happy hallowen

say cheese!

Since I was off of work yesterday and Ellie's babysitter was out of town, I was nominated as babysitter for the day........and we all know what that means...PhotoShoot!!! Poor Ellie, she doesn't even see it coming. One minute it's all "Oooh, let's go outside Ellie!" and "Hey sweet girl, you wanna sit in your little chair?!" And then, out of nowhere, its click click click! Picture time! Ha! One day I know she'll look back at all of the photos of herself (much like me and her mom do often) and love that I was camera-obsessed, but right now I'm just a nuisance, a super-fun nuisance, but a nuisance all the same!

finally

I'm FINALLY getting around to posting photos from our 4th of July beach trip! I had an amazing time with my family and friends. This trip has been an annual vacation for so many years (and with the same crew) that I can't even count! I am so blessed to be surrounded by such a wonderful circle of people that I love so dearly. Here are a few of my favorite shots from the week...enjoy!

If you would like to see the rest of the pictures from the week, CLICK HERE to view them on Shutterfly.com!

cover model

Look out Victoria's Secret, there's a new girl in town and she's gonna take that catalog by storm!! Introducing (drum roll, please.............)

Ellie C!!!!

So, all you Brazillian super-babes out there, I've got two words for you.....WATCH OUT!

play time

This morning I had the pleasure of hanging out with Ellie while Libby went to a meeting.  I, of course, brought my camera to get a little practice and hopefully get a few good shots for Libby (she wants a cute photo for her birth announcements).  Each time I break out my camera on a real, live, moving subject, I am reminded how much I don't know what I'm doing with the settings on this camera!! Out of roughly 100 shots, I literally got a handful of semi-acceptable ones to use....most came out very blurry because little miss Ellie is quite the wiggle worm! (and I don't know how to set my camera to compensate for the movement!!!)  But regardless of how many good pictures I got, it was a lot of fun hanging out with Ellie and playing photo-shoot! 

sweet feet

Poor Ellie has apparently inherited a most unfortunate trait from her mommy......stinky feet.  Yes, it's true.  Ellie has stinky feet.  How can this precious angel have smelly toes? She doesn't even wear shoes that may cause her feet to sweat resulting in the offending odor...she doesn't really do anything to exert herself that would cause any sweatiness and/or stinkiness...but the fact remains, they are a LITTLE bit smelly and the only possible reason for this is genetics.  Libby has THE SMELLIEST FEET EVER!  (Sorry Libby, but you know its true...it's no secret to those of us who know and love you!)...and now, poor, sweet Ellie has been stricken with this malodorous condition.  I mean, really, how can this sweet face have stinky feet?

ellie belly

I love this belly.

emotional day

February 20, 2009...What a day! I completely underestimated the feelings I would have the first time I met my precious little niece. I remember the anticipation and sheer excitement I felt each time I met my best friends' children on the day they were each born, and I expected to feel that again...I did, times 100! She took my breath away! What a tiny miracle Ellie Caroline Pratt is! I love her so much! I can't wait to watch her grow.

The waiting room was packed with aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends waiting on the arrival of sweet little 6 lb 15oz baby Ellie. She was a stubborn little thing and did not want to come out, so after 3 hours of pushing she was finally taken by c-section. As we are all waiting, pacing the halls unable to sit still, my mom gets a phone call from her sister. A hysterical phone call. My cousin had passed away. Such devastating news on such a joyous day is difficult to process. You're unsure if you should continue being happy or if you can allow yourself to breakdown and sob. Just 2 weeks shy of her 30th birthday, Lindsey Vinson Cardone, was called home. My heart aches for her, the girl I grew up with as a sister, as my friend. I will miss her terribly. My heart aches for my aunt. I can't even imagine the feeling of losing a child. She had struggled for years with drugs, alcohol and mental disease. I pray for her soul. I pray everyday that she finally has the peace she longed for. I know she is in heaven now with Mamaw Rie and Papaw Doc cutting up, laughing, and smiling down on the newest addition to our family.

Needless to say, we have all had and emotionally exhausting weekend. Thank you Ellie, for being the beautiful silver lining on a cloudy day. Welcome to the world my sweet angel!