Ellis Fam

Our Busy Christmas Morning!

2009-12-25T11:27:00.000-08:00

I thought I had lots more pictures! Our morning went way too fast :) Merry Christmas!

Arts Night

2009-11-06T10:06:00.001-08:00

The Arts Night at school was lots of fun - here's a few pics of the girls and their Eric Carle inspired artwork.Emmalie's leaf

Ella's fox

Emmalie and Sophia with a super cute owl!

Our very focused girls!
They were copying the shapes that they saw within the pictures of the animals.

Sophia's cat - the vertical lines are the cat's hair.

Recent Happenings

2009-06-23T09:37:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning we packed the kids up and
went camping! Our plan was to be gone two nights, but the second night had some serious storms in the forecast. Joe and I ended up taking down the tent in the midst of a crazy hail storm - thankfully the kids were safe inside the truck :) We opted for more sleep at home, instead of the lightening/thunder night that was predicted.

We had a great time over in Dinosaur! The kids love to collect rocks, and poke sticks in holes to see who lives there. And explore the petroglyphs and scramble the mountain side.

Being in a National Monument means that all the rocks stay where they were found :) I've washed pockets full of rocks before -- oops!

We celebrated this little man's birthday yesterday.

My baby is now two, and no longer a baby! That makes me happy and sad all in the same moment. I'm excited to see what the coming year brings for Owen. More talking, less grunting, potty training, no more diapers in the house, more sleep at night, less wake ups for snuggle time.

He thoroughly enjoyed the attention from everyone!

A duplo train set has been the highlight so far :)
And a scooter like all his sister's have for outside time.
Of course the fun is in taking it all apart too!

Did I tell you he's trying to tell "knock, knock" jokes!? The girls like to take turns telling daddy a knock, knock joke at dinner time - no matter how odd, they always get a laugh from daddy and sisters -- Owen decided to join in last week, and get his own laugh! He loves making his sisters laugh :) So far all he says is "knock, knock" but knowing that he can, when he so chooses, make the sounds, is great! Although, I must say a little frustrating for me - I want him to talk all the time, not just for a laugh! Baby steps :)

Sophia's 4!!

2009-06-02T10:05:00.000-07:00

Our birthday season is in full swing! Sophia had fun being the birthday girl, taking full advantage of it being her day :) She's a little princess! The big girls also had fun selecting presents for her - I hope they continue to love each other through their teen years :)
Cute pic of her blowing out the candles.

And trying again :)

Grandparents Day Visit!

2009-05-30T09:51:00.000-07:00

Ella's class invited grandparents to join them for a special Grandparents day at school. My parents got the invite, and found a way to be here for it - Thanks Mom & Dad!!

The kids had a great visit - here's a few highlights :)

The program--

Owen warming up to Grandpa the first evening.

Ella turned 9 while there were here too - bonus!

A super fun visit!

Ella plays soccer

2009-05-23T09:38:00.000-07:00

The soccer season was quick and wet! There was just one game where it was dry enough to take pictures, and enjoy the game together.
Before the game warming up.

Water break at half time!

Keeping the rest of the kids entertained is always the challenge! They had fun being outdoors :)

Recent Happenings -- Around the House

2009-03-29T22:57:00.000-07:00

Owen, our big boy - he's 21 months old (or young) and not talking too much. He has three big sisters and mama to grunt and point with! We all get him :) Recently when he was asking for a snack (with a grunt) I said "Say please mama" his response is "neeeee" - while making the CUTEST face:

Then there's Miss Ella, getting really close to 9 and just 2 months of 3rd grade left! I don't think I told you, but she's had strep recently - oh joy!

It started Monday before her Disney program, she woke up with a horrible sore throat - and I knew it was strep (she had it twice last winter). She stayed home from school, and went to the doctor. We started the meds and she had to stay home for 24 hours, so she went to school the next day after lunch. She was super excited for the program and could not be persuaded to rest anymore :) The rest of the week feeling fine, finished her meds and was happy to feel good!

Over the last weekend, she developed a nasty cough. A couple of years back she had inflammed bronchial tubes, and used an inhaler to settle things down, so we started that up -- it didn't get better! She losing sleep, therefore so am I, due to her coughing. Back to the doctor . . . she still has strep. Apparently the strain she caught, is resistant to zithromax and she needed a different one for 10 more days - ugh.

All the while it has been winter here again - more snow, but not enough to play in. Too cold to enjoy outside time, and Ella needs to rest. Usually when I send the girls outside it is together and only with Ella to be my eyes out there. They all have their rules and follow them - I just don't trust other people/kids :) I feel like it has been the longest week inside! We were healthy for the entire winter, just a few sniffles (which I can handle) but now that spring is here. . . you get the idea :) I rented a couple of movies from Redbox to help keep Ella on the couch and not up and about too much. We also made playdough - I really hate the mess but they are happy, so oh well!

While enjoying a snack Ella popped a root on one of her three loose teeth. She worked it for just a bit longer and it was free!

We randomly composed this picture together :)

On to the next week! I am praying for sunshine, so far there's more snow in the forecast, but they are wrong often!

Many Blessings ~
Amy

Ella's Disney Program

2009-03-25T14:56:00.000-07:00

Ella has been preparing all school year for the Disney program. The third grade has done a variation of this program for the last 15 years, including songs and characters from favorite films. She was the first in her class to audition for a solo, and was rewarded with the solo of her choice :)

She was super happy to dance in a couple of fun songs too!

Emmalie Turns 5!

2009-01-07T08:56:00.000-08:00

Emmalie had a great Birthday! A few pictures from our birthday celebration :)
She was exasperated with daddy for taking her picture. I have a few with just her spoon!

The birthday cake - Emmalie asked for a butterfly cake (I already had the pan) with rainbow frosting. I'm not usually quite this artistic with the cakes but I pulled it off :) She loved it! In fact she was just asking me to print this picture so she could have it. Em has a way of bringing a smile to my face at any time :)

Hope you are having a great afternoon ~ Amy

Christmas Highlights

2008-12-26T08:55:00.000-08:00

We had a blessed day yesterday! The snow was falling all day (about 18") and we were happy to stay indoors, cozy and warm :) Everyone had something new to hold their attention and for the most part the little ones got along. There's usually something that everyone wants, and Owen is too young to understand that not everything is his! All in good time :)

For Christmas Eve we went to a service at 3 in the afternoon. This service (1 of 5) was geared toward the kids, with young readers reading passages of scripture, and directed readings. There was also a kids choir for those that wanted to participate, Ella and Sophia happily agreed. We were so proud to watch them singing of our Saviors birth.Thankfully I had a couple of pads of paper and pens in my purse to keep Sophia and Owen happy while the service continued, usually there is coloring books/crayons for Sunday mornings available. After service we made our way home and finished up the grocery shopping to be prepared for a day at home. The girls and I made a Birthday Cake together before they went to bed - fun memories. Before I turned in - I prepared breakfast, made coffee, helped Joe get the presents down - and made it to bed by 10! That never happens :)

The highlights :Owen's new truck.
Emmalie and her scooter - she's been riding it around the kitchen!
Sophia and her Groovy Girl - each of the girls got a different one.
Ella and her addition to her Littlest Pet Shop collection.
Owen eating the cookie that Santa left.
We ended the day with a program the girls have been practicing for the past week. They each sang a song individually, and finished with Jingle Bells together. We are so thankful to have had a great day together celebrating Jesus' birth.

At the moment I am itching to sew! It's been a solid week since I touched my machine . . . but since I had a "day off" yesterday (dishes only) the house is a bit disheveled - time to dig out :) The driveway needs digging out too - but I think I will leave that to Joe today!

Have a great weekend ~
Amy

Ella Girl

2008-10-04T13:44:00.000-07:00

I just have to brag on Ella a little! She is so smart :) We had our first parent/teacher conference this past week, they started about 6 weeks ago, and like to get a plan together with parents early in the year. Mrs. Hopkins, Ella's teacher, is very nice, and funny - according to Ella.

Ella is in 3rd grade this year - really hard to believe. And when we are in the school together she's telling me all about everyone she sees in the hall. She is Miss Social!

At the end of 2nd grade they did testing she was at a 3rd grade level in Language arts and 4th grade level in Math! Then Mrs. Hopkins, went on to tell me that the reading goal for 3rd grade is to be at level P. (They started at A in kindergarten.) At the beginning of the term she was at level Q and has recently moved up to R! They keep track with testing their ease of reading different leveled readers. As Ella has already surpassed the 3rd grade goals, she will continue to be challenged with more difficult books, and Mrs. Hopkins will be checking her comprehension. She's a great speller too!

Every day school is a new adventure for Ella. We are so thankful that she loves school and always looks forward to going and learning more. :)

Guess Who's 30!?

2008-08-05T22:04:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Babe! I love you and I pray that you are richly blessed in the coming year! I am so glad to grow "old" with you.

Owen's First Birthday

2008-06-24T08:59:00.000-07:00

Owen had a great day full of family and friends - presents and cake. =) He was a bit unsure of all the extra attention, this was most noticed when we sang Happy Birthday! He was quite stunned.
Opening presents.
Birthday Cake! He just ate little bits, he wasn't all that impressed.

Perched at the window earlier in the day - it's his lookout.
Owen and Daddy.

I posted birthday pictures for Ella and Sophia on my other blog - click their names to check them out over there.

Dinosaur

2008-06-23T17:07:00.000-07:00

Father's Day weekend - Joe took some time to rest. He had been talking about camping with Ella and Emmalie for a couple of weeks - and they made it over to Dinosaur National Monument! A quick overnight was just what they needed. See the cave ahead?
Ancient drawings.Beautiful views.Aunt Josie's Cabin. The beautiful setting for this primitive cabin.The Visitor CenterWorking on the Junior Ranger Activity Book. - It's serious work!Cool fossil.Do you see the snake?The Ranger is checking their work.It's official! They are Junior Rangers. The girls had a blast and Joe was happy to unplug for 24 hours. We decided it was too much to pack everyone and everything for one night. Hopefully we will all have a chance to get out soon - introduce Owen to camping!

Outside/Inside

2008-05-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

We are blessed - for 80% of the time our kids play well together. Now that Ella is out of school we have had even more playtime together. I wanted to share some sweet photos taken recently. They really do love each other and just yesterday each took turns telling the others individually "I love you _____" I know it won't always be this great - our three girls have already started fighting over clothes, but we are enjoying each day as it comes.Playing in the Ikea tent in the living room.
We have celebrated two birthdays this month, Ella turned 8, and Amy 31. Next month the little ones will be 3 and 1 - times goes so fast! Before we know it they will all be in school and we will still be trying to keep up with them.

Happy Baby

2008-04-28T21:24:00.001-07:00

I wanted to share this cute pic I got of Owen yesterday! He is so happy, unless he's hungry of course. And he is getting more accustomed to his feet. I have watched him take up to 5 steps at one time in the last couple of days. His balance is excellent - he can stand and carefully set himself down on his bum to crawl away. We figure he will be mostly walking, instead of mostly crawling, really soon!

A Visit

2008-04-24T14:16:00.000-07:00

Well Grandpa and Grandma Shaw are in town for a visit. The girls are having a blast as usual and Owen has warmed up to them pretty quickly. Also Owen is now 10 months old - hard to believe his birthday is almost here (June 21). Hope all is well with you. Let us know =)

Bruiser

2008-03-10T12:09:00.000-07:00

So our little bruiser gave himself his first black eye. Yesterday, everyone was around in the living room but not looking at him the moment he hit himself with . . something. At first I thought he hit his teeth or gums - his top two teeth are going to emerge any day, but then I noticed that he had broken the skin just under his eye. Having had three girls we are amazed at how much trouble he finds, and it doesn't even matter the cost! While our girls have been strong willed and very curious babies - Owen will seek out trouble. He has been lots of fun to watch, and I know he will continue to be a bruiser.

He's eating cheerios - sorry!

Arizona

2008-02-21T14:02:00.000-08:00

We were blessed with a time away last week. Someone gave us a timeshare unit for the entire week and all we had to do was show up! Joe and I took turns driving through the night as the kids slept - a great strategy. We arrived Monday morning ready to relax! And that is all that we did - the girls loved swimming everyday, even when it was raining and there was not another guest at the pool. So the pictures here are pretty indicative of our week. We just hung out at the pool as a family and relaxed. A much needed vacation for all of us. The family picture here is actually at the Hoover Dam - it's the only one of all of us! Our camera wasn't out as much as I anticipated, but we did catch the spirit of the trip.

Owen fell asleep right after swimming this day. He loves to splash in the water and tuckered himself out. Ella and Emmalie would have been at the pool without us had we allowed them - they are little fish. I remember being the same way as a girl - never enough time in the pool.

So there's a pretty sunset shot here and then the view from our balcony on a foggy morning. The pools are right there in the middle of the complex and then beyond is a ton of homes built in a similar architecture as the timeshare. It was pretty when it was sunny too, but I liked the fog. You can see the steam rising off the pools too. And a cool looking cactus.

Hard to believe but Owen is actually 8 months old today! He has been gaining confidence on his feet. Stretching from one piece of furniture to another. Climbing stairs if I let him. And looking for trouble! He is looking more like a little boy and less like a baby everyday. Until next time! Amy

Joy in the Trials

2008-01-31T09:40:00.000-08:00

Our kids will always be our joy in the midst of trials. Their smiles and love will raise a weary heart every time.

We have had a lot of snow! One of the biggest snow years since we have been here - and it just keeps coming. We went outside for a few minutes together yesterday and got some pics of the snow bunnies. It was hard for Sophia especially to walk around, with every step her whole leg sunk. It is so bright with all the snow and sunshine that the pictures are a little overexposed but fun none the less.

Owen is now 7 months and enjoying food and bottles! He crawls rather quickly and is pulling himself up in the most precarious situations. Sophia loves him and is constantly trying to "help." She is 2 1/2 and has the best intentions at heart.

On the Move!

2007-12-19T12:35:00.001-08:00

As you can see Owen is a happy baby. Just yesterday and today he has been rolling from his back to his tummy. He is doing a low crawl pretty good and has all the mechanics to crawl, but he is not gotten all the coordination down. He does real push-ups on his toes - it is pretty amazing to watch him grow and gain strength. The quilt behind him - I just made for him. My first quilt without pink! And due to a simple pattern I was able to complete it in a mere two weeks. Owen will be 6 months old on Friday - I am thankful that the time seems to pass so quickly, as I am beginning to get more sleep!

Owen is looking forward to Christmas - we have caught him under the tree a few times, eating lights and pulling the skirt out from under. The girls are even more ready for Christmas - of course! Ella had a program at school all about Santa and the Elves at the North Pole. She has been working on the songs for over a month and had a blast performing. See our little baker?! She loves singing and dancing and has no problem carrying a tune at all. If anything we have to ask her to stop - she is a bundle of energy! We took over 50 pictures to get this one of the four of them, with the girls in matching dresses - I guess I was trying too hard! It seems easier when I am not trying at all.

Merry Christmas!
Amy

Daddy's Boy

2007-10-28T12:48:00.000-07:00

Owen is now 4 months old and still growing like a weed! Everyday seems like a new adventure and he is soaking it all in. As you can see in the pictures he is very happy, and really easy going too. He has been using his tummy muscles to get to a sitting position - trying to let us know he is not a newborn anymore. He has been rolling over lots - and beginning to understand how to scoot on his elbows. That part is a little scary, as I know that I will not be able to keep up with him all to soon. He has a favorite toy - a blue clown face with a big red nose - he gets very excited when he sees it and does his best to get it in his mouth immediately. He loves smiling at Daddy and his sisters and will laugh when tickled or tossed in the air a little bit. He's our sweet boy and we are very thankful to have him in our family.

Ella's Quilt

2007-10-14T19:19:00.000-07:00

This quilt has been in process for the last 8 months. A little here and a little there as I can find time to sit down. The idea of this quilt has been formulating since Gabriella was a baby, and to see it come to completion is a proud moment for me. It is a quilt made with lots of love and it is all over the quilt in all the hearts. I love you Ella!

At The Top

2007-10-03T12:13:00.000-07:00

This August Jenna (and boyfriend Christ), Zach, Ella, and myself made it to the top of King's Peak (13,528), the highest peak in Utah. Our highest camp (shown) was at 11,800 and beautiful. Unfortunately, dad's knees gave out, so he couldn't make it to the top. We had an awesome time and it was a beautiful week.

Owen is 3 months old already!

2007-09-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

Look at our handsome boy! Three months later Owen is sleeping well and growing non-stop. He has been rolling over for a month now, and is full of grins, for just about any friendly face. It is amazing how much he has been changing and growing - we all know that it goes "so fast" but it is still amazing to me!

Ella has lost her first tooth, and been in 2nd grade for one month now - loving every moment. Emmalie and Sophia are getting along well together and loving Owen. There is never a dull moment around here! Joseph and I are enjoying these times, knowing that they will pass all too soon.

Owen at 4 weeks

2007-07-19T16:04:00.001-07:00

Well I can hardly believe that it has been 4 weeks since Owen joined our family. The girls are getting along with him great, and keep me in check when he is not in my arms - "Where's Owen?" Sophia is still in love with Owen and is constantly asking to hold him. Ella and Emmalie have been big helpers with all of the little things for Owen. Owen seems to grow with every nap, his 0-3 month clothes are getting tight in the toes already! We have been blessed with a smooth transition here at home and look forward to Owen getting bigger and having fun with each of his stages to come.

Timpanogos

2007-07-18T18:54:00.000-07:00

Dad, Stacy, Keith, and myself hiked Mount Timpanogos Last Saturday. It was a twelve hour day hike, but well worth every moment to get to the highest mountain in the immediate area.

Provo Balloon Festival

2007-07-06T09:32:00.000-07:00

On July 3, Ella, Emmalie, and Sophia saw the balloons at the annual festival in Provo, Utah. They have been so fascinated with hot air balloons lately, so needless to say they had a lot of fun. The only disappointment came when they realized they would not be able to ride in the balloons.

More Owen and Gang

2007-06-22T19:37:00.000-07:00

We visited Amy and Owen at the hospital today and then brought them both home. Here are a few pictures from this afternoon. As you can see, he has three very nurturing sisters. Sophia in particular surprised us. We thought she would have a very difficult time and be distant from Amy and the new baby. Instead she wouldn't let him out of her sight, very curious, shadowing him everywhere he went.

Owen Benjamin Ellis

2007-06-22T08:52:00.000-07:00

Owen was born yesterday, June 21, at 7:47pm. He was 7 lbs 14 oz and 20 inches long. Here are a few pictures right after he was born.

Dad's Current Activity Level . . . not bad

2007-05-23T18:37:00.001-07:00

dad 50 skiing
Originally uploaded by josephellisparkcity.

I owe my brother Chad much credit in taking the actual photo (which was dad posing on this walker-ski contraption) and putting him on the ski hill. Well done.

7 Years

2007-05-23T18:20:00.001-07:00

We celebrated Gabriella's seventh birthday May 13, Mother's Day. Her big birthday present was a big girl bicycle. She didn't want to learn how to ride a two wheeler last year, so it was a big step for her to learn on this much bigger bike. Nevertheless, in Ella fashion, she was up and going pretty good the first day with it. Now she's all over the place and we can't keep up.

How Photogenic

2007-05-23T18:18:00.001-07:00

All Grown Up

2007-05-23T18:15:00.002-07:00

Ella and Emmalie

2007-05-23T18:12:00.001-07:00

Sophia's New Picture Face

2007-05-23T17:57:00.000-07:00

delecate arch

2007-05-22T14:45:00.001-07:00

We had to do a bit of hiking and then a scramble to get to the cliff on the other side of the arch so we could get this shot from the opposite angle it is normally viewed from. I was surprised at how the photos turned out when I uploaded them on my computer a few weeks later.