Photographs

There are a LOT of things I really should be doing during this hour or so of down time (a.k.a Elliana's nap time). But, day after day, I can't help but feel the pull toward the laptop, the camera memory card and the habitual process of downloading, organizing and uploading of our family memories.

As I look through our photo software program, I can't help but notice that I take several hundred photos each month. Photos capturing our daily life. Our adventures. Our play time. As I look through the photos, I can't help but smile ear to ear beaming with gratitude for my life.

I love being a wife. I love being a mom. And I love the many photographs that capture these everyday moments.

Summer Fun

I can't help but share a picture of my family waving to me while swimming this past weekend. Words alone can't describe the joy that T.J. & Elliana bring to my life and how incredibly grateful I am to be a part of their lives.

The Magic of Disney

Last week, we returned from Elliana's first vacation to Walt Disney World. When we booked the trip shortly after her first birthday, we wondered if Elliana would be too young at 17 months to enjoy the vacation. Boy...am I glad that we followed our gut!

It seemed like with each new experience, Elliana blossomed more than the moment before.
On safari in Disney's Animal Kingdom, Elliana pointed to the animals and repeatedly said "hi." A smile literally never left her face during the safari adventure.
Elliana in awe of her first Disney show, Fantasmic! In between acts, she clapped and cheered and signed for more. Oh, this little girl just fills my heart with joy!

Our trip was overall, an absolute success! Elliana proved to love traveling as much as T.J. & I, and we all know that we have a long future of traveling ahead of us.

Elliana Works, Learns, and Plays

In the course of a day there are many tasks we need to complete.  We need to complete our chores, take some time for learning, and then get out for some playing time.  Elliana enjoys all these activities and in these short videos, she shows how she likes to enjoy each of them.

First, in the course of a day, with Cheerios to spill, crackers to crack, and cookies to crunch, the carpets get plenty dirty.  So vacuum we must, to keep the bugs away . . .




After the work is complete, we need to get off our feet, but learning comes next to challenge the brain.  Elliana learns on this day by putting the pieces together.  She does her best and even gives herself a little pat on the back.



When we've finished our work and learned for the day, it is time to stop and play.  We chased around a neighborhood cat.  Into the house and back out we went.  Eventually the cat got tired and went on it's way and Elliana finished her day.

Spring Into Fun

Elliana is enjoying the spring and we are enjoying it with her. Here are some recent photos of some of the things we've been up to.

Here is Elliana on our adventure in the cave at the Natural History Museum.  She and I went on the advanced trail while mommy stayed behind.  We only lost her shoes in there once.

Even with all the fun, there is a lot to do.  I found her and mommy doing laundry.  I didn't realize Elliana was part of the job.

After all the work was finished, we stopped to "Smell the Roses".  She really likes to smell flowers.  Luckily she doesn't appear to have allergies, but she does have a lot of pollen on her nose.

While we were outside, she took some time to explore and enjoy the place where mommy and daddy got married.  It was a beautiful day and Elliana approved!

Finally, even though school is still a few years away, she insisted on going.  Unfortunately, she needs to wait for the school to be built.  Yes, this is where it will be:  I think we all can wait!

We have a lot of fun together as a family and these are just a small portion of the events I've captured.  Thanks Elliana, for all of the great times and funny moments.