Harvest Time

This is a picture that Jen Profitt, our good friend in CA, took of Ella at the pumpkin patch. I love this picture of Ella--she was so happy that day, out in the sunshine with all the pumpkins.

Yeah, I'm One!

Oops, we forgot this one.

One Year Old

I can't believe that Ella is one. She is taking about 8 steps before she gets nervous and sits down. Instead of picking her up all the time, I'll hold out my finger, she'll grab it and walk around the house with me. She has mastered the stairs with the occassional humbling review of gravity.

We are enjoying Utah, trying to get used to the colder weather. We are in escrow for a great house in Sandy, UT. It has a guest room and bath downstairs, so you are always invited. You know I love to play hostess.

Today, Tom and Ella flew to Kansas to visit Grandpa and Grandma. Tom has a free ticket. I stayed because our airline budget is being put into the 'fridge, washer, dryer, paint, tile, ect.' budget. Plus, it means 4 mornings of sleeping in. Maybe I'll get over this cold. We Love You!!

Sunday Best

DADDY, WE MISS YOU!!!!!

Here's Ella all ready for church last Sunday. It was our last time in Rancho Santa Margarita

Our Last Weekly Trip to Disneyland

Since it was our last day, we were sure to hit our favorites: Small World (that Ella is enjoying in the above picture), the Sleeping Beauty Carousel (below), and Dumbo. There is a certain glaze of wonder that comes over little kids when they go on Small World--as they try to take it all in.

She just laughs when the carousel starts turning and points as the kids next to her go up and down.
While waiting in line this last time, she did not want to be held. She'd hold onto the bars (we love hand santizer) while we waited and then I'd help her walk along further up the line. Then she'd grap on to the railing again and watch Dumbo fly around. I am really going to miss watching her watch the wonder of this place. She makes it the happiest place on earth.

A Day at the Getty Museum

Here's Dad and Ella riding the tram up to the museum.

Ella loved walking around and looking at everything. I think her favorite part of the museum was the way that her voice echoed in the quiet, large rooms. She definately thought the place was too quiet.

The gardens and buildings were so beautiful. Here we are by one of the fountains near the entrance. This was towards the end of our visit. It was a hot, bright day and Ella was all partied out. She had a nice long nap on the drive back down from L.A. (after we stopped at Dee Dee Reese for cookies and ice-cream).

Our Last Day at the Beach

Ella would crawl straight out to Catalina if we didn't stop her.

Tom isn't working this week, so we made a list of all the things we want to do one last time before we move. The beach was number one. We spent the day splashing, digging up crabs, eatting sand and grabbing Ella as she tried to crawl into every incoming wave.

Happy Birthday, Mommy

Happy 29th birthday to me. As my cousin Tara said, "If 30 is the new 20, then you're only 19!"

Look deeeeep into my eyes.

This is my current Ella favorite: She scrunches up her face so tight and then breathes in and out really fast through her nose.

The Happiest Place on Earth

We've had fun going to Disneyland every Thursdays for the last few weeks--trying to get our fill before we leave California.

One guess who the leader of our band is...

I'm pretty proud of this picture.

Ella favorite rides are the carousel, the Dumbo ride and of course Small World.

Wild Animal Park

Ella and I had so much fun at the Wild Animal Park. We saw lions, rhinos, giraffes, and lots more safari animals. They have this great tram ride that goes around the entire park and you see all the animals out roaming. This is a really great place--quite different from a zoo. My favorite were all the baby animals. I want a baby giraffe.

Just hatched! Here's Ella sitting in an ostrich egg.

Ella's favorite part was holding on to this railing on the tram ride and then rocking out.

Sheer happiness--it's always the little things.

They had a petting zoo. These deer were so gentle. I had never been so close to one before.

Take me out to the ball game.

On Friday, August 5th, 2005 we went to see an Angels game. We got to the game at about 8pm, when Ella usually goes to bed. She sat there in all the lights and noise, trying to figure out what was going on.

Ward Beach Party

Our church group had a beach bonfire last Friday night at the San Clemente Pier. Ella and Andrew prepping for the sandcastle building contest. Ella dipping her toes in the water for the first time.
Daddy teaching Ella how to read the waves...which ones to catch and which ones to let go.
Daddy's little surf girl.
Dinner Time! The sun was so low in the evening sky that we had to just lay the umbrellas on the sand to get some shade for the babies.

Ella and Mommy enjoying the sunset.
Bliss is a blue swing on the beach.
Higher, Mommy!
All tired out.

We spent the 4th of July this year up in Santa Barbara at the home of Sheryl Marquis. It was like staying in a fancy resort, private beach and all. This picture was taken in her backyard.

Ella means 'beautiful fairy'. It suit her. She is magical in her sweet pixie way.

This is mommy's favorite picture of Ella.

Here is Ella on Father's Day, wearing the pretty outfit that Grandma Cardon sent her.

Ella hanging with Dad 

Ella at the beach