Ella was in Michigan over her 1st birthday in January 2009. We bought a sled at Walmart and had a good 'ole time pulling her around the parking lots at Rosewood. After her first time, she was always going into the coat room and getting her boots wanting to go outside!

Ella experienced her first Christmas at our home in North Carolina. She got lots and lots of toys!

We traveled to Holland Michigan for Thanksgiving and spent about 10 days with parents and grandparents!

On a beautiful Sunday in November, Jen, Ella and I headed to Greensboro for a nice fall afternoon walk in the National Military Park in Greensboro.

Jen, Ella and I celebrated Halloween 2008 at the home of Robert, Eris and Cama Ball. Cama is 13 months now. Robert was The Hulk, Jen and Eris were withces, Cama was a ballerina and Ella was a Notre Dame cheerleader! We had a super time and afterwards, Robert's parents watched the tikes while we went drinking at a Halloween bash at the local bar!

Hanging Rock State Park is awesome. We took advantage of Wayne and Thelma being in town, and headed out without Ella for some hiking and fun. It is a beautiful park with a great lake, fishing, swimming, canoes, row boats, picnicking and waterfalls. I can't wait to go back! and only 55 minutes from our house!

Wayne and Thelma took time out of their busy schedule to spend 5 days with us in late October. We had a great time visiting and just hanging out. Ella really really took a liking to Thelma.

I had to work. :-( They had great weather, but Ella was very difficult for some reason and Jen ended up spending much of her time in the hotel room. Ella is usually so good, we think maybe it's because she is teething. There are also some pictures when Rick and I went to the Notre Dame game in Chapel Hill. We had a great time even though ND lost.

The Ball's invited Jen, Ella and I to the Dixie Classic State Fair in Winston. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. We visited most of the animal barns, ate tons of fair food and watched some pig races. Good times! I got bit by a old camel, thankfully it's teeth were so old they were dull.