Thankful for the Pieroways

On our trip up we also were able to spend some a little time with the Pieroways.  We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them and were so excited to get up and meet the two newest members of the clan.  A fun dinner and sleepover were just what we needed to get a small fill of P-way time.

Meeting Max! 10 week old sweetie pie. 

Birthday buddies.  Young love :)

Meeting Emerson!  4 months old.  

Momma P and her October 8 babies.  

Love you Pieroways!!!

Happy Halloween!!!

OH. MY. GOODNESS!

What a fun trip up to Cape Cod we had.  Dave had registered for the Falmouth in the Fall Road Race back in the summer.  We realized that it was happening the weekend after Halloween this year so it was the perfect opportunity to head up to spend time with some friends too.  Ellie and Bella were gonna go trick or treating together so we had to get them dressed up in cute outfits.  What did I find on Pinterest you ask??

This gem of a costume!!!

It didn't take long for the shopping to ensue and the girls had their digs squared away.

Here are some (blurry) pictures of these two toddlers:

Getting their fair share of loot!

Trick or Treat!!!!

I love seeing all the kiddos dressed up and the two cutest this year (besides our girls, of course) might have been the two chickens ;) 

Now, what to be for next year??

I Turned 2!!! XOXO, Ellie Reese

You wanna hear the coolest thing ever??

Birthday. Week.  !!!!!  

It's been a while since I've written to you guys so I just wanted to share some things, like the fact that I'm officially a big girl.  I'm 2!  October 8 was my official birthday but I've been having a lot of fun all week.  

Here are some more facts about yours truly and then I'll give you the birthday run down through the gajillion pictures my mom and dad took.  

-I have 10 teeth and another 2 coming in. 

-I wear size 6 shoes and 2T clothes (some 3T tops).

-Still love my fruit and veggies, eggs, beans, chicken nuggets, fries, popcorn....

-I weigh about 28 pounds

-Still wear diapers but we are working on the potty training

-I am obsessed with Elmo, changing diapers on my baby dolls, helping mom with dishes, and telling dad to "mow!"  It's so fun to watch him do it :) (sorry dad!)

Now, my first birthday:  

My mom and dad had my presents set up on my new table and chair set for me the first thing in the morning.  Yay!

More presents came in the next day from my family across the country:

Just a little excited ;)

And the big party! I had so many friends over to play:

Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday.  I'm a happy girl and had a happy time.  

XOXO, Ellie Reese

Military Appreciation at Indian Acres Farm

I have to admit, when I learned we'd be moving to New Jersey I was a little...sad, bummed, worried freaking out because who WANTS to live in Jersey?!

But this last year has proven to be so much better than I can imagine.  Never mind that we are not on the coast, live 15 minutes off the horrible NJTP, had to deal with crazy NJ bureaucracy and didn't get my nursing license for 6 months, are not in Hawaii (ok, that might have been pushing it).  But really, living here on Fort Dix has been a blessing in disguise.

I've been able to work very minimally (very, very, very) while going to school full-time for my graduate degree.  We have met a lot of super nice people here on base, have wonderful neighbors, and teachers who care for Ellie.  My employer has been more than accommodating to my ever crazy schedule due to Dave's hectic traveling schedule. The camaraderie here on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is great (as far as I can tell).

There are many events for us military families and today we went to one.  Indian Acres Tree Farm puts on an annual event in honor of the local military.  We decided to check it out and were glad we did.  Many of the other Coastie families went as well so it was fun seeing all the kiddos out and about.  This place was so set up for kids:  lots of bounce houses, play structures, wagon and tractor rides (which they had to stop mid-way because the girl DID NOT enjoy it...pictures to come), pumpkin patch trips where kids picked out their own (FREE) pumpkin, corn mazes, rock wall climbing, zip lines, free lunch, ice cream, cotton candy, face painting.....I have a feeling we will be back!

Ellie and her buddy Makenna

Happy smile while she was stationary.

You will see that she's already trying to get out as the tractor rounds the corner....2 minutes later, it came to a dead stop.  Oh well, we tried.  ;)

Waiting our turn for the games

So happy to play

Winner, winner!

She knows what she wants.