Like a kid in a candy store

Actually, Ben would probably tell you it was BETTER than a candy store!

On Saturday, we went to our friends' Sam and Amy's house for a cookout. There were a ton of families and kids. The fun part about Sam and Amy's is that they have a TON of really cool toys for kids (like every electric ride-on toy you could ever imagine). Well Ben hopped right on and acted like he had been driving these vehicles his entire life. We couldn't get him off -- not even when the battery died. Ella also seemed to find the whole thing very exciting. I think we will be making a trip to the toy store sometime soon...

On Sunday, Ella and I went to a bridal shower for Matt's friend from law school, Sarah. I had to post this picture because Ella looked SO CUTE for the shower.

New Do

Ben was starting to look a little shaggy, so we thought it would be a good time for a haircut, especially since we leave for vacation next week. He got it chopped!! I love it! He seriously looks like he is 5 years old now! What happened to my little baby???


Ben thought he would introduce Ella to the sport of wrestling today. As you can tell from the pictures, she didn't seem to mind!

Max's Birthday Weekend

So, we headed home to Canton last weekend for Max's First Birthday Party! After the hail storm that damaged everyone's cars (seriously), we were able to party! Max has become such a big boy!






Ella thought that she would get into the party spirit too!



We ate great BBQ and enjoyed watching Max dig into his cake.




Ella was pretty tired, so she made sure that her zazzy, kaka (bunny) and blankey were with her at all time. Here she is with Gigi and Grandma Joyce



After things started to dry up a little after the terrible storm, the kids were able to run around outside and play



Here is McKenna and Ben with Ava, having the ever-popular fruit snacks and Capri Sun


One last picture of our Birthday Boy at bedtime. (he really looks so much like Ben here!)


On Sunday, we went to Erin and Josh's church and then all met up at my parents so that the kids to play some more. Ben and McKenna are DEFINITELY the BEST OF FRIENDS! You can just tell by the pictures how much they enjoy being with each other...





Seeing them together makes me wish we lived closer so that they could play all the time. But maybe because they don't get to see each other all the time, the times they are together are extra special!

I wonder if Max and Ella will be the same way....

Guess who's getting married?

We want to say CONGRATS to our friends, Meredith and Jeremy, who just got engaged! We are so happy for you! Love you both!!

Mr. Max

Happy 1st Birthday, Max!!!

Sorry, big guy. I should have posted this yesterday, on your actual birthday! I'm a bad aunt....

We LOVE YOU SO MUCH and are looking forward to your big party this weekend!

Ella's new buddy

My mother-in-law, Patty, has been working super hard watching the kids every day. We thought she could use a few days off, so today, while Ben was at school, my friend April watched Ella. April and Jeff have a golden-doodle named Montgomery, who is the biggest, cutest, sweetest dog. Ella seemed to really take a liking to him (and his toys!)

Thanks for the playdate today, April. Ella is already looking forward to spending the day with you again next Thursday!

Extreme Makeover - Home Edition

The only thing extreme about this makeover is that it has taken us over 10 months to complete one room in our house. And the room still isn't "complete" - we still need to find blinds/shades and some other minor accessories. But I was just too excited to wait any longer to post these picture!

So, the room that we have been working on is that of Ella June (aka June Bug).

Here are the before pictures:



While Ella and I were on vacation in Hilton Head, my wonderful husband painted Ella's room and re-arranged her furniture. I picked out the paint color before we left. After looking at a million shades, I settled on "Mellow Yellow". And I had been buying accessories for months and storing them in her closet until we were ready to put it all together.

Drumroll, please..... Here are the "after" pictures:














Such a HUGE DIFFERENCE, right? I LOVE how it came out!

Most of the artwork in Ella's room came from Etsy. The picture by the window, shown below, is called "Side by Side" and was painted by Marisa Haedike of Creative Thursday. Click here to check out her blog or website.


The 4 pictures above her changing table came from Sara Handken of Sarah Jane, Illustrating Childhood. Click here to check out her blog or etsy shop. I picked these because this is what I picture her looking like when she is older :)



The "June Bug" and ladybug wall decals came from Affordable Vinyl Graphics at http://www.mywalldecals.com/. You can create whatever you want, and they have lots of fun fonts, sizes and colors to choose from. They were supposed to be "easy" to put up, but Matt thought they were kids of a pain in the butt. However, he really likes the final product and has already told me that I should order more ladybugs (and even said I could order some things for Ben's room, too!)



So, what's next?? Probably Ben's room. I am trying to decide if I should stick with the Transportation theme (planes, cars, trucks, trains) that he had in his nursery or switch to zoo animals. Either way, we will probably stick with bold, primary colors.


Let me know your thoughts on Ella's room!!!