Saturday, October 24, 2009

Annual Pumpkin Fun!

Tonight we ventured out to the pumpkin patch at Vertuccio Farms with lots of friends - Jenn, Pat, and Lauren, Ragan, Rydan, and Brodan, Brett and Brooklyn, and Mimi and Papa (although they aren't in any pics)! There was a lot to do at this farm but the most fun was had in the bounce house and the pumpkin patch. We attempted the corn maze for about 50 feet and then turned around knowing we would have taken all night getting lost in the dark corn field - scary!

Ella and Lauren (2 years and 1 year)- ONE YEAR AGO - at the pumpkin patch



This is now....Ella and Lauren (3 years and 2 years)

Ella was all smiles!

some smiles are cheesier than others

Mimi and Ella

I know she is over 3 feet tall (just by one inch though)

having fun in the bounce house

Daddy had to push her on this trike because she couldn't touch the pedals - she has yet to figure this out as she can't touch the pedals on the one she has at home either

"milking" the cow was her favorite part

Friday, October 16, 2009

birthday fun

I have been celebrating my 30th b-day for the past couple days...with more to come today and tomorrow. It has been so much fun! My friends and family are awesome!


my yummy oreo cookie Dairy Queen cake
Ella and Mama

Ella, Mama, and Mimi
Girls Night Out- Fae, Melissa, Ally, Me, Casey, Jenn, and Sonya

Jenn and I

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

30 years...wow!

30 Blessings…

As I turn thirty today, I think about the many blessings I have had in my life. I can’t believe I am thirty (I vividly remember my mom turning thirty – did she feel as young as I feel?…probably) My mother-in-law asked me the other day “Where did you think you would be in your life at thirty?” – it was a no brainer – “right here”. The planner in me made it all work out….I wanted to be married with two kids (almost made that one – off my 1.5 months) and teaching…I think, so far, I am on a roll and can’t wait to continue this journey with a great family and wonderful friends.

My 30 blessings –

1. My BEAUTIFUL daughter, Ella Marie – she teaches me more about love each day

2. My hilarious husband – Travis – who knew those days flirting at Abercrombie would lead to this?

3. My baby boy, Jonah Monroe, on the way….I am so excited to meet you.

4. My amazing mother – whose strength, love, knowledge, and attitude get me through every moment in life

5. My great dad – who is always there when I need him and loves Ella (he is even watching her today while I get my hair done)

6. My bro, Adam – who I wouldn’t trade for the world, even though he drives me crazy sometimes – even after 27 ½ of knowing him, I still have a hard time adjusting to his care-free attitude on life – we are the typical older child (Type A) and the younger boy rebel….I think Ella and Jonah will be the same way – but boy do we have some great childhood memories

7. My grandma – she has been a part of most of my memories and I am so thankful that we have such a good relationship – I can do no wrong in my grandma’s eyes – I feel lucky to have gotten to grow up with her around

8. My crazy, fun and huge NY family – I had always wished when I was younger that I had more cousins that lived close by but now I have my closest cousin, Amanda, right here and the rest of them just a plane ride away – it makes getting together so much more fun.

9. My NY connection – I LOVE NY and LOVE that I can go there at any time

10. My mother and father-in-law – I am so lucky to have such cool in-laws that I could never imagine being annoyed with (like so many families are). They have always treated me like a daughter and we grow closer each year (especially with these grandkids coming along)

11. A cool brother-in-law, Cody, who loves Ella like nothing else and will have so much fun with a nephew!

12. A great step-dad, Wayne, who always treats me like a princess and will help us out anytime, without fail

13. An amazing best-friend, Jenn, who is ALWAYS there for me – you would think that teaching next door and living practically next door would drive us to kill each other but it actually makes life that much greater. Our daughters will be best friends too. I wouldn’t be the person, or teacher that I am today if it weren’t for Jenn.

14. A rewarding job that I still love and feel that I am really good at. Teaching my 3rd graders keeps me sane, driven, and independent and I can’t imagine not doing it.

15. Wonderful co-workers – we are a great group who knows how to have fun

16. A home that I love and can decorate to my little heart’s desire

17. A loyal, loving dog, Colby, who doesn’t hate us for neglecting him since we have had kids…he is so good with Ella and loves us no matter what (the cats are another story)

18. My childhood friends that I am still connected with – Anne, Kelly and Melissa – we have known each other for 22 years and can get together to reminisce like it is nobody’s business

19. My AMAZING childhood – I felt that I had everything I ever wanted – and wonderful memories to prove it

20. I hate to say it but Facebook and blogging has become quite the blessing – it has reconnected me with so many people – family and friends

21. My love for shopping (thanks to my mom) AND getting a great deal – although, Travis wouldn’t think this way – I have saved us lots of money over the years

22. My Missouri family (Travis’ family) – these are the most kind-hearted, non-judgmental people you will ever know…although their way of life is so much different than ours, it is so refreshing to visit and enjoy the simple things

23. My girl friends – can’t wait for a night out tomorrow night!

24. My Aunt Jo and Aunt Donna – the two greatest aunts in the world…I love you guys!

25. My AZ family (The Haug’s) – you have always made each holiday that much more memorable

26. My crafty abilities – I feel pretty blessed that if I have a vision, I can make it happen

27. My closet, as stated in #21, I have managed to save us a lot of money but that doesn’t mean I don’t own a lot of great stuff

28. My education – I have always loved school and loved all the schools that I went to (Redbird, Johnson, Madison, Taylor, Brimhall, Mesa High and ASU – all living in the same house, while Mesa was growing) – I have to point out that my 3 years at MHS were some of the best in my life – Go Jackrabbits!

29. My metabolism – luckily, I haven’t had to work hard to stay small (we’ll see after this baby is born) – and although, hemming every pair of pants that I own stinks, being petite isn’t so bad

30. A lifetime left with more blessings to collect and dream of….I couldn’t be happier at this moment!

Thank you to everyone that has been a part of my life – this shy, little girl is now 30 years old and is making her mark on the world in more ways than one!

Saturday, October 3, 2009

California Birthdays


We (mom, wayne, trav, Ella and I) headed out Thursday 9/24 for San Diego to celebrate my mom's and Ella's birthdays. Mary and Greg (Trav's parents) met us there - aren't we so lucky to get to share every celebration with both of our families?...it couldn't get any better (well I guess if our bros had made it, it would have been) The drive was nice with Ella constantly being entertained by The Wizard of Oz!
Ella was amazed by the beautiful maple leaves she found while walking around the Gaslamp Quarter...it's the simple things...
We ate at a really great breakfast place Friday morning...Richard Walker's Pancake House...
yum, yum!
Happy Birthday Mimi!
We drove over to Coronado to walk around the beautiful but HOT beach...
Ella was dying to get feet her feet dirty in the sand...
We stopped at the Hotel Del to get some yummy drinks and a snack...
Greg and Mary (my in-laws)
Mom and Wayne
our awesome suite (all because of the great Mary Mantle and her fabulous hook-ups)
views from the corner window
On Ella's birthday we went to Sea World. She was quite overwhelmed throughout most of the day and we all experienced our fair share of 3 year old melt-downs....wow! She was so enthralled by the sea life...and didn't want to leave any of the exhibits.
creepy!
getting ready for Shamu....most definitely the highlight of our day!
I now recall why Adam and I wanted to be Shamu trainers when we were younger...what a magnificent creature...I was almost crying between watching Ella's mesmerized face and reliving my own memories of loving this show...
feeding the seals...with Mimi and Papa
even after all the meltdowns and pushing everyone to their limits, Ella still deserved another small birthday celebration so we stopped at Ralph's on the way home to pick up some cupcakes and candles...
I'm THREE!
and don't need anymore sugar...but what the heck!!
here is the proof...Ella got her hair from somewhere...her Mimaw and Mimi (combined)
the morning that we left we took a stroll along the marina near our hotel
The Hilton San Diego Bayfront
on the way home....with her new magna doodle for more entertainment...plus, more Wizard of Oz

It was a great trip.....an end to a summer of incredible trips!