Oh Deer! Part 2

This time it was at a farm instead of our house, but hey, a deer is a deer!!

Ella was feeding him corn and would beckon him to come back when he tried to walk away.

There were more than just this one, but being that it was slightly chilly they were all snuggled up together...I guess Jethro here was more hungry than cold.

She really had a wonderful time...we all did!

Rub a dub dub...

...three sweeties in a tub!!

Last weekend Juli had to go out of town, so Matt and I kept Elissa (4) and Luke (9 mos). Ella really enjoyed them being here and I think they had fun. Hannah (16) came along as well. She was such a huge help since I've been so puny lately.

They also spent some time here...

While Luke did this... Matt really enjoyed his only male companion, they bonded-it was cute!

And sometimes we even shared our inner "drama queen" with everyone. It looks like this...

All in all it was a productive weekend: Juli and Scott got some time alone with no kids, Ella learned how to share (sort of), we inherited a wonderful oil painting to adorn the blank wall over our couch from market, and Matt and I got a little slice of what life will be like with more than one child...I will miss my nights of uninterupted sleep!! But bring it on.

Baby Euten: 7 weeks 5 days

We met our newest addition for the first time yesterday. And like two years ago when we heard the first heart beat the reaction was much the same: my eyes filled with tears and my heart filled with joy! What a wonderful miracle to hear such a strong heart beat, it made the past 7 weeks of utter sickness and nausea well worth it. And because of little "newbie" I can only stare at this computer screen for a VERY short amount of time before it makes me S-I-C-K, hence the lack of posting lately. I must say, though, Ella is excited-she loves babies. Though I think she was mildly disappointed yesterday at the ultrasound...it wasn't quite the "baby" she expected to see. December was a big month for us. Matt and I celebrated four years together, he turned 31 the same day we found out we were pregnant again, we had a wonderful stay at the Opryland hotel in Nashville and of course Christmas. Those pictures will have to come later-my computer time is sadly over!!!

Our 4th Anniversary!

Four years ago today was by far one of the best days of my life. Second to only the day Ella was born. Matt and I began our lives together on this day and it obviously holds such a very special place in my heart. Matt and I didn't date for long. In fact, I've only known him for 9 months longer than I've been married to him. We met in March (yes, for the FIRST time), were engaged in June and married in December...of the same year. I guess our relationship is a testament to the ever popular phrase, "when you know, you know." Or maybe it's just a testament to how miraculously our Lord works. When I think about the two months between the time that we met and the time that we got engaged it seems like such a short amount of time just rolling off of your lips, however, it seemed as though the Lord stopped time during that two months for us so we could know and learn about each other in the way He wanted us to. Matt prayed with me, about everything, but mostly about us from the beginning. And though we liked each other... a lot, we didn't want to do anything outside of the Lord's great will. I had never prayed with someone else in this way before. Until this point my relationship with my heavenly father was personal, except for with my family. And sadly, Matt was just about the only boy that I ever dated that said the blessing at dinner. Needless to say, my eyes were open from the start. It amazed me how different we were as people, but how perfect we were as a couple. By Easter, I was in love, but didn't dare say anything for fear it would "freak him out" and cause him to go running for the hills away from the nut job that wore her heart on her sleeves! So, he said it first and I followed suit. Crazy or not, at least we felt the same way. Every year I'm reminded of the work that the Lord did in our lives that year and every year I grow more thankful that He loved me so greatly that He would give me someone that was such a perfect fit. I prayed for Matt my whole life...so did my mother. And when it comes right down to it he's so much better than anybody I could have picked for myself. The Lord answered my deepest prayer when he put Matt in my life...he gave me everything I always wanted and even better the things I didn't know I wanted. So, Happy Anniversary, Matt! I love you with my whole heart, thank you for marrying me on this day!

Thanksgiving

Ella and Lissa

Ella and Uncle Zach...where he goes, she follows

Playing with Moe's, the neighbors cat...there's not an animal she doesn't like!

Precious moments...

I love Lissa and Aunt Juli, I ask about them several times a day!

Reading with Honey

Hangin' with Daddy...literally!

CHEEEEEEEEEESE!!

I love my Boppa!

The Party!

Ella's party was last Saturday. We had everything beautifully decorated outside at the gazebo, but as luck would have it the wind was just a little too much to handle. Everything had to be moved inside at the last minute so we all wouldn't blow away. However, we all had a great time and were joined by our wonderful friends and family. Ella was so fortunate to have all of her grandparents, great grandparents and even great great grandmother attend. Everyone was so generous and thoughtful with their gifts and we've been busy all week enjoying our new things! Here is the birthday girl in her new rocking chair from MeMe and PaPa:

Enjoying some food and waiting for everyone to arrive...again, most of the decorations were still outside!

The yummy cake

Blowing out the candles, which she did really well!

Daddy, Mommy and Ella

Opening gifts

Here we were listening to the sweet poem that my very talented Nana wrote for Ella. This is the very pink fur vest that she gave her...we've worn it everyday since!!

FIVE GENERATIONS: Ella, Mommy, NaNa, Boppa and great great grandmother Hazel, we call her Mimmy. She had on her fur coat as well, she and Ella made quite the pair!

Ella and Jenny, who brought her a 120-piece food set that I thought just might end our friendship, but Ella has done surprisingly well at keeping her food in her refrigerator.

Kissing on baby Luke's...

The "after" party!

We really had a wonderful time and are so thankful for everything! I must admit the 2nd birthday was extremely enjoyable. Ella knew exactly what was going on and was very excited. She didn't cry this year when we sang Happy Birthday, she joined in and loved the ongoing attention. What a difference a year makes! She's been singing Happy Birthday to herself since mid-October and has just recently stopped. We celebrated this birthday for over a month with one small party, 2 trips to Chuck E Cheese and one actual party! I'm afraid she might be mildly disappointed next year if the festivities don't linger quite so long!

Happy Halloween!!

Ella had a fantastic Halloween. She enjoyed trick-or-treating very much and to say she exhausted by the end of the night would be an understatement. We went to my aunt's house to trick-or-treat with cousin Elissa. Ella ran the entire time in an attempt to keep up with her and was more than ecstatic at the candy that was filling her bucket. After the first house, she looked in it, her mouth and eyes opened wide and she said, "Look mama, I got some candy!" She was just the most precious thing running from house to house dragging her tail behind her. Here's some pictures from the night!

Ella and Lissa in deep conversation before the big night.

Enjoying a treat afterward. She only "sampled" about eight different suckers

Mama and Ella

Daddy and baby "Lukes," who was supposed to be a skunk but slept through the festivities! He woke up in time for dinner...go figure.