Pumpkins!!

More pumpkin carving! Our house isn't big enough for 6 adults, 3 kids, 2 crazy dogs and a cat!

 Heide's pumpkin free-handed!

Timber!

We have one less tree in our yard after this weekend!  Derek was not a fan of our oriental cherry tree, and he also thought there was something wrong with it. Derek and his dad spent Saturday cutting it down and clearing out the area! (And Grandma and Ella spent the day going for wagon rides and picking raspberries!)  It looks so different without a tree there, but there are plans to replant in the spring.

Changes at the Dinner Table

We always have a routine getting ready for supper. Just as we start dishing up the food, Ella's job is to go find her cup and climb into her high chair and wait for us to bring her plate.

Tonight, she had a surprise for us! I walked into the dining room and found her waiting in Daddy's chair grinning ear to ear. I stopped in my tracks when I looked to her left; Minnie Mouse occupied the high chair She was perfectly set in there just like a little person! Ella was so proud!

Pumpkins!

Our walk tonight got rained out unexpectedly as we were walking out the door! Instead, we decided to carve up our pumpkins.

Seat Stealer!!!

It never fails, she will always take your seat!!

Funny Little Parrot

Ella has been so funny lately repeating word-for-word what someone says to her. Sometimes, it sounds so goofy when she is saying it to someone else. Some of those instances include:

"Bye bye pumpkin!" (to her Grandpa)
"Ni-night tootie!" (to her Daddy)
"Nice pizza!" (saying "Nice to meet ya")

Countdown

Ella: "One...Two...Three...Five!"

These are the words you'll hear from Ella just as she's about to jump off something. Luckily, she isn't much of a daredevil yet so it's usually either her footstool or one step from the floor. Either way, I come running in panic when I hear that countdown!

Goodbye, Summer!

We enjoyed one last spontaneous vacation day to take advantage of great weather and pretty leaves! First, we made a lunch date with Grandma Betty!

Next, we went to the Gays Mills apple orchard for apples, cider slush, and pumpkins. Our next stop took us back to Pike's Peak for a hike.

We grabbed a famous "Tumit Burger" (I'm sure I spelled that wrong!) and then we made the long jaunt back home!!

Ella's Very First Interview

Me: "Ella, what did you do today? Did you play?"
Ella: "Mmmm....no!"
Me: "Did you eat lunch?"
Ella: "Mmmm...no!"
Me: "Did you rock your babies?"
Ella; "Mmmm...no!"
Me: "Did you see Ev and Charlotte?"
Ella: "Mmmm...no!"

Vocabulary Update

A few of my favorite words right now:

"I want diss" - I want a kiss!
"Rid it" - Ribbit
"Gocker" - Oscar
"Peas" - Please
"Dozie!" - Come do "Ring around the Rosie" with me!

Redemption

This morning's church service was one for the memory books. We spent the entire service in the balcony trying to keep Ella quiet. She was pretty well behaved, but quite chatty....lots of things to talk about. At one point, I handed Ella a book. She gasped loudly and shrieked "COOKIE!" (at the Cookie Monster cover). Another time, Derek whispered "Let's be quiet," and Ella yelled back "You be quiet!" Both times, Derek and I were doing everything we could to stop giggling and try to regain composure.
We breathed a sigh of relief as we got to the end of service. The pastor and all of our congregation said the final worlds in unison: "Thanks be to God." An abrupt moment of silence filled the room as Ella yelled, "Thank you God!" The entire balcony turned around in awe that she just said that, and instantly fell in love with her. Many followed us out to tell us what a precious moment that was.

Ella, my dear, thank you for redeeming yourself.