Ella Kate's Paint Party

As talk of Ella Kate's birthday party began (about 6 months ago), she informed me that she wanted a painting party at Bristle's.  Ella Kate LOVES to paint and do any number of craft projects, so it was really the perfect fit for her party.

I think EK was more excited about seeing her friends from preschool since she had not seen them in a month!!!

 We were so happy to have Kay Kay and G in town and certainly appreciated their "Walker wrangling" help!!!!

Aunt Haley was a HUGE help and acted as our official party photographer.  She also made this PRECIOUS Happy Birthday cupcake chalkboard!!! She is quite crafty these days and got some new tools to make things out of pieces of wood.  So very cute!!!! Thanks Haley!

The kids listened so quietly as they got their instructions for painting their canvases.

 They all worked so hard too.  The finished canvases turned out so great!!

 The big kids had a fun time too!

 Cupcake Time!!! Last year, EK cried the whole time we sang to her.  What a difference a year makes!!! She LOVED every minute of it this go around!

 Walker thought the ice cream was the best part of the whole day.

 We loved getting to visit with Aunt Carolyn too!  My kids think she is just hilarious and they always have so much fun with her!

 Ella Kate was thrilled that Robert was able to come to the party.  And please look at this adorable pillow that his sweet mama made!!! She is so talented!!!

 Ummmm...this is what happened when I asked EK to take a picture with Taylor and Alden.  I guess this is a little cheerleading stunt???

My sweet Papaw was there today as well.  EK was excited to show him her garden at the house before the party.  

 We had such a fun day celebrating our sweet little 4 year old.  We are so thankful for her life and the chance to be her parents.  We love you Ella Kate!!!!

The Birthday Girl

Today, our little girl turned 4!!! We have had a full day of celebrating and there are tons of pictures to come, but I wanted to include this little survey like we did last year.  It is fun to compare!!! Happy Birthday Ella Kate!!! We love you!!!!

What is your name?  Ella Kate Nelson
How old are you? 4
What makes you happy?  my family
What is your favorite thing to do?  draw pictures
What is something you like to eat? chicken nuggets
What is something you don't like to eat? squash
What is your favorite animal?  flamingo
What is your favorite Bible story?  Jesus and the little children
What is your favorite TV show?  Doc McStuffins
What are you really good at? coloring and painting
What is your favorite movie? Sleeping Beauty and The Little Mermaid
What is your favorite color? purple and pink
What is your favorite song?  "God of Angels Armies"
Who is your best friend?  Elleigh Keith
What do you like to do with mommy?  puzzles
What do you like to do with daddy? work in the garden
What do you like to do with Walker?  play with him
What is your favorite sport? the Bulldogs
Where is your favorite place to go?  the playgound
What is your favorite book? Moses
What do you want to be when you grow up?  a doctor

A Rip Roaring Good Time

Our church held Bible School this week and the theme was a Wild West/Cowboy kind of thing.  Well, we decided to leave our boots and chaps behind and sport our maroon today in preparation for the big game! So, happy Maroon Friday from VBS!!!!

 We had a petting zoo today and I was shocked when I saw this little girl going on a pony ride.  She is normally so timid and cautious about trying new things, but she seemed to enjoy it!

 They also got to take a ride in the horse and buggy.  The kids thought it was pretty awesome, and I have to admit, it was fun!

After watching EK with all the animals, I am thinking she may become a vet.   She LOVED the chickens and the goat.

Now, let's take care of business in Omaha!!! Go Dawgs!!!!

Fun Times

We spent a few days in Madison before our 2nd home study interview.  We took the kids to play at the park and they had such a fun time!

Ella Kate even got to go to school with Haley one morning.  Haley is working in the summer camp (day care) at MRA with the 3-4 year olds, so EK just fit right in with the rest of the kids.  She LOVED going!! Poor girl is missing school so badly!!!!

We were able to visit with my sweet Papaw some too.

There was a lot of playing at Kay Kay and G's house.  Walker decided to take up a little golf.

We did a little swimming as well.  Good thing EK likes it so much since this week is swimming lessons week!!!

We have been burning up the road lately between Disney, Jackson and then a quick trip to Columbus for pre-marital counseling for a sweet couple that will get married in a couple of months.  It is is nice though to be home for a bit!  Ella Kate has a big week with swimming lessons and she is going to art camp.  We are LOVING our summer!!!!

Thanks!

While we were away at Disney, this little guy spent some time with Nana and Pop. I know he had a blast and kept them quite busy!! We so appreciate the Nelson's keeping him so we could have some special time with Ella Kate. As much as I missed him, it would have been challenging to wrestle him on our trip!! Thank you, thank you, thank you Nana and Pop!!!!

Another Magical Day

We went back to Magic Kingdom for another magical day.  Since we had done almost everything the day before, our second day really allowed us to do EK's favorite things some more and just enjoy being there with our sweet girl.

The teacups were a favorite, so she rode them several times.  She LOVED spinning that sucker as fast she she could.

But her absolute favorite was the Barnstormer Roller Coaster.  She rode it 3 times and screamed from the time the little train took off until the time it stopped again.  She was hilarious!!! Can't wait for her to grow a few more inches so she can ride on some other roller coasters!

 We went by to meet Mickey and found Pluto on our way!

 We decided to check out the Storybook Princess area since she is such a princess fan, and I am soooo glad we did!  She got to see Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella.

 The princesses were so sweet to Ella Kate and she got to spend a few minutes talking with them.  She showed them each her pressed penny she had gotten at lunch that day and also her new charm necklace.  Sweet girl even thanked them for sending her the postcard months ago.

 Aurora asked EK if she had any pets, and EK told her, "Well, I had a cat, but she ran away!"  Ummm...what??? She's never had a cat!!!

 We truly had such an amazing time.  Ella Kate was just precious and it meant the world to me to get to watch the joy, wonder, and excitement in her little eyes.  None of this would have been possible without my parents!!! Thank you so much G and Kay Kay for such a magically wonderful trip!!! We will never forget it!!!!!

A Magical Trip!

It all started months ago with a simple statement.  As Ella Kate and Big G were watching television, a commercial for Disney World came on the TV.  EK said, "G, I want to go there!!!"  And so, the planning began! We have been so very excited to head to the Magic Kingdom and our trip did not disappoint!!!  Disclaimer:  There are a TON of pictures...and I'm not even sorry!!!! :)

On Wednesday,  we were at the gates for the Welcome Show and Rope Drop.  

What trip would be complete without the family picture in front of Cinderella's castle?

With the help of my friend Lynn Crowe, we had our "plan" in place as to how we would maximize our time and avoid the crowds.  I was incredibly pleased with how all of our planning paid off!  Between my planning, wait time apps, and fast passes, we only had to wait about 20 minutes max at any ride during an incredibly busy time of year!!!  I'm only slightly obsessive....

Once we made it in the park, we headed for the new Fantasyland area.  The Little Mermaid ride was so cute!!!

Of course, my favorite part of It's A Small World was the China area.  =)  Can't wait to have Emma home so we can take ALL our kids...in a few years!

Ella Kate LOVED the Peter Pan ride because she got to see Captain Hook...she is obsessed with him!

After our first few rides, we had a breakfast scheduled with the Princesses.  EK loves all things Disney Princess so I knew this was going to be our best shot at seeing all of her favorites.  She was a little timid at first, but quickly warmed up to them.  They were all so sweet and chatted with her and signed her autograph pillow case.

I love a parade and so does my child!

My little thrill seeker had a ball riding all the rides.  She only made me a little sick to my stomach making Dumbo go up and down.

She got to meet a few of her favorite characters as well.

 We were able to do everything that we wanted to do! The only snag we had all day occurred while we were riding Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride.  The weather report had shown a chance of rain all day.  It rained a bit while we were eating with the princesses that morning and we thought we were in the clear.  Well....not so much.  While on the magic carpet, the flood gates opened and we quickly became drowned rats!!! I wish there were pictures/video footage of this happening.  It was hysterical!!!  Luckily, the rain was short lived and after a quick change of clothes for EK, we were on to our next adventure!!!

The Electrical Light Parade is one of my favorites from Magic Kingdom!!!!

After the parade, we took in the fireworks and then headed back to the hotel for the night.  We had such a wonderful day!!!!