Who's who?

Please leave your guess in the comments!

The Lion King

Ella said, "Do you know that Scarf becomes king of the jungle?"

I could not stop laughing and despite our attempts to correct her, his name is clearly SCARF!

Skiing Video

Taken with my camera through the zoom lens (very crappy quality) and I don't really know what I'm doing or if I should even be trying to use video through this lens.  Sharing this for the grandparents!

Skiing - Day 3

I took Ella last weekend and I brought the zoom lens for my camera!  I felt like the paparazzi spying from the 3rd floor window of the chalet!  The 3rd day we finally got it all right!  Warm layers, bigger boots and the temperature was 25 degrees! 

The lift line

Helper to get on lift - I love that they teach the kids to raise their hand

No fear of heights with her!

Oops...

There she goes!

A fall

Coach helps her up!

Go Ella, Go!

They moved over to a bigger lift

Skiing with her skis straight (french fries to go fast)

Her coach keeps her safe - love this!

Princess Party

Oh....the imagination and creativity of a 4 year old brings exhausting fun and excitement.  You think Zoey looks great?  You should have seen me....I had wings, headbands, tiaras.  There are no pictures for a REASON!

Zoey was the princess and had to be raised up

Princess has a kitty

"seriously, mom this is our day? She dressed me and then put this thing in my hair!"

Ella rearranged the chairs 300 times to get them all just right!

Singing Happy Birthday!

Candle and marshmallows (don't worry since no one but Ella could eat marshmallows she got to eat them all)!

"mom, what is going on?"

LOVE this cake - the creativity makes my day!

Princess Bear

Zoey and her Stylist

Shirt found by mom (then I was vetoed)
Summer hat that's too big
Soft pants that are way too small!
Socks that are too big
Reindeer slippers

Style by Ella

It's fun to find random notebooks

Ella's Christmas Songs

Finally took some time to go through the videos....

Ella's Birthday Interview Age 4

Better late than never!  Didn't happen in October mostly because I forgot.  November was INSANE and I finally did this Mid-December and I'm posting at the end of January. 

Q: What's Your Favorite Color? A: Dark Red, followed by Rainbow

Q: What's Your Favorite Food? A: Hot Special Noodles (Ramen noodles)

Q: Who is your best friend? A: Abby

Q: What is your favorite thing to do? A: Watch TV

Q: What is your favorite song? A: Ariel (Part of your world)

Q: What is your favorite treat? A: Chocolate Marshmallow Santa (I did this in December)

Q: What is your favorite drink? A: Daddy's juice (that sounds horrible....it's water with Mio and it's a special treat)

Q: What is your favorite TV show or movie? A: Jake and the Neverland Pirates

Q: What is your favorite toy? A: Mommy tickles me

Q: What is your favorite thing to do with your family? A: Touch Zoey (play with Zoey)

Q: Where is your favorite place to go? A:  Abby's house

Q:  What do you want to be when you grow up?  A:  Be a grown up and keep Baby Zoey safe, then work at Mommy's hospital to fix heads or just be with Mommy

See Age 3 here.

This video is Ella!  She has her own unique style, hairdo, and is always moving!

Miss Zoey - what do we call you?

I'll never forget talking to my Grandma the day Ella was born.  She said, "Oh, Ella, what will you call her?".  I replied with, "Ahhhh, Ella?".  Ella has some fun nicknames as the years have gone on.  Zoey has started early with quite a few.
1. Zoey
2. Ella (it's hard after so many years of saying Ella)
3.  Baby Zoey
4.  Zoey Boey (like Ella Bella)
5. Zo, Zo
6.  Punkin
7. Pumpkin Diddle
8. Diddle
9. Cutie Patootie
10.  Sweetheart (love it when Ella says this one)

Rumor has it, she's called "little Joe" by some...

All the teachers at school can't believe how much she looks like Ella and I will say both of my girls look a ot like their Daddy!

Cookies with a ballerina

I had to back up the enormous car cart when Ella spotted this box of cookie pops in the grocery aisle!  We had fun making them with some fun photo breaks while baking!

Stirring and stirring

We take turns, but Ella makes sure she has equal time to help!

She makes sure to spill some so she can eat it!

Phone break to say hi to Auntie Lyssa!

Silly photos

Happy Girl taking it all in!

"You make me watch and smell these cookies and all I get is milk?"

Pleased with her work!

Begging for a photo op!

Sprinkles are a serious job!

Zoey - 2 months

Wow!  Two months old already.  In some ways I don't remember life without 2 kids and in other ways it feels like just yesterday Ella was 2 months old!  Zoey, you have been an awesome addition and you are sure loved!

Zoey is easy-going.  At her 2 month appointment I actually asked if she slept TOO MUCH!!!  She's a great eater and weight is not an issue!  She's also a great sleeper.  Zoey cries and really CRIES when she needs something, but it's easy to figure out.  She lets us know the second her diaper is wet, screams in her sleep if she is hungry, and must KNOW and SEE what's going on if she's awake.  She fights sleep.  I often cradle her in my left arm with her facing out and we walk around the house until she gives in and goes to sleep!  I have to trick her because if I cuddle or rock her, she knows what I'm doing and she fights it!  If the TV is on, she loves to watch!

2 month stats
Height 22.5 inches 54%
Weight 11.8 lbs 74%
Head 15.5 inches 66%

She's moved out of newborn clothes and is in the strange size where 0-3 months are getting small and 3 months are still too big!  She's our happy girl!  We love you!

She's got her own style

When you're #2

Zoey will grow up tagging along to Ella's activities!!  This morning ballet in the car seat and tonight gymnastics in the baby bjorn! 

Life of the little sister!

It's finally OVER!

I can quit my 3rd job!  FINALLY all of the bills from Ella's surgery in Dallas have been paid!  There was only one bill left for the past few months, but it will feel so good to not get that $17,000 bill in the mail every month! The frustration, anger, and tears were plentiful!

I began this fight in August of 2011!  18 months of phone calls and emails!!!!

It was a LONG battle and it took a ton of persistence and TIME.  I'm thankful it all worked out and it really did save us thousands of dollars to continue fighting the insurance company.  The time was worth it.  I will not miss my weekly phone calls and emails! 

Best of all, Ella's skull is perfect!  She's finally growing and I think the years of surgery really took a toll on her growth curve! 

I'm so thankful we were able to get the best care (in our opinion) for Ella and have her skull journey come to a beautiful end!

According to many, I'm the only successful story anyone has heard.  Our insurance company is TOUGH and shows a yearly enormous profit for a reason.  Don't underestimate the persistence of a mama bear who is determined to get the best possible care for their little girl!!!

Thanks to those who always listened and gave me support through this challenging task! 

More fun with Grandpa and Grandma

The snow cave!

Enjoy it....we likely won't see this much snow again while Ella has interest in playing in it!

Warm and Cozy inside

Watching Football

Rainbow cookies - an idea Alyssa recommended

Grandma and Zoey

Arts and Crafts