The Parrillo Family

Maybe I've been spending too much time talking and working on our basement remodel.  And...maybe a few too many trips to Home Depot (and Menards!).  Ellie even turned down going to get cupcakes as long as we could go to Home Depot! ( if you are watching this in your email and can't see the video below, you should click here to watch the video on the web! )

Last week, we packed up and went out west to visit Uncle Charlie and also to see - for the first time - Mickey Mouse and Cinderella in person at Disneyland.  We were fortunate enough to take this trip with the entire Moran family/MoranClan/Moranimals (as Aunt Elise calls them) and Ellie couldn't have had more fun.  From the moment we walked into the park, it didn't take us but about 10 minutes to "see" Mickey Mouse in person.  Ellie freaked out. Of course, we couldn't go to Disneyland without getting Ellie a pair of her own ears.  She wore them ALL DAY! We also met Cinderella in person - or as Ellie calls her "Rellie".  Ellie couldn't believe her own eyes and the look that came over her face when we saw Cinderella was priceless. There's a lot more photos here in the slideshow below.   If you are reading this in your email and you can NOT see the photos below, click here to see them on the web .   ...

What a big weekend for Ellie!  Sure...she got to see her absolute favorite Cinderella IN PERSON, and her bestie Mickey Mouse IN PERSON, and spend the entire weekend with some of her favorite Aunts and Uncles, but the part that warms my heart the most? She's lucky to have had a VERY early taste in her life of the wonders of In-N-Out Burger - one of Daddy's favorite treats when we get to California. She also was able to eat a few of the " Secret Menu Items " - including her very own Grilled Cheese and Root Beer Float. Thanks to "Aunt CiCi" for this cute photo of Eloise in her car seat after we ate!

This was Eloise's 2nd Halloween,  but the first time she was able to participate a bit. Natalie and Grammy Dianne collaborated to create this amazing Owl costume.  Eloise looked as cute as could be with her feathers.  We practiced for weeks the whole *knock, knock*, say "Trick or Treat" bit with Ellie but when rubber met the road, she got awfully shy. But that didn't stop her from getting right in there and going door-to-door with her Cousin to grab a bunch of candy from our neighbors. Here's a bunch more pictures.  If you are reading this in your email and can't see the slideshow below, click here to view the photos on the site.