Colby Dancing

The other night while we were listening to music Ella and Colby started dancing. Colby really got into it this time! I was grateful my camera was handy to catch the moment. Although the lighting for the video isn't the best you can see why Colby put a smile on our faces.

A Night at the Gaylord OpryLand Hotel

Last week Casey had to travel to Nashville for a conference. The kids and I decided to go with him. We had a great time staying a night at the beautiful Gaylord Opryland Hotel.

Ella and Colby checking out one of the many fountains inside the hotel.

Ella thought these horses were really funny!

Checking out another fountain with Daddy.

Playing checkers at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant after breakfast.

The kids loved taking a ride on the Delta River Boat tour at the hotel.

Our Trip to Florida

Our trip to Florida in March was wonderful. We did lots of fun things while spending time with Mimi and Pup. We even got to spend a couple of days with Nina and Bonka because of their travels in the area. There were so many great memories and lots of awesome pictures that it was hard to pick what to put in the blog. I have attempted to highlight all of our adventures but be sure to check back for a slide show I will be posting in a day or two.

Our drive to Florida took 13.5 hours and our drive home took 14 hours. The kids and the dogs were excellent travelers.

My parents were attending a Shrine event in Tampa and decided to make the short drive to Venice to spend a couple of days with us.

The first weekend we were there I ran my first half marathon (Sarasota Half Marathon and Relay) and loved it. I can't wait to do another!

We spent some time downtown Venice shopping, going to the farmer's market and playing in the little splash park! The kids loved getting wet :)

Ella and Colby enjoyed trying to catch the water.

During our week we got lots of beach time in. Colby wasn't so sure he liked the waves at first.

One of our favorite things to do during our visit is go to drum circle at Nakomis Beach. While the sun is setting there is always a big crowd of drummers and dancers on the beach. It is fun to watch. From year to year we have made sure to take family photos in front of the sunset.

Ella and Colby in front of a fire truck at a local car show.

Chloe and Fenway love going to the beach too!

Each year we always try to see a Red Sox spring training game. This year we saw a game in the new JetBlue Park. Colby picked out his first Red Sox baseball hat after the game.

While visiting Historic Spanish Point Ella was quite amazed by this shell waterfall. For those of you who don't know Ella LOVES shells.

In February Ella, Colby and I went to Maine for a week to see family. The kids had a blast playing with the cousins and loved being around their aunties, uncles, grandparents and great grandmother. We went bowling, visited the American Girl Store, had a movie night and went sledding. It was really sad when we had to leave but we are already counting down the time until we visit again in the summer. Below is a video that shows most of the pictures from our week.

A Trip To Maine

We love our dogs!

Chloe has been a wonderful addition to our family. She loves all of us and we love her! Here is a picture I took one night of Fenway and her cuddling together on the couch!

Chloe loves to cuddle! This is one of my favorite pictures of her napping with Ella.

Fenway loves Ella too!

Fenway especially loves to hold hands. He is always putting his paw on us when we are relaxing . Here is a picture of Fenway holding Casey's hand while on a road trip.

Ella Turns FOUR!!!

On February 4th Ella turned four years old! She celebrated her birthday with many of her special friends. Her Mimi and Pup were also able to join us :) The theme of her party was Mommy and Me. Ella picked it because she loves to play with her Bitty baby and all of her baby doll toys. At the party everyone brought along their special doll :)

The cupcake Ella decorated at her party. The big ones were for the Mommies and the little ones for the babies :)

Ella and her Bitty Baby. They love each other VERY much!!!!!

The baby carrier Ella got as a birthday present.

Mimi and Pup got Ella a guitar for her birthday. She is becoming a wonderful musician :)

Ella was very excited to celebrate her birthday at school. She shared these pink cake pops with her class. They were a big hit.

Go Patriots!!!

We are ready for the game tonight!!! Go Patriots!!!

Ella wanted to add a funny face picture too ;)
Go Patriots!!!

Happy New Year

Casey and I began dating ten years ago on New Year's Eve. To celebrate our "anniversary" we went for a family hike to Rainbow Mountain and took in the last sunset of 2011. When we got home Casey made the most delicious dinner! He made beef wellington, roasted fingerling potatoes and a warm wilted winter greens salad with parmesan cheese shavings and pomegranate seeds. It was the best dinner ever!

Casey cooking the meal. He has become quite a chef!

Not only was the dinner fabulous but it was beautiful too!

Merry Christmas

Ella's Christmas Musical

Ella did a great job singing in the Christmas musical for her school. She practiced for several weeks memorizing the songs for this special night. She had a great time singing with her classmates and eating some yummy treats after. Be sure to watch the video of one of the songs she sang. :)

Mmmmm cupcakes!

Posing in front of the Christmas tree.

After Colby really wanted to practice shaking the maracas that Ella used in the musical.

We finished the night by listening to holiday music in the car while driving around looking at all the beautirul Christmas lights.

A Visit With Santa

Ella and Colby had a great time at the children's Christmas party for Casey's work once again. It was held at a hand's-on science center with snacks and a visit with Santa. This year when Colby met Santa he was not as excited. In fact, he cried the whole time while on his lap. Ella, on the other hand, enjoyed talking with Santa and telling him all about our dogs and the toys she wanted for Christmas.

Colby did not want to sit on Santa's lap this year.

"Mummy, Daddy . . . . I really want to get off Santa's lap now."

Ella loved chatting with Santa this year.

Ella had fun making giant bubbles in the science center.

We all had fun making music on these xylophones.

We Love to Dance!

Ella loves to dance to music and Colby is really getting into it as well. Here is a fun video from the other morning. I love how Colby imitates Ella's dance moves :)

Meet Chloe - The Newest Member of Our Family!

Meet Chloe - the newest member of our family! We adopted her from the group Friends of Retrievers here in Huntsville. As soon as Fenway met her he really liked her and immediately wanted to play! The rest of us was struck by her beauty and sweetness. She loves attention and affection and is doing a wonderful job with obedience. She is a 2 year old pure bred golden retriever that came to the rescue group as a stray. We took her into our home as a foster with the option to adopt. She is officially our dog now and in the month that we have had her she has settled right in. We all love her so much and can not imagine her living anywhere else.

In Chloe's previous life we don't think she received much attention. Here she is letting Casey and Ella pack her into a box that had been mailed to us earlier in the day. She loved every minute of it!

This is Chloe's first hike on Rainbow Mountain. She was a little jealous that Fenway got to be off leash but had a wonderful time!

Fenway and Chloe are best buddies. They are always near one another and have a blast playing in the backyard every day.

Chloe came to us with the name Autumn. Casey and I liked the name Casco (from Casco Bay in Portland Maine) but Ella LOVED the name Chloe and was the one in the family to officially name her.