Stake Softball Tournament 2010

I love playing softball, and was excited to play at the Stake Softball Tournament this year. We were beat by Columbus 2nd ward, (who got 11 runs in the first round) 11 to 2, and then played a second game and only lost by 2. Greenwood 2nd Ward

Scott and the kids were my biggest fans. It was fun seeing them on the bleachers and screaming "go mommy!"

Scott also played a game, and had fun.

I played catcher.

"Someday," I told Scott, " I'd love to play in an adult city/rec. co-ed league with you."

End of the Summer BBQ

My friend Brittany graciously invited us and the whole gang over for a pool party/bbq at her parent's beautiful home in Edinburgh. It was such a fun time!The guys had fun playing bball in the pool

Ella, are you relaxed enough?

Barbie Jeep time with all four kids

Can't forget Indiana's favorite past time: Cornhole!

Photo Wall

I have been wanting to do a photo wall in my entry for quite some time now, and when my sister was here, she helped me find the frames and arrange them. Finally a project completed!

Mel Visits!

We had a blast when my sister Melanie was here visiting this past week. We went shopping for two afternoons (without kids), swimming/working out at the YMCA, ate some authentic mexican food at Guanajuatos, saw Inception downtown (very good), ate at Carnations Cafe right on the canal downtown, and lots more!We took the people mover train from Scott's school to the canal. My kids enjoyed looking out the windows.

The Creations Cafe was seriously delicious, and it had a balcony that looked over the water, so beautiful!

The gelato was supreme!

Then we took a long walk along the canal that runs all through downtown Indy. I love this part of downtown, it's so cool at night with all the lights.

They have these boats brought over from Venice where they actually sing songs in Italian and you can hear them just walking down the canal.

this pic is really dark, my camera is old and the lighting is bad.

We went swimming a couple times at the Y, so much fun. The kids really enjoyed having their aunt here to play with. When we were taking her to the airport Ella tells her she needs to come back!

Thanks Mel for visiting, please come again soon!

Swimming Lessons

I decided to put Ella in swimming lessons since she would not get over her fear of deep water. She got to the point where she had this kung-fu death grip on you if her feet could not touch the ground. So, I found lessons that were every day for two weeks so she could stay focused on learning swimming. She did not like the fact that she had a boy teacher, so they brought a girl instructor basically just for her. So, she kinda got private lessons out of it. She did get over the fear of jumping into the pool without holding on to your arm... and we're making progress each day at the pool now! She will kick and move her arms in the water to try to swim, instead of being a dead fish in the water.

My goal is to work on her throughout the whole year at the indoor pool at the Y so by next summer she'll be swimming by herself! Hopefully that's not too big of a goal.

Ella's Birthday Present

Ella decided instead of having a big official birthday party, she wanted to go horse-back riding. She is OBSESSED with horses these days. Don't believe me? Read the story from our visit to La Grande, Oregon last month! She got a horse movie "Spirit" for her birthday along with a toy horse that neighs and sneezes, and a horse pet pillow! She loved taking care of the horse before she rode it. She learned how to groom it, spray the fly spray on him, get out the dirt and rocks off the bottom of his hoofs, and put the saddle on.
She was in HEAVEN

She learned really quick how to ride him, the noises and commands to give. She was good enough to ride by HERSELF!

I'm not sure if Cole had as much fun the entire time, chasing after kittens, finding balls, and stepping in the mud.

But he did get to pet this baby horse only 3 months old.

Watch this video of Ella riding the horse all by herself and giving commands!

Ella's 4th Birthday

Since Ella didn't care either way to have an official birthday party with her friends, I decided to make it low key, and invite some of my friends (we do lunch weekly) and their kids to celebrate her birthday!

Scott was out of town for High Adventure week with the scouts, so I took Ella and Cole to the park to feed the ducks. We should've brought TWO loaves of bread, they went through it fast!

That night before bedtime, Ella had to try on some of her birthday presents. She absolutely LOVED these gloves and slippers to match.

HUGE THANKS TO CAMILLE, RACHAEL, BRITTANY, AND GRANDMA AND NANA FOR THE PRESENTS!