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!!

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.