Sunday, October 23

Trip to Houston

Last weekend we decided to take a 4 day trip to Houston to let Ella Kate spend some time with the grandparents and also her cousins, Nanny, and Parrain.  It was a VERY busy weekend and we kept EK going almost non-stop the whole time.  Luckily she was in a great mood the whole time and loved everything we did!
On Friday afternoon we took Ella to the Houston Children's Museum.  If you are ever near Houston I highly recommend it.  They have a wonderful area for children from Birth to 35 months called the TotSpot and Ella loved it.  All of the activities in that area are for children in that age range and they can just run free and explor.
They even had an enlarged lite-brite which Ella loved.  Though really I think her daddy liked it just as much!
She was so proud of herself when she figured out how to stick the pegs in the hole!

After exploring the TotSpot for awhile, we decided to see what the rest of the museum had to offer.  All of the exhibits are great and I really hope to go back soon when my nephew is in town cause I know he would love it!
Even Parrain came and enjoyed the museum with us.  As usual he won extra Uncle points for braving the museum with us when he really didn't have to.  Thanks David!

Saturday of course was LSU football day, so after a busy morning of shopping with Granny, we headed out to Missourri City to play with the cousins and to see Nanny and Uncle Brad.
Two of my favorite little guys.  Easton was trying to stop Rowan from eating chalk.  Needless to say Rowan was not impressed at the intervention.
The Millers even made it out for some football and Jessica had a great time entertaining the older boys!  I will never get over that Easton and Gavin are only 3 weeks apart!  Their size looks more like 3 years!
Daddy with his little princess and his godson.  I am pretty sure shortly after this Ella had a breakdown cause daddy was holding someone besides just her.  We have really got to work on her manners :)
Saturday night the adults decided to go out to dinner.  It isn't very often that all 4 older boys are together in one place so of course I had to take advantage of the photo op.  We went to eat at a great restaurant in Sugar Land called Rouxpour.  We really enjoyed dinner and even more the company.  It was great getting out and enjoy a meal without having to chase kiddos around.
Of course EK had a great time being entertained my Granny.  She just loved climbing up and down the stairs and finally agreeing to just sit on the bottom step and relax with a huge bucket of spoons.  Of course the filled bucket only lasted a few minutes before Ella spilled it all over.
Granny even let her sit on the floor and enjoy some crushed ice.  This of course was to have her forget about the fact she had just ran into the table and bumped her head.  It's amazing how quick they forget!
Sunday afternoon Granny and Papi braved the crowds and took Ella to the zoo by themselves.  Unfortunately I wasn't feeling to hot so I stayed home and took a much needed nap!


They had not started Boo at the Zoo just yet at the Houston Zoo, but they were letting the kids decorate little pumpkins and EK got her hand stamped and got to pick a pumpkin for herself which she was very proud to show off!
They recently opened up the African exhibit at the zoo and Ella just loved it.  I am pretty sure she would sit and watch animals all day if she could and I can't wait to take her back to the zoo again.  Luckily I hear the zoo in Tyler is pretty good for the size of our town so I think we will be headed there next weekend.

As usual our trip was great and Ella Kate even behaved so well in the car (a first for her).  I find that trips are starting to get easier with her now that she is older and there are no bottles to bring and she can eat right off of our plates.  Luckily we have a few weeks off to recoup before our next big trip to LA for Thanksgiving!  Thanks again Granny and Papi for the fun!
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Sunday, October 9

Ella's First Playdate

Last weekend we agreed to watch a friend of our's daughter so they could finish moving into their new house.  Kloe is three weeks older than Ella Kate so we decided to brave having both girls and learn what it would be like if we ever had one year old twins.  Needless to say it is really true what they say, kids really do have more fun when they have someone to play with.
Ella Kate and Kloe played so well together the whole time!  Ella just loved showing Kloe all of her toys and I think Kloe enjoyed playing with them.
They even shared really well.  Well that is after Ella showed her dominance over her favorite toys and stole a few from Kloe.  Luckily that didn't last to long!
They even enjoyed snack time together!  If you notice Ella Kate is eyeing Kloe.  That little girl sure enjoys her food and always wants to make sure someone is not eating something that she wants!
I love this picture!  It looks like Ella is explaining to Kloe how to use the toy.  Needless to say the girls had a great time and we would be happy to have Kloe at our house anytime.  Good thing too cause they have just moved into our neighborhood which we are SO happy about!  I am sure these two girls will have many more playdates together!
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Monday, September 19

Exhausted

Being a dad and a little girl is just way to exhausting!
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Sunday, September 18

New Swing and Camera

For my birthday, we decided to go ahead and get a new camera.  We decided on the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX9V and are very happy with it.  It has lots of great features and though I am still learning about it I am already beyond pleased with what it can do!

Ella had gotten a new swing a month or two ago and we hadn't gotten a chance to use it since it had been 100 degrees plus for the past 2 months.  We decided to get it set up this weekend and I figured it would be a great time to test out the action setting on my camera.
 
I am just amazed how clear the pictures come out even with the swing going so fast!  Can you tell she loves her swing or what!

She is such a ham!  Usually I can never even get a smile out of the kid, but I got plenty!
Just so happy to be swinging! 

We hope to get great use out of the swing and the camera this fall.  I already feel a trip to the pumpkin patch coming up and lots of time in this swing now that the temperatures are starting to drop!  No more 100's!!!!
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Friday, September 9

First Birthday - The People

I figured I would finish up the week of birthday posts with a few pictures of the people that came to Ella's birthday.  Unfortunately I had loads of pictures of people, too many to post, so I just picked a few to share.  We were so glad so many friends and family were able to come!
Ella and Mr. Trey (Ella was the first baby that Trey ever agreed to hold before they were a year old - this includes his own nephew)
Uncle Doug, Aunt Regina, Ally, and Parrain
Josh (Keith's old coworker) and his daughter Emily
Josh's other daughter Aubrey - isn't her hair just gorgeous!  I sure hope Ella's hair is as pretty as this when it is longer.
Crazy Granny - she thought that Ella's clothes looked better on her
Ally and Rowan - Ally was the flower girl at our wedding 4 years ago.  I can't believe how much she has grown since then
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Thursday, September 8

One Year!

Well Ella Kate, you are officially 1 year old.  I know everyone always says it, but it really feels like it couldn't possibly have already been a year.  It is amazing how much you have grown and changed in this past year.  You have become such a little person already!
You have already grown such a personality and while somedays that is great, somedays you already have such an opinion about what you want and when you want it!  We can already tell that you are going to be quite the strong willed child.  Should definitely keep mommy and daddy on our toes!

So what have you been up to this past month?
You are wearing a size 4 diaper and have officially moved into 18 month clothing though the pants are way to long on you.  Don't know where those short little legs came from.

You weigh 23 lbs 11 1/2 oz and are 29 1/2 inches long (at least according to the drs office - I still believe you are longer than that)

You take 3 6 oz bottles a day, eat 3 full meals, and usually 2 snacks.  You still have quite the appetite.
You have officially mastered the art of walking and are trying to extend that into running.  We can barely keep up with you as it is so we hope you wait just a little longer before you really take off.

You are quite the little daredevil.  You love to climb up on anything you can find and tend to think you should dive head first off.  I better start knocking on wood or we are going to end up with stitches soon enough.

You love buddy (the cat).  Still not sure how he feels about you, but he sure does let you beat him up and chase him around!
You are still a fabulous sleeper and even take 2 great naps a day!

You have 12 teeth and we are hoping that means we will get a little break with the teething process, but at the rate you got those 12 I don't see any relief in the near future for your mouth.

You love Yo Gabba Gabba and any show that plays music that you can dance to.  This includes commercials!

You love being outside and have been known to sit at the door and yell until we agree to let you out.


You are still the light of mine and your dad's life!  We love you more and more everyday (even when you are throwing yourself on the floor in a complete rage cause we didn't let you do what you wanted to - I told you that you were strong willed).  We can not wait to see what the next month and everyday of your life has in store for you!
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Wednesday, September 7

The First Birthday - The Cake

I am pretty sure few words are needed for these pictures...
Awaiting the cake... and wondering why everyone is singing to her!
What is this strange thing that they have placed in front of me???
HMM... this stuff doesn't taste so bad
Now we are talking!
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