Quote

... a-pasta without a-cheese is like a-kiss without a-squeeze (Pioneer Woman)

Recent Pictures

Napkin, please!

Prunes and applesauce... in case you were wondering

My Loves

The cutest Duke fan!

These pictures were taken on Saturday. We had a great day! We did some shopping for Ellen and although we did not get her any spring/summer clothes (which was the the goal), we found some great deals on 3T sized shirts for fall/winter at The Children's Place. I am not usually a fan of the styles there, but for $1.99 or 2.99 an item (belt only $0.99), it was too good to pass up. We got 8 longsleeved shirts, 1 fleece hooded pullover, 1 sweatshirt material pullover and a belt for only $27.00. We also found a great pair of shoes at the Stride Rite outlet for $12.99 (so $14 something with tax). All in all, it was a successful shopping trip. We also ran into Aunt Kendra. What are the odds?!

The best news of the day - Duke won! Phillip has been working with Ellen all season to say "Go Duke". She is chanting it like a champ- Cameron Crazy style. We don't typically watch TV around Ellen (well, not at all) but there has been an exception made during March Madness. She doesn't really pay attention to it (thank goodness) but I hope she does end up loving sports as much as we do.

Ellen loves playing outside. I got some sidewalk chalk this weekend and we "colored" on our garage floor Monday evening. Our driveway, sidewalk, porch and small patio out back are all aggregate so we only have the smooth concrete in the garage to use as our canvas. Ellen just kept saying "color" over and over again - she was very excited to have chalk. She has colored with chalk with Cole and Savannah a few times and really enjoyed it. They have an art easal with a chalkboard on one side. She does like to put the chalk in her mouth though. With some major teething going on, it seems like everything is going in her mouth these days... including lots of small rocks and pebbles from the aggregate! She is sneaky with those rocks.

We are having a great time with Ellen. She is a joy!

Breakfast Conversation with Ellen

New Poll

Ok - I know only a few people look at my blog, but I would be interested in your opinion - who do you think Ellen looks like? Some of you have never seen her in person, but what do you think based on pictures? Lately people have been saying she looks like me, but it used to be all Phillip. I can't tell. Please vote on the poll on my sidebar. Thanks!

Coming Attractions...

I have been thinking about our Spring/Summer plans lately. It is nice having something "fun" to look forward to. So here are a few events/trips coming soon:

April
* Visit from Phillip's Mom, Grandmother and Aunt Laurie (Grandma and Aunt all the way from Tacoma, WA!)
* Kite Day and Easter Egg Hunt at church
* Bryan and Candace's Wedding (NC)
* Visiting my cousin and seeing his baby - Allie (born 3/6)

May
* Ladies Retreat (church)
* Byron's Wedding (NC - I am hoping to go)
* Ashling's 3rd Birthday (my beautiful niece)

June
* Family Vacation to Ormond Beach, FL - with my "side" of the family... During which Father's Day, our 6th wedding anniversary, my 30th birthday and my sister's 33rd birthday will fall - and we will also celebrate mom and dad's birthdays which are around the same time.
* Visit my long lost college friend Hannah and meet her beautiful children!

August
* Weekend trip to Chicago - Just me and Phillip going to a Cubs game and do a little sightseeing to celebrate Phillip's 30th birthday. My parents are coming to dog and baby-sit.

September
* Ellen's 2nd Birthday!

We are really trying to save money right now. Boarding our dogs is actually one of our biggest travel expenses. And yes... it is because they go to a nice facility. I cannot have them stay at just any kennel. My Lucy would be devastated! Anyway, we are working hard to pay off debt and save money all at the same time. And no tax refund for us! I think we are going to end up owing around $5.00. I was hoping for a little something to help us reach some of our financial goals.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Getting ready for school

Even my sippy cup is green!

After a long day at school/work  

(I look so tired!)

First Official Haircut

I have cut Ellen's hair a few times in the past (much to Phillip's dismay), but today was her first real haircut.  These pictures were taken afterwards... as she was sitting on my lap during the cut (and Phillip was getting his hair cut at the same time).  She did really well - not a single fuss.  She looks older now.  The last picture is Ellen "sharing" her dum dum with Phillip.  She really enjoyed that sucker!

"New" Blue Bathroom

My dad did a great job painting our half bath Summer Cottage Blue.  I found the flower picture at Wal Mart for $5 - which I will hang above the toilet.  I think it adds a nice little something to the room.  Still searching for the perfect chrome trashcan.  In addition to painting, we replaced the wood shade with a mini-blind and replaced the light fixture, mirror and towel rack.  Would love to add a white rug, but that is not a realistic option for us.  Maybe I can find a rug that will look almost as good as white would.  Anyone is welcome to come try out our new bathroom!  Thanks again dad for your help.  (Well, he did it all - so thanks for letting us kind-of help you!)

What name do you answer to?

When I picked Ellen up from daycare yesterday (a rare treat for me since Phillip almost always picks her up due to our schedules), I discovered that Ellen does not respond to her teachers when they call her "Ellen"... she only answers to McCullough. They do say last names a lot at her school and apparently she prefers McCullough. At home she still lets us call her Ellen :)

I actually asked them about this yesterday because when we get ready to put her coat on her, she always says "Culla". So I figured they must call the kids by first and last or just last name when getting them ready to go outside... which they do, but that is when I was told about her only answering to McCullough. I find this quite humorous.

Also, usually Ellen says "mommy" a million times on the drive home from school... but this week, she started saying "cookie" all the way home. I have been replaced. I love cookies so I am not too jealous, but I don't want her to love cookies that much! Unfortunately for Phillip, he has to listen to her repeat the same word all the way home. Sorry!

A new discovery

We all 3 love Fruity Cheerios!

We don't eat a lot of cereal, but we now keep Cheerios on hand for little E. I sometimes buy Raisin Bran and Phillip likes Frosted Mini Wheats. But, in a pinch, I got some Fruity Cheerios and I am so glad I did. Definitely sweet but not too sweet - just right!

Time Change = Blah!

I am already looking forward to "falling back". This time change seems to have affected me in a bad way... probably since I have been sick and I am already extreemly exhausted! Losing that hour of sleep was rough. And Ellen did not want to go to bed last night! We were even putting her to bed a lot later than normal to compensate. I think she was just too wired from having such an active weekend. Can't wait to go to bed tonight!

The Great Outdoors

More Granddaddy

Ellen enjoying her Cheerios Book.  Dad showed her how to fill in the empty spots with her favorite cereal.

Menace to Society

A special gift from my cousin

Ashling had Mimi (Caleb's mom) buy this shirt for Ellen while they were out shopping one day last week.  (Which I think is so funny!)  It looks really cute on her.  She just woke up from a nap when I put it on her and took this picture.  Can you tell?  Thank you Ashling... Ellen loves her new shirt!  You are so sweet.  We love you!

Special Visitor

Granddaddy/Dad is here!

 We have had an eventful few days.  I have been off work to spend time with Dad.  We are glad he was able to come.  It is nice catching up in person.  He treated us to wonderful meals at 2 of our favorite restaurants (that we don't eat at much since we have had to cut way back on our spending).  What a treat!  He also painted our downstairs half bath - and it looks great.  We will be adding the finishing touches tomorrow.  He has played with Ellen a lot and she adores him.  It has been neat watching them interact.  I don't have many pictures, but there is always tomorrow!

Ellen had her 18 month checkup yesterday.  Only one shot and she didn't cry very much.  Unfortunately she has another ear infection.  Atleast it hasn't stopped her from having fun with Granddaddy.

Snow!

We got a little snow last night/this morning. I took a few quick pictures before church. It was cold and windy so we didn't stay outside too long.

Happy March!

OJ

Ellen likes drinking from a straw - and playing with the straw