My New Sandbox

Ella has been asking for a sandbox for over a month now so last Friday we went out to buy supplies. We even finished the night with a stop to get ice cream. We all had a great time! The next morning she was so excited she got up at 5:30 and came downstairs to our bedroom to ask if it was time to build her sandbox! Later that morning she and Casey put it together. Here are the pictures highlighting the fun!

Ella helped Daddy push the wood around the store.

Ella helped Daddy measure some cuts!

Yeah - the frame is done!

Thank you Daddy!!!

I LOVE playing in my sandbox!!!!!

Playing Ball with Fenway

Ella loves to play ball with Fenway. She has been working very hard this spring trying to throw a tennis ball to him using a fetch stick. Today she perfected it without any help! In the video she calls Fenway "Buddy" - this is one of his nicknames. :) Here is a video I took showing her progress.

Excited for a Sandbox

This spring Ella has discovered her love of sandboxes. Whenever she finds one she is content to play there for a long time. She loves them so much she has asked us to buy one for her. She wants Daddy to build her one in the backyard! After dinner one night Ella was talking about how excited she was for a new sand box!

Cooking with Auntie C.C.

We were lucky to have Auntie C.C. visit us for a week. Ella enjoyed playing with her while Casey and I welcomed her help in painting baby boy's room. (I will post pictures of that in the near future.) On Auntie C.C.'s last night she and Ella were busy in the kitchen making pizza and monkey bread. Their cooking was delicious!

A visit from Aunties and Cousins!

In April Auntie Tammie, Auntie Heidi, Cousin Brandon and Cousin Maclain came to visit us for a week. We all had so much fun! We played in the backyard, explored the neighborhood and did some sightseeing together. Ella especially loved playing with Mac and Brandon or as she calls them "Mac n Branna." Here are some highlights from our week together.

Uncle Casey brought the boys to the Nasa Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. They all wanted to wear matching shirts that day. :)

Maclain and Brandon in front of a Saturn V rocket.

We all met for lunch that day at Red Robin. The tower of onion rings was a hit with everyone!

We had dinner one night with the Plummers and enjoyed a fun game of kickball in the backyard.

One day it rained so we stayed home and made some whoopie pies. It was alot of fun!

Backyard Pool Fun

This spring we have spent alot of time in the backyard enjoying the beautiful weather. Ella and Fenway love playing in the kiddie pool on warm days.

Happy Easter

We enjoyed a beautiful Easter with my mother and father while they were visiting! We began the morning by watching Ella do an egg hunt and explore her Easter basket. Then we went to church and spent the afternoon with some wonderful friends.

Ella was mostly interested in eating her chocolate eggs on Easter morning!

Spending a wonderful Easter with Nina and Bonka!

A group photo after church!

Doing Dishes

Ella LOVES to do dishes for Mummy and Daddy!

Eating With Chopsticks

Last week while my parents were visiting we went out to dinner for sushi. Ella spent alot of time trying to figure out how to use chopsticks. We all had a wonderful time.

Easter Egg Hunt

Today Ella participated in an Easter Egg Hunt at a local church. She had a great time collecting eggs and enjoyed watching a puppet show after.

A Hike to Rainbow Mountain

A few weeks ago we decided to go for a hike on Rainbow Mountain here in Madison. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed exploring the area around our new neighborhood.

Looking in a stream with Daddy.

Fenway LOVED the hike that day.
Ella wanted to wear Daddy's hat and hold Fenway's leash.
Rainbow Mountain has lots of interesting rock formations.

Rainbow Mountain has wonderful views of Madison.

Happy 2nd Birthday Ella!

Ella turned 2 on February 4th! We celebrated by having a yummy dinner with friends and an ice cream cake. Here are some pictures from her special day.

Mmmm cake!

Ella's ice cream cake.


Happy Birthday Ella!

Ella LOVES her friends Emma and Sophie!

" Look what I got!"

Go Red Sox!

Meeting Santa

I know this is late but I thought the pictures were cute. We attended a children's Christmas party at Chuck E. Cheese through Casey's work in the middle of December. Ella got to meet and interact with Santa but she would not sit on his lap. She also had fun eating pizza and playing lots of games.