Scrub a Dub

Fun new toy!

We got a new camera! After months of research, and debate, and price comparison, we bit the bullet on the Canon Rebel XS camera. It is a digital SLR and it is GREAT!

We finally were getting to the point that Ellen was fast enough that we couldn't get good pictures and the quality wasn't as good as I wanted. There still is a lot to learn, and a good camera does not a good photographer make, but I'll get better with some practice.

Erik especially likes the "continuous shooting" mode on the camera.

Unfinished Business

Ellen fell asleep before she had a chance to say "Good Luck!" to our buddy, Sam Greer. He is having surgery on Tuesday in Texas. Please join us in sending prayers / wishes / thoughts their way for a successful surgery, a speedy recovery and sanity for his parents!

We love you guys!

Approved!

Ellen ...

likes ...

the new deck!

Our friendly handy man, Carlos, did a great job with the deck and finished in 5 days, which was even better. The best, though, was that Carlos' buddy brought him authentic Mexican gorditas for lunch and Erik ran out to the truck to get a few for us. YUM!

Projects!

A noisy week at our house ... we finally bit the bullet on the long overdue deck repair.

Before: (Recall there used to be a scary room over this cement pad - it was torn down in October in a fit of nesting).

During:

Wrapping things up ...

Ellen is psyched, but a little miffed that we got rid of the baby swimming pool in picture #1

The 2nd time!

And the 3rd, and 4th, and 5th .... and 16th!

Yes, she is finally rolling. Only 8 short weeks between the first roll and the second. Watch out, though, now she can't stop!

She wants your cake

Happy Birthday to our good friend!

31?

Who put the time machine on fast forward?

TGIF

An eventful day at our house!

Well, not really, but I usually end up using Ellen as a prop for picture time. She likes it, I swear!

Unfortunately, my laptop has been having some "issues" (to say the least). While I was on the phone with our friendly Mr. Computer Fix It, Ellen took the opportunity to poop through her brand new outfit. It did, however, allow us to play dress up in another new outfit. Thanks Andrea! (Also, by the way, I had 1,085 viruses on my computer. Apparently, virus protection software would be a good gift for new parents).

Ellen is really starting to show interest in what we are doing - give me that camera! (She likes to grab hair now, too).

Happy Weekend everyone!

In her own time

For weeks now, I have been hoping to have a great video of Ellen rolling all over the place. She; however, has been in no mood to comply.

She rolled over for the first time at 15 weeks. Erik will tell you it was in celebration of Cole Aldridge's triple double. Yes, it was in March. Eight weeks ago!

Despite tummy time everyday, she just isn't in a big rush to do it again. Maybe she is lazy, maybe she is just content, or maybe she has poor athletic skills like her mother.

She does like to pivot around in a circle on her belly and we're moving on to work on sitting. I guess she'll learn someday ... I don't know any adults who can't roll over, do you?

New game

She's a smart one ... What's next? Algebra?

Happiness is ...

Peonies in my garden and a girl who likes to wear them ...

And a husband who makes pancakes and goes out to get the good coffee at 6:45am (before the coffee shop opens!) ...

Last year, I asked my good friend Carrie what she got for Mother's Day. Worms. I thought, worms? What a terrible gift! But, turns out it was a great gift because she asked for them to do vermiposting! A composter will also be joining our household this year, you know, to thank Mother Earth and all.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, grandmoms and moms-to-be out there!

Pizza Ven

Friday nights are generally take-out nights in our house, unless we have some particularly tasty leftovers. That is doubtful, though, because usually we have already eaten leftovers on Wednesday and Thursday nights!

We are a pizza-loving family and we almost always order from non-chain places. Pizza Oven is a newer place right by our house at 80th and State Line. (8017 State Line Road, 816-886-9595). One of our good friends, who shall remain nameless, drove by and said "Pizza Ven? What kind of name is that?" The name stuck, and now that is our name for the neighborhood pizza joint.

The pizza is really pretty good and last night it was extra good. Crispy crust, good cheese, not too thin and not too thick. An easy meal and more leftovers!

We always like to support local restaurants - check it out if you're in the neighborhood!

Is there a correlation?

Does the amount of drool equate to when the teeth erupt and/or how many there are?

If so, get this girl a Dentist ...

Cinco Months!

Yep, it's that time again!

We had a Cinco de Mayo party to celebrate! With all the busy-ness, we didn't get many good pictures of Ellen, but she was definitely in a party mood ...

Lesson for the day: Anticipation

It's called a zerbert.

Ellen scrunches her face up in the cutest way when she thinks she'll get one.

Don't worry, I'm not spitting on her!