Ellie turns 9!

Yikes -------Ellie is half way to 18, better take a shot and contribute to her college fund! All kidding aside she is doing awesome so fun to see her growing up into such a beautiful young lady. 


Newborn: 

1 year 

2 Years

3 Years

4 Years

5 Years

6 Years

7 Years

8 Years

9 Years




This year Ellie had a small birthday party at Center Stage Studio where she does summer theatre camps. This past summer she was in Hairspray but couldn't make the final performance because of a softball tournament. So we were able to redo Hairspray with some of her close friends. 

A three hour party and they worked on a few key scenes and songs and then did a performance at the end for all the parents. Ellie got to be the part of Tracy Turnblad.

Some practice / rehearsal: 

Pizza and cake: 

 

Some backstage hair and makeup:   

Show time!! 

On her actual birthday we celebrated as a family with cake and presents. Thank you everyone for the kind cards and gifts. It was a very meaningful day for her. 

 

Thanksgiving 2019

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Phoenix with the Family. The girls were VERY excited to hit the road so we were up at 4:30am and on the road by 5:30 on the 23rd. Made great time getting to Bob and Jamie's by lunchtime. 

The highlight of our week was a surprise 90th birthday party for Minnie - so glad we were able to be there for such a memorable milestone and celebration.  Lots of friends & family from the Phoenix area were able to attend + other family from out of state. 

Cousin sleep over at Bob and Jamie's is also a BIG hit + matching PJs!! 

In the aftermath I had the chance to take the 4 older ones to the park and then to Wendy's for ice cream.

Another highlight is the Anthem Turkey Trot that we do Thanksgiving morning. This is the 4th year we have done it and the first time for Emily to particpate! I ran with Emily while Darcy ran with Ellie. 


Some pre-race photos - everyone seems to be in good spirits!

Some action shots courtesy of the race staff.

Em and I finishing strong - there were some tears along the way and lots of stopping and walking and complaining.....but we made it!

Celebrating with muffins and hot chocolate

Here are our times compared to previous years. 

2019 - Ellie: 41 minutes / 30 seconds ; Darcy 42 minutes ; Matt and Emily: Exactly 1 hr. 2018 - Darcy and Matt: 40 minutes (19th and 20th place!)
2017 - Ellie and Matt: 47 minutes 
2016 - ??



After our race we helped GJ with some Thanksgiving cooking, got ourselves cleaned up, and the whole family came up to Anthem for dinner.

We sure had a great week (and always enjoy some good AZ sunsets)! 

On the way home some snow up in the mountains in Palm Springs and East of the LA area. (8.5 hrs to get back).