Christmas Trip to Tyler

Here are a few pics from our trip to see Steve (my brother), Leann, Rachel, Tyler (Ty), and Brock earlier this month in Tyler. We had a blast!!!

just hear those sleigh bells ringalin'.... and elves on shelves....

Hello to all!! I'm sorry it's been so long since I've posted!! We have been SUPER busy (like everyone who celebrates Christmas at all), and we've had computer troubles at home, so I've been behind, to say the least!!
We've had a really wonderful season so far! Lots of parties and get-togethers, caroling, a wedding, a trip to Tyler, TX, and so much more! We are anxious for baby girl to see what Santa will bring- it's gonna be a FUN Christmas! (I hear Santa has LOTS of construction projects to complete in the next few days- he's somewhat of a procrastinator, that Santa!) We plan to be at our house on Christmas Eve/ Christmas Day, and then to Nashville for the weekend. Shelley- we're coming to see that baby girl!!
Ella calls Santa "Ho-Ho", and we haven't made it to his lap yet this year! She yells "no-way" every time. =) She is talking and singing ALL the time right now! Her favorites are Jingle Bells and Twinkle, Twinkle. I will post videos as soon as I can- she is such a ball of fun!
She can now count into the teens and is recognizing several letters and most colors- it's amazing how much their little minds soak up right now!! She loves jewelry right now and informed us on many occasions this week that she is a "printhcess" (princess). This girl has to get her own pair of high-heeled shoes- she loves mine. =)

On a Christmas note, I've been meaning to post for a while about the ever-so-popular ELF ON THE SHELF. It's an age-old tradition that seems to have made such a comeback this season- they're everywhere. Something about an Elf that you take home and name, and find random places throughout your home for him to "perch" where your child can see him watching (i.e. shelf, refridgerator, closet, bed post) . This particular elf reports to Santa whether the child has been naughty or nice on his nightly trip to the north pole, and finds a new place to rest in the morning when he's returned.
With that said, let me state for the record that I AM quite a fan of Christmas traditions and celebrations, and making my child behave whether Santa is on his way or not. However, I am NOT a fan of ANY creepy-eyed creature in my home PEERING over my child. (see previous post around Halloween) I have no idea on earth why THE ELF ON THE SHELF company could not have made this particular doll, while nostalgic and vintage, less creepy with a sweeter, jolly face and especially EYES!!! I seriously would not have been able to sleep as a child if I knew this thing was WATCHING me!!!!!!!! I think it's appropriate to share a photo at this time:

Creeped out yet?

SO, if we choose to make the ELF ON THE SHELF a tradition in the Ekenseair home any time soon, we will be finding a DIFFERENT elf!!! *****NOTE: if you are a friend reading this entry who has one of these in your home (sorry, Ashley, etc.), please take NO offense! This is another personal matter that I probably need therapy for in the first place. I am excited that you have chosen to carry on this tradition! AND- In case of emergency, I personally volunteer to hold/comfort/console any child that has been traumatized by said Elf. After all, it's Christmas.

Love to all! I'll post new pics soon!!! Enjoy your last-minute shopping and baking

Oh how a year has flown!

Okay, so mommy decided to take a little trip down memory lane when she realized that she had Christmas photos from 2007 that never got posted to the blog.... oh the shame! Enjoy!

Give Thanks With A Greatful Heart!

Has our little turkey grown a little since last year? =)

One for the future Senior Yearbook...

Yes, she is sitting on her potty chair. Yes, she has her diaper on. Yes, those are her favorite rain boots. Yes, they are on the wrong feet.

Giddy Up!

Ella went on her first ride on a REAL horse at Landon's birthday party! It was FREEZING cold that day, but she had a blast! She screamed when it was time to get off!

Congrats!!!

Congratulations Shelley and Brad!!! Baby Anna Kate is Beautiful!

Awesome MySpace Comments & Myspace Layouts

A Night In The Life Of An Ellaphant.......

Ella had a blast trick-or-treating tonight!! She got so excited she was hopping down the street yelling "yeah, yeah, yeah"! She enjoyed getting to play with Madelyn, Sophie, and Eli. (aka Cinderella, Annie and Boxer) She put on a dance show for everyone. She had PLENTY of sugar for sure tonight, followed by some broccoli and cheese (her favorite).

Jeepers, Creepers........

Okay, Okay, so we've been a little busy lately for blogging, but were are still here and will have a better blogging month- promise! Ella is a HUGE ball of fun (and energy) right now! She can most recently say "I love you" (I've been waiting for that one) =), and pretty much anything else she wants to. She talks CONSTANTLY!!! (she gets that from her dad)=) She is LOVING music these days and requests her favorite CDs all day long. She knows LOTS of the words to songs! Too fun! Her favorite things right now are her new rain boots, lip-it (chap stick- thanks aunt connie for buying the organic version), giving Pacey treats out of the pantry, and marching.
We have been so busy the last few weeks with work, church projects, a garage sale, family visitors, traveling, birthdays, etc., etc. It has been such a crazy month! I feel like life should slow down (yeah, right)!
I cannot believe it is Halloween again! Seems like 2 weeks ago we dressed our 9 month old in ruby slippers! Oh, how time flies!! Ella is very into all of the "halloween" stuff this year. We've been to two pumpkin patches, and every time she sees a pumpkin, she yells "pup-kie!" - too cute. She will be dressed-up as an ELLAphant tonight. Can't wait.
She and Mimi are having a blast @ The School of Mimi. That's one thing I've not blogged yet- Ella finished four full days of school at Central Christian Academy when her Mimi decided she had worked for First Security Bank long enough. =). School was great, but we decided for now that Mimi was better. =) And, I think I'm safe in saying that Ella is not the only one excited about the whole arrangement. I think Mimi described it the other day as "living her dream". Wow. Ella is blessed to have such wonderful grandparents- and what better teacher? Michael's Mom retired from 27+ years of teaching- BONUS! Anyway, it's wonderful and we are so thankful that Ella has this opportunity.
There, I said it. My child is a pre-pre-school dropout. whew.....feels better. =)

I got back last night from Trade Days at Canton, TX with friends, while Ella stayed the night at aunt "Ca-Ca's" (Aunt Connie's) house! She got to trick-or-treat in Nashville for the first time! Thank you Ca-Ca for loads of fun (and Elmo balloons, pizza, coke, suckers, etc.)! Ca-Ca drug (and carried) her all over town to trick-or-treat, and I'm not sure who had the better time! I think everything went exceptionally well (Ella even WORE the elephant head for two hours) right up until they passed a CLOWN during the festivities. uh oh. At which point, Ella jumps into Ca-Ca's arms yelling "no way, no way, no way". WHICH BRINGS ME to my Halloween Day current "Biggest Things Creep Me Out" list: (I've been discussing this with co-workers the last few days and felt the need to share) =)

MY CURRENT BIGGEST JEEPERS CREEPERS

Along with the cliche of bugs, snake-in-my-toilet, the dark, and exorcist eyes;

1. You guessed it: CLOWNS. Any shape, form, fashion, happy, sad, goofy, big shoes and all. It's just not right.
2. Dolls with roley, googley, or any such type of freakish eyes. I'm not particularly fond of the ones that you can buy that look just like your child. It's just not right. The word "lurking" comes to mind.
3. Chicken Fried Steak. (yes, I have lived in the south all my life) There's just something not right about breaded beef (if that's what you THINK it is) coated in white gravy (even worse). I don't want to look at it or smell it. Meatball sub sandwiches are second on the scariest foods list. My husband happens to LOVE both of these. Poor Michael has to eat these when I'm out of town. In fact, I don't think I know of one single guy, at least, that doesn't love this food. hmmm....
4. Overalls for women (even in the 80s/90s). THE SINGLE MOST unflattering fashion faux-pas that I hope is available NEVER again. Yes, I had them when I was 15. Big mistake. Extra scary-boo points for the colored cotton type. Just don't do it.
5. Ryan's Steakhouse. It's been 5 years (and a grand total of two visits) and that's still too recent. vomit. Hepatitus waiting to happen. And that's just from stepping onto the commercial carpet.
6. Shoe Carnival. (see #1) If you've ever had the loudest "some-clown-on-the-microphone-come-on-down-and-spin-the-big-clicky-wheel-for-a-deal" experience, you know what I'm talking about. Ruins a perfectly good shoe shop. Creepy on so many levels.
7. Children of the Corn.
8. Caves.
9. Prepping a WHOLE chicken or any other fowl, and then having all of that underneath your fingernails. Bones, skin, and cartilage, oh my! However, I have BIG plans to confront this soon. It just has to be done. And blogged about. (more on this later) I LOVE to cook. This is the only one of the fears listed that I feel hinders my foodie existence. It just so happens that I'm currently feeling up to a life-changing experience. =) Baby steps....

What are your biggest fears? TAG-you're it! I'll list the best in my next post along with some new photos of the sweet girl, I mean ELLAphant! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!


Can you believe it's been a year?

Pumpkin Patch 2008

Ella and I went to the pumpkin patch earlier this month with Karin and Eli. She got to ride on a hayride and pick her own pumpkin right out of the patch! It was a beautiful day!

First Football Game

Michael and I took Ella to her first UCA Bears football game recently!! She loved all the excitement!

Just Fun....

Waving at the fair parade!

My Buddy Seth!





I love my new boots!

Daddy's Girl

The Beach Gallery