Stair Master

                 

Lately we’ve been referring to Ella as “Ella 1 Note” due to her one-minded determination when it comes to her latest interest or skill.  For the past two weeks, Ella’s passion is climbing stairs.  Sometimes she’ll climb a flight three times in a row!  Above, her Auntie Emily is “spotting her” as she climbs the stairs at her Baba and Grandpa’s house.  Go Ella!

The girls

I love when I get the chance to hang with my girls, especially these days when I have a little girl of my own.  Even better now, Jenn has her little Avery,  and our old pal Angie, home from Austin, was paying a visit!!  What a perfect way to spend a summer afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, they match!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                     

                                                             Ella loves Angie

Oh those dreamy summer evenings

This evening was so beautiful and perfect that we threw caution to the wind and let Ella explore the backyard with more freedom than we’ve allowed in the past.  She looked so darned cute and happy crawling all around in the grass.  A little dirt never hurt anyone, right?!

Go get em, Tigers!

So I heard the Tigers won last night (Geoff shared this news with me).  In celebration of the victory he dressed Ella in her Tigers onesie this morning.   We went out to do some shopping later in the day, and I had three different, very nice young women tell me how cute my little BOY was!  Ha ha!!

The day Ella and Avery first met

 

On Monday Geoff, Ella and I headed to the hospital to meet my best friend Jenn’s brand new baby girl, Avery Elizabeth.  She is sooo beautiful and has the most fabulous cheeks.  Ella was a bit disappointed (see photo) that she couldn’t “play” with Avery.  Some day soon girls!

Ponytails and pulling herself up

Here is our big girl sportin’ a ponytail (compliments of her daddy, I’m not kidding!) and Ella’s latest trick: pulling herself up.  She LOVES to do this, and will try to pull herself to standing on pretty much anything or anyone, including Zoe.

BFF

There was so much excitement over Jenn’s belly that I missed most of her face (and Geoff’s), but did capture this sweet image of Ella saying ‘hello’ to her future BFF, as Geoff and I like to refer to Jenn (my BFF) and Dave’s little girl, due any day now!

4th of July

Hope everyone had a fun 4th of July.  We usually go up north but decided to stay home this year.  We checked out the Ypsilanti parade.  It’s funny how some things just seem a lot more fun when you have a baby to share it with.

Pretty as a picture

A couple of weeks ago we had Ella’s picture taken by Tecumseh-based photographer, Melissa Squires.  She is so talented and was great with Ella.  I love her style and the variety of colors and textures she uses.  She has posted some of the pictures on her blog.  Check them out at www.agirlinlove.com/heretoday. 

Bunnies, chicks and Nana

Ella and I had a weekend visit with Ella’s Nana in Grayling while Geoff had a guys weekend at the farm with his cousin Justin and their friend Max.  Everyone got some much needed r&r, Nana got her Ella fix, and Ella got to see her first real bunnies, chicks, and pigs.  I think the bunny was her favorite. 

 

Ella meets an Up North bunny

 

Yup, that’s a chick.  Not what we were picturing either!

 

Girl time with Nana.

 

Ella insisted on driving home.  She looks so focused!