Our First Family Vacation

It has taken me forever to blog about this but better late than never! 2 weeks ago Brad and I decided to take the week off and spend some time together as a little family. We started out by going to his parents cottage for a long weekend.

Aunt Betsy with Ella and Lily in their matching dresses - so cute!

Brad and Ella always enjoy swimming in the lake - Ella is getting used to the idea of swimming - she looks so old to me when she is in the water kicking and splashing around:)

Ella chillin' on the dock after a big swim getting hydrated:)

Ella helping me snip beans - she liked chewing on them better:)

Taking a leisurely stroll along the beach with Daddy

On Tuesday we headed to Traverse City. We spent time downtown, walking along the shore, playing on the beach and in our hotel pool, and watching the duckies swim by.

On Wednesday we headed up north to Mackinac Island for a couple of days.

Ella loved the ferry boat going over to the island. She was pressed up against the glass most of the time squealing at the water splashing up when she wasn't flirting with the young boys seated behind us:)

On one of our many walks into town

Mission Point Resort where we stayed on the island. It was sort of an old building but it had a lot of character. Brad and I kept saying how it felt like we were on the Titanic when we walked around inside of it. I thought it would be a beachy type hotel but it was sort of dark and cozy - we loved it!There was a huge lawn in from of the hotel with adirondack chairs, a gazebo, flowers, and just a ton of space to do whatever you wanted. We played out there quite a while - Ella loved to just look around and watch the people and laugh at the seagulls.

Ella really began to stand up a lot on her own on our little vaca and here is a cute pic of her showing off her moves.

One morning we rode our bikes around the island. It was incredibly beautiful and peaceful. A few friends told us to take our own bikes and we were so glad that we did! Ella basically just slept the whole time we rode around so it was relaxing for us all.

Brad and I taking a break to enjoy the view

Mackinaw Bridge

One day it rained in the afternoon so at night it was all wet everywhere so we just wandered around with Ella in her pack. She liked the view from up high.

We also took a little dip in the outdoor pool. I had been certain that it was heated when we went out there...I was wrong. Needless to say, it was a short dip in the pool.

Taking a walk along the beachHere we are as a family before we left - had to get a picture of us with the horses. I think Ella's favorite moments were when we were in town and she got to see all the people (especially kids), horses, dogs, and bikes. She would just squeal and laugh - it was so fun to watch her take it all in. We didn't know how this vacation with Ella would go just because we have never been away from home for so long and her environment was constantly changing. We are happy to say that it could not have gone any better. She was content and happy, ate like a champ, and slept great- what more could we ask for? She even slept the whole 3 1/2 hours from Mackinaw City back to Big Star Lake which is unheard of for her. It was a great time away for us as a family!

We rounded off the week back at the cottage. Here is Lily and I on the beach - isn't she just adorable?

We were so pumped because Kylee, Brad's sister finally returned from Australia after being there 6 months. We had fun catching up with her and spending time together as a family. (Pictured here is Jake, Brad, Kylee, Lily, Betsy, Paul (and Macie) playing a little corn hole)

Playmates

Today we got to babysit Layla Geurink for a bit and I had so much fun! The girls were super cute together. Although it started out a bit rocky with Ella following her around trying to steal her paci, and at one point I was walking them both around while they were both crying (Layla crying b/c Ella was invading her space and Ella because I wouldn't let her invade Layla's space:), it ended up being so fun! They shared snacks and toys nicely, watched for birdies outside the window, "chased" each other around the table with a ball, and "rode bikes" together. It was nice to see how great they played together and hear their little giggles! We hope to have many more playdates as playmates in the near future Layla!

Lazy Days

This past weekend I went to visit my parents at a cottage they were staying at with my Aunt and Uncle up north. Brad was out of town for work so it was a perfect time to hang with and catch up with the family, especially my younger cousin Sara! It was crappy weather and not very warm so we basically just spent our time sitting around talking, reading, and napping - not bad at all! Ella had a great time because she always felt she had a crowd to entertain! My family has been going to that cottage every summer since I was born, and although I am all grown up, it is just as special...there is just a familiar nostalgic feeling that I get whenever I am there.

Ella and Sara

Ella spending a little quality time with Grandpa!
(Boy, they kind of look alike in this pic!)

Ella didn't do too well sleeping in her pack n play, especially being in a loft with distractions from below, so she spent her naps and the night with me...on the blow up mattress. She slept like a queen...me, not so much:)Ella was so excited when she woke up each morning and realized that Grandpa and Grandma were there to play!

Weekends at Big Star...so far

Here are some pictures from the past 2 weekends up north at Big Star! (mostly of Ella of course:)

Beach Babe

This past Thursday night while Brad was at Golf League I decided to head out to the beach with Ella. Since I adore taking pictures, I thought it would be a fun time to take some picture of my little girl. It was a beautiful night and we had so much fun...she especially liked bird watching and people watching! At first she wouldn't leave the blanket since she wasn't sure if she really like the sand, but once I blunked her in, she had a good time playing in it and of course eating it. I know that I am with her every day, but there was something special about that night...it was just such a peaceful and playful night that I wish that I could just pause and hold onto...she is growing up too fast!

9 months old!

I know that this is the 4th posting that I have done within 1 day but I just wanted to include Ella's stats now that she is 9 months old! Today she had her appointment and she received a great report!

Weight - 20lbs 13oz (80th percentile)
Height - 29 1/4 in (92nd percentile)
Head circum. 45.3 cm (80th percentile)

Of course here is some more pics!