Day 243 of 365

Playing in the sand. Only it's at the park...and not the beach :) After all the rains from Hurricane Irene we needed to get outside...and we had a great day :)

Day 242 of 365

Spinning! She was playing the songs on one of the fridge toys and dancing and grooving to the music. :)

Day 241 of 365

Wilson's cousin Spaulding going for a ride in Ellie's stroller. Lol...she's got him strapped in too...which made me literally laugh out loud!

Day 240 of 365

Hurricane Irene...the aftermath. We made out pretty good here. Power went out a few times but came back on :) I think we're some of the few people in our county that has power. Just a few limbs here and there...my rose bushes got hammered...but very lucky to not have major damage. And now I see the sun trying to peak through the clouds...thank goodness she's over!!

Day 239 of 365

Hurricane Irene watch Day 2. I snapped this quick on my way down to my photo shoot this morning. Creepy clouds and the wind is picking up now. Last night it was eerily calm outside...like no breeze...nothing. Still as still could be. Anywhoo...we'll be inside all day today munching away on our snackies :)

Day 238 of 365

Hurricane Irene watch Day 1. Taking a break from Ellie's Fashion Fridays...you've seen all her summer clothes by now..lol. So we hit the store today to get some water to prepare...and a few other items since all we really have in this house is fruit! And look what we saw. Almost all the water was gone already. It's insane! And the lines were horrendous...I can't imagine what it's like out there now with people getting ready to come home from work...yikes! I'm glad I got it out of the way this morning...and we can just stay inside for the night. I have a 3 month old shoot tomorrow morning...but after that we'll be hunkered down in our house until she's blown through. Will keep you posted with pics :) Happy Friday!

Day 237 of 365

Dance Party! She wanted to get her jammies on and have a "jammy jam"...how cute is that? So that's what we did...jammies...and dancing to Tinkerbell movie songs. Love this girl! Something so simple can make her so happy!!

Day 236 of 365

Not gonna fit anymore kid! This was her halloween costume from last year. Sadly...it doesn't fit anymore...it's too tight...and way to short. But she keeps trying. Gotta love her determination :)

Day 235 of 365

Playing at the park! In the sand pit no less...and we forgot all our beach toys at home! Oh well!

The day just got more interesting...as you know...we had an earthquake here..but all is ok with us. Just a few things knocked over..nothing big...but I was pretty shaken up for awhile. Creepiest feeling on the second floor of our home...sort of felt like someone picked up our house and slammed it down a few times. Anywhoo...back to normal now :)

Day 234 of 365

Yum! A popsicle after a nice long walk outside. It was a gorgeous day followed by an equally wonderful evening. Makes me ready for fall!

Day 233 of 365

Look at me! This is one of her new phrases that Daddy taught her. Instead of pointing her 2 fingers in..like look into my eyes...she points them out...sort if like feelers. Lol...funny kid!

Day 232 of 365

Smiley girl! Potty training still going strong! Whhohoo!! Lots to celebrate in our house :)

Day 231 of 365

Ellie's Fashion Friday! A hand me down dress from ON...and a frozen yogurt. These are quickly becoming one of our favorite snacks!! Happy Friday :)

Day 230 of 365

We have a new favorite short movie! We pre-ordered the new Veggie Tales movie back in June...and it finally came in. I have to say...it's really cute! It's about being ok with who you are..and who God made you to be...and that you shouldn't wish for a life like someone elses. The characters are hilarious...Princess Poppyseed and Vanna Banana :) They trade lives...and learn that it isn't all that it's cracked up to be :) Highly recommend it!! And the songs are great to sing to :)

Day 229 of 365

Big girl panties! She's now an underwear model! LOL...we got her some bigger panties...which I think she tolerates better now. It was a struggle to get to her them on...so this is better. I had to get a size 4T! Big girl!! :)

Day 228 of 365

Happy Birthday to Grammie C! Here we are brushing our teeth this morning...and checking to make sure our breath smells nice :) Makes me laugh every time I look at it :)

Day 227 of 365

Day 4. I thought it would be better to take a picture of her potty chart instead of what I found on the floor today. Thought it might be more "positive" to see how many times she's went potty on her big girl potty. I have to say I will probably never forget those words yelled to me tonight..."Mommy...there's poop on the floor!"...sigh...yes...those are words a mother NEVER forgets...or EVER wants to hear again.

Day 226 of 365

Day 3 of potty training. We're still alive! LOL...it's actually going pretty good. She made #2 in the potty last night with Granny Lou Lou...so that was HUGE...and we're just trucking right along. Plenty of stickers on her chart...and she's had her share of suckers too. :)

Day 225 of 365

Creative Fun! So last Saturday I got invited to go to my favorite store, Paper Source, for a private party. Here's some of what we made...and I have to tell you..the owl is just about the cutest thing ever! I had so much fun...it was great to get away from the house...and have some girl time. Definitely wish I had more time/energy to be this creative all the time. That's my problem...I have all these things I want to do...but just never enough time...ok...energy to do it all.

Day 224 of 365

Ellie's Fashion Friday....and yes....the POTTY! She's wearing a shirt from Carter's...and sporting the big girl potty from Target ;) Day 1 of really potty training...and a few accidents...but that's ok..it's day 1 right? Fingers crossed we stay patient with her ;)

Day 223 of 365

Sandy Puc' was AWESOME! I'm sure most of you don't know who in the world I'm talking about. Well...she's a well known photographer...and she's currently on tour doing her Creative Edge Kids Tour...and I went to it tonight. It was fabulous. I learned so much...and am so glad I went!!

Day 222 of 365

Heading back home. We had a great time here...and hope to visit another one some time soon. She finally got the hang of the life jacket today...of course!! LOL...and so we had a great last couple of hours swimming. Heading back home...and Mommy gets to go play at the Vera Bradley VIP event...whoohoo!!

Day 221 of 365

Life jackets. The GWL only allows kids to use coast guard approved flotation devices...which is awesome...but Ellie is used to playing in the pool with little swimmies on her arms. Not at all used to a life jacket. So...taking some time to get used to it is hard...and she resisted wearing it most of the day. Oh well....forge ahead I say ;)

Day 220 of 365

Mini vacay!!! We took off out of town for a couple days to hang out as a family at the Great Wolf Lodge. Having a great time in the outside pool!!

Day 219 of 365

Dress up! Playing with her potato heads in one of her dresses...just so happens its one of the dresses from our wedding...almost 4 years ago. Funny that it almost fits her perfectly :)

Day 218 of 365

My Little Mermaid. She loves her nightly routine of a bath and bedtime. We've done it since she was a tiny baby...and she especially loves laying back in the tub..and swishing her hair. I kinda like doing that too!

Day 217 of 365

Ellie's Fashion Friday! Wearing a cute polka dot shirt from Crazy 8..and khaki shorts from Carters. Sipping milk in her cup from Dutch Wonderland. I'd say it's a great Friday! :)

Day 216 of 365

Once again...multitasking...watching a movie on the tv...and playing the ipad...plus at some point probably watching ANOTHER movie on the ipad. At least she's getting prepared for motherhood ;)

Day 215 of 365

Black & White love. I love when she's sitting still...and I can snap a quick picture of her. It doesn't happen very often...so when it does...I try to make the most of it :)

Day 214 of 365

Family portrait by Ellie. We look fabulous! I'm loving my tail...and Daddy's got beautiful blue eyeshadow! And can we talk about Ellie's outrageous hair do? We are one stylin' family!! :)

Day 213 of 365

Cowboy Daddy! The pink is nice..really compliments the green shirt ;) Obviously this is Ellie's new cowgirl hat Grammie C got her...but Daddy was taking his turn with it. Just a tad too small darn it ;)