A Day with Thomas

A few Sunday's ago we made a last minute decision to drive up to Snoqualmie to visit Thomas the Tank Engine. All the tickets were sold out that day to ride on the train but we watched from the gate and it was just as exciting for Ella. She was thrilled to see Thomas but she really wanted to know why Percy didn't come too. Next year we will plan better and get tickets early so we can check out the train ride. After leaving all Ella could talk about was getting to see Thomas, it was very cute. Even the next day she wore her Thomas shirt and matching bow thanks to Aunt Laura.

Minnesota 2011

Our trip to Minnesota started off a little rough due to the airlines but after a full 8 hrs in the airport, 3 hrs of flying and 2 hrs of driving we finally made it to the cabin. The girls did awesome the entire day while waiting for a flight out. We stayed at the cabin for 4 nights. It was great because all of Jake's brothers and sister and her family took the same vacation so we could all hang out and catch up. The weather was beautiful and sunny each day! Just what we ordered. We got to swim, boat, drink and eat good food, what could be better or more relaxing. I think the best part for me was watching Ella and Bridgette interact with their cousins: Isaac and Aidan. The boys were so sweet and gentle to the girls. Ella had a great time keeping up with them. At the lake we had a huge firework show put on by Uncle Tim and Pierre. Bridgette slept through the whole thing and every time a loud firework would start she would hand me her smore and cover her ears. By the end she didn't have to cover her ears and wanted to dance with them. That night she impressed me by eating two smores and doing three sparklers all by herself. To this day I am still nervous about holding my own sparkler. Overall, we had a wonderful time visiting with everyone and are looking forward to doing it again.

Marjie and Bridgette

Captain Ella


Ready for a cruise on the lake.

Ella's Godparents and Aunt and Uncle: Tim and Renee.

Cousin Isaac and Ella: He would read to Ella and was very impressed by how smart she was when he would ask her questions about the book they were reading.

Snack time with cousin Aidan.

Ella rubbing sunscreen on daddy.

Holding her own Sparkler!!

Auntie Lindsey and Ella eating smores.

Uncle Tim and Ella

Ella got her first Mickey Mouse fishing pole from Grandma ( who loves to fish). Ella was very excited.

Patiently waiting at the airport for our plane in their 4th of July outfits.

Cars 2

This weekend Jake and I took Ella to see Cars 2, her first movie in the theater. The regular movie was sold out for the time we wanted so we took a chance and saw the 3D version. I was worried that Ella wouldn't like to wear the glasses the whole time and just want to leave, but she did pretty good. She didn't wear the glasses the whole movie and she had to go potty twice other than that she did awesome. During the movie you could tell she was excited to see all her favorite characters in action. It was fun to come home and see her wanting to act out and talk about some of the funny parts of the movie. Personally, I hope our next movie is a little more girly and has a princess in it.

Cinderella and Belle

My two little princesses all dresses up for the ball. Ella wanted to dress Bridgette up as Cinderella so they could dance at the ball. Bridgette was loving it, especially when she got to hold the wand.

Ella posing as Belle.

Ella helping Bridgette get into her costume, she even put the Cinderella shoes on her.

Sisters

For the most part Ella does extremely well when it comes to being a big sister. She wants to help change her diapers, yes even the poop filled ones, feed her and be the first one in her room to say "hi" to her when she wakes up. The other day they were actually playing together it was very cute.

Yes, she is actually smiling, usually it is very hard to pull a smile out of her for the camera.

Almost bathtime.

Before bathtime- Ella is being silly and smiling


And before bathtime- Bridgette smiling.

The Zoo and more

As a family we went to the zoo a couple of weeks ago. We went first thing in the morning when it opened which was great because it seemed like all the animals were just getting up for breakfast and a breath of fresh air. I think the monkeys were our favorite part. Even Bridgette was really into seeing the animals.



Bridgette wanted to be like Ella and color her own picture.

Bridgette is trying out a new hairstyle, I think she was using the food for gel. Thankfully, it was dinner time and she went straight into the bath after that.

At the Zoo hanging out!

Just finished seeing the birds at the Zoo.

Bridgette and Ella

Bridgette had her 1yr check up last month a little after her birthday. I just haven't had time to post her stats. So apparently she is 95% for height and 75% for weight. Yes, she is up and walking all over. She walks about 95% of the time now. She can turn corners while walking and stop to pick up things and keep walking. I will post a video soon.


This weeks she began wanting to feed me bites of her food. Also she is beginning to dip her spoon into the baby food jars and feed herself. Just today she picked up a peach and put it on her spoon and fed herself. I was so proud of her! She was so proud of herself that she began clapping.



Ella has been so good with her manners. She is such a polite little girl. Whenever I tell her to do something her response is always, "OK mom." Ella is officially out of diapers at night!! Yeah!! So far we have had only two accidents. She has done so well staying dry at night that today she got to have a Princess Belle costume dress.





Papa bought Ella a princess bell for her bike.

Happy girl!

Sweet baby Bridgette.

Bridgette enjoying the sunshine.