Peach Festival

On Saturday we went over to the Peach Festival at Soergels. We went late in the afternoon, so it was kinda empty, but that have Ella more room to run around. 

They had fabulous peach frozen yogurt, peach tea, peach desserts, and fresh-made peach milkshakes (they blended peaches into the vanilla ice cream in front of us). 

Josh and Ella went into the butterfly house. Ella really liked it. The pictures aren't great because I was taking them from outside the mesh. 

Ella loved "driving" the fire truck. 

And riding the "horsies"

Poolside Babe

This weekend was gorgeous, and Ella spent most of it poolside. I don't know how she tolerates the freezing cold water from the hose, but she is so adventurous it doesn't even phase her! 

Nesting or just Crazy?

Seems too early to be nesting, but this level of compulsive organization is unusual.

Upstairs hall bathroom: 

(I forgot to take a before picture but trust me it was bad) 

Extra cabinets in the kitchen: 

Before: 

After: 

For some reason, I feel like a superhero for organizing a 3x3 space. :) 

Deck Re-do

My awesome and patient husband has taken on the job of replacing our deck. We removed the old and worn wood boards for composite. Our non-code railing is also being updated. :)

This was definitely the largest house project we have taken on. And it's been intimidating, but Josh has researched so much and been so diligent - I can't wait to see the end result! 

Old deck: 

After Josh ripped up the stairs and took off the boards: 

View from the front door looking out after Eric spent a Friday night helping Josh: 

Eric and Josh worked all day Saturday. They made good progress on the support of the deck: 

Oh yeah - it rained most of the day...

Jonathan and Ella supervisor their dads' work:

First board down! 

Josh worked the entire next weekend too. Ella watched: 

I helped as official "pre-driller":

Our Friday night progress: 

Josh worked all day Saturday while I took Ella to swim lessons: 

Ella organizing the supplies: 

This weekend we wrapped up all of the composite boarding. Josh cut off all the posts and got the covers on: 

Right as Josh was about to screw in the last board, I shouted, "let's add a time capsule!" He indulged me - hope the people enjoy in 15 years! 

Now just railing and stairs left. Go Josh! 

20 months!

Ahhh!! I can't believe my baby is 20 months old! Time is going too quickly. I know next time I turn around she will be 20 YEARS old.

Here are 20 of my favorite Ella pictures:

After her first bath at home:

One day old. Holding her in the hospital as she holds in her pacifier:

How could this little smile not melt a momma's heart? [3 months]

 I love so much about this photo. (1) That her awesome daddy got her that bear for her first Valentine's Day - aren't we lucky to have a man like him? (2) That Josh set up and posed this picture for me (3) Again, with that little smile! [3 months]

 Be still my heart - those chunky legs just get me! [3 months]

This is Ella bouncing away in her bouncer. We literally couldn't take pictures of her because she was bouncing so much. :) [5 months]

She is just so stunning here to me. I know I'm biased, but I loved this phase where she was learning to smile and interact. [5 months]

Ella's first time sitting up. I love how proud of herself she is - as she should be! [6 months]

Shopping with Ella has always been an adventure.... [6 months]

8-month photo shoot fail. This girl makes me laugh everyday. [8 months]

 Ella's first picture in our new house, with her new GIANT friend, Minnie. [9 months]

If you have spent any time with Ella - you know how important Lion is in our daily lives. This well-loved, horrible smelling animal is Ella's permanent sidekick. [1 year] -- In this picture she is wearing my kilt from Scotland that my awesomely organized mother saved for me all these years. She rocks!

 My little Christmas buddy. [13 months]

I love her sneaky face here - she definitely has a sweet tooth. [15 months]

 My little mini-friend. She makes my heart grow in love everyday. [Easter, 2014. 17 Months]

Proud of herself for creating this baby-jammie masterpiece in her crib. [17 months]

I love how this picture captures Ella adventurous spirit and energy. She is playing in the bounce house we got at a yardsale (yipppee $40 for a bounce house). [around 18 months]

These two are my absolute favorite people. I love how much Ella adores her daddy. [18 months. Image credit: Leigh Young Photography]

Ella loves taking pictures of herself. "Eya" she says when she sees herself. :) [19 months]

My little fish loves everything water. I'm working hard to let go of my worries and stresses and let my little girl be little. [20 months]

Which path today?

This image and quote hit me hard this morning. 

Today is a fresh day. 

Will I be the Christ-follower I long to be? Will I be the wife I desire to be? 

Will I be the mommy my Ella deserves? 

Will I make today new or live in the choices and patterns of yesterday? 

Truck!

Ella loves trucks! She "counts" them EVERYWHERE we drive, loves the garbage truck, and calls everything that isn't a car a truck (busses, vans, etc). 

Because of this, Mondays are a huge day at our house - trash day. Three different trash trucks as well as the mailman go by - Be still my heart! :) 

So this morning when I heard the first truck I went to the front door to open it for Ella to look through the glass door. This is how she came around the corner: 

Never leave Lion, your phone, or your pants behind!