Plains Trains & Sleighs?

Ella has had a busy busy time - well up until everyone started coming down with the flu in the house! Luckily so far she has stayed healthy as a Horse ummmmm an Elephant might be more accurate!



Ella attended a Trade Show with Randy and I at the Gaylord Texan (where we spent our anniversary. She had a GREAT time but the Hotel now has posted signs stating No Elephants Allowed. Not sure how it happened but Ella found a Saloon and discovered she didn't much care for the "FIRE WATER" served there and then with her sharp eyes she found this lovely little Margarita Bar. Where she began to consume way too many margaritas.After we finally were able to drag her from the Bar....actually she went willingly we discovered this lovely ginger bread house - Ella insisted that she have her picture taken in front so here she is.

Unfortunately for us the fence had cookies on it.....cookies that have CHOCOLATE CHIPS in them so Ella had herself a couple of bites. While we weren't watching. She did say that didn't taste like she expected them too. I just didn't figure she would understand that they were made out of styrofoam so I just said "Hmmm maybe it was all those Margaritas that you drank making them taste funky." She nodded and then took off lickity split for she had spied a TRAIN....... with SNOW.

Again she was disappointed - stating she remembered snow being COLD...and this was just fluffy. Then she got worried that she was sitting in Heaven - I assured her it was just that the snow was fake.

She did discover an area that reminded her of her time in Hawaii and spent time playing there. She said that she had made such great friends at Quilly's and she is hoping to go visit again sometime soon. I volunteered to take her but she stated that she thought Melli had already volunteered.

She has discovered she LOVES TEXAS. She loves the Teams and the Cattle....she decide that this was as close to a bull as she was ready for this trip.

NOW for the Plains, Trains, and Automobiles (or SLEIGHS) Ella is quite the little traveler and she was her charming self and convinced a neighbor at work into taking her up in his classic airplanes:

ON the way to the Trade show she saw a train......she was able to sit on it but not knowing where it would take her, I suggested that she just have a picture on it.

DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES YOU MUST STAY TUNED TO HERE THE SLEIGH BELLS RING........OR EVEN TO SEE PICTURES OF ELLA IN THE SLEIGH.

Ella's Checks in with her Family

First let's start with why I thought Ella was home sick last weekend......

She did inform me that she just wanted to see how they were doing and that she is so enjoying visiting all over the world.

Come back later to check out what all she has been doing. Plains Trains and Automobiles just might appear!

Miss Adventure a.k.a Ella

Ella did meet new Friends - M & B on Halloween night....I think M gave her some Chocolate and created a craving that was not to be satisfied.

Ellas got up early the next morning NOVEMBER 1 - not able to hold her excitement in any longer she let out a couple of loud Trumpets so strong that she knocked her hat right off her head. After being told we were getting ready and would leave shortly she calmed down.......here she is all ready to go having put back on her hat and decided to wait patiently on the bottom bunk.

Once we were done decorating - with help from Ella of course - man can she haul heavy loads. She wanted to pose by the table centerpieces.

She really liked the shiny one that was on the punch table....btw Elephants should not drink punch even NON-SPIKED makes them a little hyper (and when she laughed it spewed from her trunk......making a huge mess!)

While I was cleaning up her laugh mess she decided to explore the party surroundings. She discovered the sign in book and guess what she found surrounding the book. Chocolate tons and tons of Chocolate bars......Ella remembered (because you know Elephants never forget) that she liked the chocolate that M had given her last night so she tore into one or twelve of the bars.

Luckily Pawpaw Don knows how to doctor and cuddle ill animals (and children) so he helped her tummy settle back down. But even still Ella had to lay down - unable to attend the party with all the guest. Which disappointed her greatly and me even more. I explained to Ella that anything is bad if overdone....too much broccolli could have made her sick also but Chocolate was best in small pieces.

So Ella didn't get to see the surprise on Nanny and Pawpaw's faces or the tears they cried when they found out that they are going to Alaska this year.....only fitting since they have been to 49 states in the first 49 years of their marriage. So the 50th state is a must to be visited in their 50th year! She also didn't get to have any of the cake (come to think about it NEITHER DID I! I was too busy.....bummer now I am sad maybe I should eat a couple or 12 of the left over chocolate bars to make myself feel better!)

Ella has spent this week recooperating from the busy weekend she had. She has discovered at my house that she likes to play on the stairs almost as much as Kailey does. She has really gotten into meeting the 4 grandkids at our house.

Oh yeah and do not forget she did get to Vote. Even though her candidate didn't win she said she would Pray for the candidate to learn of Jesus' love and that unborn children need to be protected! Hmmmmm Mellie where did she learn to the love of Christ? Oh yeah you taught her by example - and I know she is greatful for that!

Stayed tuned for pictures of her getting to know the grandkids and why I mistakenly thought she was homesick. Also lots of plans for Miss Adventure coming up this weekend!

Ella LOST????????

Okay before anyone panics Ella is FINE NOW.....but she did have an adventure that wasn't so much fun..........let's start at the begining of Halloween Day.




Ella got up early and went with me to my parents house. She was so excited to see the TEXAS Star at Don and Liz's - she had commented on all of the ones she saw on our way there. At least one in every 6 houses have one. (Ella thinks that we need one on our house.)



Ella decided to go Horse Back riding - she was disappointed to discover that it wasn't a HORSE....














She discovered that she could sneak up on deer.









She whispered in my ear that she knew that the dear weren't real but she had a blast sneaking up on her pretend friends time after time. She also wanted a pair of boots but these were way to big for her.


Did you know that schools have rules against elephants coming into a classroom while the kids are in it? Frogs and Turtles are fine but that say Elephants are toooooo biiiigggggg but my Niece agreed to let Ella come in and see the classroom after the students went home. Ella got a kick out of seeing the things that the kids had made for Halloween. She also liked the Skippy John Jones quotes on the wall.


















Ella is ready for y'all to see her new outfit.........Say Hello to our little cowgirl - we even found some boots that fit her! Ella noticed a pumpkin patch on her way to Shawn & Tasha's and begged to go to one. We were running late to get ready for Friday Night Footbal - TEXAS STYLE so we promised her she could sit on the pumpkins at Tasha's house. She looked so cute in her Texas Outfit on the pumpkins.



















Well after we went to get ready for the Football game - we came out and noticed the Ella was not in the House we hurried out to find her - figuring she was in the pumpkins because she did so LOVE them - she liked the smell of fresh cut grass and the fall nights - she couldn't identify the smell but I could after being gone for 10 years .....the smell was TEXAS AUTUMN...(I think it is what Heaven will smell like)


I rushed around trying to find Ella - I looked EVERYWHERE.....
















I called my son the Policeman and he came right away.......














As I approached the car I could see that he had a passenger in the back....













He had come across Ella trying to walk to the pumpkin patch.......I explained to her that she must not ever wonder off on her own again. She was very sorry but did ask if I had ever gotten to ride in a police car. She said it was scary and fun all at the same time.

So if you are going to host Ella make sure that you keep a close eye on her......In Hawaii she snuck into the chapel to hear music, she wonders off (and I do not believe she ran away.......) to find the pumpkin patch. Remember an Elephant NEVER forgets and when Ms Ella finds something that perks her interest she heads to discover it is as great as she imagined.

Tomorrow (or as soon as I can.....pictures from the Anniversary party and is Ella homesick?)

Anniversary Party & Ella's 1st Night in Texas

The anniversary party went GREAT! My parents were very pleased - and seemed to enjoy it (talk about an answer to prayer!) They saw friends they haven't seen in years......they saw friends that are so dear to them. (I saw friends and family that I haven't seen in forever and made new friends). Thanks for the prayers and well wishes. I will post pictures of everyone later on - after my special guest leaves ............so for now HERES ELLA!


Ella had a tough time picking out her outfit.......formal was not for the party and yet neither was the cheerleader outfit she wanted.....finally the clerk came to the rescue and helped her pick out one that was JUST RIGHT!



Ella was so tired and hungry from her long trip that after purchasing her outfit she suggested (and might I add what wonderful manners she has) that we might want to think about eating some supper. She suggested Red Robin - I was game since I have never eaten at one before.











Poor Ella was so exhausted that she only took a couple of bites of her SALAD before she just tuckered right out............. Jet Lag and all she seemed to enjoy her first full day in Texas!

Tomorrow you get to see her trip to school - her not so fun adventure and her Trick or Treat Party outfit!

First Hours in TEXAS!

We arrived at Shawn and Tasha just a little after Ella. Ella was wired and Hungry so we fixed her a snack.

Then we knew we needed to get her into warmer clothes - she was no longer in the Tropical Climate! So we load up to go to the Mall - Of course she must seat belt in!

We get to the mall - Ellas is so very excited - but Jet Lag does kick in so she requests to ride.

Stay tuned for more - of Ella's Shopping trip & going out to eat!