Halloween

We had a great Halloween last night. Ella dressed up as a bumblebee, and wore three of five components of her costume. Not bad, huh? She LOVED ringing the doorbells (maybe the first time she has ever done that?) and seeing all the puppies that live in Grandma and Papa's neighborhood. After saying "Trick-or-treat" and "Thank you" at each house, she would say "More doorbell" as we walked down the sidewalk to the next house. We thought that the candy pile building in her pumpkin was of no importance to her until we offered (then suggested, then pleaded) to carry it for her. That girl was NOT going to part with her loot! Poor arm was all red and sore looking, but she didn't seem to care. When we got home, she dumped out the bucket to survey the goods, and choose some random chocolate balls to eat for a treat. So good she clapped her hands as she ate them. What a night!

In case you missed it...

...someone special turned 30 (!!!) a couple weeks ago. Poor thing's birthday was the day after the wedding, and he was on call that night. Nothing like ringing in your 30's in the ICU call room! But, we had a special meal and a delicious cake the day after, that I hope make up for some of the shortcomings!
Happy Birthday Greg

Birdie

At school two weeks ago, Ella fell in love with this little birdie. He chirps when you shake him by the tail. Since she found him, he is the first thing she looks for when we go inside, and he accompanies her on most of her endeavors while there. This is her baking a cake for Birdie. She cracked the eggs into the teapot, stirred it up, popped it in the clothes dryer (behind her in photo, on bottom) to bake, then fed it to him with a spoon.

End of an era

This past Saturday, the last of the Jeffries girls took on a new last name, ending the line of Jeffries. Yes, it is truly ended, no cousins on that side of the family. If only one of us could someday have a boy, the situation would be a bit less bleak. Sad, yes, but we are all happy that Becky found someone to share her life with! We had a beautiful wedding at the Farm at South Mountain and now Mr. and Mrs. Birch are off in Jamaica working on their tans. Everyone had a great time: it was the first time since Christmas 2005 that we were all 8 (adults) together!!!

Here are several photos from the occasion:
Excited to see Ghee-ma arrive
The CousinsSisters
All the girlsBridesmaid bouquets

Ella's pre-performance snack

Showtime!

A little nervous thumb chewing on her way to retrieving a lollipop

Becky and Dad

"Giving away"

Mr. and Mrs. Birch

The best of the bad family photos

Entering the reception

Munching on bread

Dancing (note the gold shoes!)

Beth and I started playing soccer together when we were 6. That was 23 years ago. She lives in Portland now, where her husband is in the same anesthesia program at OHSU that Greg will start next year. We can't wait to see them up there!

More dancing

Still dancing after Mom made me put my pj's on.

Rockin' it with Zoe (and Maggie).

***This was by far the longest and most annoying post to date. I have more to share from recent weeks, but not up to the task now~I also made my first ever tutu and dress bodice with (puffy) sleeves tonight, feeling like I need some time to just sit, and maybe think about my pregnancy for more than 30 seconds!***

Who taught her that?!?

(Click on photo to see larger image)

More of Denver

I just got around to downloading photos in Denver from Gill and David today. These are our favorites:


Greg and Ella swam a few days, even though the water was only 72 degrees. Brave baby (and Dad).

Feeding the geese at City Park

Checking out the hot peppers in the vegetable garden at the Botanical Gardens

Have you ever seen anything so sweet?

Too sweet not to post

Vacation #2

A day after we returned from Denver, Ella and I turned around and flew up to Seattle to visit our friends the Freises. We had a ball playing together~ baby Eva is now 9 months old and an absolute doll. Ella enjoyed bullying her around and stealing toys, but always asked to "see baby" when she heard Eva wake up in the mornings. There must be some love there! Julie and Jeremy are the most compassionate, sweet parents and doting hosts! We are sorely missing them today...

Bath time beauties

Making something with celery.

At the Seattle Aquarium~ Eva is quite the mover and shaker, hard to capture her without a flash!

Julie seems to have better photos of the girls on her blog, check them out HERE.

Vacation #1

All three of us visited the Franklins in Denver a couple weeks ago. We had a great time visiting with friends and going to the Denver Zoo, Denver Children's Museum and theDenver Botanical Gardens. Thanks for a great vacation, Franklins!

At the Denver Zoo

This snoozing primate (in my 'fragile state' I cannot think if this is a gorilla or orangutan...sad) was so cheeky~ she opened her eyes a slit to check us out, then went back to her rest.

Enjoying Granny's flower garden

Playing house with her 4th cousin Anjali. They made 'soup' and 'oatmeal with raisins' for us all.

At the Children's Museum, climbing into a giant ant hole with Dad.

Aunt Sarah was in town from London and we got to have a playdate with her at the playground one afternoon. Unfortunately for Sarah, Ella was at the height of her "hold Daddy" phase, and didn't get many hugs.

Beagles Rule

Further proof that beagles are the smartest dogs EVER.