Ella Happenings

Ella has her ballet recital coming up soon.  We had pictures yesterday.  She is a Music Box Dancer for Ballet and a Crayon for Modern.  Too Cute!

This was the first time to see the complete outfits.

The children sang in church on Sunday. 

Miss Anna Li let me snap a picture of her too.  Lots of children.  If you look really hard you can find Ryan and Ally.

Glorious Day when children sing.

Dog Sitting

We were able to dog sit while meme and papa went on a cruise.  Bella and Gabby provided much entertainment for us.  Cat and Mouse - little vs. big.

 Garrett and Ella were outside flying a kite.  I love this picture of the dogs' shadows.

 It's almost like Gabby telling Bella something.

 After many hours of chasing, there were times of complete exhaustion. 

We love our Gabby the big dog but very quiet now that Bella is gone.

Crisis Assistance Ministry Run Day

Our family ran in the Crisis Assistance Run on Saturday.  Jeff did the 10K, the boys and I did the 5K, and Ella did the 1 Mile fun run.  We have been so excited for the boys to do an actual race.

Leaving home

 I pushed Ella in the jog stroller for the 5K.  Her race was after our run.  Never had pushed 50 lbs and ran 3.1 miles before in my life. 

 The boys were so excited - can you tell?  They look a little worried

 After the race is always better.  Enjoying snacks and water.  So proud of Seth for running.  We were worried about his asthma.  So proud of Garrett for sticking with him even when he had to walk.  So proud of Ella - she was great entertainment for the race.  She talked to me the entire time.

 Love this picture of Seth - glad I didn't have to push him.  Ha

 Cassie ran the 5K as well.  She won second place in her age group.  Way to go Cassie!!

 Jeff coming in for the end.  He was hopping, skipping and bouncing as he came towards the finish line. 

 Kevin was determined to bet Jeff.  It truly was a race to the finish.

 Ella with her official number for the fun run.

 Getting ready to run

 It is funny the pose before but 5 seconds later she was grumbling and complaining.  Ha!

 Little entertainment for everyone.  Silly Seth.

 Taking off.  Little lady is in the blue.  She was the youngest one running. 

This was Ella running up the hill.  She told me right before this - "I'm never doing this again.  I'm just going to stay at home and sit on the couch and be lazy"  I was dying laughing.  Those are the priceless moments.

As we were coming towards the end of the race, I encouraged Ella to pass this big boy to the right in the picture.  He was ahead of us and we passed him.   Everyone cheering her on towards the finish line.  Mr. Dickie, Mr. Kevin, Mrs. Donna, other friends of Mr. Kevin, and her family. 

So Blessed

I hope the idea of running and exercise continue with our children.

Great family fun.

Hickory Grove

We had to go to church on Thursday.  When we arrived we saw the +1 board.

These were pictures from the Saturday work day a few weeks back.

Well guess who is a celeb?  Jeff!  He had a picture of him working at HGES. 

 So proud of his work and volunteering.  HGES was his elementary school growing up.  He was so excited to go and help. 

Ella was asked by her favorite choir teacher, Mrs. Meredith, to come to church to make a video.

The video will be shown on the big screen during the choir performance next Sunday.  She was so nervous.  She cried to about 2 hours after I told her that Mrs. Meredith had asked her to help make a special video.  After crying to 2 hours, she questioned me about knowing all the answers to the questions.  She wondered if she would know the right answer.  

 Then she said "what if I can't breath".  Really?  She is 5.  Oh my!  is this what the future will hold for her when she gets nervous.  Well, we pray and talked some more.  The next day she came to me to inform me that she would do the video.  The picture above is after the video.

So off to girl time.  McAllister's, Sweet Frog and a treat.  So proud of her.  Her enthusiasm to sing to the Lord is priceless.  Can't wait to see what the video turns out to be.  May 6th we will know.

TKD

Noni and Papa surprised Seth last week and came to TKD.  

He was smiling the entire class. 

He really enjoys TKD.  He comes out soaking wet from sweat.  He works hard.