Ellie is Walking!!!

She has taken her first steps (and many more). It is so funny to me how fast Ellie changes and learns new tricks. One day we are trying with all our might to coax her to just let go and take a few steps and the next day, completely on her own, she pushing herself up on two feet and taking off. Now she is still VERY VERY wobbly but it is a start. And we are very proud of our little walker.

Auburn is off to a great start - Ellie had a rough first football season so we are happy to see the Tigers doing great this year. Last year I was way too sleep deprived to even notice (and mike was too if you can believe that) but now that we are sleeping thru the night it would have been hard to have another terrible football season so we are pleasantly suprised and cautiously optimistic for our Tigers- War Eagle. As you can see Ellie already dresses for football saturday and we are hoping that any day now she will be saying war eagle- ha.

As for the move, the departure date is October 19. MIke is going soon to RI to find us a place to live- me being the control freak that I am have given specific instructions as to what we are looking for and I have all the faith in the world that he will find us the perfect place. We are really really excited about the move eventhough we wil miss all the great friends we have made in Oklahoma- good news is we will be back in a year!
no more news for now- hope all is well- Love Amy

Ellie playing in the grass- not quite sure what she thinks (sorry pics out of order) Playing with her farm animals- thanks Aunt Jennifer

Future Auburn Cheerleader- War Eagle!!
Cheering for the Auburn Tigers with her Daddy- perfect saturday.

My three favorite things in the whole world- Ellie, Mike and Brimley!!!

Enjoys the carousel when sitting next to daddy (see below)

Still happy

Not so happy when we tried to put her on her own animal to ride!!!!

loves the zoo- except I think she enjoys the people watching more than watching the animals.

Brimley, Birthday and the Big Move

Hi all- it took me awhile to get the blog updated as we have had some very busy and exciting weeks here at the Piedmont house. We went to brimley michigan for two weeks to visit hte most peaceful and beautiful place on earth with mike's family. we had the best time - the weather was a little cold at first but became gorgeous by the end of the week. Ellie absolutley loved the beach/ sand. I was for sure she was going to hate it but she had no problem and even didn't mind when she shoved her sandy hand in her mouth- she is so advanced- ha ha. We celebrated Ellie's first birthday up there as you can see by the pics- she was adorable in her tutu and had the best birthday a little one can have. I can not believe it has already been a year- time goes so fast and she seems to just get cuter and more lovable by the day which I did not even think was possible. She is not walking yet but close. she says mama, dada and knows many many signs. We have a smart one!
We also got big news when we returned home- Otto/ MIke has been selected to go to the Navy War College in Newport Rhode Island. We move October 19- leave it to the navy to give us tons of notice. we are a little overwhelmed but so exctied for the big move. I have alot of family in the area and can not wait to show off ellie mac. It is going to be such an incredible experience and I am so proud of Mike. It will be a cold winter but worth it.
So like I said a couple busy weeks with a few more to follow but they have been fun times nonetheless. I will keep you posted on all our moving details and I know newport is a more appealing place to visit and our door is always open.

PS- sorry the pics are out of order- still cute whatever order they come in.

Ellie playing with her gift from mim and paw paw pete First swim in Lake SUperior- she loves the water

Daddy and Ellie

Ellie and her new friend Nellie- she climbed right in the cage with the dog- hilarious

Happy Birthday- she was not too sure about her cake but loved when we sang happy birthday- so much we sang it three times! can you say spoiled???

So cute in her tutu

She can waive hi and bye bye and say the words too- so cute.

Ellie and her cha cha rose

Please Pray for Baby Brooks Hess

This is a special post in which I am asking everyone to send their thoughts and prays to my college friend, Lauren and her family. Lauren's little baby, Brooks, was rushed to the hospital last night and is in emergency open heart as I write this. Lauren and her family have been through so much- you can check out the link to their blog - the Hess Family-to read their whole story. I just ask that you all pray that they have the strenght and faith to get through this and that God is with all the doctors, nurses, and hospital staff working with Brooks and the family during this time. I am so thankful for you all- Love Amy

Florida Trip- Lots and Lots of Pictures

this pic got out of order but I realized I had no pictures of mimi and paw paw in the bunch because mimi was the one who took all the pics- thanks mimi- since they are the reason we are all here I thought it was only appropriate that they should be included in the blog- plus tomorrow is their 40th wedding anniversary- HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MIMI AND PAWPAW! We love you!
Hello All

Mike, Ellie, Brimley and I just got back from a great trip to Pensacola- it was a 14 hour drive and totally worth it! we had the best time as you can see from the pictures below. We went to the pool, the waterpark and just hung out. Ellie loved being with her family especially her cousins, aunt and mimi who did not leave her side the entire trip. it was like she had her own audience 24 hours a day. they were so loving with her and it just made me wish once again that I lived closer to my family- maybe one day. Ellie loved the waterpark- there was a lazy river in which you sat in a raft and floated around the whole park- ellie just sat in her flower floaty soaking in the rays- it was so cute. She is such a water baby and I love it.

We are home for a little while and then we head to michigan to be with otto/ mike's family. we are so excited as I am sure it will be just as fun as our trip to pensacola. it is just so wonderful when we get to hang out with our families and ellie is surrounded by people who love her as much as we do.

we are still trying desperately to sell our house so any prayers you could offer up (especially to St. Joseph) would be greatly appreciated. we have been loving having otto/mike home all the time and never having to wonder whether he will be here or not. it is so wonderful to finally be a complete family all the time and we feel so blessed! Hope everyone is having as a great a summer as we are! oh, and Happy 4th of July- God Bless America!!!!

Ellie and her adoring cousins- grace and claire- as you can see good looks run in the family.

the kids- thomas, connor, claire, will and grace
so happy

our exceptionally good looking family- ha ha.
ron, jennifer, otto/mike and amy- sorry about my hair but I forgot how hot the humidity makes it- ugh.

Swimming at the waterpark- i love having ellie as a shield for my far from perfect swimsuit body
our little strawberry
Ellie's first waterslide- look at the fear in her face
Ellie loves the water- and her cousins
Ellie and her admirers- Grace, Jennifer and Claire


Paw Paw and the grandkids