Nella is 3!

Nella Ruth turned 3 on February 8. 

She requested a 'sprinkly' doughnut and chocolate milk for her birthday breakfast.

 She loved her presents.

We didn't have a big party for her this year. We did serve her cupcakes at our Church's super bowl party, though. Everybody sang to her at half time. She loved it and definitely thought everyone was there for her birthday party! 

Our girl is growing up so fast! She is smart, thoughtful, and absolutely hilarious! She loves: Thomas & Friends (show & toys), coloring, helping me cook and bake, playing with my iPod, going to church, dancing, macaroni & cheese, yogurt, soup, bossing Silas around, going to Target, pink, purple, sparkles, and her daddy.  She doesn't love: having her hair washed/fixed/brushed, when Silas messes up her toys, being told that she can't have another snack, when the bathwater is too warm, when the bathwater is too cold, or when the covers on her bed get messed up. 

She is a quick learner and just like 3 year olds everywhere, she can and will test the limits. She is a great big sister and loves helping out with Silas. She has a phenomenal memory and has most of her favorite books, songs and movies down pat. She is also still learning her catechism questions, though I've been told that she sometimes refuses to recite them in Sunday school. Oh, Nella Ruth! So sweet. So beautiful. So defiant. So 3 years old! 

One.

Two.

Three.

Sipe Christmas

We spent Christmas with our family in Marion, IL. 

My mom sure sets up a lovely Christmas house. Everything is so festive.

 Believe it or not, this isn't Christmas morning. Just my kids dragging out all the toys and making a huge mess. It's what they do best.

Caleb, Aunt Juicy & Nella watch Frosty the Snowman. It must have played over 100 times; my kids LOVE it.

The house where I grew up. She sits on a historic street in Marion. Isn't she just darling?

It was the first white Christmas since 2004. Growing up in Southern Illinois I saw very few white Christmases, only a couple.

Nella played with the Fisher Price farm set that was my first Christmas gift. 

 My nephew, Ilan David.

Aunt Juicy helped Nella try on her new apron.

Caleb sketched with Silas and my nephew, Marley.

Silas makes messes.

Everywhere he goes, he's messin.'

Nana's Lap.

Nella built a gingerbread house.

She was so proud of her creation.

It was a Merry Christmas!

Billingsley Christmas

This weekend we celebrated Christmas with Caleb's family. Since we're traveling to Southern Illinois over Christmas this year, they came to Urbana. It was a quick trip, but it was fun and we're so glad they came!

Nella loves her Granny.

Caleb read the Christmas story.

Silas picked out our Christmas background music.

Nella built a "big huge tower" out of presents.

Silas really enjoyed unwrapping gifts.

Caleb took lots of video footage. 

Nella and Silas play with some new toys.  

The tea set we got Nella is amazing, by the way. It's made from recycled milk jugs and is bpa and phthalate free. That's good news, friends. Tea time should be toxin free. Plus it's sturdy and adorable. Anyway, if you're looking for a gift for a young girl, I recommend it.

As always, I posted the rest of the photos on facebook. Be my friend, and you can see 'em! ;)

This Day Documented: Saturday, November 13, 2010

9:30am - My sister, Becky, arrives with her boys and we load up her van

9:37am - Gas, Starbucks (grande latte w/ 3 raw sugars)

9:45am - 57 Northbound to Chicago

9:48am - Nella requests a snack (typical)

10:10am - Silas asleep (praise God)

10:15am - Ilan asleep

10:30am - Nella asleep

10:45am - Silas awake (oh snap!)

10:48am - Ilan awake (double snap!)

11:07am - Nella awake. Resumes snacking

11:10am - All boy screamfest; Marley, Silas, & Ilan

11:15am - Marley asleep, little boys still going strong

11:30am - little boys asleep again (finally!)

11:45am - Scrounging for change on I-355 Illinois Tollway

11:46am - Receiving IOU slip, we were short 54 cents 

11:50am - Milo and Otis

12:09pm - FLIPS!!! Our favorite Glen Ellyn eatery

12:49pm - Family photo in front of Flips. 3 generations of Flipsters here. My parents have been going since the 70's

1:15pm - Wheaton Popcorn Shop. Another favorite childhood spot; we had so much fun taking our own kids there!

1:17pm - Nella touches all the candy

1:18pm - It's an alley-turned-popcorn/candy store. It has the BEST ceiling!

1:23pm - Heading back to the car with her loot. We spent $1.19

 1:24pm - Nella and Marley are excited about their bags of candy

1:26pm - These cousins are buddies!

1:28pm - "Look at all my lots of candies, Mom!"

1:29pm - Sneaking a bite of a gummy butterfly

1:31pm - Me and Becky with our cousin, Jeff. We used to hit the popcorn shop together as kids

1:45pm - My dad takes us on a driving tour of Wheaton, where he grew up. He loves to tell us stories about and show us places from his childhood as we drive around town. We love Wheaton.

2:36pm - Oberweis Dairy, chocolate malt

 2:37pm - Grandpa shares with Ilan

2:40pm - Grandpa shares with Silas

3:00pm - Trader Joes

4:00pm - My youngest cousin Brett's 16th Birthday Party

 4:15pm - Nella plays with the ferrets (Gross! I, myself am not a fan, but she loves them!)

 4:20pm - Photo time!

 4:25pm - Photos with family. Nan & Pop were in from San Antonio. Here they are with all their grandchildren & great-grandchildren (and my parents, who somehow snuck in the photo)

4:45pm- Silas falls and bites his lip. Bleeds on shirt and couch. He must leave his mark of destruction somehow!

5:50pm - Cake

6:00pm - Nella notices the fire pit and freaks out. Not sure what that's about, but it was quite the scene

6:10pm - Hugs & kisses & goodbyes

6:18pm - Load up van

6:25pm - Starbucks, round 2 (grande latte w/ 3 raw sugars. It's my fave. hint hint. If you love me, you'll buy me a latte!)

6:29pm - Silas & Ilan asleep

6:33pm - Nella & Marley asleep

8:38pm - Home!