Weekending...

Been a busy weekend thus far. Albeit not busy due to Ella's schedule. She's staying at Grandpa Paul & Grandma Jolyn's this weekend. Yesterday Jay & I saw a movie IN THE THEATER for the first time in a long time. I was so excited b/c it was opening weekend for Bridesmaids. "What are you, an appliance?" I can't even tell you how hilarious it was. It was laugh out loud, I think I might pee my pants, funny. See it. Or, if you're like us, and rarely have a chance to see a movie in the theater, mark it down on your list for Redbox or Netflix later. I hope you love it. I am still laughing.

Today we've run a few errands (more on the way for me after blogging), test drove a different vehicle (b/c Jay has a wild hair up his you know what about gas prices and thinks we need to get something more fuel efficient. How very environmentally friendly of him). I, on the other hand, find it to be a stressful, exhausting, anxiety-filled time and wish no part of it. Stay tuned.

I just finished up a few hours making, baking & icing a test-run of sugar cut-out cookies for Ella's 2nd birthday bash coming up at the end of the month. I've never successfully been able to make cute cut-outs, and today it worked out well. Whew! Now I'll just keep my fingers crossed that the "for real" cookies will turn out too! Here's a preview...




Now off to the mall, by myself! FUN!

Happy Mother's Day!

To all the moms - Happy Mother's Day! We had a great day here. A trip to Caribou this morning, lunch at Old Chicago & then ice cream tonight. I did get a workout in this afternoon, so I don't feel AS guilty about all of the unhealthy foods!

Easter in Worthington

I'm a little late in posting updates about last weekend's trip to Worthington to celebrate Easter! Here are a few pictures of our visit.


Grandpa Gary, Chase & Ella after checking out what the Easter Bunny left for them!

Ella felt the need to wear her pink sunglasses in the restaurant on Saturday night!

Visiting with Grandma Alice on Sunday. Ella & Grandma Alice get along very well! It was Grandma's birthday on 4/29, so Ella made sure to tell her Happy Birthday. It was pretty cute.

Will we ever get a picture of these 2 both looking at the camera & smiling? Who knows but this one makes me laugh. Ella has recently starting saying "CHEESE" with the squinty eyes whenever the camera heads her way.

Ella & Grandma Deb

As I'm uploading pictures, I realize that we never did get an Easter 2011 family picture of us (well, at least a picture of all 3 of us looking at the camera!)

Also, I confess, I did watch the royal wedding! I really wanted to see the bride walk down the aisle and see her dress. I didn't set an alarm, but I woke up about 5:15 a.m. so I headed down, turned on the TV and thought I had the best timing....everyone was standing & singing, so I thought the bride would be coming down next. Nope. They had just arrived at the front of the church! But, I stayed up to continue to watch the ceremony (and the hats!) I thought the dress & her flowers would have been "more" but it was a classic look just not as much as I was anticipating.

Do you have ROYAL Fever?

Should we all get these? Will you be heading to bed extra early tonight in order to wake at 4 a.m. to watch it live? I only will if I can wear this tshirt & a tiara. :)

Easter Weekend wrap-up

We finally had some decent weather on Sunday to celebrate Easter, albeit a short stretch, since today it's raining loads and windy. We just love Minnesota weather. Here are some pictures from our Easter weekend! Part 2 will be this weekend in Worthington (hopefully!). Lots of pictures below, for the family to see!


Ella with her bunny purse, which she brought to church. She looked so stinkin' cute in her dress! And, I didn't have much luck getting her to smile at the camera, let alone take the time to actually look at the camera. Here, she's busy watching cartoons after church.


Ahh, a smile!


Opening her Easter basket from the Easter Bunny. Last week when I was shopping with Ella for stuff for her basket, we were in the aisle with all the candy, and she kept saying "Eat the bunny". And I kept responding, "Yep, we'll get to eat the [chocolate] bunny on Sunday!" And she kept saying that over and over. And I kept responding the same way, over and over. And then, it dawned on me. She was saying EASTER bunny. Not EAT THE bunny. HA!





The eye teeth are coming in...can you tell? Flushed cheeks & a finger in her mouth!


Trying to get a good shot of us together....


Well, at least she looked at the camera for this one!


So much for a family picture! Too much going on for Ella to be bothered with a picture!

Time to hunt for some eggs!






Not sure what Ella is doing here!


Ella with Grandpa Paul & Grandma Jolyn!


Ella & Annie



Ella & Tara



Here's the best shot I could get of her play Easter outfit. It's so cute! I'm going to have her wear it for Easter part 2 this weekend, hopefully I'll get a better picture.

A Shutterfly shout-out

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

So, Mother's Day is coming up on May 8th! Last year (my first official Mother's Day) I made my mom a personalized Mother's Day Card, which was a BIG hit. She still has it displayed! So, I'm planning to gift her the above card this year.

A Mom who works out...

So, I've been working out at home for a long time now. It's the norm at our house. Lately, I've mostly been working out (during the week) after Ella goes to bed, and whenever I can find time on the weekends. So, Ella gets it. She knows I need to workout. She'll do her version of squats & jumping jacks with me too. But tonight here's my story. We finished eating, the kitchen was clean & I thought we'd just play some legos, read some books, etc., but Ella noticed I was already changed into my workout clothes. Her: "Workout? Workout?" (about 3 or 4 times). Me: "No...a little later, not right now" Well, she continued to ask me and every time, I gave her the same response. Then, strangely, she started to cry! BECAUSE I WASN'T GOING TO WORKOUT RIGHT THEN AND THERE! She was physically pushing me up to get the DVD in and get the workout going. SO FUNNY! So, fine. I got my workout started and she was going to hangout with me and "dance". About 15 minutes into my workout I realize as I'm sweating like crazy, jumping around in cardio madness, that I'm holding a Barbie in one hand and a stuffed toy in the other. Made me laugh out loud. I know she'd given them to me a few minutes before but it's like I was paying attention, but not, if that makes any sense. But seriously, I guess the things Moms who workout do to get the workout done! Thanks to Ella for being my little motivator tonight. :)