Dance baby girl

This is Hadley's first ballet performance. It was so precious! I could see that she was crying when she stepped onto the stage. I tried to move so she could see me better. Then I was waving and crying and trying to let her know that I was right in front of her. Needless to say, the quality of the video is a little shaky. Then a sweet lady offered to film, so finally the camera is still. I was so proud of Hadley! She was crying, but she kept on dancing! What a brave girl!!

Her short hair in a bun.

Smelling the rose.

What pretty flowers for a pretty girl!

Right after her performance. Hugging and kissing on Daddy!
Notice the tear stained face!

Our sweet angel, before the performance.

Tree, Parade, Christmas Tea & Gingerbread House

I was at Wal-Mart and saw this cute pink Christmas tree. I knew that Hadley would love it for her room. As you can see, she was very excited. Notice the Hello Kitty crown tree topper!

The other night we went to the Auburn Christmas Parade. It was quite chilly. It felt like Christmas.
We ran into some friends while we were there. Oh, it is so nice to be in a small town!
Hadley and Sawyer waving and excited that Santa was throwing candy canes!

Last year when we were in Fort Worth, a dear friend, Amanda, invited Hadley & I to her annual Mother-Daughter Tea. Amanda & her mother have been doing this for nearly 25 years. When we moved to Auburn, I decided to start this tradition for Hadley. So here was our first little Tea Party.

Hadley making an ornament

Sophie

Meredith

Making ornaments

Making ornament with the help of Miss Lauren

Sophie, Hadley, & Meredith

The Spread of goodies

I had been wanting to make a Gingerbread House with Hadley.
Here is our best effort.

Nutcracker and Putting up the tree

About 4 years ago, when I was expecting Hadley, I dreamed of how fun it would be to take a little girl to see a play or ballet. Well, it was wonderful! I saw that a local ballet company was performing the Nutcracker at Opelika. So I quickly ordered our tickets. It was so fun to watch Hadley's eyes glow once the music started and the curtain rose. She whispered with excitement as the dancers performed, "Mommy, they are doing passe', tendu, and plie' like me." We had a great time! She was wonderful the first half. I don't think she moved. Then intermission created a bunch of questions. The 2 hour ballet was long, but so much fun. I think that we've discovered a great tradition.

She really did not want to smile.

But she was a happy girl!
Below are pictures from her farm day at school.

This cowgirl is just missing her horse & six-shooter!

Sweet girl!

Now it is time to put up the Christmas Tree!

Thanksgiving Program at School

Hadley & her friends Andrew, Sophie, & Kieran

Her entire class

Sophie & Hadley looking like two sad indians.

All smiles!

Singing Mr. Turkey, 10 Little Indians, and then their prayer.

Halloween 2009

I know it has been a really long time since I have posted anything. So here is some pictures from the last couple of days. Hadley was Tinkerbell for Halloween. On Wednesday night, we went to the Fall Festival at the church where she goes to school.

Getting a little advise from Daddy about how to take down Goliath.

Down he goes!

Doing a little fishing.

Nice Catch!

A little entertainment

Our Pumpkin that we carved.
Please pay no attention to my plant that badly needs to be watered.

Then on Thursday, Hadley had her school party.
She did not want to go as Tinkerbell, it was to itchy.

Luckily, last year's Minnie Mouse still fit.

Hadley with Ms. Leslie

Sophie & Hadley

Hadley, Sophie, & Ellie

Here is a video of Hadley and her class at their Halloween party. They were singing their spider song. Just in case there is any question as to which one is mine, she is the Minnie shaking it on the end. The video gets a little jumpy at times. I was trying to watch, record, and keep from laughing because they were all so dog gone cute!

Just a few videos of Hadley being Hadley

One night I looked at my baby and realized how big she was. It was ridiculous! Then I thought of how little I had video taped of her life. Oh, I have tons of photos! But what about that sweet voice, her funny expressions, her singing and dancing. So I got out the camera and let her go. She sang, danced, and answered some questions. I need to do so much more of this. Obviously I have not done much of this. She really hammed it up! Enjoy our little Hadley being a little knuckle head!

My Granddaddy

Story about my Granddaddy published in the local newspaper. I just wanted to share. He turned 90 yesterday.

Phone call elicits WWII memories

Bill and Carolyn Ellis (seated) look over Bill's scrapbook of World War II photos with their daughter, Winnie Tedder, and nephew, Frank Ellis of Pocahontas.

John Bland
Publisher

Many years have passed, but a recent phone call from Belgium brought back many vivid World War II memories for veteran William R. "Bill" Ellis of Walnut Ridge. Ellis, one of a dwindling number of World War II veterans, will celebrate his 90th birthday on Thursday, Aug. 27.

Ellis told of the bittersweet memory of a 10-year-old boy and his mother whom he returned to their Belgium home place after the war. The mother and son had been displaced during the war, and Ellis and his division were responsible for returning them and others to their homes.

Ellis recalled that the boy asked him where he was from, and "I told him Arkansas."

The boy had asked, "Is it better than Texas or is Texas best? Is Missouri a better state than Arkansas?"

"I'd say Arkansas is the best place to be," Ellis told him, because it is not as hot as Texas or as cold as Missouri.

When they arrived at the address, they found that little remained of their home other than a concrete pad. The home and much of the town had been destroyed during the war.

Ellis and his fellow division members returned them and others home to similar situations. "That's all we could do," Ellis said.

Ellis believes the Belgian man who called him and his wife, Carolyn, could be that same 10-year-old boy who had asked him about Arkansas. He had found Ellis through the Internet. Communicating over the telephone with him was difficult, and the Ellises are hoping to receive a letter from him soon.

Bill and the former Carolyn Stone were married on April 9, 1944, and they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary earlier this year.

Having joined the army on May 12, 1942, Ellis was shipped overseas to Europe in May of 1944, the next month after their marriage. He spent about a year and eight months overseas, remaining in Europe six months after the war ended.

Ellis served in the first, third and ninth Armies, and his division was responsible for hauling supplies and people throughout Europe. "I was in every (European) country but three," said Ellis. They also went into Russia and transported prisoners of war back to Europe.

Ellis recalled many experiences and highlights during his World War II service. On three separate occasions, he met the famed General George Patton.

Once, Ellis' convoy was hauling gasoline to a particular battalion when they met up with General Patton, whose troops were desperately in need of fuel. Patton ordered the convoy to change directions and deliver the gasoline to him.

The sergeant in charge told General Patton he had written orders and that he had to follow them, even at the risk of losing his stars. Patton had his radio officer make contact with the appropriate officials and arranged for the fuel to be diverted to the sergeant's satisfaction.

Another time, Ellis' group of 32 men and 16 trucks had been on the go for nine days and nights (three 72-hour shifts), without taking their shoes off.

Patton saw Ellis and recognized him. They were in northern Europe near Poland and Patton said to Ellis, "What are you doing up here little ole short sergeant from Arkansas?"

Patton ordered that the men get a shower, a change of clothes and a good meal. Despite obstacles, "he (Patton) got it done," Ellis said. "We left our old clothes there, and got new ones."

Other memories Ellis shared included:

• taking the first trucks across the English Channel, one week after D-Day.

• being in the Battle of the Bulge.

• helping to evacuate people out of the back of a hospital, while the Germans were coming in the front.

• traveling often across Europe under "blackout" conditions at night due to the danger of enemy fire or bombing.

• meeting up with his cousin, Wade James of Pocahontas, who was also in Belgium some 40 miles away.

• hauling Hitler's gold and silver, which filled 10 trailers, from northern Germany to a vault in Frankfort, Germany, under the watch of guards with machine guns.

Ellis said he went to Fort Knox, Ky., for basic training and bakers school.

After basic training, he went to Ft. Campbell, Ky., which he helped to build. Then, he went to Camp Polk, La., where he cooked for officers for almost two years as part of the Ninth Armored Division. From there, he went overseas.

After the war, Bill and Carolyn lived at Light, where he farmed until his retirement. The Ellises have one daughter, Winnie Ellis Tedder, who is married to Eggie Tedder of Walnut Ridge, two granddaughters and three great-grandchildren.