I've been dying to show these pictures!

Christmas has came and gone and boy do I have a lot to say and pictures to show (we had a really wonderful Christmas), but before I get to Christmas, I have to show you these photos of my two little people and their cousin, Ella!

We did these about a month ago as a surprise Christmas gift to Neil's mom, dad, step-mom, sister and grandmothers. Since they have all received their special surprise framed portraits, I can now share them with you. I just adore these shots to pieces, and I think Michelle would agree. We only had about 10 minutes as it was soooo cold outside and then it started to rain! This little mini session proves that our kids can still be so totally adorable even under pressure :c)

Sneak peak right here:

* See the rest here. *

Big Sister, E

We just got word from our bro and sis that Ella is going to be a big sister . . .

to a baby SISTER!!!!! I'm going to have another niece! (This will be my 4th niece!)

What's funny about this is that Chel and I both only have brothers, so we don't even know what it's like to have a real sister. Although i know good and well it doesn't take blood to be sisters or brothers or anything of the like! But it still will be different for me as an auntie and Chel as a mommy to TWO GIRLS! Wow, this is going to take some getting use to!! But what fun it will be. (I'm absolutely giddy about it!)

So question now is, will baby girl #2 become the first female football player in OSU history? Will she wear frilly dresses and bows in her hair, or will she wear sports attire and help her daddy out on and off the field? Only time will tell! Whatever they become, I'm so excited to be a part of it. And Daddy Brad and Mommy Chel will have the best time teaching them the Sooners songs and how to yell "We're #1"!

Congrats, guys! Now there's lots of decisions to be made! (and I can't wait till we can go shopping together, Chel!!)

P.S. and for those of you who may not know, I'm not losing my marbles. The dress Ella has on above is a Chicago Bears dress, however, Brad no longer works for the Bears, but the Oklahoma Sooners, so this next baby girl at 6 months won't be wearing a Bears dress but a Sooners one! (Sooner Boomer! -- did I do it, right, chel?! lmbo!)

Wordless Wednesday ~ I love you, cousin

Hi from Georgia!!

We made it into Georgia yesterday afternoon. We drove from Atlanta to Sea Island (where we are now) later last night. I didn't even know such a place as this existed and I have to say . . . it's amazing and beautiful and just spectacular! We're staying at the Cloister where the G8 Summit was held in 2004! To think that the most powerful people in the world were recently here is just . . . amazing!

We spent most of today at the beach and we all got a little red even with SPF 45 sunscreen! (They mean what they say when they say southern heat can be strong!) So tomorrow we're heading into Savannah and spending the day there. I can't wait because a blogging friend, Candace, who I met via Wordless Wednesday at 5M4M, who is from Savannah, sent me all sorts of great information on the beautiful city. It just looks amazing. So so much (very old) history - something you can't get a whole lot of in central Illinois! I can't wait to see it all . . . my camera can't wait either . . . I can already see the old buildings and giant oak trees calling my camera's name ;c)

Maia had a blast today with her cousin, Ella, who she hadn't seen since December. Our time with her is few and far with them now being in Oklahoma. And when they were home in March, my kids had the rotavirus. Back in December they were some what into each other. Now, 6 months later, they are totally into each other. And it's a blast for all of us, I think especially grandma & grandpa!

The relaxation here is just sooooooo great. Today we drank sodas by the ocean under our umbrellas, walked the beach looking for seashells, I took a bubble bath while watching HGTV in peace and quiet, read a book on our patio overlooking the water, and then fell asleep reading that book. That's what you call bliss. I love bliss.

Easter Ella

Look how darling my niece looked on Easter! (They live in OK so we didn't see them - boohoo!) I love love love this picture because, as we all know, little ones personalities can change by the day, and yesterday Ella did not want to have her picture taken. I just love it!

Who me? Sharing pictures?

Sharing some recent pictures at VWC.

Ella C & Maia Lizzy

Ella and Maia -- best friends and best cousins forever.

This was at Ella's 1st birthday party last weekend. Of course they had to dress alike all pretty in pink! Ella had a great 1st birthday bash even though she was pooped with all her traveling (!). It was a special day. We wish we could see Miss Ella C more often . . .

Is that your bell, or mine?

Christmas Cards

My mother-in-law asked me to design her Christmas cards this year, so I finally got those done tonight. While going through my pictures to find ones to use for the cards, I ran across this one of Maia and her cousin, Ella, from this past summer. Isn't it the most adorable picture ever?! Ok, so I'm a little biased, but I do think it's awfully darn cute!



Speaking of Christmas cards. I love Alexis. She surprised me today with a plug for my Christmas cards (and for my work!). It made my day seeing my card on her blog and especially with the sweet things she said. Thanks, darlin'.

Ok, so here is my card. If you regularly read my blog, that probably means you love me and I love you, right?! So if you haven't already received a card, plan to see one in your mailbox soon! Merry Christmas!!

Ella Bella Bo-bella

Let me introduce you to my first niece on Neil's side of the family, Miss Ella Catheryn. She is also Maia's favorite cousin and one of her best friends! Actually, Maia and Ella are 7 weeks apart in age. They seem to be going through the exact same milestones together at the same time - how neat (crawling, walking, teeth, refusing to be fed by mom or dad, etc.)! Hard thing is, Ella moved away. Far away to Oklahoma in July. But (there's a but!) we will most likely see her at least twice a year from now on, hopefully more. Totally depends on how often they can get back "home" and how often we can get out there to see them. Thankfully each summer we have our (hope to be "annual") family vacation to look forward to where Ella and Maia can catch up and annoy the heck out of (big brother/big cousin) Noah. Last summer it was Door Co, and this coming summer it will be Lake of the Ozarks. There are definite perks to them moving to Oklahoma - free tickets to Sooner games (goooo Sooners!!), a trip cross-country for us, family vacations in more southern places, speed limits which exceed 70 mph (!!), valuable family time in the car (or plane, or train?), and hopefully I will think of more. (Chel, more perks, please!) Anyway, I just wanted to share some pictures of Miss Ella the Fabulous! Exciting news - we get to see her in just one month!! Woo-hoo!



One day Ella may not appreciate her Aunt Val putting up a nakie picture of her