January 31, 2012

Breakfast tray...

Ella is loving her new breakfast tray that Santa brought her and I love it too!!! Has made my mornings a bit easier.

January 30, 2012

California Trip Jan 2012





January 25, 2012

San Diego Sunshine!!!!

Ella an I spent a week in California. The very best part of the trip was seeing family of course. But the second best part was the beautiful weather and the amazing sunshine!!!
Don't be jealous...

Perfect Traveler

Ella LOVES airplane rides. She is the best traveling companion ever. She never complains, is easy to entertain, sleeps well, is quiet and polite. I am a lucky Mom to have it so easy with her because I can assure you that most kids are not this well behaved on the plane.

Our final ride into Maryland consisted of some pretty crazy turbulance due to strong winds. I am not going to lie, I was scared. Really scared. I grabbed her hand and she looked at me and said, "Mom, just hold on to your chair cause I am looking out the window right now". Well behaved and brave?!?!?! I could not ask for a more perfect traveler.

January 21, 2012

Winter Snow


January 20, 2012

January 9, 2012

Saturday adventure!!!

So excited that Elliott had Saturday afternoon off. We headed outside, Ella on her bike and enjoyed a long adventure. Love spending time with my family!


January 5, 2012

Mommy's Girl

Elliott's work schedule is crazy these days. It requires him to sleep lots during the day and be gone most afternoons and nights. We don't get to see much of him. :( We are so grateful for his job but are anxious for him to have a better set schedule.
Ella and I have been spending lots of time together. Snuggling, watching movies, reading books, playing games. I adore this little girl and am grateful for all this extra one on one time I am getting with her since soon my attention will be on a newborn.


January 4, 2012

It's a .....


BOY!!!!! We are having a little baby boy. :)

Elliott is so very excited!!! I have to admit, I was a little worried at first. I know pink, princess, ruffles, tutu's, and hair bows. I know NOTHING about boys. I have a family full of girls.
After spending an hour in the baby section at Target I am in LOVE with the idea of a baby boy joining our family. We let Ella pick out two little outfits for her baby brother. She was so happy to choose and picked out some great little outfits:


We are so excited for our baby boy. He already makes our family feel so complete. :)

January 1, 2012

Biker Chick

Ella wakes up in the morning and immediately gets geared up and on her bike. She circles from the living room to the kitchen 10,000 times a day and she gets started early. In her jammies, before breakfast she makes a few dozen laps to work up her appetite. :)

Reviewing 2011 Goals

My goals for 2011 I posted on this blog last Jan and I just looked back over them and reviewed them. I feel pretty good about the progress I made with most of them this year. These were my goals for the year.

FAMILY
I hope that I have been more patient with Ella. I know I am being a great example for Elliott, he has accomplished so much this year. He gave up smoking cigarettes in October just like I did 5 years ago. :) We spend TONS of time together as a family.

HEALTH
These are the goals I missed the mark on this year. I am not going to beat myself up over them though. My health has improved and I feel good about that.

EXERCISE
I continued my running obsession. My goal was to run at least 3 races in 2011 and I ran 9!! I also got Elliott to start running with me and that was a goal I thought was impossible.

PERSONAL
I started a weight loss and exercise blog. Check it out here. I love making crafty things for my home as well as for family and friends. Ella knows how to write many letters, spell her name, count to 15 and she is learning the ABC's.

SPIRITUAL
I did not read the Book of Mormon all the way through. I have shared my testimony more times than I can count and I believe it is what gave Elliott the desire to stand and bare his in Sacrament Meeting a few months ago. :) We have had the missionaries over at least once a month and they come once a week to teach Elliott.

Overall I feel really good about the Goals I set for myself in 2011. I am happy with the progress these goals helped me make in my life. I will absolutely be setting new goals so I can check them out again and reflect on them next New Year's Day.