Homemade Ice Cream

We spent the weekend poolside. Saturday night we all enjoyed chicken enchiladas together and then my Mom (Gigi to my kiddos) made a chocolate cake with homemade strawberry ice cream - the kind you have to hand crank. It was the best dessert I've ever tasted. Seriously. It was that good.

Ellie helping Poppy hand crank the ice cream.

Grant's first taste of ice cream.

Pool Day

tuckered out...6 hours in the pool will do that to ya!

Summer List 2011 {update}

Meg inspired me to create my own summer list for our family. So last night I pulled a frame out of storage and found some scrapbook paper. Today I put it all together and wrote out what I hope to accomplish this summer.

We have completed the following summer tasks:

• We had HOMEMADE ICE CREAM at the lake house for 4th of July
• Wemade several trips to the ZOO
• We watched FIREWORKS from Gigi & Poppy's front yard during the Chicken Festival
• We've blown through lots of BUBBLES
• We're working on POTTY TRAINING ELLIE
• I've gotten several PEDICURES this summer
• Aaron & I went to a MUD HEN'S GAME with his firm
• We bought a BIG GIRL BED for Ellie
• Gigi & I took the kids to the MOVIES to see Despicable Me at Skye Cinema's Family Movie Festival
• We went to the IMAGINATION STATION for Ellie's 2nd birthday
• We visited a NEW PARK when we met the Fry Family in Bowling Green for a PICNIC
• We started CLOTH DIAPERING baby Grant
• I bought Aaron a PICNIC TABLE for Father's Day
• I've taken the kids to the LAKE twice this summer
• The kids love to swim in the BABY POOL and Ellie loves to play in the WATER TABLE
• We've loaded up the truck twice to go to the RECYCLING CENTER
• We've gone out for several ICE CREAM TREATS
• The kids love to go for FAMILY WALKS ((the fresh air helps both of them sleep better))
• We've taken NINI out for ice cream and celebrated her 81st birthday together
• I took Grant to PAINT POTTERY before they closed the studio for good
• And we say our PRAYERS every night before bedtime

Our Summer To-Do List

Summer To-Do's

Busy Bee

I've been doing my student teaching internship at a local elementary school. I love second grade, but it consumes every waking moment of every day. I'll keep posting my pregnancy highlights on Fridays, but its going to be rather sparse until things calm down around here.

I had my first observation yesterday. My lesson was on friendly letters and it went wonderfully. My university mentor only had great things to say. In many ways, I'm sad that I'll be done teaching in December, but in other ways I am thankful to have the spring to myself and my family.

Looking forward to Monday as we will be finalizing Ellie's adoption. It has definitely been a long year and we are so thrilled to finally become a forever family. I'm trying to plan something special. I'm thinking we'll have a small luncheon on Monday and then a big celebration on the weekend. She's such a special girl and deserves to celebrate this special time in her life!

Holiday Travel

We're spending some time up North with Aaron's family this weekend.

Thanksgiving

Ellie's first Thanksgiving dinner has come and gone. Sadly, I was too busy to remember to snap a few photos. She joined us at the dinner table and feasted on Golden Winter Soup and Mashed Potatoes with Gravy.

We're packing up tonight because we're headed up North for the weekend. We'll share Thanksgiving with Aaron's Gramma and family on Saturday and will return home on Sunday. It's our first big car ride, so wish us luck!

Corporal Hartzell, Rest in Peace

My sister AK + JH at the Marine Corps Ball November 1, 2009. Story here.

Family Brunch

Mom, Dad and Ashley came over today and we had Eggs Benedict for brunch. They just went home - it's been an extremely LONG weekend. Now, Ellie is napping, Aaron is doing home repairs and I'm cramming in homework.

Oak Openings

Chili Walk 2009

Chili Walk & Pumpkin Patch

Went to Oak Openings today for the Annual Chili Walk. Had a great time and good food. Afterwards we stopped by Johnston's Fruit Farm and bought pumpkins. Ellie loves her baby pumpkin - it's just her size!

Napping at the Cabin

Uncle Aaron & Bebe Ellie

Bebe Ellie & Aunt Lindsay

Fall Break

Today I cleaned the office while Aaron was at work. When he got home, we headed out to dinner at TGIFriday's. It's been a while since we've dined out together. Ran a few errands and now we're home.

Tomorrow, we're heading up to the lake house and outlet malls. I'm taking a meal to my parents who are already at the lake - Loaded Baked Potato Soup, biscuits, salad and pumpkin pie. I'm looking forward to it!

Monday and Tuesday I have off from school for Fall Break. I have some homework, housework and painting to finish up.

Lovely Night

Tonight, Aaron and I ventured out to Toledo with Bebe Ellie in tow. We had dinner out at TGIFriday's and then bought a new convertible car seat at Babies R Us. The ride home was a bit rough - Bebe Ellie was tired and it was understandable since it was her bedtime. But I was glad to enjoy a night out.

Tomorrow we're heading out to the lake house and doing some shopping at the outlet mall. I have Monday and Tuesday off for Fall Break. Have some homework, housework and painting to finish up.

Prayers Please

Today is an important day and my family could use lots of prayers please. It's much appreciated.

This Weekend

• Homework
• Finish Painting Living Room
• Laundry
• Dishes
• JoAnn's Retirement Dinner
• Devon's Birthday Party

Edited to add :: Trip to the ER because Aaron broke his foot!

Quiet

Last night we had dinner with Aunt Ashley, Gigi and Poppy. Bebe Ellie has spent both nights with the grandparents, so that I could accomplish assignments. It's quiet around here and the house feels empty without her. I sure love that sweet, little girl.

1 Little Duck Went Out One Day...

Ellie went to go see Nini, who bought her this adorable outfit.

Hello

I'm still around, it's just been incredibly busy around here. Aaron has tax deadlines the 15 of every month, our family dynamic has changed a bit, I stopped teaching band and piano, but went back to school. I'm in the midst of preschool practicum this semester, then methods and student teaching will follow. One week down, 15 to go.

It's been cold and rainy around here; we only had 2-3 weeks of real summer heat. Tonight starts local high school football season. I never enjoyed football in the rain, but I'll be there to announce the pre-game and halftime show. I really stepped down my commitment, and it's hard since I've done marching band, member and instructor, every fall for the past 10 years!

Nini & Bebe Ellie

Photos from our Girl's Night Out party, August 14 2009

2 Years

Happy Anniversary, Love of My Life.

Self Portrait after the night of the Charity Auction

Bebe Ellie, 15 weeks

Carrie :: This pink outfit was from you!

Photos by :: Melanie Fry