Ella's New Outfit

Mamaw got Ella an outfit that came with a doll-sized outfit. Ella dressed one of Gracie's dolls in the outfit, and they looked so cute that I had to take a picture. Maybe Ella will get her own big girl doll for Christmas so she can do this more often.

Sometimes I Worry

Sometimes I worry about this little girl. Ella has been a pure joy and a fun addition to our household. However, sometimes she looks as sweet and innocent as can be, but the rest of the time...
she shows a certain attitude that terrifies me. She looks a little sultry here, and at the age of 3, I don't want her to go for that look!

Or this one.

Then the sweetness reappears and all is well.

Church Picnic

Tonight we had the Fall Kickoff for our church programs. We met at the fairgrounds and had a great carry-in meal. There were lots of games for the kids and inflatable bouncy things to keep them busy. We tried to go fishing, but the pond was too mossy. All we caught was green moss every time!

Oh, how those kids love Tim. He's our children's minister, and he is like God Himself to the kids.

Ella and her buddy Savannah

I think this horse is from the 1950's. It has seen better days,but that didn't discourage Ella from riding.

Putnam County Fair

These girls were super excited that it was finally time for the fair. They look forward to it every year. We didn't get to come as early as usual since our schedules were a little hectic this year, so the girls were going to have to make the most of every moment. Jaden won Gracie a smurf which she loved!

Ella loves visiting all of the animals at the fair. She was particularly fond of this pretty chicken.

For some reason she wanted to display her Cheetos bag in the picture with this rabbit.

Gracie got to enjoy some Daddy-time on the Ferris wWheel. My favorite!

This was the first year that Gracie rode the Tilt-A-Whirl and loved it. She tried it last year and cried. This year both Gracie and Kalyn loved it so they rode it over and over. It literally made my stomach hurt to watch them ride that many times in a row.

When we needed a break from the rides we would go back to the Doolin Plumbing tent and the girls would dig in the gravel. Easy, cheap entertainment!

This year the girls wanted to enter animal pictures in the photo exhibit. They didn't win anything, but their pictures looked very pretty in the display.

Ella discovered that the gravel is even more fun if you add water to it!

Ella's Grandparents Day Program

Ella's preschool class did a couple of poems for the grandparents day program. I think this one was something like, "These are Grandma's glasses, this is Grandpa's hat...." I'm sure Ella could say the whole thing for you, but I can't remember it. I just know that she was glad Mamaw and Grandpa Self could come to her program. (Ella is the 4th one from the right.)

Family Gathering

We went to the village of Bethel today. I think it's a village. It's not big enough to call it a city, or even a town. My Uncle Jerry and Aunt Kathy live in Bethel, and their 5 kids were back in town for the weekend so we scheduled an impromptu family gathering. The best part was watching my kids play with my cousin's kids. It didn't look too different from when I was their age. Gracie and Ella loved the playhouse that is in the backyard. It has been there since I was little, but it has been spruced up a little in recent years.

Ella was looking out the playhouse window. I think she was wishing we could take it home!

The playhouse was darker when I was little, but it has been brightened up in recent years for the next generation of kids to enjoy.

Gracie left the playhouse to climb trees with her cousin Jesse. He lives in Fayette, MO.

Grandpa must have given Gracie a big push!