Love Unhindered

We're strolling through the aisles in Publix, she waves fiercely to every stranger she meets, as though her tiny life depends on it.  Blowing kisses to the lucky few on the cereal aisle and flirting her way to a free cookie from the kind-eyed woman in the bakery- what was once a mundance chore, has become a chance to love, to connect.  I leave with a phone number of a sweet lady in her mid 60's begging to babysit and she leaves that store a much happier place than when we found it.
I could learn so much from her unhindered, unashamed, bold loving of people!

We make a stop on the way home at the assisted living home.  The minute she realizes where she is, she turns on the sunshine and contagious charm.  In the dining room, the residents half heartedly eat their food while she shows off her new tricks....both arms stretched wide over her head...touchdown!
(Pops taught her that one.)
The light that fills their eyes when she smiles at them is enough to make us come back every single week.

And I remember....her life is a light of His love, even in her small way.  

Elle makes friends wherever we go.
This little love of ours loves well.

Here are just a few pictures of our lately:

Elle and Miss Nancy at Mama's favorite store.

While I shop, Nancy babysits...it's wonderful!

Inside of this envelope, Elle holds the answer to the question...

baby brother or baby sister!

Fall park days are our very favorite!

Dancing with Daddy at a wedding.

She threw up her arms and found the beat.

On diaper duty already!

Ice cream for dinner in her PJ's on a Saturday night....always a good idea!

Out and About with Elle

I told Michael the other day how grateful I am for Fall with Elle.

She makes this season so much more magical.

We've been on new adventures every single weekend and last week was one of the best...

Elle had her first horse ride.

She blew kisses and smiled the whole time....I'm counting the days until she can ask Daddy in that irresistible toddler voice to buy her a horse.   

Next, she rode on the cow train and steered like a pro!

Fall frolic weekends at the Greenway are the BEST.

This little bug and I love our shopping trips - especially to Publix where she gets spoiled with samples on every aisle!

Elle even had a mid-week field trip this week with Mimi and Grandfather Stephens!

They were precious to take the day off to go with Elle to Discovery Place KIDS in Huntersville.

No surprise, our water baby LOVED the water table!

She was soaked afterwards, so we did a wardrobe change before heading off to the "vet's office"

 ....where she met a possum!

EWWW.

Fast forward 16 years - I can't even handle the thought!!

After Discovery Place, the Toy Store, and the Hardware store our girl was EXHAUSTED!

The sign of a successful day.

Elle woke up long enough to help WATCH Daddy carve her first pumpkin!

She supervises well atop Ladybug!

And we ended the week with Food Truck Friday with friends and baby Peter!

Happy Daddies!

Weeks like this are what makes life so wonderful!

-The Knotts Family

11 months!!

Elle's expression sums it up perfectly...how did we get here?

How is she 11 months old.

But I'm so thankful she is!

Our Ellie Gray gets more fun every single day!

I think she's even come to understand what these little monthly photo shoots are all about.

She is such a performer for the camera!

Showing off her bye-bye waving skills.

One more month until.....

We can't WAIT to celebrate our girl and announce to the world if she's getting a little brother or sister in March!!!

Love to you all,

Michael, Emily & Elle

Fall Fun

I've always loved fall but having a little one to share it with makes is immensely more magical!

We've had two fun fall weekends with our little Elle and it's been such a joy to see the world through her eys.

First there was The Hall Family Farm for pumpkins:

Her hero - her Daddy- found the perfect pumpkin. . . . 

Our little firewoman was excited about her new "outfit":

Elle Belle loves her Mimi!! 

This weekend, it was off to Carrigan Farms with some dear friends for apple picking:

These are days to treasure!

"And you will say in that day: 'Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.'  Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth."

Isaiah 12:4-5