** 4th of July **

Ellie and Mommy riding on the Carousel
Ellie in her new wagon from Aunt Lisa
Ellie eating her first ITALIAN ICE (she prefered the cherry)

We'd played tourist on Friday as we went into town, and walked up and down Broadway with Ellie in her jogging stroller. We window shopped, shared Bruegger's Bagels, stopped for an Italian Ice (lemon and cherry) and Putnum St Market for a sweet treat. We then headed for Congress Park and the CAROUSEL! All 3 of us rode - how fun for Ellie as she laughed and laughed! She was so beat she came home and immediately wanted her nap! Saturday was the 'big' 4th of July parade - so we found a great spot, set up camp and watched the 10 minute entertainment go by. Josh was with us and that's always a treat for Ellie. Her favorite part of the whole parade was the big, dressed-up bear who rode in one of the trucks. We had pizza for lunch and the playground after nap time - Josh probably had more than his share of 2-year old activities - yet he was such a good sport - playing with Ellie the whole time. She just loves her cousin!

Here's a quick shout out to Shaun Q - who reads all our antics!

Ellie at the Ballfield

Julianna Farone (Bill's cousin Joe's daughter from Syracuse) had a softball tournament at our nearby field this weekend. Ellie was much more interested in picking dandelions, but at least she had fun doing it!

Hot Fun in the Summertime

Ellie loved being in the Klotz's pool on Saturday as we were at their house in celebration of Madeline's birthday. Ellie was thoroughly entertained by Sydney and Madison for most of the evening - and as you can see here, just loved floating in the water with Madeline. She's not real keen on the splashing part, but otherwise we could hardly get her out of the water!

Fun & Ice Cream with Papa

Ellie, Bill and Papa enjoyed a night out for ice cream while I was away. Ellie just loves her "Humpty Dumpty" for a small cone. She does so well, even eating the cone. While they played without me, I was in NYC for 3 days - some work, some play, and had a great time. I managed to visit all 5 boroughs - Staten Island all day Wed, Manhattan (including a bit of window shopping in the Village, dinner in Little Italy, stop for chocolate at Jacques Torres - and of course the work part - 4 agent visits), Thursday I was in Queens including a stop at The Lemon Ice King of Corona for a t-shirt for Bill (who loves Italian Ice). I also managed to see a Yankee game Wednesday night- complete with rain delay, double rainbow, full moon AND a win! And how fun, I had two celebrity sightings - Michael Rappaport (My Name is Earl) and Vincent Pastore (Sopranos)! But what a wonderful thing to be back home! Bill and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner out with friends Friday night at 51 Front in Ballston Spa. The owners previously owned Eartha's Kitchen - and this dinner was spectacular!

Future Soccer Star **

Ellie loved kicking the soccer ball around. We got her this one in Lake Placid with all the Olympic rings. She seems to resemble a goalie more than anything else - we're really just happy she enjoys herself!

Father's Day

Ellie and Daddy
Ellie and Mommy

We had a wonderful Father's Day - beginning Saturday night with Grammy bringing twin lobsters each for a pre-Father's Day treat - so much better than the traditional Father's Day tie!

The best part was that Ellie loved the lobster. When she first saw them she said, "Those are alligators!" But when we explained they were lobster and delicious, she was convinced. She had already eaten HER whole dinner when we began, then she nearly ate more lobster than I did! And she she was ready for more she would say, "Can I have more turtle?" So we laughed and laughed.

Sunday we enjoyed 9am mass with both Grammy and Papa. We took Daddy to Panera for coffee and a bagel after church. And a cookout at Papa's at noon was our next stop. Ellie loved playing soccer with Josh and Ryan and all Papa's presents! She took a nice long nap, as she is recovering from an ear infection - and hopes to be 100% real soon!

"Kissin' Cousins"

Anna and Ellie

When Bill & I were away in Lake Placid and Ellie stayed at Grammy's they also had fun with Aunt Ellen, Uncle Gary and Anna (my cousin, Tricia's daughter)

They went to Congress Park and fed the ducks and rode the Carousel. And Anna arrived with a wonderful gift for Ellie - a matching dress! They loved being dressed alike!

Lake Placid Weekend

Some people might refer to it as the Belmont weekend... Big Brown's quest for the Triple Crown, but I think I 'll continue to call it our Lake Placid Weekend.

Ellie went to Grammy's for a Saturday night sleepover while we shared a little time away in a beautiful summer spot. We shopped, found a great spot to enjoy the Yankee game and later the race. We met a group of great people, lost in our race pool (no, we didn't have Big Brown) and then had a wonderful dinner overlooking the lake at Jimmy's. We joined up again with our new friends at The Cottage for a nightcap and a cigar. It was relaxing and fun!

Backyard Fun with Her Friends!

Cassidy and Ellie on their 'bikes' in Trudi's yard
Ellie, Cassidy and Ryan holding all the 'basketballs'!
Ellie, Cassidy, Ryan, Gordie and AJ - hmmm, each with a ball!

Ellie's Friends!

Back row: Robin holding Sawyer, Trudi holding Hayden
Front row: Ellie, Alec, Spencer, Cassidy, Gordie, Ryan, Lindsay, Rayden

It was my birthday this weekend! I began my celebration at work on Friday with a birthday breakfast thrown by my team. We rounded it out with a team lunch meeting and a productive day. Saturday I enjoyed a facial for an hour at The Crystal Spa with Gerene. It was wonderful with all the aromatherapy smells and peaceful music. Everyone should have one hour a week that is that relaxing! Bill arranged a delicious dinner with Papa, Mimi, John to join Bill, Ellie and I. Italian was the menu - stuffed clams, shrimp scampi, salad, bread and pasta. Ellie loved opening all the presents with me and especially blowing out the candles on my birthday cake. Lots of treats for me - Crocs, Jibbitz, sandals, Willow Tree figurines, picture frames, and wine! What a great night we had. And Sunday was a stay-at-home day enjoying the nice breeze - Ellie and I read books and played Play Doh, while Bill recovered from his head cold! We'll continue the Italian theme tonight with leftover scampi on pasta with fresh bruschetta.

The Ladybug Song

This is Ellie's FAVORITE commerical. When she was little I would sing it to her and she would giggle, now she says, "Mommy sing the ladybug song!" So here it is!

Memorial Day Weekend

I started the weekend early with a noon departure from work on Friday to run a couple errands and get a 'summer kick-off' pedicure. Great treat - especially with a Starbuck's frappachino in hand. Friday night Papa came for dinner as he was going to Syracuse for the weekend. On Saturday we spent time outside in the yard and on the near-by playground. Ellie loves the slide and watching the big girls practice softball. Saturday was our on own in-house date night as we rented "Michael Clayton" after Ellie went to bed. Sunday was an early morning (up at 5:20am) - so after early mass we found lots to do - moving plants, fixing the front porch, seed & fertilize the lawn. Sunday afternoon we went to the Klotz's for a picnic. Ellie was entertained by the girls for hours - Sydney, Madison and Maggie. She loves to play with the big girls! By Monday, we were ready to rest. What a gorgeous day to enjoy!

Haircut!

Saturday was haircut for Mommy and Ellie at Aunt Mimi's shop. As we were walking in Ellie said to me, "Mommy, I no cry this time to get my hair cut." I said, "Ellie, that's a great idea. I won't cry either. That's what big girls do!" What a successful hair cut day.

Happy Mother's Day

We had a great day! Ellie made me this wonderful tray with lots of colorful handprints on it for me to keep my 'stuff'. Ellie and I had fun playing golf and on her Little Tykes slide (compliments of my cousin Tricia in Rochester - since I'm sure Mason and Anna had lots of fun on it first makes it more fun!) As soon as I got the camera out she yelled, "Cheese!" Seems she's had her picture taken before. It couldn't have asked for a nicer day, the weather was gorgeous. I decided I wanted to spend the afternoon planting my flower boxes for the deck and have Bill grill steak for dinner. So Mom and I went to Sunnyside together and bought flats of flowers. It was a terrific day!

Busy Weekend!

A bit of shopping, a visit to the library and some raking on Saturday. Sunday we were up very early (4:45am!!)- so 7:30am mass fit nicely before groceries, a trip to Albany to visit Macy's and have lunch at The Cheesecake Factory! Once home, all three of us napped for a bit! As a 'special treat', as Ellie says .. we went to Humpty Dumpty for our first ice cream of the season. She has watched her father's Yankee Weekend video so much, she now walks around the house singing, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" .. it's the best! Some of you may remember, this was our wedding song - so it really means a lot to me.

PB&J for Saturday lunch

Today we had our 2year old pictures taken at Sears. Ellie did amazing being moved around and posed. We have way too many to choose from. She even made up a few of her own scenes while we were there! We celebrated by coming home and having our very first peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She ate crusts and all. She played in the yard with her bucket and rocks while we raked and straightened. As long as we have music nearby we can talk her into nearly anything. She doesn't like the pauses between the songs - and says, "Mommy, put doo-doo on!" She hasn't mastered doo-doo is actually music, but we're getting there. After all that fun it was time for a nap!

What a FUN Day!

Josh and Ellie have fun at the Sunday School Fun Fair! Josh taught Ellie how to fish and she was so happy with her prize of new sunglasses! Afterward we all gathered at Papa's house for spaghetti dinner, which she promptly wore all down her bib. She's almost mastered the 'twirl'.

Opening Day 2008!

Ellie is ready for the season to begin with her Yankees jacket. Although the weather was a bit brisk, she loved wearing the jacket. In the end, the weather was too much for the Yankees who were rained out. We'll try again tomorrow!
Ellie wears her pinstripes proudly!

EASTER 2008

Ellie's HUGE Easter Bunny!
Easter morning (before hair brushing)
Coloring eggs with Papa & Daddy

Happy 2nd Birthday to Ellie! The Elmo cake was just perfect. Ellie kept telling us he was taking a bath in the water!

We celebrated on Easter Sunday with brunch for the whole family. Grammy, Papa, Aunt Lisa, Josh, Aunt Maureen, Aunt Mimi, Uncle John and Ryan! Ellie was an angel in church (who'd have thought with all those people), but she loved singing all the songs and seeing the pretty dresses.

Ellie's birthday on Saturday began with a playdate with her 2 year old friend, Cassidy at the library. They did puzzles, blocks, legos, rode the dinosaur rocking horse and ended with a trip to the snack bar for mini-cupcakes for the girls and coffee for Cassidy's mom, Erin and I. Ahhh.......It was an awesome weekend filled with lots of laughter and tons of presents and good food!

March 2008

The terrible twos have begun. Bill likes to tell the story of how she levitated above the kitchen table the night before last after having ice cream at 7pm! She believes she is the boss, and doesn't hesitate to throw things to get our attention. She is a great eater though. Sometimes she'll eat more macaroni from Bill's plate than he does. She loves salad, tomatoes, broccoli, meatballs, noodles and nearly any fruit! Her new favorite is orange juice which she asks for day night! "I so proud of you"

February 2008

When you ask Ellie to 'wink' at you, she, of course blinks with both eyes. We find it hysterical! She knows the whole ABC song, Twinkle Twinkle, and her latest is You are my Sunshine! She concentrates so hard when we are singing to learn the words. And at church, she is amazed - how could all these people know the Our Father! She loves going to church for the "Doo Doo" that Papa sings in choir.

January 2008

Ellie is wearing her sweater and hat that Aunt Maureen made for her. She loves to show off, and especially smile for the camera. She takes walks to Nana & Papa's house - wearing her boots, and even putting her coat on all by herself in the 'tag to toes' method. She is growing up so quickly with her singing, dancing, and memorizing books!

Christmas 2007

Christmas was so much fun this year. Ellie loved opening all her presents, riding her new Pooh truck, and checking out the ornaments on the tree. She even liked getting dressed up! The only challenge was getting the photo for the Christmas card - but by the time we opened presents that worry was long gone!

Thanksgiving 2007

What a year to be thankful! Ellie is such a joy! New words, adventures and milestones seems like daily. Bill & I keep very busy at work - at jobs we love. We have family all around that love Ellie so much. And a daycare provider for Ellie that if Ellie loves her half as much as we do, we're going okay :) Here's a hint - when we arrive to pick her up she says, "No Mommy - play!" and runs to the other kids.