Girls at Play

We took a break from Little Gym this fall, so we have our Saturday mornings free for the first time in almost 2 years. It is really nice, and we've been able to spend the last few Saturday mornings at the playground with friends

Little chums holding hands - Ella, Avni and Ryanne







In the tunnel with Kati - two peas in a pod!




BIG hug!




It's been great to have the chance for some playtime for the girls and some catch-up time for us Mommies!

Army-Duke Football Game

On Saturday we went to the Army - Duke football game at Duke. There was a West Point tailgate through the local WP Society and there were so many alumni and Army fans at the game, it was really fun. It was HOT day, in the 90s, and we had to walk so far, carrying Ella, from where we had parked. Thankfully our seats were in a section with our backs to the sun, so got a break once we sat down for the game.

The only sporting events that Ella has been to are Steve's softball games, so she's never been to a game where he hasn't played. When she first saw the field, the first thing she said was "Daddy's going to throw down there?" Then, later on in the game she asked again when daddy was going to have a turn - ha!

Even though West Point was the visiting team, there was a bunch of Army stuff during the game, which was neat, and fun to show Ella.

Golden Knight parachuting on to the field


Fly Over




Army scored right away and actually scored twice in the first quarter - very fun to watch!


During halftime there was an enlistment ceremony for 50 new soldiers


Ella did great during the game, I thought we'd probably only make it through the first half but we stayed until just a few minutes left in the last quarter when Army caught an interception and we knew the game was over. I think her excellent demeanor had something to do with the mass quantities of lemonade and popcorn she ate and drank, but I'll take it!









It was really a fun day, excellent first football game for Ella and even better that Army won!

Picture Post

I haven't had very much blogging time lately, but I've still been taking as many pictures as usual! Here are some cute ones from the last few weeks -

Putting on her jewels


Ready for school


Pretty girl


Helping me fold laundry :)


With Cory


Reading in the car


Poor little girl on her sick day


Reading in her room



Making a wish at a fountain


One of her chores - loading up the coffee dispenser when we get new coffee


Cory and Nomar snuggling in bed


Climbing at the playground

Weekend at Grammy and Grampy G's

Steve and I went to York, Pennsylvania for the wedding of Steve's friend from high school on September 12. The wedding was on Sunday so we went from Saturday to Monday. Ella stayed with Mom and Glenn and of course had tons of fun.

Mom gave me lots of updates and plenty of good pics so we knew what Ella was up to at all times :). A few of the pics that Mom sent during the weekend -

Mom told Ella they were going "camping" and Ella was excited all week about her camp-out. Here she is setting up camp -


Sleepy girl in the car on the way home from buying a crib for her baby cousin


Taking a nap on the couch


Ready for church


Enjoying a snack


Steve and I had a really nice weekend, it was relaxing and fun and a nice few days away.

A picture of us at the wedding -


It is great to be able to enjoy a few days away and know that Ella is having such a great time and is so well taken care of!

Labor Day Weekend at the Beach

Mom and Glenn took us to the beach for a final beach weekend of the summer. We kept an eye on the weather all week because Hurricane Earl was on the way to the coast, and the beach we were going to had been evacuated on Thursday morning. The storm came through Thursday night and fortunately was no big deal at all, but the beach was just about deserted by the time we got there on Friday afternoon.

Checking things out with Steve




We had perfect weather all weekend - it was mid 80s, the coolest weather of the summer, beautiful and mild. It was not at all crowded and Ella had a blast in the water and playing in the sand.

Ready to hit the beach




Fun on the beach





















Glenn got Ella an inflatable alligator for the pool that she LOVED - she loved getting rides on it, demanding which way she wanted to go, lots of chomping, and being incredibly silly with it











A cute video of Ella playing



It was a great Labor Day weekend and wonderful way to end the summer!