Golden Celebration

This past weekend we celebrated my parents 50th wedding anniversary. It was a great evening of family and friends. There were stories and laughter and tears. Always tears in this family. We are blessed, for sure.

A nice surprise!

In last week's post, I mentioned that Ella and I went to the Art Walk downtown. I also mentioned how happy she was sitting at her drumming-daddy's feet while his band played to the folks spilling out of one of the galleries.

I did a little sleuthing. I remembered our local university's independent newspaper taking pictures of the band, their mascot included. (Most of the band members have pretty strong ties to our university.) I went online, found the photographer's information/email and asked him ever-so-nicely if he could hook me up.

And he did. So, hat's off to Nick the photographer for sending me this sweet image. You can bet this one will be framed!

These are a few of my favorite things...

Ice cream.



Parties.









My big circle of people.





I have perfected my scooting skills even more! I now incorporate screaming and singing at near glass-breaking volumes. Repeating everything that Mama says is also very exciting.

I have figured out that my legs are strong, so pulling myself up on everything has been keeping me busy this week. There is so much more to explore now!

More to come this weekend, as my Grandma and Grandpa are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Another party!

xo EML

Picture Perfect Thursday

Today was one of those summer days you wish you could bottle up for mid-February. Because in our parts, mid-February is ugly. Today was anything but that! The breeze was cool, the sun was warm and the temperature hovered in the 70's. So, while I was getting lunch ready, I plopped Ella in her booster on the kitchen counter in front of our big kitchen windows. (Honestly, it was easier than taking everything outside today for a picnic. The girl can tire me out!)

Like usual, Ella can hang. She was delighted to be in her throne with a new perspective on things.





Tonight, we went downtown for the Art Walk. Larry's band played on the sidewalk in front of one of the galleries. It really was a great time. Ella was her happiest when I got her out of her stroller and let her sit on the sidewalk next to her drum-playin' daddy. There she sat, singing words only she could understand, bouncing away, smiling and melting hearts - especially ours.

Zooin' It

On Thursday, we celebrated Ella's 15 month milestone with a trip to the zoo with our friends, Roz and Katie. The girls (Roz 5 months older) were dressed up in their matching outfits, all the way down to their pink Chuck Taylor high tops!

We spent a lot of time hanging with the apes and monkeys. The girls were fascinated by them. I'm not certain the feeling was mutual.



Ella is going through some changes the last week or so. If I had to guess, and I've been doing a LOT of that, I'd say she's frustrated. Although she babbles and sings constantly, her ability to communicate what she wants is not quite there. (Even though her signing is getting better each day.) Ella's legs are getting stronger and she's standing up much better in the last few days. But crawling?? She could take or leave it. Scooting around at break-neck speed is her preferred mode of transportation.

And she is her mother's daughter, as displayed in the next series of photos.







Here's hoping these two enjoy each other as much as the two mommies do! Have a great weekend everyone. H, L & E

Ella's First Road Trip!

We recently packed up and headed to Washington Island, WI, family style. B&N Lindsay were our gracious hosts. The JT and The Clouds extended family descended upon them. We had great weather, kids and dogs everywhere, and Ella continued to charm everyone she met.



We caught the Clouds at Nelsen’s Hall, hit School House Beach.







Cooked out and hung out on Lindsay's' pretty cool back porch oasis...



...and on Sunday headed back to the mainland for the Clouds in concert at Camp David, just outside of Fish Creek. Seeing them play the converted barn/concert venue was one of the best, and most unique, shows ever.

Eleanor and Ella, socializing before their first Clouds concert.








Often in life, the highs get balanced out. As we packed up Monday morning for the trip home, we learned that Larry’s mother passed away. The news was tempered by the fact that it was no surprise, and on some levels, a blessing. We could take comfort in the fact that she enjoyed a visit from Ella about two weeks prior, before her final decline.

Nine Months Ago

At 4:54 pm on December 2, 2009, we saw her face for the very first time. I can't wait to bore her with the stories from that night - the impromptu party at our house, the laughter, the tears, the phone ringing off the hook, the text messages and the 100+ emails waiting for us on the morning of December 3rd.

Here's to nine whirlwind, wonderful, emotional months!

H