Elle is 4 Years Old!

Elle's 4th birthday celebration with her friends from daycare.

The older she gets, the harder it is to choose which pictures to share and it's even more difficult to remember which memories to document. She is such a big, mature, beautiful little girl and I cannot believe how fast she's grown. She's always doing her best to hang with the big kids and she does a pretty good job doing so. She's highly animated, LOUD, and humorous. Elle is a cross between a princess and a tom-boy. She prefers to wear shorts and t-shirts (and sometimes no shirt at all) over dresses but she loves to put on make-up and wear the occasional dress up gown. She is bossy and considerate depending on the circumstance. She is beginning to show her intelligence and unlike her brother who is great at academics but despised practicing his letters, phonics, etc., she is the one to bring me the flash cards and ask to practice them. She weighs about 40 pounds and had her first dentist appointment a couple of weeks ago (no cavities!).

Elle is a gift from God and I hope that you all enjoy sharing in her life.

Wyatt, Elle & Dakota, in the country, eating popsicles after catching fireflies.

She's electric!

Tired from our vacation to San Antonio.

Easter 2008.

Spring Soccer 2008

Christmas 2007, the much adored Barbie Jeep.

Halloween 2007 as Ariel.

Elle's 1st OU football game.

You're Gonna Miss This

Get this because I can hardly believe it myself. I was at the gym at about 5:30 a.m. this morning and was about 5 minutes into my workout on the treadmill. Like I sometimes do, I was listening to CMT music videos (seems like it's the only time I have to watch TV). Anyhow, so I'm watching the videos and the Trace Adkin's song, You're Gonna Miss This comes on the TV. I've got my headphones on and although I've heard this song many times before, I can honestly say that I've never listened to the words like I did today. And when I did, I became a blubbering idiot walking on the treadmill. I mean, seriously, I was crying. This song struck me so hard and I almost couldn't pull myself together. My only saving grace from absolute embarrassment was that I was also sweating so hopefully the tears were well masked. I had to share it with all of you so you can appreciate the lyrics. I've not heard a song more true than this.

She was staring out the window of their SUV

Complaning, saying "I can't wait to turn 18"

She said "I'll make my own money, and I'll make my own rules"

Mamma put the car in park out there in front of the school

Then she kissed her head and said "I was just like you"

You're gonna miss this

You're gonna want this back

You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast

These are some good times,

So take a good look around

You may not know it now,

But you're gonna miss this

Before she knows it she's a brand new bride

In a one-bedroom apartment, and her daddy stops by

He tells her "It's a nice place"She says "It'll do for now"

Starts talking about babies and buying a house

Daddy shakes his head and says "Baby, just slow down"

Cause you're gonna miss this

You're gonna want this back

You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast

These are some good times

So take a good look around

You may not know it now

But you're gonna miss this

Five years later there's a plumber workin' on the water heater

Dog's barkin', phone's ringin'

One kid's cryin', one kid's screamin'

And she keeps apologizin'

He says "They don't bother me.

I've got 2 babies of my own. One's 36, one's 23.

Huh, it's hard to believe, but...

You're gonna miss this

You're gonna want this back

You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast

These are some good times

So take a good look around

You may not know it now

But you're gonna miss this"

Buy it now on iTunes!

Learning Something New

So I just got set up for mobile blogging. I figured that with all the time I spend in airports, I might have something interesting to share right then and there! And I'm hoping for an opportunity to share photos captured from my phone. Now you can all share in the people watching I do during my travels.

Isn't technology amazing?

Elle & Garrett's Combo Birthday Party

Today was a great day. We had a combo birthday party for Elle and another friend, Garrett. It was hosted at Garrett's house so we could utilize the pool and although it was only 70 degrees today, the rain mostly held off and we were able to have some time outside. Elle's birthday isn't for another couple days and I'll do a full update then but wanted to share these photos with anyone intersted.

Elle's 4th Birthday

Elle's Dance Pics

Miss Kristy's School of Dance recital was last Saturday night and it was a success. Baby girl was terribly cute in her outfit and while I didn't get any shots from that evening worth sharing (lighting was terrible), here are a few that the photographer took in the studio. Amazing...