{a new look}

"Down with the Dearmores" will be getting a new look very soon! We will have the same url (http://downwiththedearmores.blogspot.com), but we'll have a new name and a new look! I don't want to give it away just yet, but it's a name I came up with a few months ago and can't get it out of my head! :) So...here we go! Stay tuned!

{5 super dips for bowl games}

Need some ideas on things to serve at your Super Bowl party? Here are some yummy dips I found @ http://www.southernliving.com/.


1. Spicy White Cheese Dip

2. Southwest Salsa
3. Smoky Ranch Dip

4. Loaded Baked Potato Dip


5. Blue Cheese "Hot Wing" dip

{first day in the nest}

Today was Ella's first day in "The Nest" at Crossroads. She had such a fun time getting to meet so many people! She didn't want to miss a thing going on! Here she is all dressed and ready for church! Thank you to all who made her first experience so memorable {she even got a special letter from Mrs. Dana for her scrapbook}!

{one week until the big kickoff}

It's almost that time again! Super Bowl 2012 is just 7 days away. I love this time of year! A good excuse to be with family, friends, good parties, and lots and lots of yummy food! This weeks blogs will be focused around the football theme. Stay tuned for some yummy food, recipes, etc. Below are some great ideas for a "chevron" themed Super Bowl party! What are your Super Bowl plans this year?!
Check out Creative Stationary @ www.etsy.com for these great ideas!

{a letter from Ella}

Dear Family & Friends,
Please pray for my Papa who is all the way across the world preaching and teaching to lots of children, teenagers, mommy's and daddy's. I know some of them might not ever get to hear about Jesus unless someone like my Papa goes over to tell them. I'm thankful for him and his love for missions and others. However; I have to say, I sure am ready for him to be home so we can play and talk. I have lots to catch him up on. Plus, I'm doing so many new things.
Love, Ella

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19

{splish splash...i was taking a bath}

What use to be dreaded thing is now one of our very favorite times with Ella! She was not a fan of bathtime at first, but now, we look forward to them each night! She loves to kick, splash, "learn her abc's and 123's", smile and laugh. Here are a few pictures of our splish splash fun!

Here are some of our very favorite things we use at bathtime!

Flower stacking cups and summer infant tub time bubble maker both found at www.babiesrus.com.
Pottery Barn Kids hooded towels found at www.potterybarnkids.com
This past weekend, I attended my first ever Stella & Dot party {thanks, Leeann}! Lets just say...I'm in love with their stuff! Not only is the jewelry top quality, you get it literally 2 days after the order is placed! I can't wait to host my first trunk show {coming this Spring}! Here are the pieces I ordered {I had to contain myself, as I would have loved to buy 1 of each}.
I loved coming home to these little turqoise boxes in my mailbox!
These are not the exact charms I bought, but you get the point! I bought the "mom" one and the saphire charm {Ella's birthstone} and added it to my "J" necklace Jess got me for Christmas! I love it all together!
I bought the last 2 bracelets! they look great separate or together! Fun, trendy, but still elegant!
Hope everyone has a Happy Wednesday! :)

{4 months}

Our sweet baby girl is 4 months old! She continues to grow and grow by the minute! I feel like she is doing something new every day! Here are some updates from the past month...Ella started "school" at her babysitters house earlier this month. What a blessing Ria has been to us already. She takes such good care of Ella, which makes mommy and daddy smile every day. She has many new friends...she LOVES watching the other children and "singing" with them during their music time. She does not miss a beat! Ella is cooing and babbling much more...she has also began using some vowel sounds (yes, proud speech path mommy)! We're currently working on "momma"! :) She loves to reach for her toys (whether on her play mat or out of your hand). She is sitting a lot better in her bumbo seat (it still cracks me up seeing her in it)...her favorite is to sit right in front of the TV...she is definitely a fan! As I always say, we simply cannot get enough of her. She continues to bring so much joy to our little family. I can't imagine life any other way.

{ella's favorite things at 4 months}

1. Inch bug personalized labels. These are great for bottles, sippy cups, snack containers, etc. And, they're dishwasher safe! www.inchbug.com.
2. Teething ring - a must these days! This is a Munchkin Fun Ice Soothing Ring. These can be found anywhere from Target to Amazon.com.
3. Ella loves wearing all her little cardigans (a girl after her mom's own heart)! These is one we found at Carters. We have found many other cute ones at Baby Gap and Old Navy.
4. Aden and Anais swaddle blanket. These have been some of our very favorite blankets since day 1! www.adenanais.com.
5. And yes, from all her pictures, you know Ella loves her bows. This is a fun headband I found on Etsy. If you haven't checked out www.etsy.com, you must!
6. Potterybarn Kids "Penny" owl. www.potterybarnkids.com.
7. Sophie the Giraffe! www.sophiegiraffeusa.com.
8. This is Ella's favorite lotion right after bathtime.
9. Ella has been reaching more and more for her toys. This seems to be the first thing she wants to grab! Maybe it's all the fun and bright colors! www.babiesrus.com.

{our little beach babe}...

We made our first trip to the beach with Ella this past weekend! It had been a long time (since this past summer) since we had been there. It was time for a much needed getaway! Although it was only a night, it was so nice! Here is a look at our day at the beach!

We were all sad to go (even Finley)! Oh the many more trips to come!