Easter 2012

silly sweetie!

showing off mama's french braids! Thank you Thomas the Train for 15 minutes of a girly sitting still!

This is what you get when you ask her to say "Cheese!!"
She's got it down!

hungry and ready to eat

daddy daughter sweetness

A blossomed cross at our church Easter service

I wanted to end with that picture though it is so different from the others. It can be so easy to turn Easter into a holiday that has nothing to do with Jesus, yet He is the reason that we celebrate!! I am so thankful for my savior, who died a criminal's death for my sins. He willing laid down His life for mine (and yours, dear reader) so that I can live. That I can know grace and forgiveness, peace and love. Thank you Father for giving us your Son. The ugly, painful, wretched cross becomes a thing of beauty on Easter morning as we celebrate the fact that He has RISEN, he has risen indeed!

Annual Cherry Blossom Photos!

This is the 3rd year in a row we've gotten to take photos of our girl at the Cherry Blossoms blooming at the Capitol Mall. I love seeing how she grows from year to year. This year included lots of chasing and candid shots of our busy busy 2 year old girl! She is a delight! And the blossoms were beautiful as always!

most of the shots I got were like this! running from mama :) 

mid-ramble!

cheese-ball!

she really wanted in that fountain!

on the move again! I love this one!

just 2 years ago we were holding up a little 3 week old under these branches!

sweet girl

ha!!

For comparisons sake.....
 2010
 2011

Snow day!

Oregon's weather has had severe A.D.D this year it seems, so of course on the first official day of Spring we woke up to snow! Ellie didn't mind though and she and Matt took full advantage.....for about 15 minutes :)

love her expression in this one!

Daddy braved the weather with his girl

Time to make a snow man

Sweet helper!

Putting their snowman together

Finished product! (He had to go "nose-less" since we were out of carrots!)

a little series I like to call: Ellie at the table...

Look Whoooo Turned TWO! {Ellie's Owl Birthday Party!}

The Birthday girl in her special birthday shirt!

Invitations! 

{found here}

The inside:: we requested books for Ellie's "library"!

The "bird food"...

"Dirt and worms"aka Oreo pudding and gummi-worms! yum!

More treats! Thank you Pinterest!  

paper circles and my sewing machine = easy decor!

Made with paper lanterns! Now a fun addition to Ellie's room!

Gotta get a picture with our girly EVERY year on her birthday! This a tradition for sure!

Click here for last years picture to see how she's grown!

Printed extra owls and hand-wrote the letters to make a banner!
Do you spot our little "owl" perched up there?

Time to dig in! She went straight for the eyes! Mmmm!

After that bite, she was done! :) (works for us!)

I promise there were guests at her party too! Including (for my own memory) 2 sets of Grandparents, 1.5 sets of Great-Grandparents, 3 Aunties, 2 Uncles, 1 soon-to-be Uncle in Law, 1 cousin, 1 2nd cousin, 2 Great Aunts, 2 Great Uncles, and 4 family friends! 

Our house was FULL! 

Our girl is much loved! 

What a great day celebrating our sweet "Twoooo" year old! 

Happy 2nd Birthday Sweet Girl!!!

**whoops! This was scheduled to post yesterday but somehow it didn't **

Dear Ellie-girl,

Today you are TWO! 

The past two years of our lives with you have been the best!

Thank you for being YOU!

I chose some pictures below that capture some of the things I love most about you!

Your classic kid behavior! and way to make all things fun!

That you LOVE to brush your teeth and be silly together!

Your independent, "do it" yourself attitude and spirit (and your cute booty!)

Your joy!

      Your "hiding spots"! 

                                                     

just getting to observe you....in all moments

and every single day I get to spend with you and the countless blessings you have brought into my life!

I love you so much my sweet little 2 year old!

love, Mama

a little letter just because

Sweet girl, 

Today was a momentous day for this mama. You sat and let me give you your first french braids. they look so cute on you and make you look like such a big girl too!

I can still remember the day a few years ago when I sat braiding your Auntie Grace's hair and your grandma told me, I better have a girl some day so I could do her hair too. Somehow I just knew that would come true.  Ellie June, you mean so much to me and it's all the little things, tiny details, and special moments that make being your mama my very favorite thing.