Busy Summer!

Before the ceremony

What a crazy and fun summer it has been.  After we moved to New Jersey Dave immediately left for Fort Leonardwood in Missouri for some training for his new unit.  Ellie and I quickly became adjusted to living on base, met all our neighbors, set up the house, then took a trip to Kansas City for my cousin Dana's wedding.

Our flight was uneventful, which was a blessing since it was my first time flying solo with Ellie Reese. I was really nervous about it but it actually went as smooth as it could have.  There seem to be quite a few kind gentlemen left in this world and I was sure to accept their help whenever they offered to carry a bag or open a door.  They must have seen the anxiety on my face with a baby in a stroller, a car seat bag, and my traveling backpack.  Ha!  Thank goodness for exceptional people!

Once we landed in KC, Ellie was the center of attention.  Her grandpa Vic flew in just a couple hours after I did and was loving on her like you couldn't believe. He even offered to watch her so all of the cousins could go downtown for a few adult beverages :}

All the Vogliardo siblings
Joey, Mike, Chris, Vic, Lisa Angie and Julie

Dana and Sam got married on what had to have been the hottest weekend of the summer.  It was hot!  Like 106 hot.  Thankfully she had an indoor wedding.  Everything was fabulous:  the ceremony, the reception, family and friends.  I had a blast!  It was so great to see all my cousins (except Gina) and catch up on everything.  I hope its not forever before we do it again.  

Me with my grandparents

Pappa Vic and I at the reception

All the cousins taking a celebratory shot

After the wedding, we came home and were able to spend 3 days with Dave before we got called out for a deployment in Puerto Rico.  So I've been keeping busy painting Ellie's room (those pictures to come once it's all complete), landscaping, playing, exploring, and just cleaning this house....all the time, now that we have a crawler on our hands!  

Dad spending some quality time with his girl before he had to take off again

A recap of things we've done since we've done this summer:

Exploring the Jersey Shore

 Practicing our walking skills

 Hanging out with mom :)

 Pulling up to stand

 Coast Guard Day

 Showing off new tricks

 Giggling

 Chasing our shadows

Ripping up toilet paper

Qualifying for baby Olympics at the gym

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer too!

The Edelsons.

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

I'm 8 months old! XOXO, Ellie

I just had a few minutes so I thought I'd share my updates with you all from momma's phone. ALL our stuff is in boxes right now so it's kinda weird. Anyway, I think 8 must be MY number. Here's why: I was born on 10/8/11, I was born at 8:12am, Today is June 8 and I am 8 months old, My weight today was 18 lb 8 oz, Lot of 8's right? Gotta tell mom to play 8 the next time she's at the roulette table! So I still do not have teeth. Although those suckers must be close because my mouth irritates me sometimes. And my mom always says I "drool like a fool". I'm almost able to crawl. My dad puts me through crawl drills every night so I'm getting better and better. Sir yes sir! I wear size 9-12 month clothes and have added a few "boy"'clothes to my wardrobe thanks to mi padre. :) Sure, my family is big into the sailor/anchor themes because of dad's job, but for reals.....they are boy clothes! Anyway, that's about it for now. I have a big weekend coming up so I better get my beauty rest. Love to all my peeps!