Good bye, Ruby Suby!

After almost ten great years, we finally sold the "Ruby Suby" (our red Subaru) the other day and replaced her with a minivan. The "Magic Car" has doors that open with the push of a button, to the delight of kids and parents alike. It has also been called the "Super Silver Submarine", but no name has stuck like the Suby's. Here's Ella eagerly washing the new car. She told me today that she wants to keep it until all it's parts break off. I told her that was a good plan.

R.I.P. Ruby Suby, tough and tuby, not so newby

Siblings

Ella and Liam have had some great days lately. So much laughing and snuggling. At one point today, Liam was sitting on Ella's lap, facing her, talking with great animation, poking at her eyebrows and then cuddling with her. She thought it was hilarious.

Swimming!

We've had a great time in the Choate pool lately. Both kids have gotten very excited about jumping into the water. Ella has even gone of the diving board three or four times! We have to physically restrain Liam sometimes, because he is so envious!

Oh I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay!

This is a song that is starting to fit Liam better and better. Recently, he has been cultivating his talent in whacking balls with sticks (here with an actual golf club) and has shown great interest and delight in wearing women's shoes - both sister's and mom's. What a funny guy!

What a goof!

Here are some more random shots of Ella being Ella. My favorite is the one with the "cupcake hair" that she insisted we make for her in the bathtub. But I also like the one with the sheriff's badge, because I always joke that she is a safety patrol officer at heart and is really headed for a career in law enforcement. She loves running to parents of her friends and informing them if their children have gone astray... Our little monkey.

Ella's birthday party!

We had a gorgeous day for an outdoor birthday party and Ella really enjoyed herself. The big treat this year was a Treasure Hunt, similar to the ones we've had each year for Easter. She loves them! And it was especially fun having our friends join in this time. Ella and I had a great time making a birthday sign with a retrospective of her first four years. Wow, has she grown and changed! And check out that four-year-old attitude (her line as we took the photo was "Birthday girl, oh yeah!")!

Will and Hannah

We don't get the chance to take many pictures of just us two, but we've had a couple lately...

More water and bubbles

Here are some more pics of the kids playing in the yard. We've had a great stretch of warm, but not hot days with tons of shade. Aaaaahhh...

Playing in the sprinkler in the backyard

Thank goodness summer is here. We are loving spending time in water, sun and grass. It's good for everyone's spirits!

A Day Out with Thomas

We went down to Essex to a visiting show of Thomas the Train and had an incredible day. Grammie and Gop joined for a fabulous time!

While out with Thomas

While visiting Thomas the train, we got to witness Ella doing some amazing things - like volunteering in a Magic Show and riding a roller coaster. She wowed us all. It was a great day to be Ella Morris.

Ella and Casey

Ella has really become attached to her best friend Casey lately. Here are some sweet pics of those two dancing around and playing "crashing and bashing" together!

Tinkeristmas

Ella and her friends had a Tinkerbell party the other day and got all dressed up. What a kooky bunch!

Liam's crew

Liam has a number of friends on campus around his age - in particular Payton and Zachary. Here are some shots of those three during recent playdates, with the "babysitter helper" Ella keeping watch over them.

Liam, Liam, Liam

He loves his swing and could spend pretty much all day outside, watching birds, waving hello to passing dogs, cuddling with Beeky, staring and pointing at construction vehicles. He is an outdoor boy.

Ella turning four

Ella has grown up so much and really looks and acts like a four year old these days. Here are some recent shots of our little big girl.