What a Week!

My sweet Mamaw had surgery this past Monday so Ella Kate and I went to Jackson to visit with her and to see my family. Mamaw is feeling and looking GREAT so we are so thankful that her surgery was a success!!! J was scheduled to speak later on in the week at Timbercreek, so we just stayed to play in Madison. Ella Kate and I spent our time playing outside, visiting with my parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncle, going to the zoo, and going to the Children's Museum (where I took NO pictures...shocking, I know, but it was too hard to wrestle her and worry with my camera. I will do better next time!!!)

Now on to a few pictures...

Ella Kate LOVES her G!!!! We were outside playing when he got home from work, and she ran to his car when he was getting out to greet him, so I had to snap their picture. She talks about G constantly and grins from ear to ear when she is around him!!!
We got to see my Aunt Ellen and Uncle Allen while we were up at the hospital with Mamaw. Ella Kate liked getting to play with them...even though Uncle Allen was wearing that horrible shirt!!!!!
We also got to play with Aunt Carolyn...whom we call Ling Ling. Ella Kate is so lucky to have so many people who love her so much!!! She is not lacking in the attention department for sure. My Aunt Diane was also in town, but sadly I did not get any pictures with her. Boo.
Loving on some Papaw...they were discussing trains, planes, and automobiles I am sure...their favorite things!!!!

Hope you have a great week!!!

Lions, and Tigers, and Bears, oh my!

While in Jackson this past week, Ella Kate and I ventured to the Jackson Zoo. She LOVED it!!!! The weather was perfect and the animals were so active and fun. The zoo was not crowded at all, so Ella Kate had the run of the place...which is the way she likes things!!! She talked to the animals, played peek a boo, made each animals' noise, and just had a blast. Her favorite part though had to be riding the train. This little girl LOVES a train so she had a super time riding around the park. I can wait to go back to the Hattiesburg zoo now!!!

We even treated ourselves to the over priced zoo snack of funnel cake fries...OH MY WORD!!! Those things are INCREDIBLE!!!

And here are a couple of pictures of my sweet girl after church this morning. (I know it's random to have these pictures with the zoo pics but blogger was acting funny. Sorry!!!)

The Playground with Nana and Pop

J's parents came to Hattiesburg this weekend, and we have been busy!!! J and his daddy went to the rodeo last night and again tonight. In between the rodeo watching, the Nelsons have helped us clean out our garage, do a little bit of yard work, repaint our front door, as well as several other projects around the house. We are so thankful and appreciative of all of their help!!!! Ella Kate has had a blast playing with Nana and they have been on the go since early this morning!! Thanks for everything Nana and Pop!!!
Ella Kate took Nana and Pop to the playground at church. She had a big time!!! She even wore a cowgirl dress today in honor of the rodeo. Thanks Meaghan and Mary Reeves for sending this cute dress our way!!!!



We have had a FABULOUS weekend in the most gorgeous weather!!! I hope you have had a great weekend as well!!!

L-O-V-E

Words are truly not enough to describe how much I love these two. God has blessed me so incredibly and I am so thankful. My heart is full.

Playing in Columbus

J was given the opportunity to lead a workshop at FUMC Columbus earlier this week. Ella Kate and I tagged along to get some hang out time with the Nelsons. We had a wonderful visit and loved getting to spend Valentine's Day with them. Ella Kate has been obsessed with the new dollhouse that Nana got her all week!!!! Nana also found EK some PRECIOUS new spring and summer smocked dresses and an adorable smocked bathing suit. SOOOOOO CUTE!!!!!! THANK YOU NANA!!!!! We can't wait for the Nana and Pop to come to Hattiesburg this weekend so we can visit some more!!!!
We also got to go and wish J's Meemaw a Happy Valentine's Day. We love getting to spend time with Meemaw...and I think she is pretty smitten with Ella Kate as well.

The Blog Fairy

The Blog Fairy came to visit my blog!!!! I asked my amazing sister Jordan for some help for a new blog "look" and this morning, I woke up to a precious new blog!!! Thank you Jordan for taking time out of your studying/paper writing to do this for me!!!! You are AWESOME!!!!! And speaking of awesome, doesn't Jordan look INCREDIBLE at the Over the Hump/Halfway Through Law School Party???? I love you Sissy!!!!!!

Mississippi Children's Museum

Last Friday, my mom and I took Ella Kate to the new Children's Museum in Jackson. I grew up going to the children's museums in Memphis and Atlanta, so when they started talking about building one in Jackson, I was thrilled to say the least. They really did an incredible job with this place! I was quite impressed and we had a blast. A super HUGE thank you to mom for getting us the family pass so we can go back as much as we want!!!! I can't wait!!!!
The kitchen was a big hit with Ella Kate. A lot of the activities are a little too grown up for her to do independently, but the kitchen was a perfect fit. She immediately found the strawberry yogurt...shocker!


This is EK's new silly face. When she thinks something is really funny, or you ask her to smile, this is what you get.

EK especially loved the Between the Lions exhibit. It was set up just like the library on the show (which is made in MS) and had all of her favorite books to read. One of the sweet workers even did a story time while we were there.
EK was so funny in here. She just kept saying "hot" and wouldn't touch the corn or the pot.
Kay Kay and Ella Kate built boats for a race
And Ella Kate won!
Ek is OBSESSED with elevators. We have to go up and down several times every time we go to the church. She always has to push the buttons, meaning we have to pick her up. Not at the museum. They have a little hand down low so little ones can push the button. They really thought of everything!!!
My Pelahatchie friends don't have anything on EK. She liked milking the cow. Maybe she can go to work on the Knight's dairy farm?


We had an awesome time!!! We didn't even get to see everything, so I can't wait to get back there very soon!!!!

Playing in Madison

J was away at a retreat this past weekend and then had Breakthru meetings on Monday and Tuesday, so Ella Kate and I packed up and headed to Madison. We had a super time and stayed pretty busy. On Friday, we ventured out in the wintery weather to the Children's Museum. (I am going to do a separate post with those pictures.) After that, we met G for a little Trace Grill and MRA basketball. It sure is less stressful to watch now then it was when Haley was playing. I was always a nervous wreck!!! On Saturday morning, EK played with G and Kay Kay and I headed to a Beauty Control Spa Party that Sally's sweet mom put on. I LOVED getting to hang out with these girls, and I so wish we could do it more often!!!!Saturday night, my Mamaw and Papaw came over for red beans and rice....MMMMMMMMM, my favorite!!!!
Ella Kate cheered on the bulldogs to a victory over LSU...it was an absolutely HORRIBLE game to watch, but a win is a win.
Ella Kate loves her Papaw. They both share a passion for trains. Papaw sought out the train depot place in Madison county to take EK. Last weekend, they went together to see all the choo choos. Ella Kate LOVED it. I have some pictures that I will load soon.
My sweet Mamaw made the little dress that Ella Kate is wearing here. I love Mamaw made dresses!!! Thank you Mamaw!!!!
On Sunday, we were able to go to Grace City Church with my parents. It is truly amazing how God has grown this church in the past 6 months. It has been incredible to watch!!!! If you are in the Jackson area, you should really check it out!!!
Ella Kate thinks that Brantley (or any dog for that matter) is her best friend. Poor Brantley is blind and has no idea what is going on. He is really sweet with her though.
On Monday, we went to play with the Blair kids....and Annie, their dog.
Ella Kate and Anne Marie...double names and big bows....you gotta love the south!!!!
The teacher in me must brag. Ella Kate was playing with the duplos and I looked over at her and saw her creation. Yep, that's an AB pattern she made!!! I was super excited and immediately snapped a picture. I am one proud teacher/mom!!!
My little monkey LOVES the drums. She plays them every week at church and really has pretty good rhythm...she got it from her daddy!!! I am thrilled though to leave this set of drums at the Blair's house. I don't know if I could handle them all the time at our house!!!
These two had a great time playing together. They are both at such fun ages and really interact. Thanks Amanda for letting us hang out with you guys!!!!