The Gilmores at Gussettville

Christmas 2009

We had a wonderful Christmas! Ella had so much fun stealing Carrigan's gifts but now that we are home she is loving HER gifts!!! Mickey and her baby doll have been big hits!

Schlitterbahn Christmas

We had a blast with the Fohn, Thoms, and Allen families when we went to Schlitterbahn to see Santa, lights, the carousel, and enjoy some good ol' hot chocolate! Ella was a little bit afraid of Santa...maybe she won't scream in Santa's lap next year!

Totally in love...

"Perhaps there is nothing in this world as powerful to break selfishness as is the simple act of looking at our own children. In our love for them we are given a privileged avenue to feel as God feels - to burst in unselfishness, in joy, in delight, and in the desire to let another's life be more real and important than our own. " Ronald Roheiser

Have I told you all lately how much I am in love with this little human being?!? People told me before having Ella that my life would never be the same. They were so right....and what wonderful changes she has made in our lives!

So much to be THANKFUL for....

Erin & Clay's new home!


We are so incredibly blessed to have such wonderful family and friends! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with everyone! Of course too much good food! I think I gained 10 pounds! WOW!

Sister's weekend away...

Shannon and I went away a couple of weekends ago for some much needed R&R! Our intent was to sleep until they knocked on our door for breakfast at 9am....well, that did not happen. Up at 6am! What is that!?!?! So....we went and hiked Enchanted Rock, came back for breakfast, shopped, visited vineyards, had great food and wine.....and got to really hang out! I absolutely love my sister! She rocks and I enjoyed every second of this weekend away...must do it more often!

!Feliz Cumpleanos Ella!

Our fiesta was a blast! Ella had a big day, and is now super excited about playing with all her new toys and books. Thank you to everyone for coming and making it a very special night for our family! I can't believe she will be one year old this coming week and I will be the big 3-0. YIKES! We love you all!

Catching up...

We took the girls to the pumpkin patch!

Feeding the ducks at Central Market!

Addie's First Birthday Party....she was a bit overwhelmed!

Ella and I went to Bedford for Mel's Baby Shower....Ella was seriously on crack that day!

We have been very busy, and I have let the blog slide. So here are some pictures of all the big happenings I have not posted! The pictures are posted most recent to least recent.

Port Aransas

We spent four days at Port Royal a couple of weekends ago, Scott had to work while Ella and I lounged around and went to the pool. We did hit Virginia's Friday night for dinner where Ella was quite the socialite!

The Stoners

Saturday the Stoner family came over for lunch and this time we got pictures! Ella kept trying to give James kisses! She is quite the flirt. James was absolutely delightful! He only really got upset when Ella started crying. Dave was there as well...finally got to see him, just playing Dave! We love the Stoners!!!

Lots to talk about...

BUT I will do it quickly because Ella is trying to help me type and it is not working out very well!

1. Ella is walking ALL OVER THE PLACE!!! Yes, I know...we need video of this. That is being worked on! She seems to want to crawl when I break out the video camera! Why is this?

2. Ella has four big girl teeth and two more on their way! I didn't know all the teeth stuff happened so fast.

3. Today Ella brushed her teeth for the very first time! Hopefully I can teach her to not brush hard, like her mother and brush away all her gums!

Video to come....PROMISE!

Baby James comes to visit...

Saturday afternoon Baby James Stoner and Mommy (Stephanie) came to visit! I just know Baby James and Ella are going to be huge fans of each other! I could kick myself for not getting pictures of James and Ella...what was I thinking!!!!! But I have to say James is so darn adorable, I hope he doesn't mind being called adorable, and we will get some great pictures in three weeks when we see them again! I love love love my friend Stephanie and her beautiful little boy!

BIG news...

Two important pieces of information for this post...

NUMERO UNO is that Ella has taken her first steps! YEAH ELLA!!! She actually did this last week and being the terrible mom I am had not posted anything yet. It was one/two very unsteady steps from Scott's chair in the living room to mine. And then she went to her bum! It was quite exciting, and actually the real reason I did not post anything yet was being a first time mom did not know if those kind of steps counted as "first steps" but apparently they do, says Shannon! Addie has also taken her first steps! YEAH ADDIE!!! Addie is a bit more steady on her feet than Ella, and she should be with her size 51/2 feet at 11 months of age!! Hee Hee! Addie somehow got my feet and Ella got Shannon's. This all means that these girls are going to be wearing me out very soon!!! I am looking forward to it though!

NUMERO DOS is that it is actually tolerable outside! LOVE IT! See Melissa Fuller...time to move to Texas! I could of actually sat outside today, in the middle of the day, and not died! AND as I type this I am sitting on our back porch enjoying the fact that it is 7:30pm and I am not burning up! Thank you cool front! I hope there is lots more where this came from. It will be nice to be able to get outside more with the girls during the day in the days to come!

We can't believe Ella and Addie are getting so big! Their cousin Nate is already 1 year old...where has the time gone! Cheers to our little ladies and little man!

Movin' & Shakin'

Ella is all over the place these days! If she is not crawling as fast as she can to somewhere she is not supposed to be she is guiding around on the furniture, dancing to the ABC's, walking with her little push toy (thank you Sowell family), leading Addie around the room to the next activity, or if I am in another room behind a closed door she will scream until I come out or lay on the floor and try and look under the door to see me. She needs some serious time away from mommy! I think Scott and Ella are going to have their first Daddy/Daughter Day this Saturday! Yeah, mommy is going to get out for longer than just between Ella's nap times!!!! Watch out Austin, here I come!!!

It is so wonderful to watch Ella & Addie play together! They both get so excited in the mornings when they see each other for the first time and then they play all day together! They have even started giving each other kisses! How sweet is that!

Our last trip to South Texas...

Our last visit to South Texas was filled with lots of family and love! We stayed at LaLee's house that weekend. Friday night after Ella went to bed I ran over to see Erin and Clay (who were married the next day). Saturday morning Scott, Ella, and I traveled down to Edinburg to visit with Pops and Uncle David. Pops was doing great and working hard in physical therapy. We got to sit around and catch up as Ella was passed around. Saturday afternoon Poppie came to see Ella at LaLee's house. Poppie got to feed Ella a little bit before she had to go to bed. Ella had not traveled that much in one day before and she was tuckered out! Sunday was Scott's 38th birthday...so we celebrated with cinnamon rolls in the morning! Then we headed over to Nana & Papa's for a visit and Ella got to spend some time jumping on Papa's bed (which he loves) and jumping on Poppie's lap (which she loves). After running by the church BBQ for a quick hello, we headed back to Austin. On the way back we met Nonnie on the road (she was heading back from Dallas) so that she could see Ella. We had a packed weekend...we loved seeing everyone and can't wait to see them again soon!

Teeth...

Seriously, why do we need teeth? Ella can pretty much gum about anything and get it down. BUT no....we have to now go through the teething process. So Ella WAS sleeping better until the last two weeks. AND...lucky for us her front two bottom teeth decided to come in at different times. It is now getting better, thank goodness! So when you guys see her next she will have some little choppers! Our little girl is growing up...too fast!

Oh, and by the way...I cut her mullet. She now looks like she has a cute little bob, but Scott and I kind of miss our white trash baby!

Happy 3rd Anniversary

Scott and I spent our 3rd anniversary at Fleming's Steak House and it was YUMMY!!! We had not had a meal that wonderful in a while! This was our first date after having Ella. My mom kept Ella for us while we were wined and dined. They started us off with rosemary bread and this amazing champagne infused brie. I mean WOW!!! Scott ordered the King Crab Legs and I ordered the surf and turf entree (filet and lobster). With all of this we ordered a shirah that was great (notice in the pic I am not showing teeth....that is because they are grey from the wine!) For dessert we had cheesecake with blueberry sauce and white chocolate shavings. We had a great time and a wonderful meal! After Fleming's we walked over to Cru, a wine bar, sat outside to talk and people watch while we enjoyed some sparkling white wine and one more glass of red. We really enjoy wine...can you tell!?!? Then it was back home! Cheers to good times and good food!

Summertime fun...

Shannon and I took Ella and Addie to the pool on Sunday and then we swang on the bucket swings. This was Ella's first swing experience....and she loved it!!! Notice the mohawk hairdo!

Before the BIG DAY!

Jeanne, on the left, and I had to hang out with Erin one last time before she becomes Mrs. Jostes! We enjoyed lots of great conversation, laughs, food and drinks at North at the Domain. We had a fabulous time! Erin and Clay will be married August 1st. How exciting is that!?!?! I love it!

This is how we roll...