Play dates 10/22 - 10/28

We had our first rain day and enjoyed it in the garage.  Ella loved chasing the dogs around the garage with her stroller and found it entertaining to stomp her right foot around. Towards the end of the week the weather warmed up so we were able to go to zoo with the twins, play date at Leila's house, have the Adair kids over, and lots of daddy time during the weekend.  We love our weekends together as a family!

Video:  Ella playing in the garage w/dogs (October 22, 2012)

Video:  Ella sits down and laughs at herself (October 22, 2012).

Video:  Ella, Andrew and Cameron watching the anteater (October 25, 2012).

Video:  Ella and Daddy playing during bath time (October 25, 2012).

Video:   Ella taking a stroll down the vineyard (October 28, 2012).

Video:  Ella's first trip at the Nimbus Hatchery (October 28, 2012).

Picture:  Ella and the twins having lunch at La Bou (October 25, 2012).

Picture:  Ella enjoying Lelia's toy (October 26, 2012).

Picture:  Ella helping with William's bath

Picture:  Ella checking out the alligator.

Turtles, Snakes and Lizzards

We took Ella to her weekly trip to the Sacramento Zoo yesterday morning and had a blast as almost all the animals were out and Ella got a close encounter with reptiles.  Ella loves her play dates with the twins.

Video:  Ella checking out the Box Turtle (August 7, 2012).

Video:  Ella watching the box turtle (August 7, 2012).

Video: Ella and Andrew watching the sea-otters (August 7, 2012).

Picture:  Ella and Andrew sitting in the double stroller (August 7, 2012).

Picture:  Ella watching the flamingos (August 7, 2012).

Can't wait to have Ella and William next to each other!

Orangutan's at the Zoo

On Wednesday, we took a family outing to the Sacramento Zoo.  Brian had the day off so he was able to join us in the fun along with his mother Chris.  As usual, Ella enjoyed looking at the different animals walking around.  Today was a treat as we got to see the orangutan's out and about.

Picture:  Ella and Daddy walking to the Zoo (July 25, 2012).

Video:  Ella watching the Orangutan (July 25, 2012).

Sharing is Caring  Ella typically does not like to share her toys.  This afternoon, the Adair kids came over for a play date and Ella was so kind and sweet.  She shared her toys, watched the kids play with her toys and even sat next to them playing with the blocks.  Love how her personality is coming out!

Video:  Ella enjoying the toys next to Jack (July 25, 2012).

Picture:  Ella, Isaac, Paige and Jack playing (July 25, 2012).

Picture:  Ella, Paige and Jack playing with the mega blocks (July 25, 2012).

Love it!

I am Lion, hear me roar!

We took Ella to our weekly one hour trip to the Sacramento Zoo on Friday, July 20, 2012.  They put out a new picture staging area for the visitors - Ella looks a little confused.  Today we had a nice surprise as Ella got to see the lion up close and personal.  She even heard him roar!

Video:  Ella and the Lion (July 20, 2012).

Video:  Ella and the red Pandas (July 20, 2012).

Picture:  Ella looking at the flamingos (July 20, 2012).

Picture:  Ella watching the giraffes (July 20, 2012).

Picture:  Ella wants to join the zoo ducks (July 20, 2012).

Yay for zoo adventures ;)

Anteaters and Zebras

On Monday, June 18th, we met up with Alicia and the twins at the Sacramento Zoo.  Oh boy, did Ella have fun with Andrew and Cameron!  I can't wait until William is at this age and they can both enjoy being pushed around in a wagon.

Video:  Ella enjoying the Anteaters walking around (June 18, 2012).

Video:  Ella enjoying the Zebras out and about (June 18, 2012).

It was nice to see Ella being more social as she gets older.  She still has her moments (especially in large groups) but she does really well when we have friends over (probably because she's in her own environment and isn't scared).  She didn't seem bothered sitting with Andrew, walking around the twins or giving hugs to Alicia.  Woohoo!

Picture: Ella and Andrew looking at the Zebra (June 18, 2012).

Can't wait to have Ella see the monkeys on our next zoo adventure with the twins.

Giraffes

The weather was finally cool enough to go outside this past Thursday, May 17th, so we decided to brave the allergies and join a few friends at the Sacramento Zoo.  Ella took a nap for the first 45 minutes and was in a weird mood at first but came around when she saw her favorite zoo animal - giraffes.  I'm not sure if its because of how large they are, or possibly the fact that she has the best view of them since they are in an open field (vs. the other animals in their glass/cages). But over all, she got really excited and started signing for them to come to her as she does with our dogs. 

Pictures:  Ella feeding a giraffe for the first time (May 17, 2012).

Video:  Ella watching the giraffes (May 17, 2012).

After we fed the giraffes, we visited the monkeys and then had lunch at a nearby shaded bench with the group.  Ella started to warm up to Jack and Wyatt!  So darn cute watching her enjoy the wagon and being pushed around.

Pictures:  Ella having lunch in the wagon with Jack. Ella enjoying a wagon ride with Wyatt.

Video:  Ella loves riding the wagon with the other kids (May 17, 2012).

Good times are always had with good friends.