad that she didn't know it. She was content with just hearing the crackle of the paper.

Easter Fun Part 2

During the egg hunt they had a small carnival type set-up going on. Ella could not walk fast enough.... trying to get to all of the stuff.

Who has ever seen an easter bunny arrive to the hunt on a Harley Davidson motorcycle?

Ella loved the Easter Bunny... She kept wanting to give him kisses..... (at one point she was following him everywhere!)

Don't worry... we didn't let her throw the darts at the balloons... we just let her touch them before the darts were thrown.

One of the neighborhood families had a playground in their backyard... Ella enjoyed going down the slide... over and over again.

One of the activity stations was sidewalk chalk. This was Ella's first time using the chalk... she loved it!

Ella's Dog Encounter...

Ella loves dogs.....she loves them only when they are a few feet away. During our time at the easter egg hunt Ella encountered a few new friends. These pictures help you to see her gradual interest in petting her new friends.

Finally.....

Over the past few weeks Chrissy and I have been trying to work with Ella on learning how to color. Much of this effort on my part was to hopefully see that she obtained my artistic gene....(I realize that this is a crazy thought.....I know she is only 17 month old). For Chrissy, this skill was seen more through the lense of education.... trying to build Ella's fine motor skills.

We have tried it all....we have the large crayons.... we have the large animal sized markers.... we have the disappearing water pencil....... nothing seemed to work. If anything Ella just wasn't into it. Then last week Chrissy picked up Ella from childcare during women's Bible study... and what did she find? Ella sitting at the minature table coloring the above picture.

Ella now loves to color. As I left home this morning she was sitting at her little table coloring a picture of a hippo.

Chrissy and I are thrilled with this small but new accomplishment. I have a feeling that we are going to be like those parents who have simple coloring sheets posted everywhere.

A Wish Granted....

The emails... the blog comments.. the phone calls.... so many of you have been asking to see a photo of Chrissy during Hudson's pregnancy. Well... here you go... your wish has been granted.

It is amazing how things change with the 2nd child. Life seems to be so busy that you forget to take photos... ( I am sure that some of you can't imagine us forgetting to take photos)..... these are the first photos that we have taken and Chrissy is only 2 weeks away!

As you can see in these pictures life has been quite challenging for Chrissy,trying to carry Ella with a growing belly.

(FYI: We do not leave Ella in her pajamas during the day... these photos were taken in the early morning)

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Hudson Update: Considering that Hudson does not come naturally before March 26th... Chrissy will be induced sometime between March 26th and 28th. We should find out the date tomorrow, Thursday March 13th.

Our little actress... Ella Grace.

Oh, how we love our little Ella.

Okay... I know that many of you will be looking hard for a wall mural in Ella and Hudson's playroom.... well as you can see it is not there! I had hoped to have it done by Hudson's arrival but that has not happened. There just doesn't seem to be enough time in a day.

Ella loves rubbing my face and squeezing me ears.

My favorite time of day is seeing Ella when I get home and getting lots of hugs and kisses. We have to be careful with the hugs and kisses... my face seems to give Ella face burn!


Ella says "Cheese" as soon as she sees the camera....even if it is in the camera bag.

Ella loves her playtable. Her fairy doll house is a favorite!

Happy as can be!

Christmas in February

Over the past 3 weeks Chrissy and I have been doing some needed work in our yard. With warmer weather and another baby on the way we thought it would be best to take care of a few items. We just installed an awesome privacy fence and mulched a section of our back yard. In conjunction with all of this work we were finally able to install Ella's christmas gift.... her new playhouse. Her playhouse has been sitting in the garage for months, waiting to be put together. As you can see in these photos Ella loves the playhouse. We can't wait for spring.... many of you know we love to entertain by having people over. We can't wait to enjoy this with family and friends.

Ready for Warm Weather

Ella is excited about her new bathing suit. Finding the right fit has been a little challenging. We realize it will be a while before warm weather arrives but Ella is now ready.

Oh Happy Day

The past two days have been wonderful.... much due to the fact that Ella is now feeling great! It is so nice to see a day when everyone is happy and healthy!

Goodbye Jax

Since our arrival in Birmingham (June 07) our closest friends have been Wade and Kimberly Lombard. Much of the reason for me being at Metro Church is due to them. We have experience alot with the Lombards over the past 8 months. We have lived with them... we have shared weekly meals together.... we have shopped together... and the list could go on. The Lombards have a son, Jax, who is the same age as Ella. Jax and Ella have played together weekly. People many times think that Ella and Jax are twins. This week, Ella's friend Jax moved to Austin, Texas. Chrissy and I have been sad about the move but realize that God has something great instore for this wonderful family.

So to Jax..... I will miss you dearly! Thanks for being such a great friend. I can't wait to come and visit you soon. - Your Friend Ella Grace

The Winter Blues

This winter Ella has experienced about every form of sickness possible. One week she has the cold, the next week she has a form of bronchitis and this past week she had the flu! As you can see in these photos she has been through just about all that nature can bring. Having the flu on Valentine's day was no fun.... not only that.... Chrissy and Ella both had the flu.

There was only one way to help this Valentine's Day be a blast.... for Chrissy, she got her favorite ..... Godiva chocolates...for Ella, she got a new baby stroller. It was amazing to see how a baby stroller can brighten a little girls day!

A sick little Ella.


Can life be anymore fun?

Ella loves her babies.