First Encounter...

Merry Christmas!!!

It finally happened...Ella's first encounter with Santa Claus. Shashi had their annual Christmas party for all the kids and parents, and Santa showed up to hand out gifts to all the children...or at least those that weren't so frightened by him that they would take the gift from him! Ella did pretty well, she did cry a little when we first sat her down on Santa's lap, but I think they had more to do with Mommy putting her down than it did with Santa. As you can see by her expression...none too impressed with ol' Chris Cringle.....yet!

Lazy Winter Days....

Ella was full of cuteness this particular morning...we got a couple of good shots of Ella being Ella...

Kicked back with the ol' bottle
All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth!!
See!!?? I really need those 2 front teeth!

Lounging with Mom and some Banana's

Ella's New Moves....

She'll actually dance on request now! Not really...just got lucky with the camera...

Life Upright.....

Ella's really starting to get moving...best video we've gotten on her latest exploits around the house.

Play Date.....

Ella and Wyatt had a playdate! Still think I have to keep my eye on this kid...never too soon to start worrying about the boys!

Pround Momma's

We won't hold that UofL shirt against you Wyatt..

Little Helper...

Ella's been helping out around the house...got her on some chores already!

Helping get the leaves up
Helping Daddy get the Laundry downstairs and sorted out!

One small step.......

She finally did it...she took her first steps on her own! More to come on this new achievement!

Messing About

Ella's just movin', movin', movin! Just a few cute pictures of Ella at play!

Happy Halloween!

Ella the Elephant was out and about this Halloween! We took a family trip to the Zoo for Trick r' Treating, which was a lot of fun! Ella had a good time seeing all the other kids in their costumes.

Ella's New Moves....

Ella's grown very fond of her nursery rhymes, I won't say yet that she's got rythym, but she likes to move to the music!

Out and About!

Ella's keeping a pretty busy schedule these days...some shots from some recent outings.

Ella with the VanMeter Girls, Alli and Ashley, and the St. James Art Fair
On her first Hayride at Huber's Pumpkin Patch with Mamaw Ray
At the Zoo, with Mimi Ratterman
After all that...a good nap at home with Dad

The Great Pumpkin!

Ella had her first visit with Mamaw Ray to the Huber Pumpkin Patch this weekend, and went on her first hayride! Ella picked out her first Halloween pumpkin!

Good View....

One of Ella's new favorite places to be...hanging out with the 'G' at the front door, checking everything out.

I'll Take Care of That From Now On.....

Ella just grabbed it and started shovelin' it in! And now has become fairly adept at getting most of what's on the spoon into her mouth. Only problem right now is, she doesn't always want to give it back!

Blast From The Past

Uncle Tony sent this to us, a photo from Lake Barren taken in 1986. A good reminder to let us nephews know that we are aging too! A timely photo to bring out, as below on this blog is a photo of Curt, Nathan, and I with our children.

From L to R: Nathan, TJ, Curt, Terry, Anna, Eddie, and Tony.

The Growing Clayton Family

Lot's of new additions to the Clayton Clan! Everyone was able to make it to Dad's suprise party, and all the new cousins got to meet each other!

Top: Sara, Laura, Lauren, and Adam

Bottom: Curt with Addi, TJ with Ella, Nathan with Ryan
Ryan Patrick Clayton
Adam helping Ella get a drink
Addi and Sara
The new little Clayton Ladies - Ella and Addi

Surprise, Surprise!

Well, I think we pulled it off. We held a surpirse birthday \ retirement party for Dad this weekend, and I think we got him! Ah, retirement, a rockin' chair, a cold beer, and some cake. What else could you ask for?

Mamaw get's her Ella Fix...

We had a great time last weekend..got to go to the multi-family reunion with the Rays, and Mamaw Ray got some good Ella Time in!

Mamaw and her baby!
Ella with Shirley Ray - a family divided!
Uncle John!
Precious!
Mamaw and Papaw Ray!

Summer Fun!

Some priceless shots from the Cookout...all the kids got dirty and sticky, the best kind of summer fun!

The Van Meter Ladies...
Ben Ramsey
Mia Mia!
Toughest kid I ever met - Isaac Brehm
Ella and Alli

Sippy Cup Sisters.....

Ella and Alli are Soooo cute knockin' back those sippy cups!

.......And She's Off!!

Well here it is...first video of Ella on the move! Ella has been moving about quite regularly for several weeks now, but finally took off last week! She's now been into everything, and Daddy hasquickly learned that the house is not quite baby-proof yet! As well as crawling, she has become rather adept at climbing...she seems only to crawl at this point, to get to whatever it is she wants to climb on! No bumps and bruises yet, but a couple of falls that caused a couple of tears - but no worse for the wear!

Enjoy!

Ella's New Favorite Sound

Being my Daughter...doesn't really suprise me that this is now her new favorite sound to make.

Daddy's Hat....

Ella loves playing with Daddy's hat!

Uh, oh...........

Ella's mobility grows by the day...as well as her curiosity.

Look at me - I can climb the side of my playpen!
Let's see whats over here...though I'm probably not supposed to be doing this....
Caught in the act.

The Jumper!

Ella Loves her Jumper! She and the General get some good 'bonding' time when she's in it as well...right at eye level with one another. If we can just get the General to understand that she's not in it so he can scratch his back on her!

Lake Baby

Ella made her first visit to the lake...and a good time was had by all...Ella has some growing to do for her life jackets to actually fit..but safety first, she's got to wear it! Her first experience swimming in the lake was apparently none to thrilling....she fell asleep - in the water!

Not at all happy with the life jacket...but she looks good in those shades!
Let's go boatin'!!!