Collin is the best Daddy! He loves doing anything for or with Ella. And he's got some mean hair-styling skills.

One ponytail just isn't enough. Our little girl get's three!

She's very smart. Walking and drinking from a sippy cup at the same time!

naked baby!

This morning Ella was calling for me! I was very happy to hear it. Usually she is wanting her Daddy. I opened her door to find this: a naked baby!

Isn't she a cutie?

Yes, she is always this happy!

I love this one. Perfect.

(And so modest)

Her jam-jams. Disposed of on the ground.

simple fall wreath

I love simple wreaths. Lately, I've been making my own, because I can't seem to find what I want without spending too much $$$. I don't understand why something some simple can cost so much. Anyhow, I made this one for Fall-Thanksgiving. I found the color bulbs at Tai Pan and the wreath and ribbon at Hobby Lobby. Did I mention that this was my first visit to Hobby Lobby. LOVE IT! I wish it were a bit closer to my home, but totally worth the drive.  So here's the wreath. I like the way it turned out. 

Just simple. Just pretty.

Oh the best part...this wreath cost less than $6 to make!

family photos

I was dying for some new family photos and really wanted to get Ella's photo for her 1-year birthday, but didn't want to spend a fortune on it.

We decided to try Fotofly off a recommendation of a photographer friend.

Glad we did! It was a fun experience and I really like all of our photos. And it was VERY affordable. ($79) So are the prints. The people were great...even with our "tough" little model. Keep looking; you'll see what I am talking about.

Each time Collin or I walked away from her. This. 

Yes, that is fear you see in my little girl's eyes.

Happiness now. With Mommy & Daddy

Sad. Again.

Despite the tears, we really loved this shoot. And love the photos. Just can't believe how fast our little one is growing. 

a little observation

Our Little Ella observes EVERYTHING just like her Daddy. She watches everybody and all they do. She is very thoughtful and has a system for everything she does. I love this about her. But, who does she watch the most? Me and Collin. The last few days the impact of this quality in our little one-year old has hit me. My Mom & Dad babysat for Friday evening. After telling us how cute she is (of course!), my Mom said that so much of what Ella does reminds her of me. So, I started watching. And listening. 

Ella likes things to go her way and can get frustrated when it isn't happening the way she'd like. When things aren't her way, in the time she'd like, she grunts. Loudly. And then blows out air. And then grunts again. Even louder. She tries again. And grunts. Then she tries again. And grunts. This is repeated over and over until things go her way or she is so frustrated she can't stand it and moves on to something else. Hummm. That reminds me a little bit of someone I know.

Ella loves food. She is such a good eater. She always has been and that has made me so happy. It made the first 8 months (nursing) so much easier for me. Up until a few weeks ago she would eat anything. She would try anything. And enjoyed it. Just like her Daddy does. But, she's become a little more picky. She'll still try everything, but if it isn't the right food from her plate or if she doesn't like the way it tastes she refuses to eat it. She tightens her lips and refuses to eat anymore. Now, you could say this is because she is now eating all the foods we eat and just has certain tastes. Or you could continue watching what she does. She scrunches her nose as she tightens her lips. She turns her head away. I did the same thing last night as we were eating dinner.

Just look. How cute are these? She is such a CHEESER!

I wish I had the photo me, but it is at my Mom's house. My one-year old photo shows the same, 

straight, out-of-control hair (although much more red-orange) and the same cheesy smile! Love it!

Ella loves to dance! We do it every day. Right after breakfast. Dancing, singing, lot of music! Collin will sometimes do a beat-box when there isn't any music for Ella to dance to. Saturday she was walking around making this "boom, boom, shhhhh, boom boom, shhhhh" noise. Yes, my daughter has learned how to beat-box from her father!

Yesterday morning when I opened Ella's door I heard this "Hhhiiiiieeeee!" It was the cutest little "hi" ever. A new word for her, I was so excited! And it had such character! Not just a normal "hi". So cute with so much personality. When Collin called later and I answered the phone "Hhiiiiieeeee!" Again it hit me. This little girl watches and listens to everything I do. She is with me all day, every day. And I do so many things in those days. And so many of those things I don't want her to learn.

Last night we were getting ready for bed. Ella walked over to her rocking chair and turned around with her arms folded. She wanted to say prayers. She does this each night and every time we eat. And every time she hears the word prayer. This is what I want our Little Angel to learn from us. I want her to learn how to pray and how to love. I want her to give hugs. I want her to laugh. I want her to learn how important the scriptures are. I want her to know how much we love her.

Being a Mommy has given me more joy than anything in this world has. I cherish each moment with Ella. I am so grateful to be home with her every day. Oh, how I hope I can teach her good things. I hope she can learn from me the kind things and the happy things. The things of God. I want her to learn how beautiful she is and how much she is loved by her Heavenly Father and her Mommy and her Daddy. I am learning that I cannot teach her anything I don't know myself. Some of these things I know and some we will learn together. I wouldn't change our family's journey together for anything. I just pray our Little Miss Ella Ann will learn of the good and we can always teach her the loving and happy things in life.

let's party!

On Saturday the 8th we had a little party for Ella. We wanted to have it at the park, but because it was cold and rainy we did it in our home! Daddy went a little over board with the balloons...I think we had about 75 of them! All pink! Our whole family came. Ella is so spoiled. Gift after gift. We also had cupcakes and ice cream sundaes!

All ready in her party dress!

Yes, my kitchen is yellow! I always wanted a yellow kitchen. Collin didn't even hesitate. Love him!

Ella's cousin Ian

Ella's cousin Simon

Uncle Colton

Aunt Candice & Callie