A visit to Columbus, OH

Well, it's been a long time since the last post because I couldn't find the USB cord for the camera. But, YAY...what was lost has been found!! I've been excited to get a few pictures up of our visit out to Ohio to see Jay, Deedee, and baby Ben.

First of all, we carried on our luggage and were feeling so proud. We packed very lightly since Jay and Deedee have all the baby stuff we need. We didn't have to bring a pack n play, or a stroller, not even a car seat! It was great. The flight then turned into an adventure for our little family of three. It took 5 hours to fly to Chicago as we were diverted up in to Canada to avoid storms, then circled the airport for an hour trying to land, then were diverted to Grand Rapids, MI to get fuel because we didn't have enough to keep circling. We waited IN THE PLANE for 2 hours while re-fuling in MI, then flew back to Chicago. Obviously, we had missed our connecting flight! So, we were re-booked on a 7:45 AM flight to Ohio and got a hotel room close to the airport for the night. We probably arrived at the hotel at 11 PM, and Ella got a VERY short night of sleep as we had to get her up really early for the early morning flight.

Ella was a TROOPER! She remained happy and polite and sweet, and only had a few moments of tears the entire time. We learned that she is more flexible than we think. The world does not end if she doesn't get enough sleep - go figure! She had lots of new friends from the flight departing Portland, and found a new love ....the airflows vent above our seats. She giggled with delight every time the air hit her on the head. Here she is showing off her scrunchy face again.

Chewing on her favorite letter of the Alphabet....



And here she is after a loooong journey, having just landed in Columbus.

Deedee and Ben picked us up at the airport and we were so happy to see them!


Here Jason is reading to Ella and Ben....




And here Uncle Jay is playing with Ella who was very, very interested in the doggie, Rudy.

Ben was a very sweet boy and joyfully shared his toys We had a few outings while we were there, first to this really neat swimming pool with a fabulous kid area, and 2 fun waterslides. We got stuck in a rainstorm at the end but it was FUN. And then the next day we went to the zoo. Here is a shot of Ella seeing the Elephants....who were outside.

Aunt Deedee and Ella, who drank out of a sippy cup for the first time ever on the trip. Thanks for sharing, Ben!

Ella loving on Rudy, and Rudy loving on Ella. It was so cute to see how interested they were in each other!

Jay and Ella on Jay's 34th Birthday - we had a delicious steak dinner, and topped it off with yellow cake and chocolate frosting. Happy Birthday, Jay!

Thanks for having us!!

Three years married!

This has always been one of my favorite wedding pictures. We are JUST MARRIED and leaving our SUPER FUN wedding reception in the Chevelle (Jason's first car he bought when he was 15 years old!) It's a joyful picture for me. Blissful. And the joy of marriage with Jason has continued on these past 3 years. I tell him all the time...."Best three years of my life!"

Often times when I'm alone I have this reoccurring thought....it's kind of odd that I keep thinking it.....but I'll share. I'm standing at a podium in front of a very large crowd of people, and I'm giving a speech on why I do believe my husband is the best man in the entire universe, in the history of all time. It's a speech I keep having to re-create because he continues to get better and better. Truly. And I also tell him all the time...."You're the best man in the universe galaxy!" :) Just like that. (And no offense to all the other wonderful husbands out there.)

Anyways, here are my top 10 things from my podium today....

1. His heart

2. His ability to be transparent and vulnerable

3. He is a real MAN. (this includes too many things to say....He can fix anything, he owns up, makes tough decisions, etc. etc.)

4. The way he loves sacrificially. He doesn't even try, it's just a part of how God made him.

5. His dance move he does for me when I'm grumpy

6. His constant ability to be my partner in life. He never puts us at odds against each other. Unity comes easily for him.

7. His thoughtfulness in relationships with friends and family

8. His work ethic

9. His wide variety of skills....from yummy homemade meals to ridiculously complex spreadsheets.

10. And I love the way he tells me that he loves me. When waking up in the morning, when going to bed at night, every single time we talk on the phone..... from the heart and with sincerity.

First Solid Food

Our big girl in her high chair awaiting her first solid food! Mushed Avocado. We saw some of her funniest faces during this process. She really enjoyed getting her fingers in her bowl and taking a loaded spoon full of avocado and tapping it on her tray ....sending avocado mush everywhere. :) So far, it's been straight to the bath tub after eating. :)

The Good Life

We've just been having so much fun lately. For example, Ella and I went wine tasting with our dear friend Karen last week while Jason was in Pittsburgh. We had SO much fun. Beautiful day, tasty wines, and a lovely lunch with Kay Hotaling.


Karen and Ella at the Anne Amie winery.

Lunch with Kay out on her porch....

Also, our little family of three went on our first hike! We went up to Multnomah falls on Saturday and had a great time. Ella loves, and I mean LOVES, being outside, so the fresh air was just her thing. She loved to hang out one side of the backpack the whole time and just take in the sights.

One of Ella's new favorite faces is the smiley scrunched nose face....ridiculously darling, right? Jason and Ella -

Another scruchy faces smile!

First Family-of-Three Vacation

Our first family vacation to the Oregon coast was so much fun, and so relaxing. We rented a small cabin-like house near Rockaway Beach for two nights and three days. We had a view of the bay, and two decks to choose from to sit on and enjoy the scenery.

First time the baby feet are in the sand!

For all you fans of "Settlers of Catan", Jason and I bought the "Traders and Barbarians" version so we played with new variations and in a 2 player fashion....FUN! Jason nearly always kept a fire going in the fireplace, and Ella loved to stare at the fire. Her first name does mean "bright light" after all.

We made breakfasts and dinners, ate smores, read books, had good talks, watched a movie, strolled the beach and the little town of Rockaway. Saturday was a windy day at the coast. We played for a brief time and then headed in for salt water taffy.

I don't think anything in the history of the world has been kissed more than those cheeks. Here we are getting lunch at a little deli in town.

Ella currently likes to play with all her toys at once. She is in SUCH a fun stage. She's content to just be held, she loves to snuggle, I think we could take her anywhere to do anything and she will just be happy. It's a wonderful place in life to be and we'll enjoy it for as long as it lasts! :)

Linnea's Wedding

I can't believe July is almost over! We've had a fun month. We got to go up to Lyndon, WA for my cousin Linnea's wedding. It's always so fun to be with family and have a big celebration!! Here are some pictures from that trip....

Grandpa Mike and Aunt Courtney with Ella who was just days away from cutting her first teeth! She was a bit mellow.... Grandma Gretchen at the wedding with her two grandkids....

A special moment with Daddy.....

Jay and I with our kids! Cant believe he and I are parents!!

Aunt Deedee with Ella....their first meeting! :)

Jay and Ella's first meeting as well.....she feels right at home!

Just a cutie

This is probably my favorite snapshot of Ella thus far. This was taken on the 4th of July. Ella was getting ready to see the pretty fireworks without hearing the loud booms. Of course, she never did make it to the fireworks.....

Ella, you are SO CUTE!!!