Happy birthday Ella

Ella on her birthday morning. Mommy made her chocolate chip berry pancakes with 2 candles.


Well we had a great time in Seattle visiting and site seeing. The girls were great and had lots of fun too. The hardest part was the time change, 3 hours sure makes a difference. Mom and dad stayed at the same hotel as we did and were there to greet us when we arrived Tuesday afternoon. We ate and went swimming and Brett and Ashley came over to say see us and visit.

Auntie Ashley holding Eva for the 1st time.

Grandpa and Ella swimming! It took her a little bit to go to grandpa and he was thankful for every minute he got holding her or playing with her.

Wednesday it was raining so we didn't do much. We went to a couple of wineries, which was my favorite part of the trip. In the evening Evan and I went downtown for a baseball game and G&G took care of the girls. G&G sure enjoyed that! Thanks mom and dad!



Ella and mommy in a winery room.

Ella and MOMMY!

Grandma and Grandpa walking with Ella.


Thursday was the busiest day we went to see some big waterfall- Snoquamie Falls and than went downtown to take a boat tour, see the market, and the space needle. We actually saw a famous guy named Russel Brand, he was just walking on the streets, turns out he was in town for a show. It's hard to miss someone like him.

Evan and Ella up in the Space Needle.

The famous market

A view from the boat tour. It was very informative and interesting.




Friday we went to some more wineries and a brewery and had a nice supper at Brett's house. We also celebrated Ella's birthday with a small cookie monster cake. She loved the cake and cried when we cut into it.

Uncle Brett gave Eva a little too. Of course she liked it, she's mommy's girl.

Ella eatin her cake and yes it did turn her mouth and lips blue. Messy!

Grandpa and Ella with her cookie monster cake.

Ella at the winery, she enjoyed them too. She loves grape juice and sitting on high tables.

Ella and daddy swimming. Ella enjoyed it even though it was very chilly.

Saturday morning was spent with my Uncle Danny- my mom's brother. It was nice to see him! The rest of the day was busy running around so that my parents could depart at 5pm on the train. We left early Sunday morning and was so relieved to be home Sunday evening. The girls are so overtired so it's been hard to get back to normal and the time change again screwed them up. No time to slow down because yesterday was Ella's 2nd birthday and we had a little pizza party. We planned on a party in the park but unfortunately it was raining so we made it a pizza party. Ella seemed to have a wonderful time running around with the kids and loved her Dora and Boots cake. I can't believe she is 2 already, how the time flies. We didn't get many pictures throughout the day because she was kinda crabby from being overtired. I will post more pictures next week.

Seattle

If you can tell Ella is wearing her new puppy backpack that came with a leash, I always thought that looked cruel but seems vital now with us traveling. It only takes seconds for someone to grab her. Scary!

Seattle, here we come. We are ready and excited to fly out tomorrow morning for Seattle. Mom and dad are already there enjoying Brett and Ashley's company as well as my Uncle Danny's. We leave around 10am and have a long flight ahead of us so we pray that everything goes smoothly. Ella is excited to fly in an airplane high up in the sky with the birdies. So she says! Hopefully, she doesn't get scared! Eva should do just fine as long as she is in her mommy's arms and has her mommy's boobies close by she will be a happy camper. :o)



Ella and Eva riding in the fire truck with Melissa.

Ella's favorite part of the museum, she loved fishing.

Ella and Sammy playing in water.

Last week; Monday, we went to a children's museum where kids could explore and learn through play. Ella really had fun. We went with another mom from the mom's club whose little boy is 18 months.







I worked a little bit on Wednesday, I went back to my other client who was happy to see Ella again and meet Eva. I was able to bring them on Wednesday, hopefully in the future Ella will stay at home with daddy for some bonding time while I take Eva. Although, Eva is now taking a bottle. Yay!


Ella looking at a bull frog.

Friday we went to learn about amphibians where Ella got to touch a frog and see Salamanders and other frogs. She seemed to enjoy it, although a little boring. Too much learning and not enough running around. This weekend was spent packing and preparing for the trip. It will all be worth it but it's sure a lot of work.

"Play Ball!"

Ella running away from me.

Well we had a busy and fun week. After getting back to normal after our company left we kept busy with mom's activities. On Wednesday we went to a historical farm, where Ella got to pet baby lambs and pigs and other animals. We also were able to see sheep being sheared and other old style farm activies; spinning and water pumps.

I got it!

It's working, we did it!

Ella chasing the chickens. They told us not to chase the animals but seriously you can not expect 2 year olds to NOT chase them. Too much fun!


Ella petting a lamb.

Sheep being Sheared! Poor thing. Ella enjoyed watching it.

Evan and I have been training for the marathon so on our down time we are busy running. Yay us! We run 5 out of the 7 days so we keep busy.

On Friday we went to playgroup and had lots of fun. Even though it was cold Ella loved playing outside. I wish we had a yard for her to run and play in. Friday night Evan and I volunteered cleaning letters for the PGA Memorial Golf Tournament. The girls did great, Ella could care less that we left and Eva did take a bottle, but only 2oz. to satisfy her until I got home.

Saturday we had our 4 mile run so we took the girls to the park so they could have different scenery, well they both fell asleep. It was nice for us but a lot more work getting them there and then pushing them up and down the hills.


Daddy dressed her, can you tell! Go Twinsies!

Eva's 1st bite of cereal.

Eva loving Elmo.

Eva was so comfy she fell asleep. What a good baby!

Evan & Eva



Sunday we almost went to a Reds baseball game, perfect weather, but with us leaving soon for Seattle and lots of sports on tv to watch we decided not to go. There will be plenty of games to watch this summer. This week we bought Ella a glove and a baseball so she could play catch with her daddy. Now all she says is lets "PLAY BALL!" She has a good arm and enjoys it, I think she will be a good little softball player in years to come.


Ella with her new glove.

Family

Ella's playing with her sister. Good thing she's a good sport!

Well we had a wonderful Easter and lots of fun with family. It was so nice to have family here for Easter, I think it's our first Easter with family in 4 years, definitely long awaited. On Thursday before they arrived we had an Easter egg hunt through the Moms club. Ella had lots of fun playing in the playground and than searching for eggs. She especially liked the candy in the eggs.


Ella swinging on a big girl swing before the Easter egg hunt.

When the Lindahl's arrived we went to see the Easter bunny. Thank God we didn't have to pay to see him because Ella didn't like him too much. She only went close enough to get candy and than would run away. Although, she did that about 4 times, I guess candy was worth it.

A picture of ME and Eva.

Ella and the Easter bunny. She only got close enough to him to grab some treats from his basket and than ran away.

Ella's wearing grandma Marys glasses.

Friday we spent the day at the zoo along with half the people of Columbus. It was packed! Ella seemed to really enjoy it. We all got a lot of sun but I was the only one who got burnt. I guess I should have put sunscreen on but you know the first sun of the summer you kind of just want to soak it all up, well I did just that.

Ella riding Pumba.



Uncle Grant, Grandpa Mark, and Ella; waiting for the rest of the gang at the zoo.

Saturday Evan and Grant were gone all day, they went to Indianapolis to the Final Four games. Grandma and Grandpa watched the girls for awhile so I could get my hair done and than Grandma, Ella, and I did some shopping while Eva stayed with Grandpa. It was nice to have some help, although Eva had a little cold so she wasn't the happiest little girl.

On Saturday Evan and Grant went to Indianapolis for the Final Four. They had lots of fun!

Sunday we went to church and played outside with Ella's new sidewalk chalk and bubbles. We also went to the park! The weather here has been so nice.

Ella wearing Uncle Grants hat and having a snack. She loves her hats!

Ella painting Easter Eggs in her underwear. Way too messy!


Ella looking for eggs the Easter bunny left for her.

Ella is almost 2 and has been starting to put sentences together. Eva is now 4 months and we went to the Dr. yesterday to find out she is 15 lbs 15 oz. 25.5 in. long. The Dr. mentioned I can start giving Eva food so once her cold is gone we will start. I hope everyone's Easter was wonderful.