The Ellis Family's Little Wonders...

Running, It's A Family Affair

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Running is most DEFINITELY a family affair. Donnie and I both ran through high school and met on the cross country team in college. We continued competing even after Sky was born and took him to all our races... in fact, I ran Nationals pregnant with him. So he was DESTINED to be a runner as well! =) My younger brother, Greg, competed on our cross country and track team throughout high school after I graduated. Donnie's younger sister, Jenn, started running and competing when she was young, years before Donnie did. Jenn still runs and takes our niece, Kaitlynn, to runs and track meets. Donnie and Jenn were able to run on the cross country and track teams together in high school and had a full page article published in their local newspaper titled, "A Family Affair." We all LOVE that we are able to keep that legacy going...

There was a Historic District Run in town today... so we woke up early to watch Donnie run the 10k and Sky the 5k. Kaden slept over at his best friend, Braydon's, house... we knew he had a great time over there, so we didn't feel too bad he missed out. (By the way, Sky is wearing Donnie's Army PT -Physical Training- shirt... crazy that it actually fits!!)

Kaleb & I had fun watching them run. It's hard for all five of us to be able to race on the same day, since one of us needs to run the mile with Kaleb when he runs... and Donnie, Sky and I can't all run the longer races on the same day and leave the younger boys. So we have an agreement to alternate days we all run. I would have loved to race today, but it was just as fun to watch and cheer Donnie & Sky on!!

It is finally beginning to feel like fall here... at least in the mornings. I was SO excited to wake up and put a jacket on!

It's been a while since Donnie has been able to do a race, so he was VERY pleased he did much better than the goal he had set for himself today. =)

Today was Sky's first 5k race, wahoo!!! Usually when we do road races, he prefers to run the mile... we think he was just unsure about how he would do in a longer race. He does 3-4 mile runs every week for cross country practice and JROTC, but it's a bit different to race that distance. It was SO fun to watch him run!! He wasn't very tired when he was finished with the race, so he knows he'll be able to do even better next time!

Our downtown historic district is so pretty with it's old brick buildings, historic statues & plaques, and fountains. Kaleb especially liked this fountain. =)

Donnie and Sky now have the same running shoes, which Sky thinks is SO cool. However, it looks like they'll be wearing the same sizes soon too! (Donnie's foot is in back, Sky's in front) Sky is in an 8 now, which is catching up to Donnie's 10 1/2. Just a matter of time now, Dad!!

We were SO proud to cheer Sky on as he went up for his trophy... he placed 1st in his 15-19 age group, which is QUITE an accomplishment! Go Sky!!!

Kaleb was SO happy to be able to go up to get Donnie's trophy. Donnie won his age group as well, so it was a GREAT race day!!

We decided we're going to put a family trophy display together with all of our trophies and medals from the runs we do together. I thought it'd be cute to display framed photos of us all running too... and a plaque that says something like, "A Family That Races Together, Goes Places Together." Hahaha.... we have NO idea why our friends call us cheesy!! The REALLY sad truth is... we LIKE to be!! =)

We Just Want to Ride, Ride, Ride!!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

We spent the weekend outside of Atlanta with my sister & brother-in-law. It was so much fun to camp out in their mansion of a camper and RIDE! It rained on and off the entire weekend, so the boys got their new riding gear REALLY muddy... but they LOVED it!!!

Photo above... here they are all sparkly & clean before they headed out. =)

Sky would live in his gear if he could!!

It was SO funny... we took this beautiful ride back through the woods. We had to ride slow down the path with all of its turns and little hills. Keith was leading the way with Kaleb, Donnie was riding with Kaden, then Sky, me and Ursula. We're riding along laughing and having a great 'ole time... and suddenly I see Sky laying on the ground and his bike is NO WHERE to be seen. Ursula and I ride up to him and see that he rode his bike right into a little ravine right off the path!!! It was a very shallow one, maybe three feet deep or so. We couldn't believe it... we were laughing so hard!! Sky wasn't hurt or anything so he was laughing too. We were just bummed we didn't have the camera with us... so we teased Sky the rest of the weekend, asking him if he would go do it again so we could get it on video. =)

I LOVE this photo of Donnie & Kaleb on the minibike. =)

We stayed at 'Mr Daytona' Scott Russell's house (a good friend of Ursula & Keith)... he has about 100 acres of all woodland, it was so pretty. His track was crazy, with quite a few jumps and hills. I was so scared my first time around... and managed to kill the bike going up this crazy hill. Thank goodness Ursula and Donnie came and saved me!! Haha... even so, Ursula said I did really well in all that mud, it was definitely tricky.

Kaden riding the minibike. He's getting so much better working the gears!!

Sky, our little speed demon. He was on the bike the whole weekend, except when it was time to eat. =)

Keith took Kaleb around for quite a while. He taught him how to control the speed and said Kaleb did GREAT!!!

We always have the BEST time when we get together with the Wilsons!! Can't wait until our next adventure together!!!!

A Memorial to Remember

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Ryan's mom, Sherrie, and the rest of his family came in for the Battalion Memorial... in honor of Ryan and Benjamin Kopp, two soldiers we lost this last deployment. Donnie was an escort to Sherrie and her family while they were in town. The night before the memorial, we all went out to dinner at Carrabba's. It was really great talking with Sherrie and getting to know her. Donnie and I definitely plan to keep in touch!

The memorials are always very difficult, especially when they do role call... and the lost soldier obviously doesn't answer. It has me in tears every time.

The Ranger Memorial

It was very difficult to see Ryan's name added. It's definitely a hard hit to the entire unit... these men are all so close and loyal. It takes my breath away to see them travel from all over the country and world to attend these ceremonies.

RLTW!!!!!

(Rangers Lead The Way)

Our Trip to Washington DC

Friday, September 11, 2009

Arlington Cemetery

Donnie and I have been wanting to take the boys to Washington DC and thought there was no better time to go than this weekend. Today was a 9/11 we will never forget... not only did we pray for those who lost their lives that day, we also recognized those who gave their lives while bringing justice.

Donnie's entire platoon came to DC this weekend for Ryan McGhee's Jersey Retirement Ceremony & Dedication at his high school in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Ryan was buried in Arlington, so we all went to visit his grave this morning. Ryan was a dear friend and will never be forgotten.

Ryan was one of Donnie & Kirk Foster's men... they were there with Ryan the night he died, it was the same night they both were pretty badly injured. Donnie took Ryan's death very hard, it was really painful to see him cry that day.

Saying a family prayer for Ryan and his family.

JFK & Jacqueline Kennedy's graves and the Eternal Flame.

While we were there, we walked around to all of the famous graves, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Throughout the cemetery, there are signs posted to remind us to be reverent and respectful. Donnie and I were SO proud of how well our boys behaved the three hours we spent walking around.

Here is Donnie with several of his friends, standing next to the plaque they dedicated to Ryan's high school's football field.

This evening was Ryan McGhee's Jersey Retirement Ceremony & Dedication at his high school. It was an AMAZING ceremony that had everyone in tears. A plaque was dedicated in his honor by Donnie's unit. It was so amazing to see everyone wearing Ryan's jersey number 33... whether it was on the ribbons in their hair, their hats & t-shirts, or painted on their cheeks & chests. It took my breath away when the crowd gave Donnie's unit a standing ovation when the football coach asked to give thanks. It was TRULY a night I'll never forget.

It was a bit chilly that night, we all bundled up. There was a section roped off just for us at the front center of the bleachers, which was so thoughtful of Ryan's coaches. The boys had SO much fun at the game... stomping their feet and clapping their hands to the music played over the speakers. Kaleb's favorite was 'We Will Rock You,' he sung it afterwards in the car the whole way back to the hotel.

Massoponax High School won the game... which was a PERFECT way to honor Ryan. The team they played against was very good, but every play just seemed to come together for MHS. After the game, several of Ryan's old teammates said he was definitely there that night... they could feel him.

We were so glad our good friends Kirk & Leah were there with us that weekend. It was quite an emotional one... but so necessary. We love you two!!!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Today we spent the day with a dear family friend, JJ Smith, who has been at Walter Reed since June 1st. His humvee was hit with an IED in Afghanistan... we are definitely counting our blessings he is miraculously physically recovering well. His legs are in really bad shape, but he was able to walk around with us... with a few rests. The news of him being hurt came to me just a few days after returning home from Ryan's memorial and funeral. It had a been an emotional week to say the least. Donnie and I feel this weekend, visiting both of them, helped our spirits a great deal.

The first place we went was down Pennsylvania Avenue to see the White House. When we got there, a bit of commotion was going on... it was a miracle we were able to get a photo, much less one that turned out well. The Tea Party protesters were there handing out information flyers and picketing everywhere. We actually saw President Obama's Marine One fly overhead. It is one HUGE helicopter!

The Washington Monument

While we were walking around, someone gave Kaleb a little American flag and he carried it for the rest of the day.

I LOVE my soldier!!! =)

If you look to the far left, between the trees, you'll see the Capitol Building.

The World War II Memorial

This memorial was just amazing! If you've never been there, it's set up as a giant circle with monuments representing each state. The monuments were engraved with quotes that we really enjoyed walking around and reading. In the center, was a beautiful fountain. If you looked to one side you could see the Washington Monument, if you looked to the other you could see The Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Memorial. This quote was my favorite and was very well suited for our weekend.

Here is another cool quote, referring to the roles the women played in supporting our nation during WWII.

This photo is just AMAZING! If you read the quote on the wall, then see Kaleb holding up and looking at his little flag... and then see Donnie sitting to the other side of Kaleb, who's in a unit of our nation's TOP soldiers. So cool, I SWEAR I didn't set them up this way! =)

Donnie & I thought it would be fun for us to get photos in front of the monuments for the states we were born in.

Standing in front of the fountain in the middle of the WWII Memorial with the Washington Monument in the back.

Our boys LOVE JJ! =)

The Lincoln Memorial

We had SUCH a great time with JJ!! He took us all out to a really nice restaurant afterward, where I ate the BEST grilled salmon I've ever had... the food was SO yummy. It was really hard to say goodbye to him, but he promised to come visit us soon... we love you, JJ!!!!!! xoxo

Callaway Gardens Beach

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Today was a fun day at Callaway Gardens Beach... one of our favorite spots. We went for the Hot Air Balloon Festival with our friends the Calls. Shelly & I were so excited to go up in one of the balloons. But we didn't get there early enough for the rides, and we left an hour before the balloon show. So we didn't see a single balloon. We still had a great time though!

Kaden, always being silly!

Sky has grown SO much this summer!!

Shelly & Jason Call

The weather was perfect outside, warm with a nice breeze. We went out on the inflatable rock walls & trampolines and played in the water at the beach. Kaden, Kaleb, Braydon & Ambria had fun digging in the sand. We brought a picnic lunch and camped out for the day... so much fun!!!

Welcome Home, Baby!!!

Monday, August 24, 2009

Donnie returned home from his 8th deployment today!!!! The date changed a few times again, so I decided not to tell the boys again and bring him home to surprise them. The little two were jumping up and down squealing... but Sky has been able to make the connection, no fooling him anymore. He has learned Mom + new sundress = DAD'S COMING HOME!!!! =)

Donnie's sister, Ursula, came down from Atlanta to welcome him home... he was SOOOO surprised!! I didn't get any photos, we had such a great time welcoming him home... these came from Ursula.

WELCOME HOME, BABY!!!!!!!

Rock Sliding At Flat Rock Park

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Flat Rock Park is another one of our favorite spots to go play. Sky's best friend, Shayn, came with us... it was his first time there and he had a ton of fun. It had been raining so the water was pretty high and it was SO beautiful outside today!

This photo looks posed, but I just caught Sky in deep thought... either that or caught him looking at all the cute teenage girls who were there too. Haha!