Vegas at 3

So we stayed in Vegas Monday night to take my mom back to the airport early Tuesday morning. We didn't have a lot of time, but apparently enough for Ella to acquire two fun memories from the trip--casinos and porn.
The casino to her was a giant toy store. Every time we walked through it she'd yell out, "All the peoples are playing with the toys! That's fun, isn't it?" And of course, there was a slot machine with a mermaid logo on the front. "Ariel!!!"
The billboards of scantily clad women also caught her attention. She just couldn't believe how many princesses there were in Vegas. A little different take on Sin City.
The whole way there we kept saying, "We're going to Vegas, baby!" and Ella wants the record set straight that there is no baby in Vegas. It is just Vegas. No baby.
While my mom was still here, we printed some paper dolls and outfits off the internet for Ella. She was helping us cut them out with the finesse of an almost 3-year-old's scissor skills. Apparently on one of the outfits she did not like the coordinating shoes. Snip, snip. The next thing we knew, the doll's feet were gone. "What, mom? She didn't want to wear those!"

Avery's Blessing

IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you took pictures on Sunday, please send them to us! We only have a few.
Avery was the sweetest little baby for her blessing on Sunday. She slept through the prayer and thoroughly enjoyed being held and snuggled all day. We filled up two pews with my mom, Heather & company (including one pirate), Glen & Carol Green, Bryson's mom and sisters: Melody, Jessie, and Ashley, and Bryson's dad. The highlight for Ella? Janine brought tape to church. Grandmas just know the best ways to keep kids happy, and that just happens to be Ella's latest craze.
Now if we could just keep my mom from telling embarrassing stories about me...and from eating raw shrimp. And by that I mean "white shrimp."

Already?!

One month today, folks. That's right, it's August 18. Avery is officially an adult. And next month on this special 18th day, Miss Ella will be 3 years old. I hate it when people say cliche things like "Your kids grow up way too fast" and "I feel like I'm getting old" and now I am thinking, writing, and saying these things. I feel like I'm getting old. Why does 30 not seem too bad anymore?

Poor Nana!

How did we entertain ourselves before Nana came to visit? I honestly don't remember. But I do know that we are enjoying her company for the next month. It's a good thing my mom is easy-going. Here's a clip of Ella dragging Nana around by a string.

In other news, we have been completely ignoring Ella since the new baby came. So my mom watched Avery for us last night and we took Ella on a special outing to the county fair with just me and Bry. She was stoked to ride on the carousel and drive a car ride and tour the petting zoo, topped off by a fireworks show at the end of the evening.

Although a little confused by the sudden interest of both parents (and the plethora of rides contorting people upside down and whirling around), Ella jumped right in and had a good time. If we start saving now, maybe we'll cough up the $20 it would have cost for all three of us to ride the ferris wheel when we go next year.