Sunday, March 30, 2014

Ella turns 1

I know I have a post about Ella's birthday party, but I wanted to keep a page just for those special moments on her actual day. I still cannot believe that we have had this sweet, smart, sensitive and bright girl in our lives for a year. Some days is feels like I have always had her and then there are moments that it seems to short.  She is a blessing for us. I love that I have been able to be at home with her this past year and see every milestone. I cannot believe that she is walking and saying words. She has no fear and loves to climb and explore. She is our outside baby and has allowed us to explore the world with her.
All 3 of the great grand daughters opening presents. Ella, being true to form, is wiggling away.

Clark and Cindy finally opening Christmas presents from us.

Christmas in March is what happens when snow storms take away power and kill planned Christmas trips.

Ella with grandma and Sav

Ella in her birthday shirt

She is a walking pro now

Great grandpa and Cici

Some last snuggles before everyone leaves


Round 2 of birthday cake is a bit more fun

Smashed it!

Family shot

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Some Bunny Special is 1!

Happy 1st birthday to our Ella!
It was a crazy, yet fun filled weekend.  We knew it would be a lot when we decided that for her first birthday we would invite all of our friends and family. We decided that since this was a milestone birthday, that we were going to share it, but going forward they will be a much smaller event. My family came to town and half stayed with us (the Ohio bunch), and the Michigan crew stayed in a nearby hotel. It was wonderful having my family all together in our home for the first time. So many great moments with the 3 great-grand daughters and their great grandparents. We had part of a day together before it got real...

I believe we had about 60 people (including kids) RSVP yes. Prep was crazy, but I think it all turned out great. I'm going to keep this short because I have so many of you to thank. Thank you to everyone who helped me prep, set up, help during the party, clean up and who gave me hugs through out. There were a lot of hard moments since my dad couldn't be here, but there were a lot of great ones too. Thank you for your love, understanding and support. Ella had a great day with everyone and you were all too kind to her and us with your gifts. Love you all! Here are the photos to help document such an amazing day.  I have so many pictures, sorry if you didn't make the blog.

My sister helping me set up the kitchen, to IEs...we better have this thing flowing great ;)
My pinterest win :) all pictures of my beautiful girl
The theme...I loved it since she was born Easter weekend 2013

All the bunny décor is up and ready for guests

More Bunnies!

The smash cake that never really got smashed

The largest birthday cake ever! I loved how colorful it was. Glad we shopped at our local bakery, they are the best!

Action shot

Ella is finally up from her nap and greeting guests

Cake time

She liked it, but wasn't sure about all the people staring at her

Grandma Rene` snuggles

Present time

Ella learning how to open her presents

Cousin Savannah helps

Ella and Dad opening some gifts


Great-Grandma from Michigan gets some snuggles
 
Play time in the new toy room

Aunt Colleen and cousin Cici

Great-grandparents and great Aunt Cindy from Michigan

Hopkins family

Ray family, the kids were off playing

Brehm family

Ella and Fleas, or her "woof-woof"

Great Aunt Marie, Great Uncle Gary and cousin Phil

Grandma Jeanne and Great Uncle Daniel

Great Aunt Judy and cousin Katherine

Great Aunt LeAnn and Great Uncle Chuck

My mom and her family (Great Uncle Clark not previously listed)

Uncle Candler and cousin Savannah

Grandma Jeanne got some snuggles from the birthday girl too

Where all the action was with Ella's friends

Great Uncle Michael and Vickie

Saturday, March 15, 2014

St Patty's Day 2014

St Patrick's Day is a fun day with Nate's whole family. I'm not sure how ling this tradition has been going on, but I love it. We get bundled up and decked out for the parade downtown (pronounced "dahn-than"). We all drive to our favorite parking garages. We prefer the one closer to access back to the freeway, helps us get home faster. Then everyone hikes in and we all gather across from the William Penn Hotel.  We shout and cheer as the parade goes by. We get several of the dance troops to stop in front of us to perform. There are marching bands, animals, political cars, clubs, anything Irish or who can dress up in green is in the parade. This is Ella's first parade. She was not in the mood to have people loving on her at first. She pushed away most family as they tried to hug and kiss her. Ella needs time to warm up and she gets nervous in crowds. Sorry, this is a blend of both Nate and myself. Once she got warmed up to everyone she went to them and I got a break from holding her. We watched some more of the parade, and then headed to lunch. Props to the family for getting us a reservation that had a long enough table for all of us and a high chair. Only downside was no changing table in the bathroom, but we made it work ;) awesome day, such fun. Love this family I married into and I love how much they love our daughter.  Enjoy the Irish fun!

Someone is ready for her first St Pattrick's Day parade! Hoping she makes it without a nap. So cute!

Ella rocking the creation I came up with. I made the tutu, she can prob wear it for 3 more years.


And...the cute outfit is not covered, but she is still sporting her green.

Ella not sure about it all yet. The green scarf is actually the scarf Nate used to wear at the parades when he was little. Ella is carrying on the tradition.

Ella is off and playing with family. Uncle Daniel holding her up so she can see.

The parade

Our group, hanging out behind the parade and up on the hill

Cousins!

Aunt Nancy getting some Ella time

Baby free for a moment

Ella is losing her mind. "woof-woof! woof-woof!"

This is a family friend holding her, we didn't just let anyone take her.

I got her back...and now she has beads...hmmm

Phil finally got to hold her

Cousin time with Ella

Who has the best bow?

Double fisting her sippy cups!

Yes, the table for us is this long

Ella is playing with the pictures

Katherine got some Ella time

Playing with Uncle Matt, Kidesha and Aaliyah


Ella's outfit for Kindermusik...another reason to rock the tutu