Ellie Ginger

My sweet Ellie turned 5 last week.  For the past month I've been going through all of her pictures from the time she was born until now for a book I'm creating and it's been such a joy to remember all of the fun details of her life.  I am so blessed...she is such a wonderful, sweet, fun, smart little sweet-pea.  I can't believe how fast the time has flown.  The most profound change in who I am happened when Ellie was born.  She changed me.  She is such a joy.  And she's growing up so fast!  I love her more than life. 

Jack & Mommy time...



Jack and I went on a little Disneyland trip this week...It was SO fun...and funny!  Jack really is such a little sweetheart and is so fun to be with.  And he makes me laugh - He is such a little punk!



 Jack LOVES Buzz, and often he wants to be called Buzz. 

 We rode the Disneyland Train around the entire park at least twice a day.  Jack would have stayed on longer, but I made him get off.

It about broke my heart to leave Ellie home...she was devastated.  But, Daddy took good care of her while we were gone.  They had a daddy/daughter date to the Mayan, and had a picnic up the canyon.  I'll post pictures of their outings too.  Plus, being the nerd I am, I've already booked our flights for our next Disneyland trip so Ellie has something to look forward to :). 

And NO, just because I'm a Disneyland nerd, I DON'T buy the "ears", or the t-shirts, or anything else Disney...although it would probably make a great costume!  I sort of wish I would have thought about it while I was there...

Summertime...

Wow...we have had such a busy summer! It's not that we've been doing anything too spectacular, just playing and swimming a lot.  Here are a bunch of pictures - they're not in chronological order. 

Ellie after her dance recital - Daddy brought her flowers

John fishing at Cottonwood Lake in Wyoming

Cottonwood Lake

Me & Jack on a walk at Cottonwood Lake

Jack in one of his awesome get-ups.  He wore his hat the whole time at Cottonwood Lake, and even slept with it!!

Cute Boy!!

Jack got these glasses at summer camp - He thinks he looks so cool.

Ellie and her cousin Harrison with their piggy banks waiting for the ice-cream truck to come - he never did.

Evensen Men golfing in Bountiful

Dad & Jack wrestling - one of Jack's FAVORITE ways to play

Jack in another AWESOME get-up, including Ellie's winter coat and his helmet - I'm not sure why he though he needed extra warmth that day - it was about 95 degrees outside.

Our 7th anniversary in Hawaii - September 5th

Cute Ellie in her soccer uniform & on the first day of preschool

Ellie and her cousin Abby this summer

Way too long...

It's been way too long since I've posted...not that many people care :). Here are some BRIEF highlights of the past couple of months.

Ellie finished her first year of preschool and they had a darling program with a cowboy theme.
SO CUTE!

I know Ellie doesn't look too happy, but she had fun :)

Ellie's teacher is the best! She's been such a blessing to Ellie.

I love these women!! I really should post a picture of the three of us from the 'good old days' in the mission field! We had a fabulous time in Santa Barbara - and I got a great abs workout from laughing so hard. Really.

Ellie & Jacks new toy. Funny how long they are entertained by going 1 mph. Jack in his swimming gear for lessons. So cute.
Father's Day - Aren't they a good lookin' bunch?! I'm so blessed to have such amazing men in my life. I am so grateful that John is such a great father to our kids...they ADORE him. He is such a sweet, patient, engaged dad. He learned a lot from his own dad. And then there's my dad (not in the picture). Words cannot express my gratitude for him. We have such a sweet relationship.

I am so blessed.
Ellie's dance performance. She did NOT want to wear makeup - she's not so girly. But isn't she darling? I love her to pieces!!

Ellie's perspective. These are her photos. I just thought they were funny.
Fun times with beloved cousins!!
Yes, Jack is wearing a swimming ring - funny boy!!

April update

Easter Party at Grandma Bonnie's Jack painted his mouth with paints from the Easter BunnyA monumental day...Ellie's hair is FINALLY long enough to wear in a piggy!! She's only 4 1/2!! Jack was MESMORIZED by the NCAA championship gameJack LOVES his backpack (it's a sheep!)He's also quite a lush...AWESOME. Water Park in St. George

Ellie & Jack played in the sand for HOURS in St. George

Wildlife Museum in St. George

Picnic in Snow Canyon

I realize there are too many pictures of Jack in this post. Ellie is just as cute, I promise!