B'ham Thanksgiving

We had such a great Thanksgiving in B'ham and Ella Kate was spoiled rotten by her Nana as usual. Nana insisted that Ella Kate open 4 Christmas presents during the Thanksgiving holiday!! So funny. I tried to talk her out of it. But I guess when you just have one grandbaby you can't resist :)

We have a big B'ham family which I love but Miss Priss was not to sure about so many people coming over to her Nana's house at once. Especially all of her cousins who wanted to play with "her" toys at Nanas. It took her a while but she finally warmed up and realized how blessed she was to have so many cousins. Ella Kate and Nana watching a Baby Einstein movie.

Playing with lots of Mommy's old toys.

I think this Fisher Price doll house has been around since before my older sister. What is amazing is the door bell still rings on it. Good ole Fisher Price.

She is really getting into dollhouses and dolls.

Dave and his prize turkey!! It was delicious!

Ella Kate playing with Aunt Tina and Uncle Keith. Ella Kate thinks Uncle Keith is hilarious.

Wanda and sweet Lilly Grace.

Mommy and Daddy watching Miss Ella Kate go.

My sweet angel.

The fam laying around watching some of the old Movies we had transfered from 8mm to DVD.

The Johnson Fam

The in-laws aka The Others.

Ella Kate and Lilly sneaking off to play in my moms room. Ella Kate still loves her old bouncer and requested "Up Please" to get back in it.

The family pic at Thanksgiving.

Wanda, Lilly Grace, Ella Kate, and Mommy

Uncle Harold and his girls.

The Johnson Family. (Aunt Janice, Ella Kate, Me, Ryan, Uncle Harold, Sarah, and Tina)

Another family portrait.

More family pictures.

The cousins. (Wendy, Wanda, Tina, Wesley, Me, and Denise)

Ella Kate playing with a babydoll at Nanas. She dressed this one herself.

Random Updates & Elliott Family Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are so Thankful to get to spend time with family and friends. We went to B'ham for Thanksgiving this year so we celebrated Thanksgiving with Dave's parents the Sunday before Thanksgiving. It was also John's birthday so Ella Kate LOVED LOVED getting to help Papa blow out his candles and eat birthday cake.

As for other Ella Kate news she is talking up a storm and I can't keep up with all the words she can now say. She has been doing very well in her Sunday School Class and can say Bible, Jesus, God, Mary, and Joseph. She likes to feed Baby Jesus goldfish in class her teacher told me :) She sometimes says GiGi when she is trying to say God which I think is pretty funny since Nancy Dorsey is her GiGi.
Ella Kate being silly before headed to Church Sunday night.

Playing peek-a-boo

She loves to help me do dishes.

She is a very serious helper. She likes to get wipes out and wipe off tables, her face, etc. So cute. I just love my little cleaner.

When I take her picture I usually bend down and so does she.

So sweet.

We attempted to take Christmas pictures last Sunday. Ella Kate loved Papa in his Santa hat.

Sweet Ella Kate in her rocking chair.

My little smiler

LeLe putting earrings on Ella Kate. She loves getting dressed up and putting on jewelry. She is also getting really interested in my make-up.

Showing off her earrings.

Ella Kate eating crackers.

Talking with LeLe and Laura aka "WaWa"

Ella Kate was giving LeLe a kiss :)

My little piano player

KPC Thanksgiving - attire Formal Pilgrim of Injun

Every year several of Dave's buddies throw a "formal" Thanksgiving at there apartment in Atlanta. This year Ella Kate and I got the privilege of being invited. It was so much fun. Mikey, Taylor, and Chuck were the perfect pilgrim hosts. Everyone that attends the party is supposed to dress up in formal pilgrim or Injun attire - per the invitation. They move all the furniture in the apartment and make one long huge table. Everyone brings a covered dish and we all sit down, pass the food, and have a great feast. Mikey gave an excellent blessing before we ate and each person had to stand up and say what they were thankful for. Such a fun time!!!

Dave and good ole Mikey. Such a great pilgrim host.

Ella Kate talking to Taylor.

Taylor tried so hard to get Ella Kate to give him "some skin"

Chuck and Taylor.

A view of the table before everyone sat down to eat.

Dave and some of his hiking buddies. These boys have been friends since high school - maybe even before high school.

First Overnight Hiking Trip - The Hike Inn at Amicalola Falls

Dave, Ella Kate, and I at Amicalola Falls before starting the 5 Mile hike to Len Foote Inn. Notice cousin Carter (the bulldog) is in the pic too. We happened to see my brother-in-law Jason at the park. He lives nearby and was just out for a walk with Carter. Pretty cool!

Our little camper

The huge, yes 34lb, backpack that I carried 5 miles (both ways I might add) up the mountain. Yep - I was pretty proud of myself.

Still proud of the fact I carried that pack. I am not sure if Dave really thought I could do it. :)

Dave trying to take a picture of him and Ella Kate on the hike. His pak was pretty heavy too since he was carry Miss Priss and the water.

Yay - we finally arrived at the Len Foote Hike Inn.

Ella Kate made herself right at home and started making friends.

She Loved Loved Loved running around outside in the woods. Just like her Daddy :)

Having a blast.

Miss Nosey investigating the place.

Just hangin out.

They walk up and down the hall and beat a drum right before sunrise so that everyone can come out and enjoy it. Well I am sure it was beautiful but I opted to sleep in so Dave took Ella Kate out for the sunrise. The rooms at the Len Foote Inn are pretty tight. There is a bunk bed and enough room to turn around in and that is it. Dave slept on the top bunk and Ella Kate and I slept on the bottom bunk. I was a little worried about Ella Kate sleeping in such a different place but she slept like a little angel.

The beautiful sunrise pics Dave took.

Daddy and his little girl outside watching the sunrise. I just love this picture.

Amicoloa Falls