8 & 9 months! (Baptism, PNW, Jersey, 4th of July and more!!!)

Well, well, well, it's been a crazy couple of months I've done so much and have grown so much since the last time I wrote y'all. To start with, my mom turned 30, I was baptized at a lighthouse, our house was packed up, and we had a going-away party all in one weekend. I think my Momma's a little loco planning it all together but whatevs....mom is mom. Here are some pictures of the baptism. It was a hot day for early June so pardon my lack of smiling.

The party 

 So after we left Mass we went to Seattle and Oregon for a little vacation to see family and friends. I got to hang out with Grandpa Vic, Grandma Kae, and finally met my Grandma Betsy. She threw me a big party so everyone could meet me.

I then spent my first Father's day with the best two guys ever:  my dad and Grandpa Vic!  We went to Seattle, walked around a bit, then went to the Crab Pot to eat.  That place was so much fun.  I got to play with my food and hit the table with a hammer, and all kinds of stuff I'm not normally allowed to do.

 During all this I was battling a darn ear infection that just wouldn't leave me alone. My mom and pops ended up taking me to the ER in Bellevue one night to get them checked out.

 I also met my Aunt Andrea and cousin Faith at the market with flying fish. We had so much fun! I can't wait to go back.

all tuckered out from the market excitement

 After we spent time in Washington we went down to Oregon to visit my dad's best buddy from Texas ( wooooooo! Hook 'em horns! My dad told me to say that) Justin and my dad grew up together and had some crazy times. We hung out with momma Krystal and Brayden too. B-real (the nickname dad gave him) is pretty awesome. He's almost three and already break dances, can glide down a hill on a bike without training wheels, and is pretty darn cute too! I heard those words 'arranged marriage' again.

 And now we are here in New Jersey! It's pretty cool here but way hotter than where my grandpa lives. We moved into a great house on Fort Dix and have already met my neighbor friends, went swimming at the pool, and went into Philly. We also got our little Niko back so now we are a complete family again. Mom's friends Ann and Grace even came out for a short trip to visit me and I had my first 4 th of July here on Ft Dix too.

 The base had a big party with lots of food, jump houses, balloons, music, and people! We stayed for a few hours and hung out in the shady grass before we went over to my dads work to check out the sparkly lights in the sky. It went on, and on....I got to stay up real late that night. So, now I get to start school again. I'm gonna make lots of friends and give momma time to decorate our new house. Here's a picture of dad and I playing peek-a-boo.  Can't wait till our new couches come so he can chase me around that too.

 Pretty soon momma is going to school too. Maybe I will let her borrow my new lunch bag. :) Well, that's it for now. I hope you all have a terrific summer and are getting lots of sunshine wherever you are. XOXO, Ellie Reese