Music time!!!

While in VA I found a super fun library that was having a free music time for kids. I took Ella and she loved it!!! I think we have a future musician on our hands.

Date Night with Aunt Tatia

While in VA, Aunt Tatia took Ella out for a special date night.

First stop was dinner at the Cheesecake Factory




Ended the date night with a fun "tea party" with yummy desserts

growing, growing....

Ella got her well check-up at the Doctor's office this week. She did so well. I was so proud of her for being so well behaved. She did not even cry when she got her flu shot. :)


Here are her stats:
height 3'1"
weight 31 lbs
She is in the 18th percentile for her height. (shorty)
She is in the 33rd percentile for her weight. (just right)
She is growing and growing!!!

Ella's "Big House"

While in Philadelphia for the half marathon, we stayed at the Crowne Plaza hotel. Ella called it her "big house". She loved the fluffy white bedding and the eye mask and ear plugs that were provided for more comfortable sleeping.


She has asked me at least 12 times today when can she go back to her "big house".

Future make-up artist...

You know something is wrong when your 3 year old gets very quiet all of a sudden...

I found Ella on my bathroom counter putting on my make-up.

I think she did a pretty good job, don't you??? Future Lancome make up artist, just like Mommy.

So well taken care of...

My family takes such good care of me.
Last night they sat at the doctors office with me while the Doctor took tons of time examining my foot going over options and scenarios of how to help me. I t was a long appointment ending in a yucky steroid shot that they held my hand for.

This morning my sweet 3 year old played "doctor" and let me rest most of the day with ice on my foot. she brought me her 2 favorite dolls which were both given to her by my Mommy so it was nice of her to let me snuggle them. She also brought me a "coo rag", a wet rag to make me feel better.

I am so LOVED!!!!!

D.C. Temple

Amazing.

A VERY happy meal...

Sometimes a little girl needs to stop eating her Mom's luna bars and mango and enjoy a Happy Meal!!!!

I am paranoid, so this does not happen very often. Thank Goodness she HATED the cheeseburger so I don't think she will ask for one ever again.

Hurricane Irene

Enjoying the little bit of calm before the storm...

choo choo train park...

Ella LOVES the Lititz Springs Park. She calls it the "choo choo train park". :) There are ducks everywhere, swings, slides, and of course a train. We spent two glorious hours there today and enjoyed every minute of it!!!

Daddy and Daughter think alike...

This is the face they both instantly made when I asked them to smile at the camera...

Charish's Hope

This was a very special race because I got to wear a very special shirt in honor of a very special girl.






Three and a half miles into the race I started to feel like I could not finish the race. I wanted to STOP. Just then this song came on my iPod that brought a smile to my face. Tears and a smile. It got me through the race and I finished in 51 minutes which was my fastest time ever.

Every time I here this song I think of a dinner cruise that my family and I were invited to a few years ago. This song instantly brings me back to that night. Charish and her husband were there. Everyone danced and laughed and had a great time. It was a special night and whenever I think of Charish, I think of that night and her gorgeous SMILE and contagious laugh. When the song came on as I was running I could not help but smile, really big as tears filled my eyes thinking of Charish and her amazing family. I instantly became grateful for the knowledge that I have that families CAN be together forever. I instantly became grateful for my sisters as I thought of Charish's sweet sister Lyric who aches for her more than I can ever imagine.

I am so grateful I was able to know Charish.
I am so grateful to know her sister Lyric.


It was a very special race.

Pool Time

So grateful that we live in a complex with a fabulous pool. Ella and I have spent many many many hours there this summer...