Ellie is FOUR!

Today our sweet niece, Ellie Marie, turned four.  She is such a joy to be around. Her smile lights up my world and the day she was born was one of the most special days of my life. Her sweet and sassy personality is hilarious. She is so funny and without knowing it makes everyone around her belly laugh.

It was Ellie's day and she told us what she wanted to do. We went to the pumpkin patch and the carousel.  We went out to lunch and played in Papa's leaves. We had a spaghetti dinner with Granny. Ellie blew out her candles on tiny, little birthday cupcakes, opened her presents and played in a pile of balloons while singing songs to Papa's guitar.

The trick candles kept re-lighting! Even Landon was helping to blow out the candles!

Kisses from her horse-head-on-a-stick that Addi got her!

At The Pumpkin Patch

As part of Ellie's birthday celebration we visited the pumpkin patch.  It was cold and wet but the kids and Papa had a great time choosing their pumpkins!

I am still not allowing myself to use auto mode. I am struggling with being able to change my camera settings fast enough to keep up with the kids. Because Landon isn't running around yet, I find it easier to photograph him!

{Landon Wayne, 15 months old}

"This." 

{Addison Jo, 4 years, 11 months, 22 days old, that's right she turns 5 in a week!}

{Ellie Marie, 4th Birthday!}

So I had to kindly steal some of sister's pictures!

In Papa's Leaves

When Papa cleans up his yard he always leaves a huge pile of leaves for the girls to play in. With giant smiles on their faces and with handfuls of snow soaked leaves Addi and Ellie chased us around the yard. What is more fun than a giant leaf fight?

Ellie getting me! Sara's Picture

Sara's Picture

Sara's Picture

In Black & White

I am still forcing myself to stay out of auto mode. I am usually frustrated and think about putting down my camera permanently and trying out a new hobby! Today I played with the black & white feature on my camera, in manual mode.

Landon, 15 months. Running-a-muck, naked after his bath. 

Due to the low light in my house I used a high ISO. The picture is very grainy. I get what this means now!

After almost 5 years, she is so sick of having the camera pointed at her!

Playing with Princess the Cat, his favorite animal.

Playing with Auntie.

Mary Found Her Lamb

All it took was one bandanna to turn a little boy into a lamb. 

Addi was rummaging through my drawer and found two brightly colored bandannas, "These are perfect!" she exclaimed.  Apparently she tied one on herself and one on her ever-so-willing little brother. They both came crawling into the kitchen. "Look, Mama. I'm Mary and I've found my lamb." 

I am pretty sure they were practicing trick-or-treating in this one!

As long as she is playing with him, he doesn't care what they are doing!

October Visitors

We have had a great month full of visiting friends and family.

My wonderful friend, Elizabeth, called and asked if she could drive three hours to visit and stay the night. She said,  "I want to see you, the family and your home." She may not know how that simple act of wanting to visit us means the world to me. Elizabeth and I had a lot of wedding plans to catch up on! Her and I were able to sneak away for dinner and a movie. It was a great visit with one of my oldest friends. We always manage to pick up right where we left off last time as if no time had passed. {somehow I didn't take one single picture, so not like me.}

Our friend Danny also stayed with us for several days this past month. He was hoping to bag some pheasants. Well, he came up empty-handed, but we had a great time catching up with him. Somehow three years went by with out us seeing him. Too long, way too long.

Grandma D and Grandpa J spent several days spoiling us! Grandpa brought raspberries! Grandpa always brings berries! Grandma & Grandpa were able to watch Addi in a gymnastics practice. We made a yummy rib dinner and went on walks around our town. Grandma and Addi collected leaves and drew love notes on them.

Grandpa and Landon playing pattie cake.

In awe over his Halloween pinwheel!

The party decorations Addi & Grandma made for their special jungle party.

We are so looking forward to our end of October visitors - Sara & Ellie! Yay!

Dishwasher Fun

Some of my favorites pictures of baby Addi are these, sweet 9 month old Addison:

"Helping" me load or unload the dishwasher!

Landon is becoming equally as 'helpful' with the dishes!

{Landon 15 months old.}