Ella at 6 weeks old.

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Hayden and Ella (3 weeks old)

Bits & Pieces~2 Weeks Old

First Photo Shoot

Ella at 5 days old.

*Amid eating, sleeping and getting to know each other, Ella and I decided to take a few minutes, throw a blanket over a chair and have our first picture-snapping session.

You know, we originally put the name Ella on the name list as a "filler-name." That's right, it wasn't one that either of us really had strong opinions for. We saw it on a baby names website and added it to the list, just to have one more option for friends, family and blogging buddies to consider when placing their vote. Don't get me wrong, we thought it was pretty but honestly WE were just excited about the fact that we didn't know anyone with the name, or anyone who named THEIR baby Ella. The name originally appealed to us because it was a name with a "clean slate" in our minds.

Being the organized planner that I am, I was a little nervous to go to the hospital without making a final decision on a name. We took our list with us, including the results of the blog voting poll. I still had to keep reminding myself of the reassurring statements from friends, "Don't worry, when you see her you'll just know her name."

I still wondered if that would happen to ME.

Especially since Ben and I had our OWN favorites....

...and neither one of them was the name Ella.

Sure enough, when I first held her in my arms the name Ella just seemed to be the one. Nothing else really seemed to fit as well.

But, I was nervous.

"What is Ben going to think?" I thought to myself.
I was relieved to hear him say, "I hate to say it, Sweetie, but she's an Ella."

....aaaaand, we lost her. Being beautiful must be exhausting!

Best Buddies and Play Dates

"Best Friends"

Photos: by Nancy

Whenever I tell Hayden that we are going to go somewhere he always asks the same question:

"Will there be other kids there; kids MY size?"

I guess everyone just feels a little better when there is someone around they can relate to.

Of course, being the little social butterfly that he is, Hayden is quick to greet other kids and to get busy playing with them...no matter WHERE we are. Sometimes the other kids are a little shy, but that melts away and they are soon play buddies.

Do you think there could be that same connection between animal kids and human kids?

This Fillie's name is Zia.
Zia can be a little sassy at times.

...Okay.....all the time.

Zia likes to nip and nibble whenever fingers are in range. (Ouch!)
She often likes to just keep her distance. If SHE doesn't keep her distance, then her mommy (Belle) will many times stand in between Zia and whoever is standing at the corral fence.

It's a different story with Hayden, though....
Always has been.

When Zia sees Hayden coming, she greets him at the fence. He climbs up between the green posts, rubs her face and says, "Hello!" She sniffs his shirt and gently snuggles with him. Belle seems to not mind, and goes about her business.

Do you think she understands the bond between two "kids?"

Often Zia will then try to show-off for Hayden (just like kids do sometimes). She will start running around the corral and kicking her back legs into the air. Then, she will come back over and snuggle with Hayden again. If he sticks his fingers in front of her mouth, she sniffs at him and coaxes him to pet her again.

She seems to be much calmer.
Do you think that Zia sees Hayden as someone "her size?"

I guess everyone just feels better when there's someone around they can relate to.

Making sure Zia has enough water to drink.

Picking "flowers" (grass) for Zia.

A common picture: Following Daddy and "helping".

Life Standing Still

Here are a few "stills" while visiting a friend's neighboring ranch...

"Thanks for asking us to feed your horses and pets while you vacationed for the weekend. I hope you don't mind me stealing these shots while we were there (I just couldn't help myself)!"

Just a reminder: "There is beauty all around..."

Mailboxes on a country farm road.

The entrance to SO many driveways.

Blue skies and sunshine.

A day of playing "tourist" in Anchorage.

These pictures were taken on a cloudy day across the street from "Saturday Market."

PS: If you ever go to Anchorage and find yourself there on a weekend, ask about the Market; It's one of the best places to go for souveniers, snacks, and a broad "taste" of Alaska.

*Photo by Nancy*

Check out this photo I snapped while at a Golf Course in Anchorage.

(I'm pretty impressed with myself on this one...I must say!)

...and NO editing whatsoever!  The sun came out for about 20 minutes, which was when this fox decided to come up to me.  Priceless!

"Take Me Out To The Ball Game...."

~Camera Phone picture by Nancy

It's Little League season again!

Already?

(Wasn't Halloween, like, only a few weeks ago?)

Thanks to the Lloyds for helping us sooth a stressful day with a picnic in the park and a good chat behind home plate.

KFC mashed potatoes and hot chocolate are FANTASTIC comfort foods...

(But not as comforting as friends.)

Thanks, guys.

Springtime On The Farm

~Photos by Nancy

The Pivots are running again...

And THIS guy is in the neighborhood...

Dusting crops...

The pecan groves are suddenly green...

(I took this one about 10 minutes ago.)

Spring is in the air!

My Farm Boys

~By Nancy

Here are a few special moments (frozen in time) of the boys that mean so much to me.

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"We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand...and melting like a snowflake.

Let us use it before it is too late!"

~Marie Beyon Ray

Sweet Boys

Learning the Ways of the Farmer

Daddy's Shadow

~Photo by Nancy

I took this picture with the help of my new tripod and the camera's timer.  While trying to get a good shot, however, I had to set the timer and then frantically run into place in a panic before hearing the "click" sound of the shutter.

I ended up tripping over rocks during a couple of tries and then running through a small thorn-ridden Mesquite bush, slashing through my ankles.  I was amazed at how big the thorns were on such a new plant!

(Perhaps that's why there's a slight grimace on my face and why Ben looks like he's holding back a big belly laugh.  Hayden is just standing there, shocked at what he just witnessed.)

If you want to see what a Mesquite looks like, click HERE and scroll down half-way to see the "thorny armament" picture.

After that, we took THIS picture and I proclaimed we were officially done for the day.

Oh well...Maybe we'll try again after I heal.

Mommy and Me

We decided to take a Sunday drive up the canyon (about 10 minutes from the farm).

We ended up being silly and capturing some fun times together.

...then we met with friends and whipped up some home-made ice cream!

"You're right, Shanda....the secret is the Mexican Vanilla!"

(Sh-h-h-h-h-h.)

It was nice to finally have some pictures WITH Hayden since I'm usually the one behind the camera.

~Photos by Ben

Snuggling

Eskimo Kisses

Bird-watching

Telling jokes