July photo favorites

This past month was full of girlfriend dates, play dates, a baby shower and a special date night for Steven and I. We are so grateful to have such a wonderful group of friends here, who we pretty much hang out with every week. And we are also so blessed to have people offering to watch Ellie often. Steven and I have been able to go on a date almost every month this year (we had lots last year as well) - which we cherish lots. It's easy to let those dates slip by after adding a little one to the mix, but making our relationship a priority is so important. Pouring into each other with no kid interruption(s) and doing something special we both love, just the two of us, builds on the relationship that started it all.
There aren't many photos of the things we did this month because we were busy having fun with our friends-talking, laughing and shopping! But of course, as usual, there are many photos of Ellie!
This summer has been hot; typical. And Ellie has still been loving her pool (she seriously asks to go in, every single day, saying "pool, pool!" and pointing to it outside). Thankfully it has a sunshade that goes on it, so it helps with the heat. I could also brag more about Ellie and her vocabulary, but I'll save that for her 18 month update later this month (she's going to be a year and a half on the 5th...whhhhaaaattttt?!?...and her well check appointment is on the 18th).

These two ladies (Shaina-top pic and Amanda-bottom pic) are such wonderful "aunties" to Ellie!

We love them! 

^^ one of Ellie's grandmas got her this chef outfit and some baking utensils. So stinking' cute!

^^ first finger painting experience, finally! 

^^ this was the face I got after I told her we were done climbing the stairs. We had already climbed ALL of them three previous times (so I'm really not that mean) and that was a bit tedious. 

^^ Tried out a new local place to eat downtown and it didn't disappoint. 

The name of course had me intrigued first ; )

^^ Play date for the little girls in our life group, while us moms hung out! 

We have been in our life group for almost 2 years and it has been great getting to know these ladies more and more.

^^ Loved celebrating this mom-to-be and little baby Penelope! 

^^ Raft trip with a group of ladies from our church. Oh man that trip was full of laughs, and also serious moments, getting to know each other, reflecting on God and our surroundings. HE is good! 

^^ Date night!! 

^^ one of Ellie's aunts got her this book 'Minnie in Paris' before she was born. I love Paris (never been, but hope to one day!) and this book was perfect for Ellie's room also. Well, it has become Ellie's favorite book - with no influence from me...I promise! 

She has learned to say 'mouse' and 'Paris'. We read before nap and bedtime and she points to this book, saying "Paris", wanting you to read that one all the time! And she gets a little upset if you pick a different book, because she does not tire of you reading this to her every day! ha 

4th of July

I love the holidays that bring together family and friends! And last week for the 4th, we were able to get together with some of our friends to celebrate! First we met up in the afternoon for a swim, which felt quite nice, even though it wasn't a super hot day. Ellie got to play around, go from friend to friend, and be in her little floaty we got her last year. Next, we had some friends over at our place for dinner and to hang out while we waited for the fireworks. It was a beautiful afternoon and evening to be outside, and we certainly enjoyed it on our back patio. (I am thoroughly loving our new table, pergola and lights out there!!!) And last on the agenda was fireworks at a park, up on a hill, over looking another parks professional fireworks.
Steven hasn't really experienced fireworks like we did that night. He was born and raised in Alaska, and during the summer it's the land of the midnight sun. Therefore, no one really does any type of fireworks-you can't get the full affect. When we went to college here, we always went back home during the summers. And last year (our first July here after moving back to Idaho) we were home bound due to Ellie's new sleep schedule, and we didn't do anything on our road either. So on our drive to the park that night, Steven was surprised to see people hanging out in their front yards and setting fireworks off in the streets. Then, when we got to the lookout at the park for the actual event, we could see TONS of people setting off their own all around the city. It was blowing Steven's mind, and it even surprised me, how big some of them were for not being the "professional" park ones we were waiting for. Ellie was a bit out of that evening. We had put her down for about a hour half before we needed to leave for the park. When we woke her back up, she was like, what's going on? But she was chill and wanted to be held amongst a few of us the rest of the night. The fireworks weren't super close and loud, making it a less than big deal to her. We enjoyed them though and it was a nice end to the night!

^^ Picture on left is from last year. Picture on right is from this year. 

Same floaty and awesome dad though!

 had to be a bit festive you know?!

^^this isn't from the 4th...I didn't get a good one that night. But I want to show off the new set up!

Steven built the table all by himself! We do still need to find some (metal) chairs to make it complete.

^^this picture by no means is a good capture of the fireworks. I really only took one picture while they were happening, and of course it was a small one. Plus, with it being on my iPhone, late at night, etc, I wasn't going to get a good picture anyways. 

BUT, I wanted to kind of capture the lookout. Also, to the left of even this picture you could see waaay more of the city (cities) and more fireworks happening!

June photo favorites

The month Summer became official! And boy does Boise live up to Summer. We have been reaching the 100 digits lots already and I am really not complaining. Reason being, is I get to enjoy Ellie's new little kiddy pool just as much as she does (yes we both fit), lunches and dinners can be enjoyed under our new pergola (at our new table-built ALL by Steven) on our back patio!, early morning walks, cold drinks, the list goes on and on. And Steven would add going camping with his friends! AND this month Ellie and I were able to go to Oregon to celebrate my cousins wedding! It was such a joy being there to say the least.

^^on our flight to Oregon. Ellie has impressed me every single time she flies (and she has flown 5 times with several connections each of those times). 

And I love these precious moments with her sleeping in my arms during them!

^^Bad lighting, but such a great moment captured!!

My cousin, who got married that day, dancing with Ellie!

Love these two SO much!

^^enjoying herself in Grammy and Grandpa's backyard

^^Grammy showing her the river

Ellie LOVES bath time, so a super size bath (pool) makes this girl happy!

^^one of Steven's camping trips. They go to some beautiful places 

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May photo favorites

Learning to use a fork! Still a work in progress, but she does okay!

She is constantly taking the pillows off the couches/chairs and loves to sit on them to read/play

^^first time in any kind of sand (this is in a volleyball pit). She wasn't too sure about it

^^I love how her tent is on the background and the characters are posed like they helped!

^^she will also sit on anything she can to read! These are the laundry basket lids

I don't know what to say about this last month, other than the fact it was good! I love our little family. I am blessed by these two loves of mine and the friends we have here.
Each month gets better and better with Ellie exploring and learning. We watch her and are amazed by her. Summer is definitely going to be here this next month and we are going to live it up!