Ella Ann's First Vacation!

Spencer, Ella Ann and I spent this week in Hilton Head with Spencer's family. This was everyone's first trip to Hilton Head and we rented a home in Palmetto Dunes (for those of you that know the area). We had SUCH a good time with everyone and we were sooooo sad to leave!!! We loved the area and did all kinds of things during the week, such as bike riding, playing in the ocean or our pool, ping pong, board games, sitting in the hot tub, going out to eat, shopping, etc. Our house backed up to a golf course, so the scenery around us was so nice. Hilton Head itself was beautiful and we toured around our planation often looking at the homes and the landscaping. Most of the trees had moss hanging from them and there was greenery everywhere, so it was exactly like you would picture it to be.

Gary, Gayla, Craig, Kasey and I went to Savannah on Friday to sight see and eat at Paula Dean's restaurant, The Lady & Son's. I love the Food Network, so I was so excited to be able to eat at Paula Dean's! The line to just put your name down for lunch at 11 a.m. started at 9:30 a.m.! Crazy! We were able to get our name down at 9:30 so we ate an amazing southern style buffet for lunch, complete with fried chicken, fried catfish, collard greens, black-eyed peas, grits, hoecakes, etc. We all chowed down! I posted a picture of Jelly Roll (the woman who makes their jelly roll biscuits) who stood in the middle of the street and yelled, "Is everyone was ready to eat dinner?", and then rang the dinner bell! That was worth the trip in itself! Needless to say, Craig hated going to Savannah and complained the entire time! Good thing Spencer didn't go! ha! The rest of us enjoyed walking the scenic streets and admiring the beautiful historic homes and squares.

Ella Ann had tons of fun trying to keep up with her Cousin Carter! He's pretty fast, though! He would always bring her her toys that she'd drop and give her big kisses! He was very sweet to her! I believe Carter and Ella Ann had the most fun because they were entertained 24/7; although they were quite entertaining themselves most of the week! They both did great when we took them out to eat for dinner and slept pretty well each day and night.

Ella Ann LOVED the ocean too! We would just sit her in the sand and let the waves roll up on her and she would splash them and try to eat the sand! Eventually she figured out that she could crawl, so after that she was trying to crawl to deeper water. She only had one major spill in the ocean when a wave hit her and knocked her backwards, but had a speedy recovery and was back in her spot in the sand!

Gary took all of our family photos, so I don't have any of those to post yet. These are mostly of Ella Ann, so when I get the other pictures via email I will post again.

Ella Ann's first time in the ocean.

Ella Ann with her Mommy and Daddy.

Ella Ann and Carter being pulled behind a bike by their Papa.

Another day at the beach!

Ella Ann relaxing watching the waves.

This is where Ella Ann spent most of her time if she was indoors....at her treasured learning table!

Ella Ann playing on the playground. Ride em' cowboy!

Her first time down a slide....no reaction whatsoever!

Kasey and I in front of The Lady & Son's restaurant in Savannah.

Most blocks in the historic area of Savannah had squares with monuments or fountains in the center. This one had a fountain but you cannot see it in the photo.

Jelly Roll ringing the dinner bell at The Lady & Son's!

What is She Doing?

Spencer captured these pictures of Ella Ann while she was asleep this afternoon. We take quite a few pictures of her sleeping because she is always getting in these weird positions and it's very funny! She is quite a wild sleeper, as you can see, which explains why Spencer and I refuse to sleep in the same room with her or within 100 feet of her, for that matter! She is ALL over the place and is very loud!

We have been busy lately trying to get ready to go on our vacation with the Jensen family. Ella Ann and I have been running errands, going for walks, cooking, cleaning and packing....nothing too exciting which is why I haven't posted in a while.

I will be sure to post lots of fun pictures when we get back from our trip. Come back and visit the blog soon!

She often sleeps with her feet propped up on the side of the crib, but she never has her entire leg hanging out! Both legs were hanging out, but we didn't get the picture in time before she moved.

Labor Day Travels

We spent our Labor Day weekend at Spencer's sister's home in Tennessee with his family. We drove up early on Friday and spent Saturday there also. On Sunday we all drove to Kentucky so we could spend some time at Spencer's aunt's house and see his grandmothers. Well, mainly we went so everyone could see Ella Ann and Carter! Spencer's grandmother's had not seen Ella Ann since March so it was great that we were able to spend the day with them and the rest of the family.

Ella Ann also got to spend some quality time chasing around her sweet Cousin Carter! Carter is so good with Ella Ann and he likes to give toys to her.......and sometimes take them away! He is now 18 months and it is so fun to watch them together. Ella Ann is mesmorized by him and would just stare at him with her mouth wide open, as she does everyone!

Spencer and I were so glad to be able to spend a long weekend with our family. It is very hard living this far away from everyone, but it makes spending a weekend with them so much sweeter. Thanks again Zach, Mandy and Carter for having us! We always appreciate your hospitality!

Forget the broccoli Mama! I want Carter's Nutter Butter's!

Ella Ann with Carter and her Aunt Kasey. As you can see, they do not sit still for one second!

Carter tried to give Ella Ann a kiss, but she decided to chew on his nose!

They are dressed to the nines before church on Sunday.

Ella Ann's chatting with her great-grandmother, Granny.

Nana's trying to get a picture with the squirmy kids!