Spooktacular Pumpkins

We had our 2nd Annual Mantle Pumkin Carving Fest this Sunday. All of the boys put there artistic abilities to work while the girls sat and watched (my kind of day). Greg, my father-in-law, has taught his boys well. Don't they look awesome? My house is so festive out front now.

Cody and Greg hard at work...planning and drawing

Greg (Papa) made a little cat just for Ella.

Uncle Cody and Ella (she is finally saying his name, Tody, and it is so cute)

All lit up

The cool cat pumpkin

Travis carved this bird...isn't it awesome??

Cody's sad, scary, goofy pumpkin

Greg's goofy pumpkin

All ready for Halloween!

Last post of the day....pumpkin patch fun.

Ella is getting better at smiling for the camera....
We had a great time at Mother Nature's farm last night. They have a cool pumpkin patch that Ella loved running around in. Our friends Jenn and Pat and their daughter Lauren (ella's best friend) came too, as well as my parents. We strolled through the pumpkin patch, rode on a rather boring hay ride, and enjoyed the cool, autumn night. We brought home some pumpkins and will be carving them tomorrow with Ella's other grandparents...another annual tradition. I love fall.

Ella clung to her Auntie Jenn for most of the night...
looks like she is trying to be pretty tough in this pic

The Zaur's and the Mantle's (Pat, Jenn, Lauren, Ella, Nicole, Travis)

What a goofy family....

Almost three feet tall

Lauren and Ella (one year and two years)

Ella loves Lauren (Lo Lo) and made sure she was by her side all night

Big smiles!

Such cool pumpkins at the pumpkin patch

Mimi, Ella and Papa

Ella got to see some baby chicks and of course, was obsessed

Papa and Mimi wanted to share in some Halloween fun with us because they will be running the New York Marathon next weekend (ya, awesome...I know) and won't be around for Halloween.

My 29th!

My birthday this year was very low key but just the way I like it. Travis and I went out the friday before to Bamboo Club (one of my favs), did some shopping, and strolled around Kierland Commons...on a beautiful night. Then on my actual birthday I got my beautiful Pandora bracelet with lots of fun charms on it from Travis and Ella. My principal annouced my b-day on the morning announcements at school so it was great to have practically every kid that day say "Happy Birthday Mrs. Mantle". That night my mom made me my ultimate meal...london broil-sliced thin, baked sweet potatos, green beans, and salad. And she topped it off by making me a confetti cake with confetti frosting....Ella loved it :)

Ella enjoying cake on my b-day

My grandma, Ella, and I getting ready to blow out the candles...

A beautiful day at the Riparian Preserve

Near the beginning of October, on one of the gorgeous overcast days, Trav, Ella and I went over to the Riparian Preserve to feed the ducks (of course, when we got there we read the sign that said DO NOT FEED THE DUCKS, but we did anyways). This is definitely a past time of mine...we went to Kiwana's Park to feed the ducks when I was little. Anyways, Ella loved it. We need to go more often.

Taking a stroll on the bridge!

"Hi, my name is chubby...my mom's name is chubby, my dad's name is chubby..."

The ducks came right up to us so we could give them bread....so against the rules!

So beautiful!

Pics from the party!

Ok so I don't know how to label my pictures and/or post more then 5 pics at once...help please! I also need to know how to have my post before the pics...is that possible? Here are pics from the party...Ella was so cute at the beginning but quickly got all messy after a few bounces...oh well!

The BIG 2!!!!!

Well we had the ultimate birthday weekend for our little miss. Ella Marie turned two on Friday 9/26. Travis and I both took off of work to enjoy such a special day with our little one. We slept in, had a great breakfast and then it was off to Portrait Innovations for her annual birthday picture. As I expected, Ella was just as "2" as can be and really just about refused to do anything the photographer wanted. We got one good picture (which was really all I wanted-I'll post that later once I scan it). Then it was off to Firehouse subs for teh best sandwiches around. Then it was nap time for Ella and Daddy and my time to clean house. Ella got a new Dora trike from mommy and daddy and she loved dancing next to it to the music in the driveway. It was quite hilarous. Mimi (grandma Sue) and Papa (grandpa Wayne) came over with Enchiladas for dinner. Just an all around great day! Relaxing and easy to prepare for the extravaganza to come. Saturday was the big party day. The bouncy castle arrived during Ella's nap and she was quite surprised when she woke up. Her and daddy had some alone time to bounce before the kids arrived. Guests started arriving around 3:30 and by 4:30 we had a house full of aout 35 people ranging in age from 4 months to 76 years. Ella was being a little possessive of her toys at first but eased up after a while. The all had so much fun bouncing and playing. We had great pizza and salad and an amazing Abby Cadabby cake decorated by my mom. Ella wasn't too much onto helping unwrap all her gifts so I got to do the honors (which is always fun for me). The crowd starting dispersing around 7:00 and it took Ella a loooooong time to calm down. She wasn't asleep until 10:15 but slept until 9:45 the next morning. What a magnificent birthday!

Family Photo Shoot

We had our pictures taken by a wonderfully talented photographer, Lindsey Downing. She does amazing things with her computer for the finishing touches. Ella was quite the handful during the photo session but Lindsey was VERY patient and let Ella just be as she wanted. We love how she was able to show off her innocence :)

http://www.dreamlenzphotography.com/