Ellie's Second Birthday

Kiddo,

It's hard to believe that your second birthday is right around the corner. I don't know where the time went, but every moment we've spent with you has made me happy. Even when you've been sick you've still been very huggy and sweet and loving. I came over to your mama's house to wrap your birthday presents and before I did that the three of us went to Qdoba for lunch. 

You wanted me to hold your hand, and as we were standing in line you pushed the back of my hand to your cheek and you sighed. I looked down at you and you simply stood that way while we waited for our food, being patient and loving on me. My heart melted a little bit more that day.

You were so happy to be out with us and although you didn't eat too much of your lunch, you waved to the people around us and when we left you told everyone goodbye. Miss Ellie, you are definitely one truly adorable child - almost always happy and wanting hugs and kisses and to play and laugh. It was a really good afternoon. I went a little crazy with your presents, but I just couldn't help myself! I'm excited to watch you open them very soon! Your Uncle Roger picked out a present for you too - it's the bubble-lawn mower! He said that way you can help your daddy mow the lawn!

In fact I am going to make you your very own cake too, and decorate it especially for you! I think you might make a big mess - but it's your birthday!

I'm trying to be patient, but I am excited to celebrate with you, little dearheart. You're so loved and it's going to be fun to watch you rip through the wrapping paper and see what you got!

So much has changed in two years, and yet so much has remained the same. You bring joy wherever you go, Ellie. And in fact, I'm smiling right now just thinking about you...

Much love to you, sweet girl - soon it will be your birthday and I'll have pictures to post and memories to share. 

See you soon, dearie!

I love you!!!!

Aunt Erin

Saying our Names! Squeeeee!!!!

It's silly, but the first time you said my name, Ellie Jane, I nearly burst into tears! And in the little video I have, you YELL Uncle "Raja" and whisper "Erin"...pretty darn cute!!!

Ellie's First FIRE!!! (Aunt Erin's Favorite Thing Ever)

Hello Little Miss Ellie!!

Well a few weeks back your mom and dad invited us over for your FIRST FIRE!!! 

Here you are next to the fire pit, carrying around the big Minnie Mouse doll that your Uncle Raja and I bought for you in Gatlinburg, TN. In fact, earlier you were wearing the entire princess dress and shoes, too! You are so adorable, Ellie Jane. You loved the dress, the shoes, your sunglasses and doll so much! You didn't want to take any of it off, and insisted on wearing your shoes even though your mom finally got you out of your dress!

Look how adorable you are!!! I think you liked the shoes especially. And then we went outside and the evening was so pretty. The sun was shining and you had fun running back and forth to Clara, your Uncle Raja, me, your mom and dad and the sandbox. Such a pretty night!

But it got dark, and it was time for you to go to bed. You were very tired, and we kissed you goodnight. Your mom, dad and Uncle Raja and me stayed up for a little while enjoying the fire. We love every moment we get to spend with you, kiddo! You're so sweet and loving and funny! We'll get to see you again this weekend and we're looking forward to it!!!

Postcards from the Edge of Sevierville

Well, Ellie...

Your Uncle Raja and I are in Tennessee on vacation, and we've been having a great time. The only down side to being away from home is that I do have a tendency to miss the people I love, and my dear you are at the top of the list. So is my Buster, though, so you're in happy company.

We wanted to bring you back some fun mementos and we happened across a Disney store while we were shopping down here in Sevierville (the home town of Dolly Parton!)...we decided to head inside and we found all kinds of fun things to bring home for you! I am so excited to see you dress up in the Princess Minnie dress we picked out for you. It's pink and has white polka dots just like Minnie does too. 

We decided to head down to Gatlinburg and we found a lot of fun places to look at. There are a ton of adventure types of parks here, with ferris wheels, go-karts, putt-putt, laser tag, and more. There's a Ripley's Museum of strange things, lots of carnival food joints with elephant ears, funnel cakes, ice cream, fudge and more. This would be a really fun place to bring you when you are older! Gatlinburg has a lift that goes all the way to the top of one of the smaller mountains, and although I would have gone I think it was a little steep for your Uncle Raja. 

There are a lot of places to shop, and I found some moccasins and looked for a pair of cowboy boots or moccasins for you but you're still so small I couldn't find any. I suppose the sparkly princess shoes we got for you will have to do, haha...We found some t-shirts and other souvenirs for ourselves and we're pretty happy with our trip. The drive into Gatlinburg was also incredibly beautiful - and I bet it would be even prettier in the fall. I would come here again for sure. Our room has a Jacuzzi tub and a very nice balcony with a pretty view too. It took us 9 hours to drive here!!

We're going to head out to one of the local restaurants tonight for their "world famous" BBQ, which I am excited about. We have mostly been relaxing, since it's been in the 90s here and very humid all week. I do NOT like hot weather, but I am enjoying my time here with Roger and we aren't doing too much outside except for our trip to Gatlinburg. 

I miss you sweetheart and love you very much! I just want you to know that we are thinking of you and that we've found some fun things to bring back to you. 

Give your mommy and daddy and Clara big hugs for us, and when we're back in town we'll come and visit you and bring you a bunch of fun surprises!!!

Love,

Aunt Erin & Uncle Raja

PS - Uncle Raja was kind enough to hold up the princess dress for me in the store so I could send the picture to your mom. He got some funny looks but was a good sport. Thanks Rog!