Elliana's first Christmas.

Jess made a special gift for Elliana for her first Christmas. When Jess was a baby, her Aunt Jo made her a rag doll named "Hoddy." This doll was very special to Jess and she wanted to make a replica for Elliana. We really enjoyed this video of her opening the doll.

Christmas at Debbi and Kenny's house was "wonder-full". We are looking forward to tomorrow when grandma and grandpa Hoffman come out to see us. (More pictures to come then!!!)

With love,
Matt & Jess

Farewell Party at Jennifer & Stephen Carters

We felt so loved by everyone at Jennifer & Stephen's sending party. We consider ourselves blessed to be a part of a wonderful group. I know we'll be back for a visit before too long.

Thanks again to everyone who made this night so special for us!

Elliana's 5 month photoshoot by Anna Carol Fancher

On Sunday, our friend Anna Carol offered to take some pictures of our family at the Children's Garden in Columbia. Of course Ellie's main interest was in eating her dress, but we managed to get a few smiles out of her with much exertion on our part :) We made noises and spoke in voices we never knew existed :) By the end of the photoshoot, Ellie was getting rather fussy so Jess held her in her arms and within 3 seconds she conked out.... Being pretty is hard work!

Elliana's first "solid" food.

Yesterday we served Ellie her first "solid" meal. Rice cereal.... Yummy!!! I think more of the cereal ended up on her bib than in her mouth :)

The Tongue

For a few days Elliana was sticking out her tongue whenever she was happy. Ellie needs to learn a few manners :)

See how high I can jump....

Ellie has definitely enjoyed her jump-a-roo. Matt loves doing jumping jacks with Ellie as she bounces.

What a party !!!

David & Martha Rich hosted the most amazing house warming party that we have ever been to. Everyone was wondering what to expect when the invitation said that it was to be semi-formal attire. When we arrived it was more elegant than a wedding reception. Every where you turned Martha had incredible arrangements of delicious hors-d'oevres and an amazing seven layer chocolate-raspberry cake. What a treat!!!

After having a fun time of getting to know everyone better, Martha & David gave a toast honoring the builders and Realtor. They dedicated their home to the service of God and Pastor Jerry said a prayer of thanksgiving for providing such a beautiful home that they will share with many people. We spent the rest of the night salsa dancing and celebrating.

Thanks David & Martha!!!

Elliana finds the video camera

Elliana's First Laugh on Video

Our first date since Ellie was born...

On our actual anniversary day (August 12th), Matt switched it up and gave me the opportunity to plan the date night since he planned our Greenville getaway. This was our first real date night away from Ellie so I wanted to make it special. I was able to fit into my black dress that I hadn’t worn in a year and Matt got all spiffed up. We had babysat for Dan and Char’s little girl Gracie two weeks before so they were gracious to watch Elliana for us. We took some pictures in their back yard and were just about to leave when I surprised Matt by coming into their living room in shorts and a t-shirt. Now THAT is his kind of date! We went to Saluda Shoul’s park with McAllister’s take-out and had a wonderful time roller skating around the trails and even found a romantic gazebo. Thank you Matt for a wonderful 2 years full of fun, learning, and love!

A visit up to North Carolina

We can’t believe how fast Ellie is growing! She had her 4 month check up on Friday and she weighed in at 16lbs (97th percentile) and 24 ¼ inches (75th percentile)! She’s eating and sleeping well and an all around easy baby (as far as babies go). She had her first real belly laugh on Saturday which was way cute! We did a whirlwind trip up to NC and got to spend time with Nana, Popi, and Uncle Boo. Nana had made Ellie a “fairy garden” which will spark Ellie’s imagination and supply many memories for Nana and Elliana as she grows. Jess got to meet up with her good friend Sheri who is home from Africa to have her third boy (congrats Brett and Sheri!). We had a great visit from a family who had been to the same location we want to go to oversees and then we got to spend the afternoon with Memaw, Aunt Jo, and Aunt Brenda. Elliana loves her Memaw! In the evening, Hope, Jennie, Aunt Jan and Uncle Wayne, and Aunt Carol came (all to see Elliana of course) and we had a great time! Elliana was particularly fond of Jennie’s shirt and would have loved to eat it if she could.

Gallstones and Grandparents

After another crazy trip to the ER because of gallstones, it was time to have the gallbladder taken out. I had an appt for later on in the week, but it wouldn’t wait…so after 5 years of nursing, I was on the receiving side of medical care. Sure puts things in perspective. My parents were planning on coming that weekend, but I found a way to get them down here earlier with the surgery and of course Nana (Debbi) and Popi (Kenny) didn’t mind…they take every chance they can to spend time with Elliana. Every time my dad comes down, God sees fit to provide a project for him to do. This time it included a broken dryer and washer… Thank you Dad for fixing the dryer and thank you Bost family for providing a “new” washer! Although they did find some problems with my liver that will be followed up on, I am fully recovered from my surgery and feel much much better now that my gallbladder is out. Hopefully I won’t be making any more scenes in the ER lobby… Dad had fun teaching Elliana to play the mandolin and Mom enjoyed giving Elliana a bath. Nana and Popi got Ellie her first jumperoo and had so much fun seeing her discover how it worked! We had a great time with Uncle Davis and Aunt Elaine with Matt experiencing Ryan’s all you can eat buffet for the first time-I think he got his money’s worth…

Kenny gives Elliana her first Mandolin lesson...

Kenny started training Elliana to love music at an early age. This is a video of her first mandolin lesson.

Matt & Jessica's 2nd Anniversary

We spent our anniversary up in Greenville, SC. We had a wonderful time walking around Main St. There is a really neat bridge there that gives you a great view of a waterfall. One night we ate at Rick & Erwin's, a fancy restaurant where they scrape the crumbs off of the table cloth after you eat... (Not Matt's favorite part of the trip, but a memory none-the-less.) We did some shopping and enjoyed a great weekend together. We're believing that God wants to mature our love more and more over this next year.

Elliana's First Tea Party

I’m beginning to enjoy the perks of being a stay at home mom…going to the public library for story time and spending time with the neighborhood moms has been a blessing. Elliana experienced her first tea party at Abby, Anna, and Lillian’s house this week. She is becoming very social and smiles at everyone who looks her way, especially other kids. She looked very cute in her little yellow pinafore. I put her violet teacup by her on the chair for a photo shoot and failed to notice the yellow leakage coming from Ellie’s diaper…if you look close you can see it  So sorry Stephanie! We had a marvelous time and look forward to many more tea parties as Elliana gets older.

So cute!

Full Screen Version

We love our daughter! :) The beautiful dress in the photos was handmade by Marijke White, a dear friend from St. Louis. She prayed for Elliana as she made it and we are so grateful!

Elliana in St. Louis

We had an absolutely wonderful time in St. Louis with Matt's family! Elliana got to meet her Aunt Jen, Uncle Chris, and cousin Lukas (born within 48 he hours of her) for the first time, along with all of Matt's extended family. She went to the zoo and Grant's Farm and had several photo shoots (as you can see :) She loved playing Sooo Big and the counting of the ribs with her Grandpa as well as singing Elmo's World and The Wheels on the Bus with Grandma and Grandpa. It's been such a delight to see her smiles and coos! We thank the Lord for such a wonderful family!

Elliana's first 4th of July.

Last night we went over to Kristen & Jeremiah's house for a BBQ. We had a great time and met several of their friends from Ignite. Matt & Jeremiah played some fun games of chess, Jessica got to show some of her sketches to new friends. And everyone really enjoyed holding Elliana. Ellie does really well with groups of people and looked so cute in her 4th of July outfit.

Elliana's first beach trip

Praise the Lord! We had a great getaway to Ocean Isle Beach from June 15^th- June 21^st. We were at the beach with nearly 40 family members from Jess’ side of the family. Everyone had a great time. Ellie was so cute in her sun glasses, and it gave mom & dad a great break as everyone wanted to hold Elliana.

Harold & Doris Garren's 60th Wedding Anniversary

Full Sreen Version

We had a wonderful time with Jess' Grandparents on their 60th Wedding Anniversary! They are an example of love, commitment, faithfulness, and hard work-both to each other and to their family. We're looking forward to 58+ more years of marriage ourselves! :)