Ella's Sun Hat...

We've been having gorgeous weather here in Salem - 92, 90, 89...& SUNNY!!! So, this week after planting flowers in the yard (hooray! ) we got out Ella's sun hat from Auntie Cole. She really does look adorable in it - & she loves it - see...

really, really, likes the hat a lot...

LOOK!!!

Look at what I got today!?!? A NEW CAR!! Oh my goodness. I'm so excited.

Some of you may be aware that last summer when Tim got his new car - we decided to try to sell his old one on our own, yep, right before the economy went down - nice timing. So...he's tried for months & months to sell it, with no success. We've talked about trading in my car (Ford Escape) & the Passat in order to get out of it. So this is where our story starts:

This morning, Nana & decided to head down to the church to drop off some items for them to sell at the rummage sale. While we were out, we decided to run a few errands since Ella Bella was sleeping. We went to the bank, post office, Starbucks, & car wash. After the car wash, I decided we should go to Costco to get gas & look at a Volvo in the lot next to it that Tim & I had seen a few days ago. Skip ahead a few hours & Tim was on the lot looking at this Volvo instead of the first one we had seen - this one is much nicer, bigger, & is SO pretty... :) Nana, Ella, & I went back to the dealership so I could test drive it. I liked it too - so Tim stayed behind to do paper work & see what they would offer us.

Nana, Ella, & I headed home to meet Jim & Nicole who were coming to visit. Tim called to say it was ours if we wanted it, so we decided to go for it. Jim offered to play car shuffler for us - so we very appreciatively let him. Thank you again Jim for driving there, coming back, driving there, & coming back! :)

Here's what Jim & Tim drove home...2005 Volvo XC90

We may have had to go the grocery store on the other end of town tonight to get a few things... :)

And a picture of Ella looking at her new ride...

Last Set of Beach Pictures...

Here is the house where we stayed last weekend:

Family Photo

Ella trying out Auntie Laura's new shades...

Sleeping through a beautiful sunset (all cozy & warm though - how great is that?)

More Beach Photos...

Mia learned how to play Frisbee this weekend at the beach too...

Tim & Ella cheered her on:

Nellie raced her for it...

Wore Mia out...(that's hard to do) :)

Memorial Day Weekend...

This past weekend we spent with my family on the beach. It was wonderful (aside from Melia's trip to the ER on Friday night - note to self - do not sit on the edge of the hot tub & lose your balance...you could end up with 5 staplers (as she put it) in your head). The only time we remembered to take 'the family photo' was Monday morning, bright and early, before my parents headed out. Notice we are still in our PJ's & someone is not very happy about this photo op...do you see her mouth wide open? Yes, she was crying...you'd think she'd be use to photos by now...

Thanks again Mom & Dad for a wonderful time at the beach house - I can't wait to do it again!!

Ella meeting Nana...

Camera Straps

While Andrea's new camera straps are pretty cute, I think I need one in a pirate theme.But alas, in order to win it, we have to talk about it!

Eloise This Week...

Here are some updated photos of our sweet girl:

Auntie Laura feeding her for the first time...

Sooooo big!

A much needed nap...

My Nieces...

On Tuesday afternoon Laura & the girls met up with us to help out. We ended up at the outlets for a little bit of shopping & some play time for the older girls - here are a few pictures of them. They are growing up SO fast!!!

Nellie...

Melia...

Look What I Did...

This is where you will find my baby right now - in her crib! That's right, you read correctly, I put the baby down & she's even sleeping in her crib! I'm so impressed with myself. I even let her fall asleep in her crib and, AND, are you sitting down? This is the second nap she's taken today in her crib. Wow. This first time over protective mom is making progress people...look out.

He Loves Me So...

Last week Tim went to Silverton Hospital on business. I reminded him of the deliciousness that existed in their fruit cups that we had while we were there for the baby. He laughed & poked fun at me. I didn't care - so I'm in love with fruit cups from the hospital...is anything wrong with that? I don't think so.

When he arrived home, look what I found waiting for me on the counter...

He loves me so.

Erin's Visit...

I'm blogging on borrowed time right now - my little bundle is going to wake up at any moment now & truthfully, I should have been in bed sleeping too - but blogging about Erin-o is more fun. :)

Last week Erin came to visit. Ah the fun we had - the distance factor is becoming more and more of a problem, this AZ girl needs to start enjoying the rain more than her sun. :) It was wonderful to have her here & introduce Eloise to her.

While Erin was here, she finished up the final touch for Ella's room. We also had lots of baby holding time, a few trips to Starbucks, Walgreens, & even Target! Not bad, not bad. Thank you again Erin for coming out - we loved having you & miss you already!!

Erin-o

The canvas' she made (I was suppose to do them, but instead I cleaned up the house & fed the baby - thanks again Erin for doing them for me - I love them!!!).

Ella, because I can't resist putting a pic of her up on the blog....

Mother's Day Gift...

Here is my Mother's Day present from Tim & Eloise. :) It is a beautiful pink jewel necklace & matching earrings. I l.o.v.e. them & even more than the pretty stones is the sentimental value that my husband gave these to me for my first special day. Thank you Tim, you are so thoughtful & loved!

Mother's Day...

Today was my very first Mother's Day. What an honor it was to celebrate today. My little angel had a good day & as usual, I was a very proud mama. What better way to begin Mother's Day than to dedicate our special baby to God this morning at church. It was a wonderful ceremony & they even gave us a Bible with her name engraved on it - so special.

After church, Tim made me lunch. I then proceeded to take a nap. After naptime, I fed the baby & we were off to Starbucks & to pick up Red Robin for dinner - yumm!! Tim spoiled me (as usual) with a beautiful necklace & matching earrings - I will try to post a picture of them this week. Thank you Tim (& Ella) for making my very first Mother's Day an amazing day - I love you both dearly.

Dedication:

Smiles - she smiles now all of the time - I l.o.v.e. it!!

Mama & Ella

Richard, Faith, & Grandma Great...

As you faithful blog readers know, Tim's family came to visit us the week before last. We had a wonderful time together & even got to see Tim's entire immediate family, which is a rare treat for all. Thank you Richard & Faith for all of your help on the house, with the house work, & for loving our baby as much as we do. We appreciate you! And thank you Grandma Great for coming to visit your only Great Granddaughter - what a joy it was to have you! Here are some photos from their visit...

Grammy & Sweet-Pea

Papa with Ella's cousins - Silas & Eli...

Grandma Great with her two great grandsons...

The gang at lunch at Bob's Red Mill - Jeff & Kim & family & all of us (except Tim who was taking the photo)... :)