Fort Walton Beach June 4-11, 2010

Beach Diva.

We held these birds for a pictures and the white one kept squawking(sp?) in my ear. Elli however was having no part in the holding of these guys.

Walking on the beach. Elli wasn't so fond of the beach this year. She really wanted to be in the pool all the time, but we did get to walk everyday. She played in the sand a couple of times too, but not much. The water was covered in june grass though which is like very clingy algae, so we didn't get much swimming time in the ocean.

This was what most of our day was like. By the end of the week, Elli as swimming by herself from one end of the pool to the other. She also started swimming the breast stroke, jumping in on her own, and treading water, briefly. Amazing. She loves to swim!

Look at that adorable face! Love her goggles. She wouldn't let me fix them around her ears, so you can see how they are bent down:)

Second Day of Strawberry Picking

We were happy it worked to go with Aunt Heather. We already made jelly but neither of us had any strawberries left for eating and freezing. So we went again. This time the berries were much bigger and more planitful. So strange that in two days, there was that much difference.

We met up with some friends from church there. This is Elli's friend Annika. It was nice that they had each other, it kept them busy so we could pick more:)

Heather and Elli. She got herself dressed for the occasion. (Well I assume both did, but Elli was the one I was referring to.) She thought this dress was perfect for getting strawberries.

Elli's first taste of strawberry shortcake. She kept making sounds like, "Ummm, Oooo." Then she said, "This is so good." I looked over and all she had eaten was the cool whip! I thought all of it was delicious, but Elli really enjoyed eating the cool whip.

1st Round of Strawberry picking

"Which one should I eat I mean pick?"

The girls eating their pickins.

All three looking for bright red strawberries.

Serious about her job of finding great strawberries.

We knew we wouldn't have much time to pick strawberries and make jelly this year because of our trip to the lake and Florida. So we met up with Sherry, Caleb, and Madilynn for some picking. Elli ate her share and I hope we have enough for jelly:)

Norris Lake Trip May 27-31, 2010

Heading out for a night trip on the boat.

We celebrated Heather's birthday with cupcakes in ice cream cones and we all had candles.

Elli helping Heather open her gifts.

I have ever seen a leaf bigger than this one, that I can remember. She loved it.

She wouldn't get on the tube with me while the boat pulled but she hopped on and let dad pull us to the boat and push us out. Maybe next time.

We were playing traing where we each took the lead. Elli loved to be the leader but all she did was run around waving her hands:)

Our ice cream girl:)

The whole clan. This is one of our most exciting adventures while visiting at the lake.

Elli and Matt having a conversation over ice cream:)

Love these big smiles.

Doesn't get much better than this.

Elli called him the "hopping noodle bunny." Many fun times in the pool.

Matt helping Elli get some jelly beans.

Swimming on Leah's back playing school bus.

Heather and I ran to the boat garage and back. We made it minutes before the skies let loose with rain and hail. I also found this huge leaf that Elli used as an umbrella. We were counting the seconds between thunder and lightning to see how far away the storm was. We were coutning 5-9 seconds when all of a sudden there was a lightning and an instant thunder. We ran inside:)

We went to Norris Lake again this year for the Memorial Day Weekend and for Heather's birthday. Such fun. The weather did a little bit of everything. We had a huge storm with hail, sun, cool nights, hot days, and light rain. We also had planty of time on the water, trips for ice cream, walks, and swimming pool fun, not to mention a birthday party.

Prayer Walk for Three Year Old Class

Walking outside to praise God for the beautiful things He has made.

Coloring the finger to remind them to confess their sins. We also prayed for their parents to learn more about God while in big church.

Walking out to thank God for the church He gave us as a place to come and learn more about him.

Sherry and I teach the three year old class for one month at a time, every third month. It has been a fun experience, most of the time, and on May 23rd we had a great time. We took the kids on a prayer walk. Sherry printed out a hand with things to pray for on each finger and then we walked around the church praying for those things. After they finished praying, they colored the finger that represented that prayer. Hearing their little voices pray was a emory I want to keep forever.

A Rarity

This Saturday morning I really wanted to sleep in. Brent was up and getting ready to go work on the rental house and then Elli walked in at 7:45. She climbed into bed as she always does then I told her daddy was downstairs. She actually got out of bed to go see him. They ate breakfast together and then as he was gathering supplies she came up to get the stool from my room. She said she needed to get her dress because they are going to the daddy store (Lowes). She next comes in the room and asks me to tie her bow. Brent walks in and they brush their teeth together. I hear Elli then say, "I am not ready yet." She goes into her room and comes out wearing shoes which she shows to Brent with the question, "Do these look okay with my pink dress?" Brent tells her they look great and they start to go downstairs. As they are leaving, I tell Elli to stay right with her daddy at the daddy store. Walking down the stairs she replies, "I will mommy. We are getting a kid's cart!"

Picture night for Ballet

Tutu-arama:)

They really love each other.

Elli and Lily, little ballerinas.

Elli and Lily have been in ballet together since September. They are so cute together. It has been fun to watch them grow in their ability to dance, follow directions, and play with others. Elli was quite unsure about wearing this outfit but when she saw all the other little gilrls wearing their outfits, she felt better. Look at those sweet smiles:)

Awana Awrds Night

Elli standing next to her friend Abby. Abby just moved to Florida and Elli will miss her.

Some of my little lambs.

Wednesday was the last night of Awana this year and we had the awards ceremony. My little Cubbies group of Lambs was a delight this year. So sweet to hear them say their verses each week. I have really enjoyed getting to know them and will miss them.

Visit with Lindy

Lindy, Elli and Lorien.

Elli likes playing "mommy" and Lindy even let her feed Lorien. Fun day.

Lindy and I have been friends since High School. She now lives far away and comes to visit when she can. Now when she comes, she brings her precious little girl, Lorien. Elli and I had a great visit and it was fun to see our little girls playing together.

Family Golf Outing

I love this picture of Elli walking with her daddy. So serious, both of them.

Daddy showing her how to hold the club. She actually learned fairly quickly and corrected herself when she couldn't hit the ball.

She was so intent on getting the ball to stay on the tee. It was cute to watch her.

Taking her clubs back to the cart. We found these at a garage sale, and they are perfect for her. So cute to watch her be all gorwn up out there. What a sweet girl we have. Maybe she'll even have some talent for golf one day:)

When we bought these clubs, she was so excited because she found this little place to put her cup. I made sure to fill her cup then she was able to put it in her bag. She took lots of little drinks from it while working so hard on the driving range. She also made sure to hold it while Brent and I played some holes. We had a great day together. Maybe one day we'll be a whole golfing family.

Annual Mother's Day dinner at Heather's

Elli wanted to bring two bears since Heather and Gary have this little table. They were having tea.

We walked all over the yard to find the best spot. We got lots of pictures:)

Mommy and my baby!

Gonga and her grand daughter:)

Great Grandma with her little Ellianna.

Heather worked very hard and prepared a delicious dinner for us. It was fun to celebrate together though we missed having Grammy here this year. Good news is that Leah is a mom-to-be with two little babies growing inside of her. Next year there will be three grand babies, at least! (all of us hope for more:)

Mother's Day, May 9, 2010 Breakfast in Bed

Waffle, syrup, eggs, fresh fruit, bacon, orange juice and chocolate milk along with a flower came up to my room. We decided though after a small attempt that it would be much easier to eat this at the kitchen table:)

Elli "helping" Brent make breakfast.

Brent was not all that excited about me taking this picture, but I wanted these memories:) Thank you for serving me on this day.

I heard Elli at 7:20 saying, "Mommy can you wake me up now?" As I went into her room to get her though she told me , "No, No, No. You go back to bed," and she began pushing me back into my room. She started giggling right then and for the next 20 minutes I heard lots of giggling and cooking going on in the kitchen as Brent and Elli made breakast for me. Elli ran up the stairs though and hopped in bed to "have some too." So sweet.