Ella's first movie...

Matt and I took Ella to see her first movie Saturday at the theatre. We saw Disney's, "UP" in 3D. What an experience it was. We had told her on Friday we were going to go and she couldn't stop talking about it the whole day. So, on Saturday afternoon we went. Bought tickets, loaded up with a huge bag of popcorn and drink and prissy with some Buncha Crunch and headed in to pick out our seats. Her eyes were WIDE open the whole way down the hall and into the theatre. The movie was very enjoyable...I cried (of course), Ella squealed, Matt laughed and baby boy bounced around to the noise-it was fun for the whole family. Being in 3D we had some rockin' glasses and Ella was slightly skeptical. I couldn't figure out why she kept taking them on and off repeatedly, I mean, this is a child that doesn't go outside without her sunglasses so I thought she would be better about that. After approximately 30 min. or so after she had given up and set hers in my lap I decided to try hers on just for kicks. OH! the smudges and fingerprints...you couldn't see ANYTHING out of those lenses least of all the screen through all those smudges! They were big and her little "button" nose couldn't completely hold them up so she kept having to put her chocolate-coated fingers up there to hold them on her face. No wonder she didn't like them. So, after a quiet giggle to myself, I gave her mine and handed her soiled pair to Matt. He looked through them, gave a laugh and began wiping. She was good about wearing them after that until the next time they got dirty and blurry. So, we played musical glasses through the entire movie, but at least we could all see through clean lenses! She was surprisingly quiet and content for the duration. It was a wonderful family date! I think Ella really enjoyed her first movie and we sure enjoyed watching her. She looked so little bitty and lost in that big seat by herself, but so big and grown up all at the same time!

Happy Father's Day!

It all started here:

Five months later she kissed him back:

He made her feel safe in this spot right here:

They were quite a pair:

They're two peas in a pod:

She has read him books:

She's his little "stinker":
And his pretty princess:
He's her hero:

And her friend:

They play hard:

Work hard:

He teaches and explains things to her:

He passed on to her his innate love of nature and animals:


He helps her conquer fears:
She thinks he can do ANYTHING from fishing...

To painting fingers and toes:


He lets her do his hair (without complaint or embarassment!)

He is the ultimate toy!!!

The epitome of fun,

And definition of what a great dad should be!


Happy Father's Day, Matt, to the greatest daddy we know!!

Thank you for staying up late even though you have to get up early,

for getting up early even though we kept you up late,

for working 6 day weeks and long hour days so I can stay home and raise our daughter,

for doing that work with a glad and joyful heart,

for being patient and caring,

loving and kind,

sensitive and understanding.

For inviting us to come to lunch,

or taking us for ice cream.

For going to the gas station at 9 p.m. for candy bars,

or stopping by the store after a long day to pick up milk or bread.

For laying with our daughter so I can have a couple minutes to myself even though you haven't had any of those moments either.

For taking us to church and teaching your daughter how to pray and showing her what it means to love Jesus...and, be like him.

For spending time with Ella when it would just be easier to rest or watch tv.

For watching girly or princess movies even though you've seen them a million times.

For giving an honest effort to pick up your clothes and put them in the laundry.

For cooking dinner when I'm too tired or lazy to do so.

For making us laugh,

discipling out of love

and listening to us talk even though it'd be nicer to have some peace and quiet.

For holding our hair back, cleaning up throw-up and going to get medicine.

For sleeping with feet in the small of your back for 2 1/2 years because your daughter liked it better in your bed than her own.

For not hunting or fishing as much as you'd like because you'd rather spend time with your girls. For putting us first...always!

For all these reasons (and many more) I'm thankful for the father you have become and the blessings you have given me in Ella and now a son.

We love you so much!!

Mini Vacay...

Matt had his wisdom teeth taken out last Wednesday. And, where better to go have the surgery than Mobile. My aunt and cousin live there so we had the same oral surgeon do it that removed mine and my brother's. We left Saturday and stayed until the following Sunday. My cousin Emma was SO wonderful to let us stay with her for the entire week, she opened her home, refrigerator and pool to us so we could have a nice family get away while Matt recovered. Matt is always busy and isn't still unless he's sleeping so having to be "down" for that day and half was hard for him, but he enjoyed it and needed some rest and relaxation desperately. My mom and Zach went with us, we enjoyed spending time with everyone. We literally slept, ate, swam, watched movies and hung out with family for the entire visit. Matt and I even had a "date night" before his surgery, which was especially sweet.





Ella and cousin Juliannah.

"Are you talking to me?"






"Sneaking" Emma's dog, Albus, some treats. Is it sneaking if you get caught?
Ella with Uncle Zach
Ella and Emma swimming. For awhile, Emma was the only one Ella would hold while in the water!

Summer just wouldn't be summer without the freedom and opportunity to submerge your entire face into some juicy watermelon!

Loving the pool!








Just some more photo fun...


Thanks Emma and aunt Myra for all your hospitality!! We miss you already!!

My Sweetest Love

Mother's Day Weekend

MeMe and Uncle Josh were here this weekend from South Carolina. It was a fun and eventful weekend. Of course, Ella had a wonderful time and it was great to have them here to help with some things around the house that we needed to do before the baby is born. That's one thing about the Euten's...when they're around stuff always gets done!! They were extremely helpful in marking things off of my list.

On Friday, we spent the afternoon outside...

Just enjoying the weather, AND each other...

It had been since January that we had seen Josh, so we were glad he was able to get some time off to come visit!Ella helped him relax by taking him fishing...she was generous enough to share her pink rod!

Saturday, Matt worked outside, we rearranged the furniture in the master bedroom (and by we, I mean everyone but me), and MeMe helped me paint Ella's room (and by helped, I mean she did most of the work!) Thank you guys!

Here is Ella sitting in her newly painted room, which she LOVES and is ecstatic about...she didn't leave it most of the weekend!

Sunday, Matt got up early and picked me flowers that he put in a vase on our table. This is what I woke up to...

Here are some pictures we took before church...

Our family

MeMe, Ella, Mommy and "the BUMP!"

Ella and Uncle JoshWe had a really nice time and enjoyed our visit! We missed PaPa and Ella will surely let him know his was missed this trip, so in honor of his absence, here are ALL of his children!

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ~Elizabeth Stone

Happy Mother's Day!!!

A Wonderful Birthday!!

Today I turned 27!! It was a great day all around. Ella and I met Matt for lunch today, it's always nice to see him in the middle of the day. Him and Ella gave me a BEAUTIFUL watch for my birthday, I was so surprised! Tonight he took us to dinner and I thoroughly enjoyed our family time. Plus, I didn't have to cook ALL DAY!! Here are some pictures from the night...

Ella enjoying some delicious b'day cheesecake!
Still going...(the cream was her favorite!!)

It was a great day to turn 27!!! I forgot to mention that when Matt gave me the watch, he said it was from both him and Ella. I told him thank you and how much I loved it, of course, then turned to her to do the same. After expressing my gratitude to her, she innocently replied, "But I didn't pay for it!" She's SO honest!!