Halloween 2010

I know, I know I am a little behind on posts...almost a month! But today is catch up day so enjoy..

Halloween this year was a blast as always. We headed over to the Zaur's (right behind us) for pizza before heading out in the neighborhood. Sidney and Shelby helped out as always with the girls - thanks girls.

Our Annual Pumpkin carving was once again, a success....Ella drew on the little one, Papa Mantle carved the skull, and Daddy carved the silly face...way to go!

Snow White!

They were very excited!

At the last minute, I decided to put Ella's clown costume on Jonah...don't worry, he won't be a KC Chief's cheerleader next year :)

The crazy Mantle family (who now all dresses up for Halloween) - travis was the hit of the neighborhood and was forced to be friendly to every kid on the street since he chose to be the beloved Bert :) It was hilarious!

Princess Lauren and SnowWhite Ella

Our beauty, ready to collect some treats - she did really well and was having a lot of fun until one man dressed as a zombie scared her to death and then she was done...plus, she had some pretty bad blisters from her sparkly red shoes, poor girl

Bert (I mean Daddy) and Ella

Mommy and Ella

Jonah and Bradley (11mos. and 3 mos)

Ella and Lauren have this same picture in these same costumes from 3 years ago - sorry too lazy right now to search for it.

New ideas...cute stuff

With new ideas being given to me and others bursting out of my head, Ella Jo Customs has all sorts of new items to choose from. I am going to start making more "inventory" type items but will still spend most of my time making "made-to-order" items.

Check out this cute one....$15.00

This one is $12.00

Loved this idea....$15.00 for short sleeves, $17.00 for long-sleeves and $5.00 for the bow

And one of my favorite tutu combos to date...this purple is just gorgeous and will look darling on a little baby girl. With tutu prices down, this whole outfit is only $31.00...cheap!!!!

Go to http://www.ellajocustoms.blogspot.com/ for more pics and order info.

or email me at ellajocustoms@cox.net

Jonah's 1st Haircut

On November 7, 2010 Jonah had his first haircut....just a couple weeks shy of his 1st birthday. Ella was almost 3 when she had her first haircut....but I guess boys are different (in so many ways...) My mom just trimmed up his bangs because they were totally covereing his eyes. he looked pretty nerdy for a few days but it looks better now.

There was definitely some restraining that needed to be done.

All done!

Pumpkin Patch 2010

We ventured back to Mother Nature's farm this year for our annual Pumpkin Patch fun with the Zaur's. Just the moms and kids went this time as Jenn and I are both home at the moment - so sad that she is heading back to work next week :( The kids had a blast even though we were sweating buckets out there in late October - not right! This was Jonah's first patch experience and he was quite content in his stroller for the most part. As soon as he got out he was an instant mess looking for the perfect pumpkin.

All ready with their lunches for our picnic at the patch.

They are both getting so big. Lauren, 3 and Ella, 4.

The girls decorated a pumpkin.

We played follow-the-leader through the hay-maze.

Ella is already used to having to restrain her brother for a picture.

The ever-growing Mantle/Zaur gang - Jonah, Ella, Lauren and Bradley.

I think he touched every pumpkin out there.

Besties!

In the blazing heat on our hayride...we had a great time!

I love this tradition we share - thanks Zaurs!

Walking the line...

Not a straight line that is. There would be no passing a sobriety test for this little guy. At 11 months, Jonah is officially walking. He has been taking steps for over a month but now uses only his legs as his main form of transportation. He is about 2 months ahead of Ella with this milestone (it's the small motor skills that are slower). We are proud of our little man for being so brave....but know it might be pure torture for our anxiety levels in the future. He truly gets into everything he is not supposed to and could care less about toys and baby things. His smile is contagious, his gorgeous blue eyes are constantly complemented on, and his "Justin Bieber" hair is out of control....but we LOVE it all.

Soccer Saturdays...

So we have started Ella in soccer through GYSA (Gilbert Youth Soccer Assoc.). She has a game every Saturday morning at 8:30 at the soccer complex not too far from our house. Her first game was Sept. 25th and she did amazing. She was one of the only kids that chose to play almost the entire game and she even SCORED A GOAL!!!! It was an exciting moment for all of us. These games are quite hilarious though. It is just a bunch of 3 and 4 year olds running around in circles or, in Ella's case, just standing around waiting for the ball to come to her :) They can really score on either net and the coaches try really hard to get each kid out on the field...the problem is not timing, it is getting these timid kids to want to play. Ella is among the older kids on her team that is 6 girls and 3 boys. As the coach puts it, " Our goal this season is for us parents to become friends so we can keep doing this to see these kids grow as soccer players together." Sounds great to me. Ella has been the shy one the last two games and has decided not to play so we are hoping she gets back into it and gets out there to score more goals. We LOVE getting to do all this fun kid stuff with her...It is our first "team sport" and we are having a fabulous time. Luckily the weather is getting better so we are not sweating buckets out there at 8:30am.

All ready to go for Game #1

Daddy giving Ella a little pep talk...one of many :)

Ella meeting new friends

This is where she has spent most of her time so far... Jonah is so good about chillin in his stroller watching his big sis

I love how all of the players are at the other goal and Ella is just standing there like "what?"

Now it is time for Coach Ryan's pep talk...he is doing great with them.

So now it is all about getting Ella to want to be out there again AND for Travis and I to not get frustrated with the fact that she is being shy....we are going to try to not put any attention on the fact that she doesn't want to go out there and just go - no bribes or ultimatums. Maybe Coach will convince her this time. As my mom said, "I remember one shy little 4 year old who would have never gone out on that field..." Ok so the apple doesn't fall far...but hopefully she will boost up her confidence and get herself back out there again. We both have a feeling she is either going to be into sports or art because dance doesn't interest her at all. I have her signed up for a gymnastics class in Nov and Dec and a "Little Picassos" class in January....she should soar in both of them.

Thinking about the holidays? Think of me!

Crazy to think that the holidays are sneaking up on all of us so quickly. If you're anything like me, you have not even tried to think about Christmas gifts BUT if you have, now is a great time to order your tees, tutus, and hairbows for the little ones you love soooo much!

Go to www.ellajocustoms.blogspot.com to see many my custom creations and get ideas for your little guys or gals.

I can do custom holiday attire as well (I'm thinking black satin flower headbands with a black and silver glitter tutu or maybe a cute little onesie with a silk tie applique stitched on for you little guy)

I would really appreciate if all you blogger buds out there could be so kind and post this onto your blogs as well. I am ready to get really busy and need your help to do so :)

Going to Disney anytime soon? Fun tees to help keep all of your kiddos close by.

Only $35 for this complete outfit...smokin' deal!