June: My birthday (I turned 24) was spent at the beach with friends. We went to the little beach house that we had honeymooned at. We've been able to go back every year, it's a wonderful tradition and Ella's first trip to the beach! and Ryan's Birthday (he turned 32) also Ryan's first official Father's Day. He had taken to riding his bike to work so I bought him this fancy pannier bike messenger bag and bike rack as a birthday Father's Day combo gift. We also finally bought a house! It's a condo/townhouse and we love it.
July: 4th of July at Ryan's parents. The kids love to play minute to win it games and insist I prepare games before every holiday get together now, it is pretty funny, and keeps them entertained till it's dark enough to do fireworks. We sold Ryan's car and got him a moped to save on gas money and insurance.
August: Ian, Shannon and company came to visit, we went to the beach, the boys spent the night one night and I took them to see Turbo (cute movie), and played in our giant jacuzzi tub with lots of bubbles! I also started a new adventure selling Premier Designs jewelry. It's a really great company with fabulous fashionable jewelry that is good quality and has a great guarantee.
September: Ella turned 1! We had a great little birthday party, she ate cake and got frosting all over her face, received lots of wonderful presents and books, it was awesome. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family. Love our sweet Ella girl.
Ella and I went to Orlando, Florida to visit my favorite Bowles sisters. The trip was originally so I could be there for Ivy's heart procedure, but she had gotten a cough and they had to postpone. Canceling and/or changing the flight was more expensive than the original ticket price so Ella and I went anyways. It was a fun trip, besides the UTI and emergency room visit at 4am Sunday morning, but I don't want to talk about that. She's better now and slept the whole second flight that was 5 hours long. I was glad to be home.
October: We went to Disneyland for a long weekend with Ryan's family. It was a fun whirl wind of a weekend. We were able to attend a sales pitch for Wyndham hotels and gets free breakfast $100 Disney dollars which was awesome for getting food and extra souvenirs. The new cars land is incredible, the radiator springs ride is awesome, I convinced my father in law to go on tower of terror and it was hilarious. Ella met Princess Aurora and Minnie Mouse (as soon as I can find my stupid camera cord I'll share the photos) Ella loved the parade, she saw Simba on top of a float and said 'Kitty' the only bummer was California Screamin' was down cause of computer issues, and let's be honest it's the best ride in California Adventure. Halloween was pretty mellow, we went to downtown Gresham and got a little candy with our friends and their little girl, then came back to our place for pizza, cocoa, apples and Carmel dip, and watched the movie 'Wait Until Dark.'
Some exciting news for me, I was sought out (which never happens) for a job working for a local Orthodontist running his photo booth at school fund raisers. He's a member of the church and I was in their ward most of high school, so I know the family and am friends with two of his kids that are my age,but have never really gotten to know him all that well so I was totally flattered and amazed that he called said 'I have a job for you'. After talking to him about it he said, 'I need someone energetic, and fun and a go getter for this job so I thought of you' let me tell ya when I say, I needed that! It was so great to be sought out for my personality, it will be so nice to have something else to keep me bust that isn't in the catagory of motherhood. I love Ella, however this is going to be so good for my family financially, and her relationship with Ryan. I'm really excited!! If you live in Gresham, Sandy, or Camas, WA you should totally check out Dr. Hardin if you're needing braces!
November So Far: Ella is 14 months old and officially walking! Ryan and I are excited but then we have this moment where we look at each other and go 'oh crap we have a toddler'. Last week we were able to go to the temple (thanks Mom and Dad) then the next night we were able to volunteer at the blazer game for the coat drive, long story short, I made friends with the concierge and we got bracelets that gave us unlimited food and 200 level seat tickets, Woo! It pays to be friendly folks. We got Ryan a new car, the weather is just too crappy and wearing him down that we needed to have a second car again, it's a definite upgrade compared to his old car. It's a 2007 Honda civic hybrid, which should get at least 40 MPG which is great for his 15 mile commute. It's newer, less miles, 4 doors, built in navigation and power windows and locks, and a keyless entry. HUGE upgrade. It's great. And will be perfect for my new job with Hardin Orthdontics getting good gas mileage because I will be needing to go to Camas a lot.
So that's it!! Sorry for the long post but it was waaaayyyy over due!
