Getaway

Don and I had a great weekend away this weekend.  We got some much needed rest and time with one another.  I recommend anyone that has the opportunity to attend any type of couples getaway or marriage retreat TO GO!  This was our second time to attend the FCA Coaches Getaway and once again it did not disappoint.  It can do wonders for your soul and your relationship.

To me, it doesn't get much better than surrounding yourself with people that "get" your lifestyle, coaching, and all that comes with it.  We met people from our area, our "new" area, and had a great time bowling, sitting in on sessions and even had a date night.  It was wonderful.

While we were away, this little girl was living it up with Peeps and DeDe.  Thank goodness for iPhones and picture texting.  DeDe made sure to keep us informed of all that was going on!

Playing in Granny's backyard.

 She went to big Sunday School at BUMC!

Before the weekend, we had a fun little week!  We met Knox and his parents for a cupcake to support a Russian adoption.  Ellie loves Knox and talks about him all the time.  She was excited about seeing her buddy and wanted a PINK cupcake!  She picked cotton candy.  Yuck.  But it was pink (with blue filling) and hey, it was for a good cause so she got to choose.

On Thursday Don had meetings in Greenfield so we rode with him.  Ellie and I got to attend our first Fiddlestick festival!  I had high hopes of her loving the rides and smiling and waving as she hopped on.  That was not the case at first but she ended up having a great time.  She did not want to leave!

The swings were NOT her favorite!

The rides were free, the games were not.  She loved the games the most, of course.

She did ride this fish ride and seemed okay at first but was ready to get OUT!  Look at her holding on for dear life.  Bless her.

The rest of these pictures are just random off of my phone.  Miss America wanted to model her new suit in her heels.  It was only appropriate:)

We made Play Doh pizzas after we got home from our trip.  This girl loves Play Doh.  It's great for the carpet and keeping a house clean for showings.  HA!  But we had fun making pizzas, pancakes and cookies.  She has such an imagination!

I just thought this was too cute.  Daddy's girl for sure!

Have a great week!

Staycation

Don has been on Spring Break all week and it has been FABULOUS!

Having the extra help all day and night is so nice.  Ellie has wanted nothing to do with me.  I can't change her diaper (bummer...ha!) buckle her into the car seat or put her to bed.  I will admit, I love putting her to bed so that makes me a little sad, but it is so sweet to see her love on Daddy and beg for him instead of me for a change.

We haven't done much over his break.  Ellie has been on Spring break from MDO too so we've been home a lot.  We've played outside, worked in the yard and Don has worked in Greenfield a couple of days.  Other than that, he's gotten to rest and relax!

Since his break is coming to a sad, sad end...we had a little bit of fun today.  First off, we started out bright and early at the Morgan Kelley Memorial 5K.  We served pancakes and cheered on all of the runners.  It was a fun morning!

Don and Ellie came up to visit and eat breakfast with us when Don broke the news to me that we had a house showing.  First thought...PANIC!  Second thought, relief!  We haven't had one in a while so I was thankful to hear we had some interest.  He worked in the house all morning while I was gone and did a great job.  I came home and finished up cleaning and then we headed out.  Ellie passed out in the car soon after we left so we went for a little afternoon drive.  Then we grabbed lunch and headed to the park!  Ellie could have stayed for hours.  We had a great time.

After the park, we headed to Home Depot, (our home away from home) for a few things Don needed.  We had talked about going to take Ellie to see The Lorax movie, but had some time to kill before it started.  We thought a little yogurt treat sounded good so we went to Yolo!

After Yolo, it was movie time!  Ellie did great.  She sat through the entire thing and did not get antsy or fussy one time.  The movie was super cute!

I thought the story was so sweet and just overall really good.  We are home now relaxing from a busy but fun day.  I just love my little family!

The rest of our weekend

**Another Picture Overload!

Saturday morning we left bright and early to head to Memphis for the BUMC egg hunt and lunch at my parents house.  Ellie hunted eggs, sat in the bunny's lap, had her face painted, crafted and decorated cookies!

 I could not believe she sat in the bunny's lap!

 Sweet girls!

  Having her face painted

 Our Youth Director, Lynn!  She wanted her picture made with her old youth and our babies.  Special picture!

After the egg hunt, we headed to DeDe's house for lunch.  Granny and Grandonna brought Ellie a basket full of fun goodies...play doh included! She was thrilled!  We had a great lunch and some nice visiting.  Ellie napped and we headed home soon after.

Sunday morning was as hectic as ever.  I am always so ready for some church time after running crazy all morning.  I don't know how we will ever make it out the door on time to get anywhere if there are ever any more kids in our family!

The Easter bunny did manage to stop by Sunday morning!  Ellie got bubbles, play-doh, crayons, goldfish, a Cinderella dress, swim suit, a movie and some PJ's.  I also set out a Jesus Calling devotional book and an Eric Carle book for her to have.

 My sweet girl in her dress.  This was the best we could do!  She is SO busy and never in the mood for pictures these days.  I am kind of sad that we didn't all 3 get a family picture in our church clothes.  Oh well, there's always next year!

She stood so still and posed for a picture with her Daddy but wanted nothing to do with a picture with me!  Gee, thanks!

 We did manage to get one after church...but Nerds served as the diversion:)

I fixed lunch for us to enjoy at home before we headed to Greenfield.  It was pretty tasty if I do say so myself!

After lunch, we hit the road and headed to Greenfield!  They had a great egg hunt with tons of fun prizes!  Maw Maw gave Ellie a basket full of goodies...including big girl panties!  Granny gave pull-ups, so I guess it's time to start getting serious on potty training.  Yikes!  Any helpful tips are appreciated!

A golden egg!

We love bubbles!

We had a very full, very busy Easter weekend spent with the ones we love most!  Don is on Spring Break all week...so exciting!

Good Friday

I already took a million pictures and we are just getting started on the weekend so thought I would go ahead and recap our Good Friday. It was a great day!  Elam's mom Kim and I had been talking forever about getting the kiddos together to play.  We tried last week when they were on spring break but we all got sick and they were in the middle of a move so we decided today would be perfect...and it was!

I thought it would be fun to turn our play date into a little Easter party with an egg hunt and a few snacks.  We were so glad baby "Henwee" and his parents got to come too!  Ellie talked for 3 days straight about "Emam" and "baby Henwee" coming over to play.

Eyeing the cookies...

They did crafts...

Sweet Henry and his Daddy

 A girl on a mission!

 The went up and down the slide a million times...

 Sweet cheeks!

 Played bubbles...

Got messy in the sand table...

More bubbles from Aunt Jenny...

 Cute cute!

They wore out the play house door bell!

Love these ladies!

Fun fun day!  We could have spent the whole day outside--it was SO nice!  We joined BB, Eric, and Mammie for dinner after the party.  Ellie played hard and was SO good.  She even ate a whole salad at dinner.  We were impressed!  We've got a big day tomorrow with DeDe, Granny and the gang!