Pumpkin Patch

Here are our pictures from our annual trip to the Pumpkin patch! We had a great time. It's amazing to see the difference in the pictures from last year:

To this year.....

Ella and Daddy in the corn maze.

She looks so big in this picture!


Cheese!


Ella and Mommy in the corn maze.


Ella got to ride the cow train. It was pretty cute except that by the end of the ride, she was sliding down and was all slumped down in the seat. Here she is before the ride started..
And here she is at the end!


So, the driver guy told me I could ride too, if I wanted to. Which I really didn't, but I wasn't sure if Ella would start crying when he took off away from Tom and I. So, here I am. Riding the cow train ;)

On the haystacks!

Mama and her girl.

So big, all by herself.

They had a "corn box," with corn kernels instead of sand. She loved it!

Digging around...

Filling the bucket..
We will be sure to get her picture in front of this each year so we can see how much she grows from year to year.
What about this pumpkin, Mama?

She really wanted to pull the wagon herself, but it was a little too heavy :)

So she decided to help Daddy by pushing.

Hard at work :) We're starting to get a little tired here :)

On the hayride.

I love this picture. My two favorite people :)

Tom took this picture on the hayride on the way down to the pumpkin patch, I just thought it was a neat shot!

Another hayride picture :)

This has really become one of our favorite traditions. We had a great time, and so did Ella. It's neat that they have so many fun activities for kids. I'll be posting pictures this week of us carving our pumpkins, and then of course, of Halloween! Have a great week everyone!

Little Lady

Our little girl is growing so fast. She is talking ALL the time, and every day she does something new that reminds us of what a big girl she is. Check out these pictures...they are priceless!

Before heading to the sitter. Tom took this picture of her. It makes me laugh because she looks so stiff, kind of the "ok I'll stand here to get my picture taken" obligatory pose. Funny!

Lately Ella has taken a much bigger interest in her doll, or "Baby" as she calls it. She likes to push her around in her little shopping cart, and as you can see, even feeds her too ;)
I'm sure "Baby" really appreciates the milk in the eyeball.
Here you go Baby. These crackers are yummy.

Is this my daughter or what? Now she just needs a cell phone in the other hand! I actually caught her doing just that the other day, but wasn't able to get the camera in time.
Walking around in Momma's shoes.
Ooooh, so pretty! :)
Posing for the camera.

Friends

Last Monday, Ella's friend Haven came over for a play date. The girls had such a great time. Haven's mom, Christine and I used to work together at the Bond Clinic before Miss Haven came along. Now she stays home full-time with Haven :) Christine and I bonded over being pregnant/new moms at the same time. It was always nice to have someone to talk to about what I was going through.....especially with someone who was going through it all at the same time! The girls play very well together, and it gives Christine and I a chance to catch up on all our mommy talk :)

The girls running around the yard....I love this picture because they are both picking up the same foot.

Here comes Ella!

Here comes Haven!

Haven is really the sweetest little girl. Very loving and laid back. Just look at that sweet face!

They had a great time playing with the sidewalk chalk together.

And apparently Ella was tasting the chalk.....

While Haven tried out the lid!

We're outta here! You want to drive, Haven?

Hut, hut!

Kisses! Look at that pucker :)

Awwww.....

Hmmm...I wonder if this kitty food is any good.

I was a little nervous before this play date, simply because Ella is at the age where recently she has had some issues with sharing. I have noticed it on several occassions, and we have been trying our best to work with her, and more importantly, understand that this is a completely normal part of toddler development. The morning of our play date, I talked with Ella about sharing, and how we were going to have fun sharing with our friends. Now, I don't know if that's what did it or not, but she was such a good girl...and a good sharer of her toys.... and her and Haven had a great time together. I know that there will be times as we raise this little girl that her behavior won't be perfect. But the feeling it gives me as I watch her not only learn right from wrong, but CHOOSE right OVER wrong....makes it all worth it :)

Last weekend, my best friend from high school, Stacey, came over with her mom Nancy and her son, Drake! He is five months old and this was the first time I had met him. He is such a cutie.....and has the chubbiest legs and cheeks to kiss on! It's amazing how many stages of life Stacey and I have gone through together. Best friends through high school, then seperated when we left for college.....me going to Mizzou and her heading to SMSU (I just can't call it Missouri State, sorry :) I remember the phone calls announcing engagements, being in each other's weddings, and now babies. Even though we don't get to see one another as much as we would like, we are always able to pick up right where we left off. It was so good to see her, to watch her as a Mommy, and to get to kiss on her sweet son. Thanks for making the time to come see us, Stacey, Nancy and Drake! We love you :)

Stacey, Nancy and Drake, Ella and I. (I think Ella was eating a snack :)