The True Meaning of the Season

Upon waking to the sweet voice of a three and a half year old boy saying "Mommy and Daddy I heard Santa on the roof",  and the plentiful gifts that awaited us this Christmas morning, we like to remember the true meaning of the season.   Today is the day our Lord, Jesus Christ, was born or as Evan likes to say "It's Baby Jesus' birthday".  As we continue through this glorious day with our loved ones, whether we are with them or not, we will not forget the true meaning of this season, the celebration of our Savior's birth.   Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas Day!

Ella Bella 7 months

Ella, you are getting SO big!   You now weigh in at 16 pounds.  Your smile lights up a room.  This month you have started to move from a sitting position to your belly.  You also are squirming around on the ground.  You are more brave as you reach for things that aren't necessarily within your reach.   Whether you are in my arms or on the ground, you are quite the wiggle worm, no longer hanging out in one place.  You make different sounds, like 'ma' and 'ba'  Sometimes I am not sure who talks more or who is louder, you or your brother.  No one can make you smile and laugh more than your big brother.  As of now, your brother considers you as his best friend.   I hope that lasts forever.

  Happy 7 months (a little late) my sweet girl!

Favorite Game: Peek A Boo

Favorite Foods: Banana and Cheerios

Favorite Song:  If You're Happy and You Know It

Favorite Toy: Leap Frog Musical Table

Favorite Book: Where Is Baby's Belly Button

The Magic of Santa

                                We made our annual visit to see Santa at the 900 North Shops!

halloween 2012

What a FUN adventure this year!   The streets were filled with kids, families, laughter and squeals from kids running from house to house trick or treating. We tagged along with some of our neighbors this year for a memorable first halloween in our new home of Hinsdale.   Looking forward to the many trick or treating years to come.

Evan and Ella before we headed out to trick or treat.   

Evan and his neighborhood buddies did not want to stop for a picture.  They were so excited to run from house to house getting candy.   

Near the end of our halloween adventure Evan and Kaden lost their steam and decided to set a play date for another day and called it a night.

Evan and Hayleigh, our next door neighbor

Ella and Mommy trick or treating (not one of our finest pictures but we wanted to capture the moment for Miss Ella.)  Ella wasn't in the mood to go out until we strapped her in the carrier and started walking around.   She went trick or treating with us for 2 hours.  Both the kids were troopers!

ella.6 months

It's hard to believe you already half way to your first birthday!  

I LOVE how your smile lights up a room!

Happy 6th months Miss Ellasyn!  So proud to be your mommy!

Our Pug Bug...

enjoying the beautiful weather today!

Papa, Nana, & Grandkids

I absolutely LOVE this photo from Dominik's baptism that I had to post!

Ellasyn.5 Months

What a joy the last month has been watching your personality shine through!   

You are so engaging.   It is fun watching you take in your environment, how you learn from what you see and mimic some actions of what others do.   You are at your happiest in Mommy's arms but you will let Daddy comfort you if Mommy is not around.  Your brother always knows how to bring a smile to your face, and sometimes tears to your eyes when he forgets how small and fragile you still are.  

I am amazed at how much you are changing and the little girl you are becoming.  

Happy 5 months sweetheart!

Blackberry Farm.2012

We had a wonderful day at Blackberry Farm!  The weather was cold but the sun was shining to make the day bright and a bit warmer.   We went on a train ride, a tractor ride, and carousel.  We visited the one room school house, old town museum, log cabin, and blacksmith.  It was so nice spending the day with Grandma and Grandpa making more fun memories!!!

Blackberry Farm, Aurora, IL

Trying to keep warm as we walked through the farm.  It was a cold day.

Grandma and Grandpa with Dave and Ella on the train.  Ella enjoyed it!

And of course, E liked the train ride too!

These little tractors were adorable.  E enjoyed riding everyone of them.

Not in the mood to pose for another picture.

Inside the one room school house sitting at a desk.

Ella sitting on one of the many carriages.

Our family of four on the tractor wagon ride...both the kids loved it!

Apple Holler.2012

Apple picking this year was fun!   A bit different with 2 children but another memory that will have for years.  Evan loved the tractor ride and Ella took everything in.   Looking forward to all the fall activities coming ahead!

Ellasyn.4 Months

My beautiful baby girl, you are growing so quickly!  

At four months old you now can babble and coo, scream nearly as loud as your big brother, Evan.  You put yourself to sleep, self soothe, and sleep a lot.  You pick toys up with your hands, lay on your tummy and raise your head very high.  You like when songs are sung to you, especially "Shake Shake Shake". You still don't like car rides or the car seat.   You definitely LOVE being held.  Your favorite toy is a hanging Eric Carle lady bug.  Your favorite book is Where is Baby's Belly Button by Karen Katz.  You are afraid to miss out on anything.  You love being in the front facing baby carrier.  You are very observant of your surroundings.  You love watching Evan play and move around. 

You are a sweet happy little girl. 

  

My favorites about you are your smile, how happy you are when you are with me, how you already know what you want and how to let one know that you want it.  You have taught me to laugh more when things just aren't going as planned, and to sit..breathe...watch...listen...and embrace all these precious baby moments.   

Happy 4  months Miss Ellasyn!  

Potty Trained!!!

EVAN is potty trained!  Thanks to my mom for getting him started.  It took E three days to master going to the bathroom on the potty and for him to get out of the mindset that he was wearing a diaper.  We are so proud of him!    He is now officially a big boy and no longer our baby.   Since he has been accident free for 3 days,  we took him to the Disney store to pick out a toy and he chose SpiderMan!  

You can definitely tell Evan & Ella are related...

Evan 3 months

Ella 3 months

Evan 3 months

Ella 3 Months

Cousins (or as E calls them...fousins!)

Ella, Evan, & Dominik

3 Months.Ellasyn

My beautiful sweet baby girl is 3 months old!

fourth.of.july.2012

Dave, Evan, Ella, & I went to the Hinsdale parade this morning.

 Evan watched the fire engines, marching band, police, and dancers.  It was H.O.T!!!!

Cooling off in the shade.   

 Evan, Ella, and I trying to keep cool.  

Off to a 4th of July party this afternoon...

Summer Backyard F.U.N.

E was all smiles this weekend!  He loved playing in his new sprinkler  and helping Daddy mow the lawn.

I LOVE E's expression! 

He convinced Daddy to go with him.  Didn't take much :)

He wanted to know how it worked so he started to experiment with it a bit.