ITS OFFICIAL!!!

Today was a wonderful day for us as we met a judge at the county court house that made Lillian Paige officially ours!! In the state of California it takes 6 months to process all of the paperwork and complete an adoption. We are so happy that all went well and on Saturday we will be taking her to the temple to be sealed as a family for eternity. Dave and I were reflecting last night at how lucky we are to have these two beautiful girls and adoptions that have gone so smoothly. Life is good.

A great week!

This was a wonderful week in the Bradford home. Ms Lily turned 6 months old today! We are so excited as now we can set a date to officially make her ours for all eternity!!!! She is now crawling all over (actually it is more of a slither action). She is active and really happy to explore and finally be mobile. We are in for it now!

Ella Bleu had her first day of Pre-School this week. She loves attending school and as Dave and I found out at Back to School Night, she is trying to Run the school as well. Not surprising.

Dave won a prestigious award at work for all of his efforts on the new exploration center in our city. Its a really cool facility where students can learn about environmental issues such as green energy, recycling your carbon footprint etc... We are very proud of him.

The studio started up for our 08/09 season and it has been busy. I am really looking forward to the projects and opportunity this next season will bring. It will be a busy but fun year!

Summer 08

I am not really good at keeping up this blog so I will wrap up our summer in this entry.

The summer has gone by much too quickly around here. I was very busy with work and when I wasn't working just running around with Dave and the girls. Kenzie and Alex came to stay with us for two weeks so Ella had a blast playing with her cousins. Ella spent her mornings at Picasso and Safari camp (which she loved by the way). There were days she came home as a painted canvas herself. Then the afternoons and evenings were full of summer fun. We had two weeks to get in as much fun and excitement as we could and we did a pretty good job.

Lily is developing quite the personality and is as sweet as can be. She is 5 months old now. She is calm and loves to cuddle. She easily adapts to our busy crazy lives and is just the happiest baby every. She loves attention but is also content playing with her toys and just watching the world around her.

Dave is doing great. He loves his job and his girls. When he is not working he is playing princess, puppies or baker. He leaves in a few weeks for his annual guys hike. (I think he might feel a little naked without his princess fairy wand or stuffed puppy Ella insists he play with daily).

As for my summer I had the opportunity to meet Dwana Smallwood one of the most beautiful and renowned dancers of our time as she came out to teach at my intensive so that was exciting for me. I produced a show at the Mondavi Center in Davis and just enjoyed my girls. I am beginning to understand why everyone always says to enjoy each moment as they pass too quickly. There were many moments this summer I just wanted to freeze so that I could enjoy them much longer. I am leaving for France for work for 10 days and am so sad to leave Dave and the girls but I have a feeling they are all a little excited to have run of the house while I am gone!

So in a nut shell all is well with the Bradfords. We are happy, healthy and busy as ever!

Mothers day Photos

The girls took photos to give to me on Mothers Day. They are both smiling at the same time. Nows thats a photographer accomplishment!

FANTASY LAND

We live in a world of Fantasy at our house. We are never mommy daddy and Ella but characters in the fantasy land of Ella Bleu. She is ALWAYS in character. She also makes sure that everyone around is also in character. We don't have to worry about not knowing our part as she feeds us our cues line by line. We do have to be careful as she tends to change the scene without giving us prior notice and we are expected to join her immediately in her new world.

The other day she came up to me huddled over walking like an old lady and holding a pretend apple. I didn't understand until she read her line. "Hello My pretty would you like to eat this delicious apple?" I am getting pretty good at impromtu scenes so I pretended to take a bite and fall down to my death. I then heard "Ella" say I'll be right back. I stayed poisened on the floor until her return but it was not the wicked witch whom I expected but Prince Eric who had a quick costume change into my bright yellow rain boots (she believes they magically make her a prince). He bent down on one knee and gave me a kiss. I of course awakened by true love's kiss hugged him and we walzed around the house during our wedding.
Never a dull moment!

Lily's Blessing Day

Lily was blessed last Sunday. It was a wonderful day for the Bradford family. David gave her a beautiful blessing and we were surrounded with family and friends to celebrate with us.

She is almost 6 weeks old and is developing and growing every day. She is so sweet and LOVES to be held and cuddled. She is alert for her age and spends most of the day with bright eyes just taking in this new world. She has always been a good sleeper but last night she was great! She slept through the night for the first time. Lucky me!

Shirell & Shanes Wedding