'Tis the Season!

Happy Holidays friends and family! After a two month break from blogging (if only there were 27 hours in a day, right?) I am back--and will do my best to catch up on past family events. But for now, I will start with the most recent, CHRISTMAS! It was Tate's 1st Christmas and Ella's 3rd (can you believe it?!). We celebrated this festive holiday season by cutting down our tree, attending the St. Michaels Christmas Parade, participating in many holiday parties, making cookies and Chex mix galore, playing Santa to a family that is less fortunate than us and making our way back to St. Michaels for the children's Christmas Eve service at Christ Church were Ella pointed out loudly and proudly during the mass, "Look, Jesus!" as she spotted a picture of him on a window pane. Our kids, as always, received way too many gifts from their grandparents, Godparents and, I admit, us this year too. Ella was intrigued by Santa from afar, we didn't take the next step and sit on his lap this year as I don't think she is ready for that quite yet! Ella and Tate left cookies and milk and read "Twas the night before Christmas" many times before getting nestled in their beds. We had a magical and wonderful Christmas with our little family! We hope you had the same, and wish you a Happy New Year!

Ella Bean is TWO!

Our attempted family picture...maybe next year!

Tate snuggling with Grandma!

Nana, Ella, and Mommy!

My new trike!

Ella celebrated her second birthday in style--she had a Fancy Nancy themed birthday party!
Here are a few things that we LOVE about Ella being two:

• she says, "mommy/daddy where are you?" when we are just around the corner
• she really emphasizes words that start with a 'h'--hhhheavy, hhhhot, and hhhhat.
• her favorite friend at day care is Davis or "Davith" according to Ella and daddy cringes every time when he asks her "who did you play with today?" and Ella replies every time with "Davith!"
• she says "you're welcome" if you don't say "thank you" fast enough
• she can dress and undress herself...many times.in.one.afternoon
• "Ella did it!" when she is proud of herself accomplishing something, and "Daddy did it" or "Mommy did it" when something happens...like a picture frame falls over!
• "help you" when she means "help me"
• boo boo bear is a staple in Ella's day to day activities
• milk is still her beverage of choice
• she is a great big sister to Tate!
• even though she is becoming more and more independent every day, she still needs her mommy & daddy.

We love you, Ella!!

Boo! Happy Halloween!

Ella handing out candy to the 100's of trick or treaters that visited us!

Mommy & Tate stayed to hand out candy!

Ella walking back from trick or treating with Daddy--she had so much fun!

Off to get candy!

We had a great Halloween with the kids. Lots of pumpkin carving, lots and lots of trick or treaters (over 300!) and lots of spooky costumes to see!

Best Buds

TATE!

Me & Mommy

Me & Daddy

Me & Ella at the Zoo

Me sitting in my chair!

Just r e l a x i n g!!

Tate is just so darn cute, we decided to give him his own post!!

apple and pumpkin picking in the raw

Mrs. Blade talking to Ella about picking apples

(Ella takes her job VERY seriously as you can see!)

Tate drooling and wishing Ella would share her apple...

Aah! The perfect pumpkin!

We went to a fabulous, seemingly untouched farm in the country town of Federalsburg. The farm was recently bought by a couple, who retired at the ripe old age of 31, wanting a "hobby." They are trying to revitalize a past-it's-prime-in-need-of-a-face-lift-organic farm and their dedication shows! We gathered apples of all kinds, and then walked through a pumpkin patch that stretched 6 acres!! The pumpkins were so round and *perfect*--I would've picked 20, but I limited my selection to 5. We had a great time and look forward to next summer's peach harvest, and apple and pumpkin picking again in the fall . Here is the link to our beloved farm: http://www.bladesorchard.com/

Tate is 6 Months!

going for a walk...and chewing on toes!

so long!

whoa! that was a fast roll!

my babies bottoms

Our baby is growing up so fast! Tate loves to giggle, smile, sit up, jump in his bouncer, do laps in his activity center, go for walks in his big boy stroller, and as always chew on his toes!! He ADORES his big sister--even when she struggles with sharing "her" baby toys with him. Tate is such a beautiful baby boy--full of life, laughter and joy. Happy half birthday little guy-we love you!!