The best video ever

Okay...I know I am her mother so it's easy for me to say this is the best video ever.  Let me paint the picture.

I went to New Mexico for a week for work.  I hate being a way, especially for work.  I got back late on a Friday.  I was relaxing that night at home before bed and Elaina had my phone off in the corner.  I asked her to hand it to me and she said "one second."

The next morning while flipping through my phone pictures, I found this.  I cried!  It was so sweet!  

Not sure anyone else will appreciate it quite like I do, but since this blog is all about documenting memories...it made the blog.

Cheer party

Elaina's season on her cheer team ended in October.  It was fun for her.  It was fun for us to watch her.  And, we met and made a lot of great friends in the process...Elaina included.  Overall, it was a good experience that we would do again.  Her coach was great and it was a great supportive team of parents.  She has already announced that she is doing it again next year.  So, we need to get ready.  And YOU need to get ready for the pictures that will surface.  

A family on the team hosted the party.  It was a bonfire so it was full of bonefirey things....food, and smores.

Her team (from left)  Kaitlyn T, Kaelyn, Brenna, Kaitilyn R., Lexi, Carley, Alli, Claire, Lottie Sue, Madison, and Elaina

They all got a trophy and certificate.  Elaina received most team spirit.

Her first trophy ever so she was super excited to get this.  It is now on display in her bedroom for anyone who wants to come see.

And.....going in for the kill of the smore.

Random things

And to top off the catch up of pics...I give you some random pics from my phone.  

Elaina's BFF Kaitilyn came over one weekend.  They had lots of fun and laughs...

They built a fort in my living room....and sat outside of it watching TV.  Not sure they ever got in it.

These girls love the stuffin out of each other...they are sweet friends.

The first fire of the season a week or so ago...AHHHH!  fire and wine - two four letter words that go so well together.

My niece Sloane spent the week in Knoxville with my mom while Nell and Dave went on a trip.  We had super fun playing with her and sending Nell these pics (among others but these are some of my favs)

Selfie time....

This one tickles me...Sloane could not look more disgusted at my silliness

We went with Elaina's cousins Kelsey and Liana to see Big Hero 6...good movie and good time with them

We also took Elaina to Disney on Ice....Complete with Elsa and Anna.  It was the weekend after Halloween so reason #3 to wear her Elsa outfit.  Good times :)

And finally...hat date at Elaina's school 2 weeks ago.  She chose one of her daddy's Titans hats.  She looks so darn cute in a hat (if I do say so myself)

Shortly after I took the pic above she changed her mind and wore her hello kitty toboggan thing...

Fall/Halloween

Behind.....again.

All my post are going to begin with that from here on out.  Let's just establish that and move on.

We celebrated Fall/Halloween this year in typical fashion.  We did not go do a pumpkin patch like we usually do this year - not sure why...time illuded us and before we knew it, Halloween was here and we said "oh crap...oh,well" (I think that is literally what we said. :)  But, Elaina got to do a hayride and pseudo pumpkin patch at her school so I consider that checked off the list, in my mind.  We didn't even carve pumpkins...but we did buy some the day before Halloween and deemed them our Halloween/Thanksgiving pumpkins.

Can we talk about how much more mellow I have become about that - feeling the pressure of having to to every little festive holiday/seasonal thing.  I am not all the way there but I am getting better at realizing that it's okay.  No, let's not talk about that - we don't have time.  Ha!  Get it?

Moving on....pictures...

Elaina with some of her classmates on the hayride...to her right, her good friend Madison

Madison again....

Her whole class with Mrs. Ballard

The whole class again

Then we ate lunch together that day :)

On to Halloween....Elaina was Elsa.  SHOCKING, I know.  But, it is what it is...Halloween was short lived because about an hour into it, its started to rain and what felt like the coldest wind ever started.  So, we went back to the house to have hot chocolate instead.  But, Elaina got her bucket pretty much filled up in the hour we were out so I call that a success.

We ate Jack O Lantern pizza from Papa Murphys.  Cute....and delicious

And...the obligatory "Let It Go" pose.  The wig is awesome...and by awesome, I mean HILARIOUS!

Elaina's cousins Kelsey and Liana came over....they had cute costumes too.

This was the next day....our neighbor had her b-day party and it was Frozen themed.  Perfect....another opportunity to wear the dress.  No wig.  They did face painting which is a favorite of Elaina's

Elsa and Anna showed up.  The little girl on the left is my cousin's little girl, Brooklyn, who lives next door.  I adore the way she is looking at Elsa!!

One more for good measure...

That is all for now.....Happy Fall!  Or Happy Fell, since I am so behind?

Okay, I am a dork....

Random summer catch up

So, I was cleaning off my phone and found some random pictures that I deem blog worthy and memorable (for me).  So, here are some random photos from the summer and early fall.....

Elaina's Cousin Liana stayed with us for a week before school started...fun!

One of many sleepovers Elaina had....this one with her friend, Laurel.  They made Erik and I breakfast in bed.  Very sweet (and funny to lie in bed and listen to it, too)

slightly burned waffles...and REALLY cold tea :)  Delicious

Back in early summer, I had to go to Carlsbad, NM for work.  I flew into El Paso and drove a looooooooong 2 hours to Carlsbad, NM on a 2 lane road in literally the middle of the desert.  I have never seen terrain quite like it.  I was by myself so it was a little un-nerving.  BUT, at least it was day time and it really is beautiful.  When I pulled off the side of the road to snap a few pics with my phone, the thing I will most remember is the quiet I heard.  I have never heard quiet like that.  No sounds of anything...no cars, no people, no anything.  It felt strange, in a way.

I ate some gooooooood food in Carlsbad....I mean, really super delicious authentic Mexican food.  Yum!

Elaina friend Katherine was over one day and they decide to do a candy/water stand at the bottom of our driveway.  Their sales strategy:

water (my plain old tap water) in a solo cup, without ice = $1

Candy (Elaina's old Halloween/Valentine/Easter candy = free with purchase of water

They lucked out because there was a crew at the house next door that was being built.  They all bought water.  A few people drove by to purchase.

Grand total of the day, which was about an hour and a half = $9!!!  I couldn't believe that amount.  That's pretty good.

At the end of her 1st grade year, we had a parent teacher conference with her 1st grade teacher.  Erik pulled out her pencil box from her desk to take a peek.  Can someone say OCD?  We always new she was like her daddy in regard to that.  This pencil box is so neat.  Her teacher also said that she volunteered to put all her book back in chronological order at the end of the year (without being asked).  That is SO Elaina - she likes order :)

It was a wine sort of night for me.  Elaina and I were sitting down doing some coloring at the table.  She said she wanted a class of water.  I told her to go get her a glass.  I had my back turned to the kitchen while she made her glass.

She came back with this.... ha ha ha ha!!!  Such a silly kid.  Should I be worried?

A play date with her friend Aleena in a blow up pool.  They both spent the entire time IN a large bucket inside the pool.  Crazy kids - we didn't even need the pool.  Just the bucket.

We spent a wonderful day at Dollywood with her BFF Kaitilyn.  It was a great day!

The last month of summer was spent with 2 nights a week of 2 hours cheer practice.  Here are a few of her teammates and her on the GCA rock after practice one night.

Elaina put her cousin, Celia's glasses on when were were there for a visit one weekend.  She looks so cute in them :)

We had a double rainbow after a storm one day.  This picture does not show it very well but it was amazing.  This is from our front porch.  We also have a great view to watch lightening (if you are into that sort of thing).  I like to watch lightening in the distance.  It's amazing!

Like her daddy, again....she has taken a liking to the show "How It's Made" (one of Erik favorite shows).  This is them hanging out watching it.  Good stuff.

Okay...that is about it....thanks for tuning in :)