Our New Toy

Since we have a one year old, we decided to make a major investment in a new camera. We went for a camera that was of professional grade since we have so many pictures to take in the future and since we spend a fortune on portraits of our little guy all the time. Ashley and I took Eli to Tom Brown Park over the weekend and we had a blast. Not only did we get to use our creative minds but we also just got to spend some quality time with just us. It is not very often that we can just get out and spend some time as just our little family. Eli was such a blast to photograph and I think we got some awesome shots. I will give a brief explanation of each picture as you go down. Sorry in advance for the picture overload. We had too much fun and took at least 150 pictures.

Oh I almost forgot the 1st picture. I thought this was a really cool picture of daddy and his little boy. So, I put it at the very beginning.




This picture was actually taken in Mimi and Papa's yard after we got back from the park. I don't know why but I just thought this would make a really cool looking picture.

Of course, Mommy had to get into the action somewhere and had to have her picture taken. Yes, I took most of the pictures. However, Ashley can take some awesome pictures as well.

This one was taken on a bridge at the park. We have it here in black and white. We actually took it in color but it looks really cool in black and white.

This happens to be my favorite picture of all. This one shows Eli's personality all the way around. He is such a happy little boy who just loves to have fun!! Yes, his shirt says, "My parents are exhausted!" I think that fits us to a T.

There is just so much beautiful land at this park to take pictures. I thought this was cool to have the bridge in the background.

The next picture is one of Ashley's. There are times when we look at Eli and just wonder what he is thinking. He has such a curious little mind!!

Yes, we had a tough time keeping him out of the water. He almost fell in to the lake a couple of times.

Ok, the following pictures were taken around our house. The first is taken in the pasture behind our house. I just thought the landscape was awesome!! It would be better if I zoomed in on Eli a little more.

The next 3 pictures were taken right after we got the camera. Ashley was working and I just wanted to play before we actually went out and started using the camera. So, Eli and I just played to see how the camera worked and all of its settings.

Ashley says, "This is that Melanie look." He claims that I make this face all the time and that my child is now doing the same face!!

This happens to be one of my favorite pictures as well. It is so natural, however, it makes me realize how much my little boy is growing up!! He is such a sweet, caring and funny little boy who brings all of the smiles and laughter out in us!!! We are so happy that God blessed us with an AMAZING gift through this little boy!!

Love,

Melanie, Ashley and Eli

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday Eli!! We cannot believe that you are already a year old!! All that we can say is how wonderful and beautiful of a baby you are!!

We love you!!

Love,
Mommy & Daddy

Eli at Gilliard Day

On Saturday, we went to "Gilliard Day" which was at a small country store located north of Cairo. My friend, Casey, invited us to go with her and her husband. Eli had a blast there even though he got a little fussy toward the end. He got to sit beside a pig made out of a hay bale. His mommy thought that was the coolest thing ever. Yes, it doesn't take a whole lot to amaze her these days.

This little boy is continually amazing us with all of his new little quirks in life. We are enjoying every minute of it!! He will be celebrating his 1st, yes I said 1st, birthday on Saturday. We are celebrating a little early because his birthday is actually on the 12th of February and we wanted everyone to be able to share this with us.

I have posted pics from Saturday and also a new picture of Eli showing his new bottom teeth that have just started coming in. We hope you enjoy these!!

Love,

Melanie, Ashely & Eli

Growing Little Boy

I know, I know... you are all thinking bad mama for not posting any Christmas pics of the little guy. Well, mama has been through a lot in the past 2 months. We have almost completed our house and having to constantly think about the house that it has slipped up on us that our little man is almost a year old. Many of you have asked if he is walking yet. The answer is "no". He is really getting brave and wanting too. He has taken a step here and a step there but nothing like full blown walking. He is just content with crawling and pulling up on everything. So, I have posted a picture of Eli and what he does best, laughing, playing and pulling up on his daddy.

Snuggle Bunny

Well, this is our little guy once again!! This picture was taken while we were waiting for the Cairo Christmas parade to start. I slipped out and forgot the camera so we used my phone camera and these pictures turned out soooo cute that I had to post this one!! Eli had a lot of fun at the parade and did fabulous. He loved the lights canopy that goes over Broad Street. He kept pointing at the lights in the air and on the floats. I know there is only one picture but this will do for now!! Enjoy!!

Love,
Melanie, Ashley and Eli

Looking back at past pictures

As I was looking at Eli's blog today, I noticed that his most famous pictures that everyone fell in love with were not on here. So I wanted to include a couple of them to archive the ones that we loved!! These were his 6 month portraits and our photographer, Long's Photography, did an incredible job with taking these pictures of our stubborn little boy!!

Enjoy,
Melanie, Ashley and Eli

Eli's Visit With Santa

We went to Tallahassee yesterday and had Eli's picture taken with Santa. We had a bad feeling that he was going to be horrible and scream but he was awesome!! We could not have asked him to be a better little boy sitting in Santa's lap. Matter of fact, he LOVED Santa!!! I am so glad that he likes dressed up people. He visted Aaron's Rents, Lucky the Dog, several weeks back at Ashley's work appreciation day and loved the dog. So, maybe he won't ever be scared of things like this!!! Enjoy!!

Love,
Melanie, Ashley & Eli