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!

Matt and Jess get Hitched!!!!

Matt Pieroway and Jessica Kramer are great friends of ours.  Matt and Dave were stationed together in Ketchikan, Alaska 10 years ago!  They instantly hit it off and have been buddies ever since.  With Matt came his amazing family.  The Pieroways have "adopted" us into their family and have shared the holidays, graduations, birthdays, boat trips, and every other function with us since we have moved out East. We love them so much and will miss every single one of them terribly when we move to New Jersey.

Matt and Jess met a couple of years ago and I have to say, Matt found quite a catch!  Jess is one of the nicest girls I have ever met.  She is always so bubbly, happy, driven, and sincere.  I have no doubt that they will have a lifetime of happiness together.

Fast forward two years and we are in Chatham for an amazing Wedding Weekend.  First up was the rehearsal dinner at the Queen Anne Inn.  This is had tons of charm and was a great place to stay the night of the rehearsal.  The cocktails and food flowed freely and everyone had a terrific time!

A cottage behind our room

View from our balcony  

Ellie and the handsome groom-to-be

Gorgeous Hillary and I at the rehearsal dinner

The following day, we moved to the Chatham Bars Inn.  Now the Queen Ann was nice, but this was NICE!  Aside from the main building, the hotel also has many cottages on the grounds.   Although these didn't have a view of the water, it gave us ample room which was perfect with the little one.  The service at the CBI is incredible, but you wouldn't expect anything less.  On Friday we had some free time so we walked around the property and then took Ellie down to the pool for some swimming.  The weather was perfect for her fair skin.  It was overcast but still fairly warm.  The pool was warmed to 85 degrees so it felt great.  

Our room

The wedding was Friday afternoon in the side lawn on the CBI.  Afterwards we went into the dining room for a fabulous cocktail hour followed by dinner and dancing.  It was such a great night.  Even the kiddos held up surprisingly well. 

Kinda look like Dave and Chris are scheming something huh?

Owen helping Ellie with her binky.  The joke is that in 25 years he will be feeding her  wedding cake :)

Dancing with Momma P

Little chair, perfect for Ellie Reese

Big chair...she thought it was fun

Saturday was the large wedding reception hosted by the Pieroway family.  They had an unbelievable tent set up on their property with 2 bars, tables, lighting, and decorations...it was a great party...Pieroway style!

At the wedding reception at the Pieroways

One of the flower girls, Mirabelle, playing with Ellie on the dance floor

No more pictures please

We ended up heading out early because Ellie had had enough.  After partying her little butt off three days straight she suddenly fell asleep in my arms, which she never does.  All-in-all, it was a great Wedding Weekend.  We are so, so happy for Matt and Jess and can't wait to hear all about their honeymoon in Italy!!!!