1 Year Photos

OH, THE PRESSURE for the perfect one-year photo!  Keny and I

 took the challenge into our own hands to see how we could do playing "professional photographer".  I was in charge of the talent (ellie reece, of course) and Keny handled the camera.  I think they turned out great.  Here are some of our favorites.

Kicking off 2008 Right!

Life has been crazy this year since "08" rolled in. We've had some big milestones in the life of Ellie Reece, but as busy parents we’ve forgotten to update our site. What neglect we’ve committed against you, our most interested readers of the “Hat Shack Blog”. 

Ellie’s first milestone was a big one. The forever reminder of how time passes by so quickly. Thats right you guessed it. HER BIRTHDAY!!! Ellie turned one on January 1st and we celebrated with our Gardendale extended family and friends.

For those who missed a most of her first year, just push play for a 3 minute “catch you up” video. Also... there are birthday photos below. See you around!

Blessings

WOW! I can't believe Ellie Reece is 11 months old. This year has flown by. Each day full of blessings. This month Ellie Reece took her first steps. She is so cute running through the house with her push toy. I know she loves being mobile. We love playing chase with her. When we catch her she doubles over with giggles. Priceless. Being a mom is the greatest think I've ever done. Thank you, Lord.

Sun Kissed

We had the most wonderful beach vacation ever! We stayed in a SO FUN house on 30A in the Destin, FL area. Our friends Katie and Carey from Gardendale and their babies, Shaw and Abbie Grace, stayed the week with us. It so fun having Dad around all day to play with us. We had a blast going to the beach and playing in the pool. Ellie Reece LOVES to splash. Our favorite late afternoon activity was riding bikes. We have a cart that Ellie Reece road in...she thought she was such a big girl cruising the streets.

Sleep-Over with PawPaw and Nana

Ellie Reece is officially a big girl. She had her first overnight stay with PawPaw and Nana and loved it. PawPaw took Ellie Reece on walks in the stroller and Nana gave Ellie Reece baths in the sink. Somehow Nana manages to get Ellie Reece to fall asleep leaning next to her. I can never get her to fall asleep on me. Ellie Reece thinks PawPaw and Nana are the best. Her overnight stay gave Keny and I the freedom for a date night. We went to see Tranformers, had Mexican for dinner, and finished the night with a go-cart race! We had a blast.

Firsts

It is so fun to experience all the "firsts" with Ellie Reece. This week she rode in a grocery cart for the first time and had the time of her life. She reminds me all the time to enjoy each moment to the fullest. We are now eating "big girl" foods. I think this is a sweet potato face. Bathing in the sink is so much fun now. I remember begging my mom to wash my hair in the sink when I was young. Bathing Ellie Reece brought back so many memories of times with my mom.

Uncle Markie

I have always adored my baby brother and do to this day. When he was a baby, we called him Baby Markie. Now that Mark is an Uncle he can't quite decide what to be called. Initially, Mark wanted to be Pappy then Pooter now Tootie. Keny insists on calling him Uncle Markie...I love it! Regardless of his title, he is the best big, little brother uncle around.