Busy Week!

**Lots of photo opportunities the last couple of days...actually starting off with a couple weekends ago...we headed over to Bass Pro Shop to check it out for the first time (it's nothing like the one in Springfield, MO) but we thought Ella would like all the "stuffed" animals. It turned out all she cared about were the fish - I guess living things are more intriguing for her.
**Papa Mac (my dad) came over last Sunday to take Ella to the park. She was so excited!
**This past weekend our friends Ragan and Dan came over with their son Rydan (who some might know was born three days before Ella and we shared a wall at the hospital). They hadn't seen eachother in a while and they sure had missed eachother. They are the perfect pair...so much alike but also so different in many ways...Rydan is a good 3 inches taller than Ella and much more agile but they had their own special conversations and just cracked eachother up the entire night.
**Sunday we were over at my in-laws who live up in North Scottsdale and we spotted a bobcat in their front yard....you never know what you will come across at the Mantle Desert Zoo. It was pretty amazing seeing this creature roam around the front yard. It just made me realize how we have just invaded their space and they don't even realize it.
**Tuesday we had off of school so we all (teachers and stay-at-home moms) had a play date at Jenn's. It is always fun to get together with the ladies. Our brood just gets bigger every time we meet. Too bad we didn't get a group picture this time but I got a couple of the kiddos playing out back.

Enjoy!

She could have done this all day

CHEEEEEESE!

All ready for the park!

Ella and Papa Mac

Ella and Rydan

Hugs (come on Ella, give him some)

"Oh my, he is gonna kiss me"

We found them like this is the playroom

Just roaming through the yard

This is what we saw out the kitchen window

Playing on the swings

More of Rydan and Ella

Coen, Rydan, Lauren, and Ella

So proud!

As many of you know, my mom ran the New York Marathon on November 2nd. She did an amazing job and finished with her fastest time of 4 hours and 38 minutes. I wish I could have been there (watching - not running :) but it was fun tracking her online and watching her pace be steady at a 10 minute mile. She said it was the best experience and, of course, she can't wait to do it again. Mom, I am so proud of you....you can do anything!

On her way across the Verrazano Bridge (the first of, I think, 5 bridges)

All excited for the upcoming race and to be in NY (my moms two favorite things)

Just a gorgeous picture of Central Park that I thought I would share :)


My cousin Andrew and my Aunt Donna (and my Aunt Joann - who is taking the picture) all came in to support my mom.

I have to say it...

A little delayed, but I just have to say that I am so excited that our country has chosen a new direction. I am so excited about our new president, Barack Obama, and look forward to his open mind and new ideas. I am so not a political person but this election was way too meaningful to not be. It is too bad Arizona didn't carry suite and also have an open mind and open heart with certain issues....maybe next time. I just feel bad for my students when they tell me "the guy who hates Mexicans (Arpaio) won again"....these eight year olds are scared of him and that just sucks. And for my friends and family (and everyone else out there) that can't have the same rights that I have because of their sexual orientation. So anyways...I am just happy that our country as a whole is seeing straight. As Oprah says "HOPE WON!"

Trick or Treat!

We had a great time trick or treating last night with the Zaur's and the Cordova's. Sidney and Shelby, our backyard neighbors, were so kind and took Ella with them up to many doors. Ella absolultely LOVED it. Our neighborhood was rockin', although our street sucks - we will, from now on, pretend we live on the street behind us :) As you can see, our Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader was quite the trick-or-treater - too bad all she was allowed to eat was the granola bar she got.

GOOOOOO Chiefs!

Pre-trick or treating pizza party at the neighbors

Sidney, Ella, and Shelby trick or treating

The girls - Sidney, Lauren, Ella and Shelby

Lauren insisted that she go up to the door too and Ella was glad to help :)