June/July Ely Family Birthday Party

The party started with water fun on Papa's huge water slides and pool. The kids all got along super well. Only a couple of injuries the whole night. We had hotdogs and nachos for dinner with other yummy side dishes .

Then the chocolate fountain! The kids had a blast.
It made a huge chocolate mess of everyone and the yard.

Sam trying chocolate covered pickle. Mmmm.

The twins cleaning each other up. They were so cute.

Thanks Gram and Papa for your fun yard and a great party!
And thanks to Dandi for the chocolatey goodness!

They Learn So Young

I caught Zanna doing one of her favorite things. She LOVES the computer. She knows that you move the mouse and click on things and somehow she knows how to turn on the computer narrator (I guess it is for the visually impaired, it tells you what the mouse is pointing at.). It is really annoying and it took me forever to figure out how to turn it off. Also, she reconfigured my monitor today. They learn so young to use computers! Fun, fun, fun!

Is it REALLY June?

The weather has been gorgeous the last couple days, so we have spent more time outdoors. Even a coolish breeze at times. It is great to get outside and not melt! Daniel even went in and put on a fleece long sleeved shirt to keep himself warm in the 92 degree cold spell, crazy boy! I love that you can see Zanna's fuzzy fly-away hair. And Laney is sporting a dress from the 80's, so retro, right?

A first for Zanna

Susanna had her first dress up fun with the big girls. She loved every minute as you can see. Can't wait for next time!

"But, I wanted the pink sequin dress!"

"I don't want to dance, Mom."

"Mom, pleeease, no more!"

Three, Nine and Twentysix

Laney, the princess ballerina birthday girl

Sara so grown up!

Birthday date with Gram to see the play Sleeping Beauty

Jessi, my beautiful baby sister

So cool sporting all of her new jewelry!

The Perfect Nanny

Sara picked Mary Poppins to watch together tonight. I love it. She is a great example of fun and discipline.



Lyrics from stlyrics

Jane Banks:
[Spoken]
Wanted a nanny for two adorable children

[Sung]
If you want this choice position
Have a cheery disposition
Rosy cheeks, no warts!
Play games, all sort

You must be kind, you must be witty
Very sweet and fairly pretty
Take us on outings, give us treats
Sing songs, bring sweets

Never be cross or cruel
Never give us castor oil or gruel
Love us as a son and daughter
And never smell of barley water

If you won't scold and dominate us
We will never give you cause to hate us
We won't hide your spectacles
So you can't see
Put toads in your bed
Or pepper in your tea
Hurry, Nanny!
Many thanks
Sincerely,

Jane and Michael Banks:

Family History, I Love Doing It!

I love researching my ancestors. My dad's parents and my mom's mom all died before I was born. I really feel like I am building a relationship with them as I read about them and search for their records. It amazes me how much you can learn about your ancestors just from census records. I have been blessed to have relatives that have been collecting photos and information for years. It sure makes it a lot easier when you have something to start with.

I am in the process of getting all the old photos scanned so that if, heaven forbid, something were to happen to them we would have copies. Also, I hope to get copies out to all my family so they can enjoy them too.

This is my Grandmother, Florence Elizabeth Messer. She died when my mother was almost 3 years old. This is a prom or graduation picture, we aren't sure which.
This is her with my grandpa, Benjamin Frederick Harden. He's so handsome! This is from when they were courting.
On the left is Florence and Ben, and the right is her brother Miles Marvin Messer Jr. and his wife Emogene Riley. This photo is earlier than the previous. Ben is only 19. He was chasing after Florence, an older woman of 25. He eventually won her over and they married when he was 22 and she was just barely 29. She died only 5 1/2 years later, after having my uncle and my mom.
Great swimming suits, eh? This is the beach on the pan handle of Florida.