Look Who's Smiling

We are finding that Ella is definitely a morning person. After her first bottle of the day she's happy to kick her feet, wave her hands and flash this beautiful smile. Her smile makes us all smile and we're happy to finally have some photographic proof of this morning joy!

Baby Ella Comes Home

Ella and mommy came home on December 23, we were all happy they were home before Christmas! We're getting adjusted to a new schedule and used to a crying baby in the house. It's all a joy and I'm getting quick at putting my hands over my ears. Max loves the baby but, from what I'm told, he's much less interested in her than he ever was in me. The novelty is gone and he's getting much too old to care!

Ella's met even more of her family since she's been home. Aunt Laurye came for Christmas and Gram and Pop came for a visit in the new year. I'm always happy to introduce everyone to my baby, Baby Ella Princess, as I like to call her. We are so thrilled to have her in our forever family!

Welcome to the Family

While mommy and Ella were held up in a Boise, ID hotel for a couple weeks they had some special visitors. Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Scott, Aunt Andrea, Grace and Ian made trips to see the new member to the family. Everyone was happy to help out with bottle duty and give mommy a much needed rest.

It's official...I'm a big sister!

As I'm sure you have all heard, there has been an addition to the Blackford family! I have waited to post pictures as we were still in the 30 day obligatory waiting period during which the birthparents may have changed their minds about Ella joining our family. This time has now passed and I am thrilled to introduce my baby sister.

Ella May Blackford was born on 12/11/11 in Emmett, Idaho. She was 6 pounds 12 ounces, 19 inches and was born at 10:10pm. We received a call from the adoption agency the next moring and were on a plane that day to meet her. It was love at first sight! I'm so excited to be a big sister and am a HUGE help to mommy!

Look Who's 5!

The great think about southern California is having a birthday party outside, in short sleeves, the last week of November. It was a perfect day! I had many weeks of birthday celebrations but had a particularly fantastic time this afternoon. I had a pink and purple princess bouncy castle, lots of balloons and a few close friends. It was a great time!

Happy Thanksgiving

Another sucessful Thanksgiving dinner prepared by mommy and Aunt Laurye. Aside from a delicious meal, we all have so much to be thankful for!

USMC 236th Birthday Ball

I went over to a friend's house last night while mommy and daddy went to celebrate the 236th birthday of the Marine Corps. They said they had a great time, so did I!

Happy Halloween

It was a great night for trick or treating for one little pink puppy! I went with my friend Hans and have already had to be placed on a candy rationing program. We had such a great time together!

Pumpkin Patch with New Friends

At long last, mommy has found the time to update the blog. Things have been extremely busy with our family since we moved this summer. We're settling into our lives and have made some great new friends. We joined my new friend Keegan's family for a trip to the pumkin patch. I found a lot of interesting gourds and we got two large orange and one large white pumpkin to carve before Halloween. What a fun time of year!

San Francisco

On the last leg of our trip we went to San Francisco. Some of the highlights of the first day were riding on a subway, under the water, from Oakdale into the city, riding the cable cars, visiting Fisherman's Wharf and Ghiradelli Square and taking in the beautiful scenery.

The second day we rented bikes. Actually daddy had to pull me behind his bike but I had a nice ride. As part of our ride we stopped at the Exploratorium, a science museum with all sorts of hands-on exhibits. Don't worry, that toilet had never been used! Then we rode across the Golden Gate Bridge. Those views were amazing! The trail led us into Sausalito where we boarded a ferry that took us back to Pier 39. The perfect ending to a perfect trip.