We'll Miss You Mima Skillz!

We are still in disbelief that Mima Skillz is no longer with us. She passed away on December 21, 2009 of cancer. We are so thankful that Ella was able to become so close to her grandma and create such great memories. We are thankful that she was coherent to the end and that we had the opportunity to say goodbye. She was a strong, caring, loving force of nature. She helped so many kids with her years of education in the special education field and raised two great kids...one of which I am thankful for all the lessons she taught him. :) She loved her granddaughter SO much and even in the end - her face brightened with the sight of her or the sound of her telling her silly jokes. Ella is taking it the best a 4 1/2 year old can but is struggling as she should be. She talks of her often saying how much she will miss her, what she is doing in heaven and telling her favorite Mima Skillz stories. Life will not be the same but as I promised her at her funeral - I will never let Ella forget her. I will honor that promise - although I won't have to do much reminding as she loves her very much and will miss her just as much. RIP Donna. You will be missed.

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We spent a few days with Daddy's family - Mima, Papa, Aunt Amanda, Missy, Bob, Greyson and all of the dogs! We also got in a visit with our friends from Kansas City - Chad, Nat, Emily & Ryan. Ryan was camera shy but Mommy got a good one of the girls! We've been taking these pics since they were barely able to sit up! Good times! Ella even took a cue from Aunt Amanda checking out the ads for Black Friday. Give her a little time...she will be up before the sun comes up ready to shop in no time!!

Seems like no time before Christmas...and Christmas break!!! We are already making up plans for finals! Hard to believe! Putting up the Christmas tree and Ella is over the moon! It is her favorite time of year!

Happy Holidays!

Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween Everyone! Ella was Minnie Mouse this year! She loved it! The costume has sentimental value because it was Aunt Danielle's when she was this age...so long ago! (She is going to be a Sweet 16 in a few months!!)

Ella had a great time at her party at school on Friday. Then she stayed with one of my students, Demi, who watched her while Matt & I went to a fun Halloween party with friends from work. Then Saturday we drove to Bowling Green so Mima & Papa Skillz & Aunt Amanda could see Ella dressed up. We went trick or treating there...not that we needed to b/c Papa and Amanda hooked her up with LOTS of candy. But we had to go for the fun of it. She had a great time! A LONG, fun Halloween!!

oops! Missed one!

Oops! Missed Homecoming! Bisa & Biso came for a visit during Homecoming at school! We braved the cold to watch the 1st half of the football game and were so excited that the Freshmen won for best overall on our float! (I am a sponsor) Good times! Ella helped decorate and made lots of friends!

Falling into Fall

We have been super busy..but..we have to make some time for fun! Last weekend while dog-sitting for Mima Skillz, we took a little trip to the pumpkin patch. It was very cool...except it had rained a lot so it was muddy. We checked everything out and took some pics. Ella really enjoyed her pony ride on a pretty pony named Sammy. It was the first time she has ever rode on her own! She is growing up WAY too quickly. She is now fitting in size 6 so she has officially become a BIG girl in her mind since she can fit in big girl clothes. Have I mentioned she is a fashionista???

Hope your fall is going well. This Missouri fall has been feeling more like winter and finally today is nice and tomorrow is supposed to be amazing so with some VERY long days in my future at school this next week...a little outside family time is in order. We are hoping for a bike ride tomorrow on our favorite trail. Fingers crossed! Enjoy the pics!

Ella's 1st day at her new school!

Ella went to her new school this week and so far so good! She has adapted to all but the early mornings as we got in a routine of sleeping in this summer. It was tough for Mommy so I understand what she is going through!

She is learning lots and playing with lots of new friends. There is also a bit of a safety net for Mommy and Ella - her school is across the street from my high school! That is good for both of us! ;)

Next year will be tough for me...Kindergarten! Where has the time gone???

Rewards!!

Ella stayed in her bed for 4 nights straight so she got a reward of us going to Chuck E Cheese! As soon as we walked in Chuck E was right there! She got to dance and get free tickets from the man...well...the mouse himself! Then, best of all, a hug from him! Then pizza and playing!! We all had fun! Ella and Daddy even got in a well-played game of air hockey...then a challenge...Mommy and Daddy played a tough game with the puck flying off the table several times and there is no comment on who won...remember who does this blog!! :)

So hopefully more rewards to come for her staying in her own bed!!

Meredith's Shower

Mommy and Ella went to our 1st Baby Shower together! We went to Meredith's shower for her and Blake's baby girl...coming around the holidays. Her name will be Kennedy and we are very excited! Ella met another Ella - Meredith's niece and they were wonderful helpers! We had to include a pink and white baby basketball as one of our gifts and Ella really wanted to give Kennedy a pink musical puppy from when she was a baby. It was her idea but later she asked about it. Meredith offered it back and Ella said no that she really wants Kennedy to have it and she will just miss it. So sweet!

Best of luck Blake and Meredith and may your lil' girl be as amazing as ours!!

Our Last Trip to the Zoo for awhile

We took a trip to the Zoo since we were in the area and had a great time. We are really going to miss it now that we live so far away! We went to the sea lion show in hopes of saying bye to our buddy Robbie the sea lion and he happened to be one of the sea lions performing! Ella cheered for him with all of her might!

Then we went to the Children's Zoo and saw and played with lots of stuff and Mommy even let Ella run through the fountains...and get a little wet...well...she was soaked but at least it was a hot day and she dried pretty well!

We also got in another visit to the sting rays! Gotta love those! So cool and beautiful!

We'll be back...it'll just be a drive!

Ella singing & dancing

Ella is so funny!!! She is singing (in case you can't understand) "Don't ya wish your girlfriend was hot like me!".  She has been singing it once she saw a guinea pig sing it on a commercial for that new movie.  Of course she sang it as only Ella can! ;)

The Magic House!

While Matt and I were away, the family took Ella to the Magic House for the 1st time! She loved it and can't wait to return! As you can tell, she gravitated towards the princess things. I wouldn't expect any less! Danielle took the "hair-raising" pic on her phone so I will have to get that from her. I have the magnet on the fridge!

Ella's fun visit at Mima Dee's house

I just got mom's pictures from her on disc and decided to go ahead and post pics from earlier this summer when Ella stayed at her house. She had lots of fun especially with Cooper their Boston Terrier puppy. Better late than never, right?

Our New Mac

So we got a new computer - a Mac and by far the favorite program in this house is the Photo Booth! Can you tell? I only picked a few...there are a bunch! Enjoy! I'm sure there will continue to be photo booth pics from time to time.  Maybe we will make it mandatory for visitors to take a pic on it...like an MTV - TRL kinda thing!!