Happy Valentine's Day!

Ok...I am not even going to attempt to explain my absence of updating Ella's blog. I've decided to pick up from here & plan to think of a creative way to fill in the blanks of the last 5 months...to be continued...

We are back in time for Ella to say Happy Valentine's Day! We had a relaxing weekend and a wonderful day. It was so nice to see the sun for the 1st time in a couple weeks. We got to play outside this afternoon & Ella was so happy! We ended the day with a rainstorm and coldfront that blew in (surprising us) and a delicious steak & lobster dinner that Jeff cooked. Enjoy the pics & love to all!

Fun Dip break - a 1st from her Valentine party at school. Oh Yummy!

"E, l, l, a, that's Ella!"

Ella wrote her name for the first time by herself the day before her 3 year old birthday party. I had been working with her on writing it for about and week, and we were very surprised she caught on so quickly! Friday morning she was in the bathtub while I was making her bed. She called me and said "Look what I did Mommy, E, l, l, a, that's Ella. I did it!" Yes, the "a" needs a little work to look just right, but "way to go, big girl!"

Labor Day Fun

Earlier this month we had a fun Labor Day weekend. The Jenkins' came to visit - Nana, Papa, Aunt Jenny, Uncle D, Baby Taylor, Aunt Jules & Brent. Ella & Nana got some quality bonding time Saturday night while we went to the Robert Earl Keen concert & on Sunday when we had our last river float of the season. It was wonderful to see Taylor as she is growing so fast! She was a great little traveler, visiting New Braunfels for the 1st time. We also celebrated Papa's birthday & Ella's a little bit early since her Aunts & Uncle couldn't make it for her birthday party. Thanks for coming to see us!
Taylor Kellogg - almost 4 months.Look at that beautiful smile!

Adventures in Dallas

Ella went home from Abilene with Nana & Papa to spend a week in Dallas. I had to start back to work a week before full-time childcare began, so "Camp Dallas" it was. After spending Sunday & Monday with Nana & Papa, she was on to Meme & Pop's house for the rest of the week. She had so much fun! Lots of swimming time, a trip to the Dallas World Aquarium & the Dallas Zoo. They rode the Dart Rail downtown on both outings & Ella thought it was so cool! After reliving her visit with a lot of great pictures, here some highlights.

1st Dart Rail "train" ride to The Dallas World Aquarium.
We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo...

Yummy berries!

Wedding in Abilene

In August, we went to Abilene for Brad & Karen's wedding. Ella had a ball - it was her first wedding & her first hotel stay. We could not have asked for a better little traveler. She knew she looked so beautiful in her fancy new dress. She kept calling herself a princess. The conversation we had about Karen (the bride) was priceless. When Ella saw her at the reception she said, "Mommy, do you see that REAL LIVE PRINCESS? Let's go talk to her." When we had a chance to give our congratulations, Ella just stood there speechless, staring up at her. I picked her up & she was so happy to be so close to such a beautiful princess! We got a lot of great pics, because Ella was really showing off for the camera. "Face Mask," Hilarious! Loves her Baby Taylor... ...and her Papa. Dancing with 2nd cousins.Playing with Lauren.

Yes, it is True!

I am now a working (out of the house) mother & this neglected blog sure shows that. My teacher orientation/staff development began Aug. 10 & the last post I made on here was Aug. 11. Wow - how ironic! I promise I had every intention of keeping up with this, but priorities have shifted. It's all good, though. After 4 weeks, we are settling into our new routine nicely & I am finding the time & energy for it all. Although I missed Ella more than I ever imagined the first couple of weeks, from day 1 she has LOVED school (daycare), Ms. Beth (her teacher)& her new friends. The stories she tells about her day are precious & make us realize how "grown up" she has become. Jeff has been absolutely wonderful with his new morning routine & is really enjoying his extra time with Ella! Since, I leave the house at 6:15 (before Ella is awake,) he is responsible for getting her up & out of the house. Everyday she is happy & dressed with tennis shoes, a "perfect" ponytail & matching bow. Now onto the updates. I am going to highlight a few fun times we've had over the past 6 weeks.

Ella & Mommy ready for their "new schools."

Family Visit

Charlie, Linda, Bryan, & Bailey came to New Braunfels for a quick trip last week. It was great to get together & have the chance to catch up. Ella & Bailey were so cute together! We went out to dinner in Gruene one night & enjoyed grilling out the house the other. Ella got to show them all around Schlitterbahn & the girls had a blast swimming & sliding. They also loved chasing each other around the backyard & their little conversations were so funny. If Bailey got out of Ella sight she would say "Where'd my new friend go? Where's Bailey?"

At The General Store in Gruene