Waiting patiently

Here's Ella waiting patiently for our pizza to finish cooking last night!

At the I- Cubs Game

Ella & Charles sitting in the seats at the game.

We ended up with some better seats due to a "ticketing snafu", so we were next to 1st base about 8 rows up. Here's Ronny Cedeno at bat. The Cubs won 15-0.

Here's Ella & I in our "new" seats.

And here's the Quick Trip guys!

The Principal Financial Group® Family Fun Fest

On Saturday, Charles, Ella & I went to the I-Cubs game in Des Moines. The Principal Financial Group® Family Fun Fest was in town, so we go to look at their displays and play a few games. Here is Ella in the history trailer. Two I-Cubs players are right behind her.

Here is Ella & I at the Family Fun Fest.

Here is Ella throwing pitches at the Family Fun Fest!

Ella & Charles in front of an inflatable ride.

Ella's New Friends

Here's Ella with her new friends...Jason & Leita.

In the garden

Here is Ella in Leita & Jason's backyard, which is a very nice garden and has nice landscaping. Ella is playing with the chicken wire that surrounds the strawberries.

And then, here's Ella sitting down looking all cute!

Getting pointers...

Here is Ella getting pointers from Jason on how to run the remote control. Not really, but she was intent on something!

Going for walks

Leita & Jason take a lot of walks and so Ella was more than happy to go along when Leita went to walk their dog, Duke. Here they are on their way back home.

Vacation

We took our first real family getaway this past weekend. We went to visit some friends in Minneapolis. Here is Ella with my friend, Leita at Famous Dave's.

Vroom

Here is Ella in my brother Josh's race car. She had a lot of fun playing in it and trying to strap the harnesses.

Grandpa Roger & His Granddaughters

For now.... here is Grandpa Roger with his two granddaughters, Paige & Ella. My brother Brian and his wife are expecting granddaughter #3 in October.

Doctor's Appt

Ella went for her 18 month checkup yesterday and everything looks good! No sign of ear infection and she was even happy around the doctor. We've had issues in the past since Ella frequented the doctor so often.

33" tall and 27 lbs -- growing like a weed, or maybe a flower =)

Giddy Up

We went for a walk on Sunday night and by the time we got home, Duste was very tired. But, apparently Ella wasn't. She decided to sit on Duste like a horse, first time she's ever tried that. Duste was as tired as we thought because she didn't move and Ella continued to get on and off her for probably 5 minutes. I think on any other day, Ella wouldn't have been able to get away with this!

Busted

Ella was playing in the porch with her toys when I looked out there, because it was really quiet. There she was standing on one of the cedar chairs that Charles & I are redoing looking out the window.

We weren't sure what she was looking at, but then I went out there and here she is looking guilty!

Crepes

On Sunday morning, I decided to make crepes for breakfast. Ella really likes crepes and pancakes, especially when we give her maple syrup to dip them in. Sometimes, she'll even just dip her fingers and lick off the syrup. Silly girl!