A photo a day

Valentine's day

2012-02-14T11:53:00.000-08:00

This weekend we made Ella's Valentine goody bags. She was so excited about them! Of course I had one Pinterest item involved. :)
Easy and so yummy!

Making her box! She could sit and do crafts for hours.

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Ready for school today!! So excited to give out her goody bags. :) She got in the car after school today and let out a big sigh. She said "school was hard today and I'm tired". ha ha.

I went out last night and go last minute gifts for my babies. We had to wait for the baby to wake up to open their gifts. (he sleeps better than the older two!)
I went to put Ty on Ella's lap and Jeffy had a fit, he wanted to hold him too. I love them.

LOL

Don't judge the plastic bag wrapping job.

bath time fun

2012-02-13T11:46:00.000-08:00

I love me some babies in the bath.

I am so sad that bubba's face is a little OOF (out of focus) but I just adore this photo of my babies.

my girl and her first towel wrap. love her to the moon and back

brushing her, um, lips?

My baby will be 4 months tomorrow! How in the world?!

sweetest, easiest, loviest baby EVER.

ABC's and other things

2012-01-16T09:33:00.000-08:00

I joined a project on Facebook called Photo 52. Each week is a letter of the alphabet and we will go through it twice. I have been good (so far) about participating!

I am so very in love with the next two photos. They bring me peace in my heart. (which is VERY needed some days!)

I did a V-day shoot with Bubba before the snow, I can't decide if I like sissy's better with the snow or his with out. Either way, I love these!

I love this comparison shot of my baby boy. Who by theway is the sweetest most perfect baby on the planet.

Ty turned three months on Saturday so I did a little 3 month shoot. :)

It was abnormally warm around these parts last week, so the kids and I ventured outside to play! Bubba loved it!
Gah, how did he get so big?!?! It seriously feels like it happens over nght!

Then the next day it was too cold to go out so I brought the snow in!

I'll leave you all with this little treat! I couldnt of planned it if I tried.

Tiny Love

2012-01-03T10:31:00.000-08:00

I love you sweet sweet boy. Every square inch of you.

Sissy shared her bear with baby Ty

What a perfect addition you have been to our family

18 months

2012-01-01T18:04:00.000-08:00

I will get back to updating but I had to post these bath photos of my second born! Tomorrow he turns 18 months already!!

My baby turned 3!

2011-12-30T11:18:00.000-08:00

October 10, 2008 was the day I became a mother. The day that would change my world forever. The day I learned what REAL love is. The day my life really began. I love you Ella Ann!
Newbie

First Birthday photo shoot. I love looking back at my photo skillz. ha ha

2nd Birthday

3rd Birthday. My oh my, where did this big girl come from?!

She had a pretty low key party. A few friends, a cake, and some family. Perfect. and she is such a special girl she got to have a party with her playgroup friends too!

How did we go from this

to this!? so quickly!

Ok, enough reminiscing, on to the party pics!

Her cake came all the way from IN! It was an import. :)

Her BFF!

Me and my babies! I had no idea that baby Ty would join us just one week after this photo was taken!

ha ha, Bubba

Cupcakes, yum!

A few playgroup friends!

And school friends!

Ella, my love,
You are sweet, sensitive, kind, giving, sometimes sassy(and you tell us when you are sassy), and mostly just a joy to have in our lives. Every night you go to bed your daddy and I talk about what an amazing kid you are. When you wake up you peak out of your room and ask "is it morning for me yet?". You ask if you can have candy on a daily basis and its always "I may have this, yes or no?" :insert head tilt: You love your brothers to the moon and back and you will put your arm around Jeff and say "come on Jeffrey, lets go play". You tell me a hundred times a day " mommy, i love you". You are obsessed with all things small and stuffed. You will pick up a tiny stuffed animal and say "but i love it SO much, I may sleep with him?" You are all things music too! The other day you sang me a song and told me you learned it from your radio. You amaze me little girl. I love you so.

Let's back up, shall we? Jeff's 1st birthday!

2011-12-29T12:05:00.001-08:00

I missed some big milestones when I jumped back into posting. My first son turned 1 SIX months ago! OMG! How did this happen?!
We planned to have his birthday party and his Baptism in the same weekend so that family from out of town could attend both big events. We had people in from WI, IN, NY, WA, and, AZ! Pretty amazing. :)
I'll let the photos tell the story of the weekend.

Ella and Grandpa Jeff

Birthday boy

His new face

So many loved ones

My amazing friend, whom I have NO pictures with came over the day before the party and decorated for us. Love her.

You've got some cheese on your chin. ;)

My beautiful step-mom from Seattle, my Aunt from AZ, my Aunt from IN, and my Gram from IN.

Playing before the party

The cousins loved the play house

Our fam of 4.5- I was 21 weeks pregnant

"Aunt" Katie from WI

Waiting to open his gifts!

Grandpa being a pest. haha

This just makes me laugh

I swear we just did this with Ella! (her 3rd bday post will be tomorrow)

He wasn't really into the cupcake

bored

Let's see what I can remember about Jeffy when he was one.
He crawled like a champ and said da da when he wanted. He had just learned to wave and blow kisses. He was 25lbs as much as his sister. :) He still wasn't sleeping through the night and he was almost always in his big boy bed.
I love you sweet boy

I will save the baptism pics for another post.

November 2011

2011-12-29T10:56:00.000-08:00

Let me go ahead and sum up November and tomorrow will be December, that way I don't feel so overwhelmed and I may actually keep up with this blog!

My dad came for a visit to meet his newest grandson! Yay for Grandpa Jeff visits.

We went to the zoo!

There is a fresh new baby under that blanket. :)

My sister had a baby girl about 5 weeks after Ty was born and I got to take some newbie pics of her at Thanksgiving. Love.

She looks identical to my sis as a baby in this one. I can't get over it.

Thats my sisters kid, full of attitude already. :)

It was nice to have my whole family in the same room for a little bit!
My brother, sister, mom and myself

Then we tried to get some of all my moms grandkids, ha ha. That was interesting.

Bubba and his guitar. love him.

he he

Bubba and Uncle Cole

After Thanksgiving we headed up to my best friend Katie's house for her sons baptism. Chase and Ty were born 4 days apart!
Katie and Brandon live on "candy cane lane" and it was the first night of it so we packed up the babes and headed out to see the lights!

Katies mom made these adorable hats and diaper covers for the boys but getting them together wasnt an option. They were just too old at that point to get them to sleep or maneuver them into the right position. So here is the only one I got of Ty.
(obviously unedited)

But I did manage to get a few of Chase and ended up making their Christmas card out of one. LOVE!

A few of the boys in their matching pj's

And then we had Chase's baptism on Sunday

Sweet boy

I received the most perfect early birthday present from my Aunt Caryn. I love it to the moon and back!

and the kids saw Santa. They actually did REALLY well. I was expecting way worse!
I cannot believe how old my daughter looks. I just stared at this photo for the longest time when I brought it home. Time is flying.

I shall end with the most perfect shirt I have ever bought at a garage sale.

Catch up!

2011-12-27T10:19:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been awhile since I have posted. I get so mad at myself because I love looking back at my blog but I am just too lazy to do it! Since my last post we have added a family member!

Tyler (Ty) Joseph was born almost 3 weeks early on October 14, 2011 weighing in at 7lbs10oz and 20 inches long. He is PERFECT, the most perfect baby ever. He is just over 2 months and already sleeping through the night. Yes, he is my favorite. ;)

His birth announcement

In the hospital with his big bro and sis

Love this one, my gram and E ( she was sharing her baby with him)

my babies

Just a few days old and already at the pumpkin patch!

Family of FIVE!

A couple of Ella's big 3 year photoshoot!

And... a few halloween

My dad came to visit after Ty was born and he got a few pics for us that we used for our Christmas card. Of course it was 50 degrees and windy that day. My poor kids were freezing. But we managed to get a couple cute ones!

I did mini Holiday sessions and I wanted to practice on my kiddos

Favorite photo, ever of Bubba

ha!

my other sweet boy

ok...will finish later!

Family Apple Picking day

2011-09-27T05:04:00.001-07:00

Saturday was a perfect fall day and the fam and I went back for some more apple picking! We got a HUGE bag full! My husband and his daughter made 7 pies on Sunday. Those pictures are coming.
But for now....here is my sweet boy who was so content to just sit right by the trees and eat all the apples that he could find. ha ha.

4 weeks and we will have another baby!!!! I can't believe how lucky I am.

Johnny Appleseed Festival

2011-09-21T10:55:00.000-07:00

I LOVE fall! I love it so much! I love all the things that come with fall....jeans, sweatshirts, chilly mornings, bonfires, apple picking, pumpkin picking, windows open, crisp fresh air, and all the festibals as Ella calls them.
We went to one last weekend and my girl had a blast!

They climbed hay

They bounced on a HUGE bouncy thing

They rode in cow barrels. My husband tried to get me to go too. It seriously would of bounced this baby out right there in the corn field!

We went through a corn maze

And then they slid down the fastest hill side slide I have ever seen. I think Ella loved it!

So fun! More apple picking this weekend!

Raspberry Picking!

2011-09-16T12:35:00.000-07:00

How fun! We have never picked our own raspberries before. When I told Ella that was what we were doing today she laughed. She said "raspberry picking? that's silly mommy" ha ha. Love her. She did so well and we got a pint full of beautiful red berries. Love these memories with my girl.

Looking for the perfect one. <3

Still on the stem

We found a tire swing on the way back, she loved it

She got really upset when I was making her have a photo shoot and someone else got on the tire swing. ha ha.

Love this spot!

Apple picking!

2011-09-15T12:22:00.000-07:00

To say I love these photos is an understatement. I *should* be cleaning up my house/doing laundry/or doing the dishes but I have spent the last 2.5 hours working on these instead. :) LOVE.

Here is Ella 2 years ago apple picking in the same hat. I think my photo skillz have improved, just a little. :)

Today

I am 34 weeks pregnant with #3, give me a little break on the appearance. ;) P.S. From October 2008 to October 2011 I will have birthed THREE children!

First day of 3 yr preschool

2011-09-14T16:36:00.000-07:00

I really want to get back into my blogging. I actually really miss it and I love being able to look back so easily at the milestones in mine and my families life. So today I am posting Ella's first day of school pics! :)

and one of my babies together, gah, I love them.

I will try to keep up for now!

New baby will be here in 7 weeks or less so we shall see how this goes. :)

I Heart Faces: red,white, and blue

2011-07-05T14:29:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist posting this one of my baby girl and her daddy. So sweet.

Head to www.iheartfaces.com to check out more!

Is there anyone out there??

2011-05-02T16:11:00.000-07:00

I don't know what my deal is. I just haven't felt like blogging. But I am going to catch up over the next few days. Let me go through my flickr stream and see what we have. :)
Jeff's 9 month pics- and now today he turned 10 months. Man, I am behind.

Cute mohawk man

Easter card I sent out to the fam

Easter Egg coloring

Easter Egg Hunt

Thats enough for today, tomorrow I will share the LARGE amount of photos from our trip to FL!
Have a good night.

Big News!

2011-04-13T17:52:00.000-07:00

Oh hi baby #3!

My little halloween baby!

Bad Blogger

2011-04-07T16:40:00.000-07:00

I just literally haven't felt like blogging. Sorry.
But today we did an Easter shoot and they are too cute not to post.

Yeah, um, be-still my heart.

Some others from lately

Ha ha, playing with the computer camera

Playing so nicely

Eating the people

Not even the house is safe

I Heart Faces: best face

2011-04-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

Not much to say about this just that he owns my heart.

Head to http://www.iheartfaces.com/to see more favorite faces!

Park, bath, and play

2011-03-23T09:56:00.001-07:00

I took the kids and Ella's BFF to the park the other day. The girls had a blast!

Attitude much???

Big girl!

Love

My new favorite photo. Gah, I love this kid

New shoes

Silly Boy

Sidewalk chalk and rocks

2011-03-17T16:53:00.000-07:00

Oh man, I NEEDED today. I needed the sunshine. I needed the warmth. I needed to get outside.
So did my kids.
We had a great walk with Mya and then played outside for a bit.
Ella played with sidewalk chalk while brother ate rocks. ehh, it's all in a days work.

Park Day 2

2011-03-08T11:55:00.000-08:00

I LOVE when it starts to get nice, don't we all?! It was only around 48 but it is nice enough for me. Ella was SO excited to go to the park and Jeff got his first swing ride!!!
Love them!

Walkers, couches, and crayon drawers.

2011-03-07T12:47:00.000-08:00

Random or what?! ha ha
Brother got to bring his couch home that was at my in-laws. He likes it. :)

A couple from a recent session with my girl

This is how I keep my kids busy while I make dinner. Makes for a noisy dinner making. But I love it! Brother was eating the spoon but he kept his eye on his sister and soon began banging the bowls!

We also brought the walker back from the in-laws. Our apt is literally closing in on us.

I was picking up today and I get so tired of looking at Ella's arts and crafts stuff laying around. So...I gave her her own drawer. She LOVED it!

Don't let the look on her face fool ya. She had just gotten up from nap and she doesn't like when I take pictures of her. :)

Catch up

2011-03-03T16:56:00.001-08:00

I don't have too many photos of my babes from the last couple of weeks. I have been lazy I guess.
Brother looking adorable! (oh yeah, he turned 8 months yesterday and I haven't done his tie photos yet) oops.

My beauty last night in the tub

So yesterday I was minding my own business like a good mom out in the living. Thinking that Jeff was sleeping away in his bed and Ella was quietly playing in her room. I heard Jeff's door crack open and thought it was the dog going to *bed*. After a few minutes I went to check on everyone. Ella was standing in front of Jeff's bed where there was LOTS of puffs on the ground. I asked her what she did and she very happily said "I feed brother snack momma". And then I looked in his bed.

There was also a plastic egg and chicken with his puffs. ha ha. And... she put the empty puffs container back in the pantry. Love her.

I Heart Faces : Anything but a face

2011-02-28T08:29:00.000-08:00

We had a spring like day two weeks ago and I had to take the girl out with her new umbrella and rain boots. To say I love this photo is an understatement. :)

Check out more at IHF!

New Fleece and Matilda Jane

2011-02-18T17:04:00.000-08:00

Got some new fleece today and Ella got some new MJ's. One dress is on the way but I love this little outfit!

Brother was showing off the new green and his cool dude swim trunks. Such a stud. ;)

"hey ladies!"

Spring like day!

2011-02-16T18:16:00.000-08:00

So what did we do?? We grabbed rain boots and an umbrella and tooks pics of course!

and one of brother

Jump Jump

2011-02-12T13:22:00.001-08:00

Ella got a new outfit from Aunt Caryn and she was head over heels in love! She wore it to bed!!!

First French Braid

2011-02-10T10:48:00.000-08:00

I love her so much!!!!!!!

Catch up

2011-02-10T05:11:00.000-08:00

I have been a lazy blogger and photo editor. Some of these are SOOC so don't judge the lack of artistic feel. ha.

First of all, I was bound and determined to get a *good* photo of my two children. I had to do a head swap but I am pretty excited about this one! I can't wait to get it on a BIG canvas!

A few from our first Matilda Jane shoot

Cutie boy in his pug shirt. ha . I Love it.

We had the kids Valentine's day party last Friday! Ella was excited!

I love this photo, I just wish the bathroom door wouldn't of been open. grrrr

First face painting experience!

It tickles

Watching the big boys

Joining the big boys

Flirting with the big boys?!

Emma and Ella, two peas in a pod

My sister-in-law was visiting when we did our photoshoot. I think this one is hilarious.

She loves me. ha

Jeff has found a LOVE for food! Now he can't get enough

Look at those chunky baby hands.

Hello ceiling fan in his eyes.

Ella's BFF came over yesterday and we made cupcakes for Vday!
Fun!!!

Time to decorate!

Yum!

I actually forgot to buy frosting so I had to make some. I am never buying it again! Mine was DELICIOUS!

I Heart Faces: Hearts

2011-02-08T03:00:00.001-08:00

This photo cracks me up. Ella and her bestie, Emma. I Love them.

Head to for more Hearts!

Matilda Jane

2011-02-04T13:39:00.000-08:00

Yeah I am in love.

7 months and crazy outfits

2011-02-03T09:20:00.001-08:00

Happy 7 Months to my sweet boy!
What are you up to these days??
You sit up so big and strong and you like to scream for the fun of it. You weigh 19 lbs and you are one solid boy! You do not want to eat real food, but I keep trying. YOu do like to put anything and everything that isn't food in your mouth though. You LOVE to laugh at your sister and she loves to make you laugh. You enjoy story time at night with us and I LOVE that we have that tradition as a family. Overall you are such a good boy. You are now sleeping 10-11 hours and taking two pretty decent naps. I could have 10 babies just like you. I love you Jeffy.
5 days

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months- look how bald you have gotten!

5 months

6 months

7 months

My girl picks out her outfits and I love it! She is such a ham.

I Love them.

Tea Party

2011-02-02T09:13:00.000-08:00

This is how we do snow days at the Kraus House.
First we start out making more crafts....

Then we put together a sunny day and have a tea party. :)

I was so happy that she let me put the headband on her!

Headbands and Voting!

2011-02-01T14:00:00.000-08:00

First things first....head to to vote for Jeffy and his adorable face. It is people's choice this week. #67!!!
Please and thank you!

I caught the bug. The headband bug.
My brain has been kind of bored lately and I am so in love with these adorable headbands I am seeing everywhere.

So the kids and I headed out in the snow today and got some supplies!

Good thing my kids take long naps. ;)

So excited to make MORE!!

Now I just NEED newborns!!! Or kids that will let me put these things in their hair. ahem, ella!

Date Night and cute hats!

2011-01-31T06:05:00.000-08:00

I had such a fantastic weekend! Friday I went to a Silpada party with a friend and we stayed WAYYY too late chatting and laughing and I may of done a little drinking. ;) Saturday my in-laws drove up to visit to watch the kids so that my husband and I could finally have a REAL date night. Up until now I have only been able to leave for 2 hours or so because my boy was obsessed with the boob juice. Now that he is on formula I am like a free bird!

So we got "dressed up" and headed out. No plan just free. ha!
We first headed to a little saloon, which turned out to be more of a restaurant but we had a beer and delicious deep fried artichoke. Yum!
We then headed to Chammps for another app and beer. I went fancy and had a Pomegranite martini. It was ok, but I am not a fancy drink girl.
Then we decided to head to a wine bar. We ordered chocolate fondue and a bottle of wine. I asked the waitress if they had any cards to play and she pulled UNO out of her own stash. ha ha. We had a blast!!
After the wine bar we headed to Cheesecake factory. We had a delicious piece of cheesecake and a NOT so delicious chocolate martini. blech. Told you I am a beer girl. :)
The best part was that all the places were in the outdoor mall just across the street from our apt! Can't beat that!
All in all it was one of the funnest nights I have had in a Loooong time~!

I did some shopping this weekend too and Jeffy got these adorable new hats!
Doyou like his purse?? :)

Ella was happy to have her grandma and grandpa here.

Happy Monday everyone!

I Heart Faces: Best face of January

2011-01-31T04:41:00.000-08:00

We did a Valentine's shoot last week and I have to say that this is by far the best face from January. Oh my, he makes my heart melt to a million tiny pieces.
It's peoples choice week at IHF, so please go vote for us! #67!!!!!

Visit for more best faces!!! Enjoy!

Valentine's Photos and baby boy

2011-01-26T17:24:00.000-08:00

Be prepared for photo overload. :)
Tonight I tried feeding Jeff again. He is not really having it.

"whatcha got there ma?"

"bad idea."

"Yep. Bad. Idea."

Now for the mother load of Valentine's Day photos. Ella's bestie came over and did them with us. :)

"want some brother?"

"no brother have ella's sucker"

And then it broke...

My lover boy

Princess dresses

"I'll take that, please and thank you"

coming to an end

WOW, if you made it all the way to the end, God Bless you. My fingers are tired. ha. Good night everyone.

I Heart Faces: Innocent Wonder

2011-01-24T18:09:00.000-08:00

Ahh, my girl. I do love her so.
We went to the zoo's Rainforest last week. We had just come inside (hence the foggy look) and hopped into the elevator. It was all glass and I loved her geniune awe at the large contraption.

Head to for more innocent wonder.

Photo overload

2011-01-23T17:39:00.000-08:00

First off...My gram visited us for a few days last week. Ella LOVES her grammy!

We were sad to see her leave. :(

She asked what she could get the kiddos for Valentine's Day...I went practical with Brother and she got him some new jams. :)
I think they suit him quite nicely.

He does this thing where he revs up his little hands and makes a noise like a motorcycle, it's hilarious!
My little monkey boy.

For Ella we picked out this adorable cuteness!!!

Tutu and wings courtesy of Ella. :)

I was working on something, the dishes maybe, and I thought it had been a little *too* long since I had heard anything from Ella. So I went to investigate....

To keep my "Mom of the year" award I handled the situation as follows
1.laugh
2.run to get my camera
3.laugh while I wiped it off and try to scold her

Jeffrey has a new thing of taking his socks off with his mouth. awesome.

Now...I tried to do a Valentine's Day mini shoot with my girl. Here are the results. Poor thing, she hates it. :(

Then I started doing what any desperate photographer does....I started laughing really obnoxiously. She thought I was nuts, but I got some really genuine smiles out of her. Mission Accomplished.

Playoffs and The Zoo

2011-01-17T12:00:00.000-08:00

We went to the zoo today! NOT outside, inside the rainforest part. :)

My lens was so fogged up when we first went inside

Poor kid was just waking up and I flashed the bright light in his face, well behind him but you know what I mean.
I love this shirt that my mom sent. It says "respect your mother" :)

Watching the Pack kick some ass!

P.S. What do you think of the new layout??

The Boy- 6.5 months

2011-01-17T04:39:00.000-08:00

He actually lets me photograph him. ;)

I Heart Faces: Winter Wonderland

2011-01-17T03:02:00.000-08:00

Having fun in the snow!

Head over to for more winter entries!

Begging for smiles and playing in the snow

2011-01-11T06:02:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was trying to get a "new" smile photo for the IHF challenge.
This is what I got.

Brother after bath

Ella and her friends

Brother at the mall

I decided it was time to go out and play in the snow yesterday. Ella LOVED it!

Although everytime I asked her to look at me she said "I'm playing in the snow momma"

This was exactly a year ago!

and now

"Ella just look at mom and I will stop bugging you!"

I Heart Faces: Smile

2011-01-10T10:34:00.001-08:00

Smiles don't get much better than this.

The joys of being a toddler!

Head over to for more smiles!

My tiny love

2011-01-09T14:26:00.001-08:00

No words, just photos.

sippy cup and cuteness

2011-01-07T09:56:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I didn't really have a title for this post. Just a couple of cute ones of my babes.
Jeff loves his sippy with water. Ella NEVER drank water, she still won't.

Notice where her actual bed is located....

Before bed we were playing..

"look at mom"

This morning she looked so cute for school
She was telling me to put my camera away. :(

Have a good weekend everyone!

Children's Museum

2011-01-04T18:59:00.000-08:00

First a couple more I found from Jeff's shoot yesterday.
::swoon::

We checked out the Children's museum today. It was nice. Not anything like the one in Milwaukee. But Ella enjoyed it. :)

Trying to lift the wheel barrow.

6 months

2011-01-03T17:21:00.000-08:00

Happy 6 months sweet boy!
5 days

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months- look how bald you have gotten!

5 months

6 months

and a few more b/c it's the big half bday.

MY FAV!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-03T04:49:00.000-08:00

The man and I went to a black tie party to ring in the new year. Hard to beleive it was our 12th New Year's Ever together.

I Heart Faces: Best Face of 2010

2011-01-03T04:31:00.000-08:00

No words needed to describe why I chose this sweet face for my Best Face.
I love you Ella Ann.

Head over to to see more Best Faces!

Christmas

2010-12-30T02:47:00.000-08:00

Ryan got off early on Thursday and we headed to IN to stay with my gram.
But first, I was packing and went to the other room to feed Jeff. When I came back I found this....

ha ha

Grammy made us a nice big breakfast on Christmas Eve morning.

Yum

The first Santa came

Ella passing out gifts.

My sister and nephew, so cute.

Duchess- my brothers new pup. He found her on the gold course and someone had abused her, her back leg is really messed up. But she is SOOO sweet. He even has a pink leash for her. ha.

Ella has NEVER asked for anything from the t.v. That is until pillow pets started advertising. That girl has asked everytime, "Ella want a pillow pet". I told her Santa may bring her one. So for the last month she will randomly say "Santa bring Ella a pillow pet?." I asked my gram to get it for her so her Santa actually brought it. :)
She was getting really excited before she even opened the box, I think she knew.

and then I yelled out "Buddy, did you get a Woody?!" ha ha

It didn't leave her side

Yes my sister looks adorable and I am unshowered and fresh out of bed. sigh

I had the honor of photographing my good friends baby girl right after our first Christmas. To see a sneak peak go here

They live in Seattle and Kerri and I were due the same day. Baby Claire came 3 weeks to the day earlier then Jeff. I think we will begin their courtship, b/c they are pretty cute together. :)

Christmas Eve night-
After my grams, a photoshoot, visiting with some family from out of state, hanging with Ryan's mom's side, and opening their new Chrismtas pj's, we were ready for bed.

Some of us more than others

ha, this one cracks me up

Settled down now

Santa came.

I remember when this was all my photos included. My first baby. :)

new toys for the pups

I don't think our kids will ever have to go back to bed on Christmas mornign for getting up too early. My husband and I were up at 5 and decided to wake Ella up at 6:30. :)

She had to take her PP.

Yes, we also woke up brother.
He loves his new lovey blanket.

I may have some competition.

Brother got a couch!

Playing with Grandpa and her new train set.

yes, we had a wardrobe change half way through opening gifts. She loves footy pj's.
She actually made one!

My mother-in-law made these adorable aprons for us!

Dressed for the big day

I love this one. We are having a "moment" and the kids are playing "don't touch me" ha

What a wonderful Christmas season.
Happy Holidays from the Kraus Family.

Ella's first Christmas program and handsome boy

2010-12-21T17:36:00.000-08:00

First off, he's adorable and I squeeze him FAR too many times a day.

Ella's Christmas program was yesterday. I was so excited, you would of thought she was singing on broadway. ha!
Brother got dressed up for the occassion.

Being a sass

Looking thrilled

She ran over to me (I was in the front row) :) and said "No, take pictures momma!".
I did anyway. ;)

They were singing "I'm gettin nothin for Christmas"

"mom and dad are really mad"

"cause I ain't been nothin but bad"

Really getting into it

And then....we started to lose them

Our friends. :) The girls were all done with performing but the moms sure were excited!

Hello 27, I welcome you

2010-12-19T17:02:00.000-08:00

Life doesn't get any better. I am so very blessed. Unfortunately I feel like it is too good and I am always waiting for the bottom to drop out.

I wish I didn't think that way, but I do. I thank God EVERY.DAY for the gifts in my life. I just know that bad things happen to good people and I feel like it's my turn next. That it can't always be this good.

But today it IS this good. Today is perfect. Today was the best birthday I have ever experienced. I had my first born come to me with sleep still in her eyes and say "happy birthday momma". I had my son wrap his chubby little arms around my neck and giggle. I had my husband hug me and kiss me and tell me he loves me. I had the opportunity to give a family a beutiful Christmas. I had over 40 people say happy birthday to me on Facebook. :) I had my loved ones call me and wish me a happy day. I have my health. I have the best life a girl could ask for.

and now I'm crying.

It doesn't get any better.

Happy Birthday

2010-12-18T18:57:00.000-08:00

To me. :)
Actually it's tomorrow, the 19th, but I probably won't be on and I had to share this great picture of my babies and me.
This morning we were on our way to finish up our shopping and I looked back at Ella and said "I love you". She usually doesn't respond but today she looked at me and said "I wuv you too momma". Yes, I cried. I held back the big ridiculous cry that I wanted to do but I definately had some tears fall. Oh I love her so much it hurts.

And something else that make my heart really happy is all of this

that is clothes and toys for three special kiddos that we have never met. We adopted a family this year and we are delivering their gifts tomorrow. I get teary when I talk about it. I wish we could adopt every family that goes without but helping just one means the world to me. I am so thankful that we are fortunate enough to give our own kids a wonderful Christmas and help a few other kids have a great Christmas as well.
I actually think this may be my best birthday yet.

A trip to the mall

2010-12-16T11:46:00.000-08:00

I don't usually take my camera with me to the mall but today I decided to. :) Thank goodness because this may be my favorite photo EVER!

Just a girl and her drink and "purse". Gah, I love her!

Ella played in germ city U.S.A. and brother hung out with Sophie.

She would jump down and this lady in front of her would say "YAYY!" Ella ate it up so she kept doing it. ha

These are a little noisey from the ISO being kind of high. Canon 7D, someday you will be mine. :)

"Ella hurta face!"

Brother was looking cute before nap

ornaments, tiny chefs, and rubber ducks

2010-12-16T03:52:00.001-08:00

First off, my mom sent the kids some new ornaments. I LOVE these!
(she lives in FL)

This is definately my new Fav!

She also sent this adorable apron and hat for my little chef!
Love

I adore this

My nose is pretty stuffed up so I can't smell much but I'm pretty sure if I could my boy would of been stinky. ;) so he got a bath.

This baby looked cold. (and a little creepy in my opinion)

but have no fear....
Momma Ella is here

A christmas Tree Tour

2010-12-14T13:01:00.000-08:00

I totally stole this idea from Ashley but I LOVED it! You always see photos of the tree overall but you don't hear the stories behind the ornaments.
So here goes...
When I left home I had A LOT of ornaments to take with me. My mom and Gram have always been big on the ornaments every year.
For example...
Two of my baby's first christmas.

I went to the store one day and came home and saw this adorable little guy on our tree. Ryan and Ella made it while I was gone. I love him. :)

This was our keepsake from our honeymoon in 2006. I remember picking out this ornament like it was yesterday.

Pretty much sums up my husbands fishing experiences.

I kid I kid

I just adore these two

I love Horton and his mini flying just behind him

Just because we live in Ohio now doesn't mean we have to root for them. ;)

I took a stab at tennis back in the day. That didn't last long.

I got these cuties for many years...don't know why that tappered off. mom?

Ella got a few first year ornaments, I love the photo ones

My step mom always sends some of the coolest ornaments. These are two of my favs!

I will give you three guesses of who picked out this one. The first two don't count. :)

The year Ella was born I decided I was going to start a tradition of buying the same themed ornament every year. I decided on Elmo.

I failed on that tradition. I never bought another one. ha.

Awww..this was a fun post. I love Christmas Ornaments. Each one has a story.

she's not really this sad

2010-12-14T10:29:00.001-08:00

She looks miserable but she was sure loving that lollypop

How did she get so big?

2010-12-09T17:35:00.001-08:00

I took the kids to Red Robin for lunch today. It was a fun little outing for my babies and me. Ella was so good. She sat across the table from me and we had a converstaion. She handed me sugars, she shook sugars like they were maracas, she sipped her "ella's spite", we sang songs, and ate some yummy food. Before we left she wiped down the table and all the condiments all the while saying "good wiping ella".

Tonight I was putting clothes away and looked at my girl in the corner. My heart melted. I love her pony, it makes her look so grown up.

Yes, little girl, you own my heart.

The boy is quite obsessed with his toes these days.

kiddos

2010-12-08T18:01:00.000-08:00

freshly bathed in footy jammies. in love.

More cookie baking

2010-12-07T10:35:00.000-08:00

First off go here to see some sweet baby goodness.

Ella and I hard at work.
(so excited my mom sent me her kitchen aid that she never used!)

No more hand mixing for this girl!

Always my helper.
Yes, she is brushing the cookies with a paint brush, no, it had nevr been used. :)

My tiny loves love each other to pieces

"mom, get off of me"

I had a photo shoot on Saturday and the boy tagged along. He was my test subject. :)

I couldn't resist his cute little piggy toe.

New advent calendars from Grammy Dee and Grandpa Jeff. So cute!

I Hear Faces: self-portrait

2010-12-06T10:02:00.000-08:00

I am usually not one for buying the holiday shirts but when I saw this one, I had to have it. I can't wait, every December I pull it out and wear it all the time.
So here I am.......I believe. :)

For more self-portraits head over to I Heart Faces!

"No sit on Santa's lap!"

2010-12-03T11:25:00.000-08:00

I decided to take the kiddos to see Santa today. Ella had a very festive cute outfit on for school and we had nothing going on after. SO I asked Ella if she wanted to go see Santa. She said "YEAH!"
I told her that she could sit on his lap and tell him what she wanted for Christmas. She was very excited. The whole way to the mall she said "go see santa, sit on santa's lap!"
Then we got there...and she saw him.....
She covered her face and said "NO sit on Santa's lap!"
Mean mommy that I am I picked her up and plopped her down. :)

I had someone that I don't know that well take a photo off of Facebook and put it on their own page and that really creeped me out. So photos from now on will have a nice BIG watermark!

I loved her outfit today!

5 months

2010-12-02T16:48:00.000-08:00

Happy 5th month day sweet baby boy.

I have a feeling you are going to be a very kind soul. You are so sweet and so happy all the time.
You are getting better and better at sitting on your own!
I would say the only thing is a little tough about you is the fact that you won't take a bottle. It makes it hard for mama to go anywhere without you. I have to time it just right. :) But if that's the worst thing about you, I will take it.
I love you so much Jeffy.
5 days

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months- look how bald you have gotten!

5 months

Operation Fatten up Mommy!

2010-12-01T16:36:00.000-08:00

That's pretty much what is going to happen this month.
Because I LOVE cookies! And I plan to make a lot of them with my girl. She loves it! She stays interested longer than I do.

First we made peppermint bark.
YUMMERS! and super easy. Get a bag of mint and chocolate chips, preheat oven to 325, put them in for 2 mins, swirl with a toothpick, sprinkle crushed almonds on top, and stick in the fridge for an hour. Simple as that!

Tonight we did sugar cookies. Ella was so excited to do the shapes. I only did about a quarter of the dough, I got tired of doing them. ha ha. Ask my mom, she knows. Her and my gram always get stuck doing them after my brother and sister and I get tired of it. ha.

This was Ella's first year of decorating cookies. She was two month old

This was her second year

p.s. this was taken with the same camera that I have now. I have definately improved. ;)

3rd year, my girl is so big!

She was really getting into it

We put the sprinkles on....and then she ate them

:)

My Babies

2010-11-30T17:18:00.001-08:00

It's true what they say, you don't ever really know love until you have children.

People get nervous about having more than one kiddo and how they will love the next one as much as the first....

I truly believe I love each one of them with my whole heart. I'm not sure how that is possible, but it is.

I go to bed at night and my heart literally aches when I think about how much I love them.

There are days that are harder than others and some days I want to get in the car, turn up the music, and just keep driving..... and I do sometimes! ha.

I only make it as far as Target though. :)

and I head straight to the kids section where I look at tiny clothes and think about my babies at home.

The ones I was driving to get away from

and then I miss them....

so I get in my car, turn up the music, and come home, to the best thing the good Lord has ever given me.

Thanksgiving week

2010-11-29T11:52:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Morning

Ella hates photos now just as much as her father. hmph. But she did want one with her grandmas and her daddy. :)

Just because they don't like them doesn't mean they get out of it. ;)

This one cracks me up

Ella was doing craft with her grandma and Ryan came in and showed her how to do the glue by herself. The rest was history. ::sniff sniff::

She still doesn't like to haveher hands dirty so she would wipe them off after every piece. ha ha

Friday Ryan and I got up at 4a.m. and went shopping for our kiddos. It was so fun. We had a blast and got pretty much finsihed! Yay!

Ella was helping me take video and then Ryan pulled this out!

Saturday we got up and went to get our first real tree! I was more excited for that than pretty much anything else!

We hunted and hunted....

Until we found just the right one!

Our tree!

Going in....

all wrapped up

I loved this

THis is not a great photo technically speaking but I LOVE it of my girl putting the ornaments on

I tried...

ha ha

"love brother"

"brother eat-a ella's face!"

"brother hurt-a ella's arm!'

My littlest love

I Heart Faces: Paper

2010-11-22T03:42:00.000-08:00

I think this photo is pretty appropriate for this week. :) Doing craft with my girly.

Head over to for more Paper!

The weekend

2010-11-21T11:58:00.000-08:00

Friday:
Ella and her friend Emma were dressed very similar for school. So cute! I just adore Emma's mommy. :)

After school we went to Cleveland to find some indoor places for photos. I was supposed to have a family shoot this weekend. My friend Ashley and her adorable family were planning to come up but the girls weren't feeling well. Hopefully we will see them soon.
Anyway...I took a few photos at different places. Here is a cute one of my girl

Saturday:
My boy was wearing my all time favorite shirt!

and all my loves were hanging out....

We went for a walk in the woods

Then we went to the Christmas tree lighting.
Ella is now telling me "no pictures mama." :( She either cries, looks away, or covers her face. Sad day for mama.

I had to

She was saying "NO pictures mama!"

All of a sudden a flash mob started dancing right in front of us. Next thing we know this little girl in the purple jumps in and starts doing the robot. ha ha. It was hilarious.

Beautiful

My husband hates being in photos too so I grabbed the only person who couldn't say "no" and got a picture in front of the tree.

Sunday:
Ryan says from the living room...."who says being a dad is hard?!" so I come in to investigate....ha ha

What a great weekend with my family. I am so blessed.

Look what I made

2010-11-18T12:58:00.000-08:00

I did it WITHOUT a sewing machine. I love it but it was a PITA! I would love to make more once I get my sewing machine out of storage.

apple pie, stockings, and cute babies

2010-11-18T03:51:00.000-08:00

random...
I was Betty Crocker yesterday and I (we-Ella and I) made an apple pie. Yum!
Such a big helper

It was pretty much delicious. And the funny thing is....I have never eaten an apple pie in my life. I never liked cooked apples...I know, I was missing out!

I wanted a picture of Ella in her cute outfit after school....she wasn't having it.

Jeff found his feet recently and it is THE cutest thing! He coos and laughs at them. melt my heart.

Jeff's stocking is on it's way so we are missing one (well..two-Mya's) but Ella looked so cute by the fire I had to capture the momemt.
Have I mentioned how warm and fuzzy I get when I look at a fireplace with stockings hung?!? I LOVE it. Makes me happy. :)

I don't completely disrespect the Turkey

2010-11-17T03:14:00.000-08:00

I admit it....I put up my Christmas decorations yesterday.

I listened to Christmas music all day!

I even hung stockings!
But at the end of the day...we still did Turkey craft. :)

"oooo....stickers!"

Ella, show me your turkey

I love doing craft with my girl. :)

Christmas card outtakes

2010-11-15T14:13:00.000-08:00

I finished my card today! Yay! It is a relief to have that done. Now I just have to order them and ship them. :)
Some fun ones from the shoots.
(some are obviously un-edited)

It's the very first year that I didn't put a picture of Ryan and I but the dog made it. :)

he he

They are chatting about how much they hate this....

I don't have a name for this post

2010-11-14T16:40:00.000-08:00

We spent the week with my gram while Ryan was on business. I love this photo of my gram with two of her great-grandbabies.
Especially because I really truly love this book.

Ella was getting her bath last night and I started to give Jeff his but he was too big for the baby tub so I put him in with Ella. She liked having her brother with her and he just hung out like usual. :)

I took the first of many many Christmas shoots tonight.

Aunt Caryn's visit

2010-11-08T09:57:00.000-08:00

Once again we are out of town so I am not around a computer much but I wanted to get these photos on. I am grateful for her visit. We LOVE you Aunt Caryn.
Lots of book reading

more book reading...

play-dough making

baby kissing

more reading

We were so sad to take her to the airport but I got one photo of EVERYONE looking! That NEVER happens.

30 Days of Gratitude Day 2

2010-11-04T04:51:00.000-07:00

The pretty lady holding my baby girl is my Aunt Caryn. She is on a plane on her way to see us as I type! We haven't seen her in over a year and I can't wait for her visit. She is just as afraid of flying as I am if not more which makes it all that much more special that she is doing it for us. :)
Today I am grateful for her visit.

2 posts in one day!

2010-11-03T04:19:00.000-07:00

Ryan is traveling more for his new job and last week it took him to WI. Hooray! I was so excited to get to go "home"! We stayed with my bestie, Katie and Ryan stayed in a hotel. It was kind of funny that he was in a hotel just 15 mins down the road. But we had a nice girls week with the kiddos.

We were packing up to go on Monday night and Ryan couldn't find the dog.

She wasn't taking any chances of us leaving without her. :)

Tuesday we went to Katie's school as special guests and got to be in the school parade. :) Ella wanted to push her brother around, such a helper.

And this is what my son thought of his costume.

Such a big girl

Of course Ella wanted to lay down like her brother.

She was very excited about all the books!

Of course the best part was the party food

Thursday we went to the Children's Museum. It was overwhelming to say the least.

I didn't think I was ever going to get her out of the water area

We did visit WI after all and it was COLD! I had to get both the kids hats while we were there. Ella loves her "keep out the windy" hat. :)

We had a couple of playdates during our visit. I managed to get a few photos while at Lisa's house.

I can't wait to watch these kiddos grow up together!
Overall it was a great trip and I can't wait to move back in March!!!!

30 Days of Gratitude

2010-11-03T03:55:00.000-07:00

I will be joining in Nutwood Studios 30 Days of Gratitude. I am so thankful for all the blessings in my life and I want to reflect on them and share them with others.
Most likely this will be done in the form of photos. ;)

From her site:

30 days of gratitude ::
during the month of november, i invite you to join me in a daily ritual of expressing gratitude.

what it means ::
for thirty days, i will focus on the people i love, the talents i have been given, the lessons i have learned, the things that make my life most fulfilling. i challenge you to do the same.

when it occurs ::
november 1 - november 30. (but you can begin anytime)

how you can participate ::
write a sentence, tell a story, take a photo...
blog it, tweet it, facebook it, journal it, scrapbook it...
share your gratitude daily or summarize it weekly...
invite your friends, your family, your neighbors...
post your intention to participate in the comments below...
follow my progress here and link me to yours...

thank you for joining me :)

I would like to start by being grateful for my in laws.

I am grateful that they raised such a respectful, loving, sometimes stubborn, thoughtful, generous man. I am grateful that they love their grandkids to the moon and back and that they have openly welcomed me as one of the family. I am very grateful that we have such a comfortable easy-going relationship. Thanks Ed and Teresa. :)

4 months

2010-11-02T08:46:00.000-07:00

My sweet boy is 4 months today!!!!
I have much to catch up on from last week but that will have to wait.
Look how you have grown my littlest love.
5 days

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months- look how bald you have gotten!

Jeffrey-
You are such a sweet boy. You smile whenever someone looks your way. You are a breeze to put to sleep, I lay you down, turn on your friends and walk away. You love your big sister. You laugh and coo at your mom and dad. You have grown out of the swing (your sister was in it until she was 9 months old!). You are starting to enjoy the jumperoo. You don't really love the car but you deal with it like a sweet boy.
I love you more than you will ever know.

A fall walk: Part Two

2010-10-25T06:38:00.000-07:00

Little boy had to be in at least ONE of the photos. :)

So we came across a large vine hanging from a tree....what would one do with such vine?? Hang from it of course!

My husband did it and made it look somewhat easy.

It was not easy!
(yes, my mouth is open abnormally wide and it looks silly but it was HARD!)

And then of course Ella wanted to try!

Just a girl and her dog

I heart faces: Pink week

2010-10-25T04:17:00.001-07:00

In honor of breast cancer awareness month this weeks theme is Pink!
I absolutely loved planning my little girl's 2nd birthday party. Actually, I spent more time planning it then I did my own wedding. ha ha ha. I figured by next year she will be telling me what theme her party will be so I had to take my opportunity to make it Pink and girly while I still could. :)

May you never be hurt by breast cancer my sweet girl.

Head over to to check out more Pink!

A fall walk

2010-10-23T13:51:00.001-07:00

I am gradually editing these. I LOVE THEM! Come back because there will be more!

Oh yeah....I'm also working on building my business! YAY me! Go check out my new website! It's a work in progress but I am enjoying figuring it all out. :)
Haley Kraus Photo

A best friends wedding and hanging out

2010-10-21T09:26:00.000-07:00

We traveled to D.C. for Ryan's very best friends wedding this past weekend. Here are a few shots from the occassion.

Friends since 1st grade

Loved the center pieces. So classic. Just like the bride

I love this one.

Jeff slept through the whole thing but woke up just in time for the departure. Such a sweet boy

Spending the day at home in our comfys
Getting so much better at tummy time

A certain 2 year old is starting to get a little jealous of her brother. I was taking his picture so she layed down next to him. Very cute!

Can you tell there is a t.v. on up there? ;)

First cereal and playdates

2010-10-20T11:06:00.000-07:00

I told you we have been busy, right? Well here are some more pictures to prove it.
Playdate at the zoo

Holy Cuteness

Just a boy and his frog

So sweet

Ella had on a really cute zebra shirt so I wanted to get a picture in front of the zebra with her, she wasn't having it. So....I got this....

4 generations.
My gram, me, sister, mom, and babies

The day after the zoo we had another playdate. :)

OMG, is she cute or what?!

Ella wanted to crawl around like the baby

Baby J fell on Jeff and I made them stay that way so I could take a picture. :)

Everyone is pretty happy

Starting to lose them

And...we're all done

I sure had fun catching up with some high school friends and meeting their new babies!

I got Jeff a chair the other day so that he could start joining us at the table. I decided to try some rice cereal yesterday. It didn't go too bad. I think he may actually eat. It will be nice to not have to struggle with a kid to get them to eat. SOmedays it feels like a full time job with Ella.

Anyway... he looks cute. :)

"I don't know about this ma"

I realize next time he needs to be facing the other direction. There is not a lick of catch light in his eyes. (making a mental note)

Happy 2nd Birthday Ella

2010-10-19T06:40:00.000-07:00

Well, this post is about 9 days late but better late than never. :)
We traveled to IN to my grandparents house for Ella's party last Saturday. We have been on the road ever since. I am happy to be home for a few days.

Not only was this cake beautiful, it was DELICIOUS!

It was windy, haha

The dog was trying to get a bee. nice.

So many people came to visit us for her party. It was really a perfect day!

High School friends

My beautiful sister and baby boy

Craft table

Beautiful setting, beautiful day!

My mom and sister

Jeff and Ryan's mom

Loved the windmills

The new naked baby is going to help her color

Katie and Brandon came all the way from WI to celebrate with us. I miss you Katie!

Nice half mustache

arrrgh

we had more fun with the glasses and hats than the kids did

Ella and her ya-ya

Gorgeous

"really mom, a pink boa?!"

I didn't remember until she was ready to go to bed that I didn't get a picture of my girl on her actual birthday. So here she is, 2 years old, ready to go to sleep.
(we are at my grams so she is in a crib)

I love you more than the world Ella Ann.

I Heart Faces: In the orchard

2010-10-18T07:48:00.000-07:00

I love this photo of my beauty. :)
Head over to for more in the orchard action.

BOO

2010-10-07T17:43:00.000-07:00

He He

I have many more from our trip to the pumpkin patch but I won't be able to get to editing them until next week. We are headed to IN for Ella's party tomrrow!

Peacocks and Zombies

2010-10-06T10:36:00.000-07:00

Of course Ella is a peacock for Halloween. She is obsessed!

"cheeeese"

The best I got. And this was with bribery of candy

this is obviously unedited but I love the look on her face.
"mom, pleassssse don't make me do this anymore!"

We went to Build-a-Bear this weekend to let Ella pick out a bear for her birthday. She is a girl after my own heart, I would of picked the same bear. :)

And this is just too cute for words. (in my little 'ol opinion of course)

3 months- round 1

2010-10-02T17:26:00.001-07:00

I did a quick shoot tonight because I wanted to get a few on his actual 3 month-day. :)

5 days

1 months

2 months

3 months

What are you up to sweet baby boy??
You are known in this house as Brother.

You LOVE to be included in the conversation. You just want to be a part of the fam and you let us know with your LOUD cries if we don't pay you enough attention.

You fall asleep so easy, I just have to lay you down and turn on your "friends" (rainforest mobile)

You still rarely take a nuk. But you really don't fuss much either.

You love your momma and you DON"T like it when she's gone. (I know it's just the milk that I supply but I like to think it's me) ;)

Overall sweet boy, you are laid back, you love to coo, you love to smile back at us, and you already admire your big sister. :)
I love you more than you will ever know.

The correct way to prepare and eat cupcakes

2010-10-01T13:54:00.000-07:00

First you put ALL the sprinkles on the one you want to eat

Make sure you don't leave any in the package

Finish it off with a cute little mummy

Then you DIG in!

No need to use your hands

But if you do

You will need to have them cleaned.

I met another mom at the library this week and we had a playdate today at the science museum. It was fun. :)

Love

Her Daddy now works with gears. He would be so proud.

She is totally thinking.... "mom, you are soooo embarrassing me!"

2 Year Shoot

2010-09-30T18:26:00.000-07:00

In love

I want to put this one on a canvas.

here and there

2010-09-30T10:25:00.000-07:00

Some randoms from the last few days.
Every morning Ella wakes up and calls from her bed "MILK AND CARTOONS!" Yes, she yells it. If we aren't fast enough to get her she sometimes bangs on the door.
So this is what milk and cartoons looks like

See that little green blanky by her milk?? That thing goes EVERYWHERE with us. I have ran back into several stores to get it! But unlike some kids, Ella wants hers washed ALL the time. "wash green blanky, mells good!" :)

Since Ella turned 6 months her daddy has been doing bedtime routine. As soon as she could sit on her own he would put her between his legs and read to her. The other night I took the dog for a walk and came back to both his babies on his lap. Of course as soon as I got my camera out Ella moved. But this is still sweet non the less.

He looks so cute in this hat

Wearing a big boy shirt.

And last but not least....I present.......

smiles and crafts

2010-09-29T10:06:00.000-07:00

I went to Michael's and stocked up on $1 crafts. Ella LOVES to do them. Even if it is just putting stickers on a pumpkin. :)

This is what I got when I said "say cheese".

Finally captured some smiles.

and one of Mya with her new bone. There isnt much left of it.

Halloween shoot

2010-09-27T11:44:00.000-07:00

I tried.

he he

I'll let you in on a little secret. :)
Our apt is so small I can't set up a shoot very well inside so these photos were taken on our deck.

Apple Picking

2010-09-26T17:32:00.001-07:00

Yay! I LOVE LOVE LOVE these photos! That is all.

Picking the apple

Excited about the apple

Eating the very juicy apple over Daddy's head. he he

When we first started she would try to pull them off and then get frusterated and say "HELP!" but I told her to twist and pull. So she would go up to every apple say "twis and pull" and then she would take a bite and stick it in the bag. We had a lot of apples with little chucks missing. :)

I am pretty sure they don't get any cuter than this?!!!!

run run run

Trying to get a photo of the two of them. Ha Ha. I am funny!

me and my babes

One of the guys Ryan works with took this photo for us. Hooray for people that know how to use my camera!!!!!!

mani - pedi

2010-09-24T12:30:00.000-07:00

Ella got her first mani-pedi today. :) I was getting ready and she pulled out my nail polishes, all 3 of them. ha ha. I only wear one color and then the top coat of course. But awhile ago I bought a bright pink one for her and I never ended up using it. She told me "Ella cut nails", so she knew that it was for your nails which was impressive. :) I laid down a towel and went to paint her toes and she started crying. I showed her how it works on my thumb and then she was excited.
Trying to get her to show me her nails was more tricky then painting them.

he he

She wanted a different color next

Notice the big toe. ;)

On another note:
I let another handsome devil in my bed this morning.....shhhh don't tell Ryan

Random

2010-09-23T16:41:00.000-07:00

I had Ella sign a card for my dad for his birthday, she looked at me in the middle of "signing" it and said "heavy baby do it". Heavy baby would be Elizabeth, the doll I have had since I was one. She is heavy and very ugly but Ella loves her and she wants her to do everything with her.

Take note of the nakedness. ALL dolls in our house are naked. Is it just a toddler thing?!

My sweet boy
p.s. I LOVE the natural light in our apt. I did nothing to his eyes!

Just hangin, watching some tube

Check out the chunky baby thigh! nom nom

Wedding weekend and moving day

2010-09-21T06:31:00.000-07:00

We had a busy weekend to say the least. Holy Smokes, I am beat! We traveled to IN on Friday morning, as soon as we got there I had to hustle to Mere's bridal luncheon. After that we had a couple of hours before we had to leave for the rehearsal.
How cute are they?!?!?

Meredith is one of my longest friends. We have known each other for 20 or so years! She has the biggest heart!
Afew of the bridesmaids

The Groom

Love this

Just a few of the many tears. :)

My handsome man. (also the photog during the rehearsal)

Love all around

How cool is this place for the rehearsal?!

The Coast Guard groom's cake

Wedding Day!

The two moms!

The cutest little flower girl

Such a sassy bride!

Friends for life

I love the way her mom is looking at her

Flawless

Beautiful bridesmaidszillas

The Bride has to eat!

Gorgeous! I love you Mere!

We didn't get home from the wedding until 1am, we got up at 5am to leave for WI to clean out our house. We worked until 9pm and left again for IN. We got in again around 1am. HOLY SMOKES! Talk about tired! It would not have been possible without the help of Ryan's parents and Katie and Brandon! They were all rockstars and worked their tails off! Thanks again you guys!

"Hi Ham-some"

2010-09-16T18:17:00.000-07:00

Jeff woke up from his nap and Ella got so excited. She ran over to him and said "HI Ham-some" just the same way that I say "hi handsome" to him. It was SOOOO freakin cute!

Then he got a little upset so she ran to get his nuk and put it in his mouth, rocked his seat, and said "ok, bubba, ok". She melts my heart!

P.S. they still look identical.
This is Ella at 2 months

(this was also the first night I got my camera, I think my skillz have improved a little) ;)

We were supposed to go apple picking with our new friends from my early childhood PTA group today. I gathered the kids, spent WAY too much time picking out their outfits, grabbed my camera and headed out the door. It was starting to rain as we drove the 30 mins to the farm. When we got there it was downpouring with sideways winds. They cancelled it. :( I was so excited for pictures, darnit.

ANyway, a couple of days ago we did craft. :)

Ella had a blast hanging them on the sliding glass doors, over and over and over. he he.