Our 7th Anniversary!

You know, it's always funny... Every year on the 28th of September, I call my mom and tell her these exact words, " I told you this was the most beautiful day of the year."  With out fail, since Brennan and I got married on the 28th, 7 years ago, it has always been the most gorgeous day.   The leaves are just beginning to change on the mountain side and beginning to look like a patch work quilt,  the weather is always a nice temperature, and it is always sunny.  I honestly love the 28th of September.  Another reason why I love this day so much, is because I got to marry my best friend.  I love him so much and I am so glad that we are going to be a happy family forever.  I just want to say , "Happy 7th Anniversary Bren.  I LOVE YOU!"

Happy Birthday Brennan!

Bren,  

SURPRISE !

Ella and I just want to wish you a happy birthday.  You are the best dad and husband.  You make both Ella and me very happy.  Thank you for all you do.  We hope you have a great day. We love you very much! Enjoy the pictures!

I'm a big kid now...

Owen and Ella taking a tub

We had to lower the crib

My pearly whites

There she goes...

"Look at me... I'm a big kid now"

"I will never stay in one place again."

Accomplished !

Summer is coming to an end, and Ella is only getting bigger and bigger.  After she started crawling she decided that she knows it all and started climbing up stairs, chairs and mom and dad.  Ella is also getting very experienced with bumps and bruises.  She doesn't realize yet that with the exploring and climbing, it is bound to happen.  There is nothing I love more than when she gets mad or tired and crawls to my feet and just drops and puts head down and just cries waiting for me to pick her up.  It is very hilarious to observe.   Since the beach, her bottom 2 teeth broke through and now we are patiently waiting for the upper tooth to come in.  They are starting to break through.  As of the 24th she is now 7 months old.  I can't believe she is growing up so fast.   

I am not missing teaching.  In fact, I still feel like it is summer and everyone is still on summer break.  It has been fun the last two weeks just being with Ella and not worrying about school.

Where is time going.

I can hardly believe that it is mid-August and Ella is already 6 1/2 months old.  She had her 6 months Doctors appointment and she now is 27 inches long (94%) and 16.4 lbs (48%).  As you can see, she is a growing girl.  Ella has also picked up a new trait since we have been back at the beach.  Yep, our little girl has begun the dreaded crawling stage (or so I hear of its dread).  She is now into everything.  I feel like I need to pick up everything off the floor and vacuum twice a day.  She has fallen off the bed twice. Needless to say, I have learned my lesson and she is only on the bed with an adult.  One other indicator that my little bundle is growing, we have to move her crib down to the second notch.  I can't believe it, where is time going?

Here she goes...  Crawling all over the place...

Ahh, the beach...

Ella's beard

  Hmm... Good stuff

The Grandkids

Ella loves her cousin Anna

Cousin Owen and Princess Ella 

Crazy Face!

Just like the rest of you, Brennan, Ella, and I went on a family vacation.  Every year, the Swensen family heads down to Newport Beach, California.  We go down for 2 weeks and get to enjoy relaxing, reading a good novel, the water, soft serve, strolling down the boardwalk, and Charlie's Chili.  We get a little piece of heaven for 2 weeks!  It was a lot of fun having Ella there.  It is very different having a child, but we had a ton of fun.  Ella loved the sand from the start.  She is very tactile and so feeling the texture of the sand must have made her day.  She also didn't mind having her face in the sand.  When it came to the water, it was a different story... She did not like it.  Whenever Bren or I tried to put her feet in the water she would lift them up.  It was a very funny site.  When we made her stay in the water she just cried.  It must have been the cold water.  Brennan had a great trip.  We bought him his 4th and 5th surfboard (one is a softy, the other is a fish tale)  The waves were BIG the first week and part of the second so, Brennan got to play on his new boards.  Needless to say it's like a little kid in a candy store.  I enjoyed running in the morning, a great book, and some of my own shopping (H&M).  We had a lot of fun with my family and we are so grateful that we get to go each year.  Enjoy the pictures.  

Ella's first 4th

Brennan, Ella, and I had a great 4th of July.  We didn't do much but just enjoy the day and each other.  After going to the gym, Brennan and I swam while Ella took a nap.  After the nap she joined us in the pool.  She didn't know what to think.  At first she was very timid, but then she started splashing around.  She is definitely Brennan's girl.  That night my family came up to my parents' house and we had just a great night of food, croquet, more swimming, more food, and of course fireworks.  We had a great night.  I love the 4th!

Summer has begun

I can't figure out this whole blogging bit.  But, I have seen a couple of our friends lately and I knew I needed to get on this.  So, I have now officially joined the blogging world.  I think it is a great way for friends (here and there) to check in on each other.  

Ella is growing up right before our eyes.  She is now 5 months old and is putting everything in her mouth.  At her 4 month check up she weighed 13 lbs. and 4 oz. and was 25 inches long.    As you can all see, she looks just like her daddy.  Not much Swensen in her.  She is so much fun.  I am loving being a mom.  

I finally finished school.  It was a hard year.  Especially when I had to go back and finish out the year.  But now I am done.  I decided to take a year leave of absence and stay home with Ella.  Then I can decide if I want to go back next year.  

Well, keep checking up on the Snows.  We would love to hear from you.