A voyage to the shore (Sept 2007)

Derek's Mom & Dad, sister Andrea and her fiancee Chris, and the three of us rented a great condo in Gulf Shores, Alabama. It was Ella's first time seeing the ocean, and a truly amazing week.



Our condo had a pool that was zero entry, and only went to about 3 feet. We all had fun playing alligator with her and hanging out in the sun.






Of course we found playgrounds and fun places to eat. Ella loves music and found a windchime display at one of the gift shops we visited. She told me, "I can heah da music fwom all awound, mommy!!"








Some of the best moments were just hanging out with no schedule or agenda. In the last shot, Ella is tossing all her collected seashells back to the beach with Grandpa "so they can be with their mommies." We are already saving up for a chance to go back.





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One last shot

Derek, Ella and I were headed to the beach. Cindy, Ben, and Amblen were preparing for a departure to Sweden to live for a year. I found out that Dad and Patti had Amblen here in Dayton one last time, so I took Ella over there for a few minutes before we left for the vacation. The two of them hugged, shared toys, and had a blast together. I just kept taking pictures of Amblen and crying :)

August 2007

Ella proudly receiving her end-of-season goody bag from her swim instructor...



Happy Birthday, Aunt Andrea!

Ella's wedding debut

We trekked up to Coshocton to attend and take part in Monica Blanford's wedding. It's so hard to believe that I knew her when she was 9...and now my daughter is spreading petals at her wedding. Monica and Jordan made a beautiful couple, and Ella made it down the aisle with no problem at all.

July 2007

It's been a good summer...Ella spent weekdays with Mimi, Grandma, The Inspire Center. We spent most of our weekends having cereal picnics, going to swim lessons, working on the house, and a lot of Mommy/Ella trips to the "slicky slide." Ella loved going to the pool and had a great time there with Abby & Troy Coulter (shown here).


She spent a saturday morning prancing around in a skirt and her new light-up Cinderella dress up heels. Just as I approached her to coax her down from the couch, I was struck by how she's not a baby anymore. And what a lovely little lady she's becoming.

turning two (June, 2007)

Ingredients for a total state of toddler nirvana:

- a purple fairy dress
- a new tent and sandbox
- an ice cream cake
- dancing with her best friend Amblen.

Happy Birthday Ella!