Happy Halloween! booooooo!

I love Halloween! It's my favorite! We carved pumpkins, roasted spicy pumpkin seeds, ate pizza and handed out candy. I posted some pictures below....

Wicked witch, little strawberry and dad in his camoflage halloween ghost pants.

Me and my little strawberry.

 Strawberry kisses are the best!

 Wendi and her boyfriend, Nick. She is dressed as KeroKeroKeroppi.

5 years

I can't believe it's been 5 years since Nick and I got married!! I honestly feel like it was just the other day when I was busy planning our wedding. I LOVED planning our wedding. It was so much fun... yes, I had some flip out moments and breakdowns, but we made it! I can kind of understand why someone might renew their vows... so they can plan a party :) Now, we are not going to do that... maybe at our 25 year anniversary!  We will be heading down to Chicago for the day. Shop, eat and talk (3 of our favorite things to do!)  I posted some pics of our wedding - enjoy!

What's the best part of your day?

Ever since Ellie was born and was able to take baths, the best part of my day was when I got to give Ellie a bath! She is SO happy and is so full of giggles.  I've been giving her a bath in the big girl tub for a couple weeks now. WHAT? You are probably thinking I'm a little nutzo, because Ellie is 15 months old now and technically a toddler. We've been doing it in the laundry room sink because it was easier and I didn't think she was ready for the big girl tub.... boy was I wrong! We had fun in the laundry sink, but had I known it would have been this fun, I would have switched sooner. {On the nights I teach Nick still does it in the sink. I think he just feels more comfortable and that's ok:) } I look forward to her bath every night.  Luckily Ellie doesn't get dry skin like her mom, otherwise she would be really dry! I'd have to really lather on the baby lotion.

"Mama, I'll take the duck, but I'm not letting go of Hippo."

 She definitely loves her "hippo".  She holds on to it so tight the whole time!!

How can you not love this face!! What's the best part of your day?

Vintage Pearl Giveaway

Last year, my husband Nick wanted to get me something a little special present for my 30th birthday... actually he was feeling a little guilty because I had thrown him a HUGE surprise 30th bash with 150 of our closest friends and family with an awesome band under a heated tent in our backyard!! I mean, it was perfect! So, when it came to my birthday a month later (his is on 10-11 and mine is on 11-10; weird hey?) he felt the need to do something nice. He got me a beautiful diamond necklace. I liked it, but didn't need something like that.

What I wanted was a cute, simple necklace with Ellie's name on it. The very next day I took the necklace back and ordered my personalized necklace from Vintage Pearl. I LOVE it. I wear it everyday and seriously never take it off. I wanted to share a chance for you to get one for yourself! Or if you are like me... another one! :)  The Vintage Pearl and NieNie is giving away (5) $50 gift certificates! Here is your chance!

This flower one is similar to the one I have, except mine says "elliana".

Milestones

Did I mention that Ellie is now a 'walker'!! Yup.. sure is. She walks...

and is giggly...

and always hyped up before bedtime!

and silly....

and walks very, very fast. Watch OUT!

We love fall!

We looooove Fall! The other weekend we went to Powder Hill at Pike Lake and hiked to the top. It was so nice out! Ellie loves being outside and is very curious about the rocks, leaves and anything she can pick up. She especially likes to taste them - yuck!

Ellie's 1st haircut!

My mom's been bugging me to cut Ellie's hair, so I finally just grabbed a scissors, got her hair a little wet and cut! Here are some before pictures.... (she was very calm all through this)

Here is a picture of Ellie a couple days after her haircut. A little crooked, but it's better than in her eyes!

names

(Ellie and I a year ago!)

It's so funny how when you think of a name for a baby, dog, fish, whatever, you never think about all the nicknames and different versions that eventually come out. For example, I was talking to Ellie and telling her a story as we were getting ready and I called her "Bells". Nick was like "Who is Bells?" I didn't even realize what I was calling her. I guess we'll just add it to the list.

Here is a list of Elliana's nicknames:

1. Ellie
2. Baby Ellie
3. Ells
4. Ells Bells
5. Bells
6. Ellie Belly
7. Ellie-chan (my mom calls her this)
8. Ellianka (my dad says this sometimes)
9. Ellianka chan

BUT we NEVER call her Elliana. Kind of odd.

Kisses and fixes

Here's an adorable picture of Meeko and Ellie. They are getting ready to go outside to watch Dad cut the grass. Meeko is starting to actually like Ellie a little and give her kisses once and awhile. ( that may be because she has rice on her chin or other food particles, but it's still a kiss! )


BTW - I fixed my video camera! Yay for me! I did a little research and ended up reformatting the hard drive. Although we lost Ellie's video from her first birthday, state fair and the zoo, I'm glad it works. I will have to be more strict about backing up the camera. Now that we don't have to buy a new video camera, I just might have to buy another gadget - I'm thinking an Itouch to watch movies when we go to Arizona in November. I'm getting a little nervous about the airplane ride. Nick and I are so excited to take Ellie on her first trip, but scared as heck. I hope we can handle it. In the mean time, I will try to do some research on how to make the ride smooth:)

Any other ideas on a good gadget to watch movies?? Something small that can go in a pocket or purse, but big enough to enjoy.