Getting Dressed.

This morning Ella decided that she wanted to wear Mommy's clothes. This red shirt was the first thing to be tugged off the hanger, followed by an insistant "On!". About 5 shirts later (all left heaped on the floor), Mom was ready for a new game.

Ella's New Backpack

Ella was so excited today because Grandma Cardon sent her a Care Bear backpack.
She kept walking around in circles, enjoying the swing of it on her back and trying to catch a glimpse of it. She looks like such a big girl.
Thank-you, Grandma!
Needless to say, she didn't take it off all day. Here she is watching video games while Blake and Braydon were over hanging out.

LaDonn's 20th Birthday!

This cake is a tribute to my amazing cake decorating mentor, Summer Perry.

LaDonn, Kendra, Krista and Brett.

Kilene, Jeff, Jared and LaDonn.

LaDonn, Ella, Karissa, and Tom. We miss you, Mom and Brett!!!

Is it spring yet?

Here we are out for a walk. Aunt LaDonn took these cute pictures of Ella.

Our little tree hugger.

Happy Valentine's Day

All dressed for church--three soon to be four.
Here is Ella all dolled up in Grandma Cardon's Valentine's Day dress.
Here is Ella enjoying some roaming freedom out in the foyer of the church.
2 1/2 months until nursery. Oh, happy day!

Snow Shoeing

Here we are up at Solitude snow shoeing. It was a clear, warm day. We had a lot of fun--Ella learned to say 'snow'.

"Just going along, singing a song-- side by side"
Ella lasted as long as she could and then decided to take her morning nap. Our little snow angel.

We Love McDonalds!

Here's the Cardon Clan at McDonald's one day over the Christmas break--the perfect place to let the kids run wild and let the old people talk.
Ella loved the ice-cream--her aunts and uncles love to introduce her to all sorts of new yummy things.
Ladonn went up into the playland with Ella and brought her down the slide.
Grandma loved playing with Krista and Ella on the toddler slide.
The crazies up in the tower. This look out was fun because it looked right over where we were eatting so Ella could wave at all of us.

Some of Ella's Firsts...

Ella's first electric mixer beater with whipped cream.
Yummy. She's all smiles now but it was quite the opposite when it came time to let the beaters go. She's really getting the tantrum thing down. Ah, joy.
After the suggestion from Aunt Kilene, Mom put in Ella's first full pigtails. She was really happy about it...
Freedom, sweet freedom. This is later that night when we took them out. It was a good fro.

And this is my favortie bed head yet. It really isn't fair that this hair adorns the head of someone who at this point could really care less. I wish I could borrow her hair for a few years. Is that wrong?

Some of Ella's Utah Favorites

One of her favorite Christmas presents was a little rocking bug. It plays 'You Are My Sunshine'. She goes crazy on this thing. She gives it loves and kisses.

Here she is out in our backyard playing in the snow. She is still getting used to having things covering her hands. It drives her crazy not being able to touch everything.

Tom decided to it was time that Ella started learning how to shovel the driveway. "Who needs a snow blower when you have kids?" So he put her in the Bjorn and out they went. (Can you see me just silently shaking my head?)

She loved it!

Home

Here is the entry way and front closet. It's amazing how different it all looks now that is painted. I'll work on getting some newer pics up.

Stairs to upstairs (3 bedroom, 2 bath). There is also a basement with a large storage room and guest bedroom and bath.

I love the hardwood floors in the kitchen/dining area. It's kinda funny to look at pictures of our house with someone elses furniture in it.

Step down family room. I love how open it is and we always feel together. The door on the right leads to the laundry, garage, and basement. To the left are the doors to the backyard.

We were so excited to inherit this awesome playset. Ella loves the swings. It is fun having a yard. I can't wait for spring--to get out and plant my garden.

Home Sweet Home

Here is the front of our new home. All these pictures are back from November before we moved in. I'll have to do a serious clean/decorate job before I put up new pictures.

Here is lovely Apple Tree Dr.

This is the front living room. The front door is too the right of the picture, right behind that chair. The picture was taken from up on the stairs looking down. I love the all the windows and the tile windowsill for plants.

Same front living room. The high ceiling goes up and over to the kitchen.

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!!