Weekend and Today's Happenings

(Long post tonight!)

We had such a relaxing weekend! Zach's parents just bought a house in Hot Springs Village, so we loaded up the car and headed that way to see it. The weather was cold and the trees were beautiful with all the red, orange, and yellow leaves. It is always so nice to go up there and enjoy the simple things. The house was also very nice and it had no furniture yet, so it was great for Ella! She could crawl around the whole thing without us having to worry about her getting into something or pulling up on everything in her path. The guys enjoyed playing golf and us girls went to town to do some shopping. Later that night we ate at a really neat German restaurant that we try to go to each time we are there. Sadly I did not get any good pictures...my camera was dead. I did manage to snap a few shots with my video camera though. Those didn't turn out very clear so I only took about 2 pictures.

Looking out the window at the beautiful trees
with her Moni. (long 0) :)
Crawling across the floor...

Today was also my first day back as being a true stay-at-home mom. It's just Ella and me all day long and we have such a blast! She has been doing some funny things lately that keep us laughing constantly. She has a set of plastic keys that have been one of her favorites since she was able to hold anything, and they are still close by her at all times. A little too close! Her favorite thing to do while she is playing is to hold those keys in her mouth by the ring and continue on as normal. She will play with other toys, or crawl across the room with the keys hanging out of her mouth. It is pretty funny to us! I caught a little bit of her blooming personality on camera today along with her playing (with keys in her mouth). The beginning shows her silly laugh (I was just standing there with the camera) and the end shows her playing at her activity table, while holding her keys in her mouth, AND picking up another toy. I guess she was afraid she wouldn't get ample play time in today with all her toys. :)

Last night before bed...

Today...

One more thing before I go...Ranger has been paying a lot more attention to Ella lately. Well, really since she started eating solid food. He loves to stand at the side of her highchair or lie underneath waiting for a morsel of food to fall in his direction. Today as I was rinsing her veggie bowl I looked over and saw him standing with his head resting ON her highchair tray while she ate her puff snacks. I can already tell that this is going to be a game in the not so distant future!