More Pics from our time in Edna (there's a lot!)

Great Aunt Patsy who came to see Ellie all the way from North Carolina! Ellie loved her swing! Thanks Aunt Libby for saving it all these years!! Playing on the floor with Great Aunt Linda. Mimi and Ellie. Look at the cute welcome sign she made us! Ellie loved our cousin Ashley!! Papa and Mama (Ellie's great-grandparents) holding the next generation. Ellie learning a little "42" from the best who's ever played the game. This is the Phillips family game...if you are a Phillips, you play. It's taken me a while to catch on, so we are going to start teaching Ellie early so she'll be a natural (I think it's in her genes...you should see her dad play!) Getting some carrots from Uncle Bret.She was such a trooper all week, even when we kept her out way past her bedtime. Here she fell asleep on Aunt Sandy. And also at dinner...see her from underneath the table in Trav's arms?!!Poppy giving Ellie her first dental exam. Open wide Ellie!! And, Ellie with her first ice cream cone...no, we didn't really give her any. (I ate hers!) We are now back in Waco. Ellie is loving playing with her cousins (or being entertained by them). We'll only be with them a few more days before we go back to Boston so we are enjoying every minute. We feel so blessed to be able to get time with all our family!

Dr. Pepper Hour

So she takes after her mom and dad! But don't worry, our cousin Alicia didn't let her have any. 6 months is a little early to start the addiction!

At the Beach!!

We just got back from a weekend in Port Aransas with Travis' family--aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. We had so much fun! We were only there a few days but we didn't waste a minute. Tennis, four square, eating, walks on the beach--morning and night, more tennis, more eating, surfing, swimming...we all loved it. Trav and his whole family used to go every year growing up...we think the tradition should start again. Ellie loved it. She was the youngest by about 20 years so she got a little attention! Here are some of her fans trying to make her smile for the camera. Cousin Alicia, Aunt Libby, Aunt Patsy, Mimi, and Aunt Sandy. She was loved on all weekend. Travis got a chance to surf a little with his dad...he's getting the hang of it pretty good. Can you see him? The last time he surfed was in March in San Diego...this water was a little calmer and a LOT warmer here. A walk with the girls on the beach...

Ellie Swimming With Uncle Scott

Look at the Camera!

Playing, Swimming, Baseball, and more Playing!

We are having a blast in Waco! Ellie is constantly entertained by her three older cousins (my sister Allison's kids)--she loves the attention and protests when she doesn't get it. Fortunately, they all love baby Ellie so they don't mind hanging out with her and making her laugh. I'm outside teaching swimming all day every day so they have played a big part in helping take care of her (with a little help from Grandmommie). Claire, Ellie, and John David just waking up and lounging on the couch.Thinking about going for a swim...

Ellie's first "swim"--we held her while she splashed around. She did try to dunk her face in once, and she just laughed. Will she be a water baby??

Then this weekend we went up to Dallas for a Ranger game. Quite a different experience than Fenway! First of all, it was HOT!! Second of all, the food was a ton better...but the baseball didn't really compare. I do love the Rangers because it's who I always watched growing up, but not much compares with the experience at Fenway park with the Red Sox. But as you can see, it's all the same to Ellie...she sleeps again!

Her Rangers outfit was a little big on her, but we had to wear it before Daddy gets here--no Astros fan wants his daughter wearing Rangers gear! This morning before we left, we got to meet Jane and Ryall (my aunt and uncle) and my cousins at a park in Arlington. It was so fun to see them...the three on the right are all my cousin Sydney's kids. Jack and Lucy are the twins on either side of big sis Ryley. So cute! And on the way out of town we hit one of my favorites...Papasitas!! It was Ellie's first visit! I think she liked it, except she may ask for carrots and applesauce next time we got since that's what she ate!

6 Month Pics

Right before we left to come to Waco, Ellie turned 6 months old. I've really been wanting to get some cute pics of her and now that she sitting up it's so much easier. Our sweet friend Missy is a great photographer and offered to come have a little photo shoot with her. She got some great ones! (Thank you, Missy!!) We haven't really gotten professional pictures made so I was so excited to have these. She took a TON, but here is a sampling. She was such a happy girl through the whole thing! Most of them are taken outside in our backyard.

Our last week in Boston for a while...

Ellie and I just arrived in Waco yesterday where we'll be for most of the month for me to teach swimming lessons. Travis will be here in a couple of weeks, but he's not here yet and we miss him already!! Life has been crazy trying to get ready to leave for such a long time, but we somehow made it. Who knew that one little munchkin could require so much more paraphernalia?!! But the weather in Boston was beautiful so we had some fun outside by the river before we left. We had a picnic with the Littles...everyone loved being in the sun except for Trav and Ellie (they stayed under the tent).

And here's Ellie's first time in her highchair! (thanks aunt sandy, aunt libby, and aunt linda!!) This picture was before we fed her...obviously! This is the cleanest it will ever be. Her little head barely peaks over the tray. Guess she'll grow into it soon enough.

She's getting better and better at sitting up...but still sometimes topples over. Here we caught her in the act of falling. She usually thinks it's pretty funny.