Ella's 1 year photo shoot

Our favorite photographer (and a friend of mine from high school) returned to take Ella's 1 year shots. Lindsay's been documenting Ella since she was born and it was awesome to have her back to take pics before Ella's birthday party. Thanks Linds!



Check out a sampling of the photos she took on her blog...

http://lindsaybphoto.blogspot.com/2009/01/happy-birthday-ella.html

Ella's 1st Birthday Party

Ella's 1st birthday party was a blast! Thanks to all the friends that came and to our family that flew in to help Ella celebrate. We had a full house and Mark, Ella and I feel so loved to have such great friends and family.

We sang happy birthday to Ella with everyone and gave her a cupcake to eat. It was funny... and then beacause we didn't have enough amusement... we gave her another one, this time CHOCOLATE! Messy, messy!

After everyone left the party we realized that we never even cut the cake! So we sang happy birthday AGAIN with the family.

Ella was acting very timid with the cake, so we let her play around a bit....

Maybe that was a mistake! :)

Into the bath for Ella!!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Ella!

Today was Ella's 1st Birthday. It's so amazing to me that it has already been a year! I know I keep saying it, but time really does fly!

Ella has been changing daily in the last month. She says quite a few words: "dada" "mama" "hi" "light" and "doggie". She points at almost everything and says "that", asking us to tell her what everything is.

No walking yet, but we are getting close. She knows she's not quite ready and gets upset when we try to let go of her fingers and make her stand on her own. She does get around pretty quickly on all fours- crawling all over the place. She can go up and down stairs pretty well and even has a baby walker that she walks around with. We know the walking will be coming any day... and I really don't think I'm ready! Ha!

Our biggest news is that she finally has TEETH! The 1st one started poking up around Jan 15th and then by the time Mom & Dad got back from their trip to Cabo- she had TWO teeth! Look closely in the pic below to check out the chompers!



The big birthday bash is on Saturday with some family and friends and then Ella had her 1 year doctors appt next week. I will be posting a full report.

Happy 22nd Birthday Uncle Tom!

Ella wanted to wish her Uncle Tom a Happy Birthday!

Happy New Year!!!!

Goodbye 2008... Hello 2009!!

We have so many things to look foward to this year. The first of many exciting things will be Ella's 1st birthday at the end of this month (Jan 29th)! We can't wait to help Ella celebrate this big milestone. Maybe she will even get some teeth in time for her 1st birthday!

A VERY Merry Christmas

Where do I start?? We had an amazing Christmas vacation in Florida from Dec 21-30th. We couldn't have hoped for better weather and we were in the best company with the Herb Family (Nanny and Poppa Herb, Great Grandpa Pete, Aunt Ayesha and Uncle Rob) and the Godsey Family (Granddaddy and GG Godsey and Uncle Tom). The only thing that was missing was Uncle Eric & Aunt Shelly and Aunt Patti & Uncle Chopper.

Here are some of our favorie pictures from the trip:

Ella wore her Xmas PJs even though we were in Florida and the flannel was probably a little warm.

We went to lunch with Great Grandpa Pete and Nanny and Poppa on our 1st day. What a treat!

We went to the beach twice while in Florida. Too bad Ella didn't like it as much as Mom & Dad. She had an odd alergic reaction both trips to the beach, we think she might be alergic to the sand??? So sad! Her face was all splotchy and her nose was running like crazy. Hopefully next trip we will be able to enjoy the beach!

On Christmas Eve we had a family dinner with both the Godsey's and the Herb's in the party room at the Lucerne. The Herb Family hosted a wonderful dinner with honey baked ham (yum!) amd Ella wore her special Christmas outfit (from GG).

Then on Christmas day we had another big family meal, this time at the Godsey condo. Ella had another special outfit- an ADORABLE summer dress from Aunt Patti. Wish she could have been there to see Ella wear it!

December 26th is Poppa Herb's birthday. We enjoyed an extra special dinner at one of our FAVORITE places- the Turtle Club. We all had yummy meals and Ella helped Uncle Rob with his dessert.

It was such a fun trip and so hard to say goodbye to everyone. We're looking forward to doing it again REAL SOON!

Santa came to our house a little early...

Because we will be traveling to Florida for Christmas, we put in a special request to have Santa come early. And because Ella is such a good little girl- he did! Santa delivered Ella's 1st Christmas gift- a train!

Ella also opened her gifts from Rachel (hat and sweater) and Kristie & Alan (puzzle). Thanks for the graet gifts!!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town...

You Better Watch Out,

You Better Not Cry,

You Better Not Pout,

I'm Telling You Why...

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN!!!!

Ella Climbing the Stairs

Big Day for Ella

Today was a BIG day for Miss Ella Anne! First, we attended our 1st birthday party (I'm sure there will be many more to come!). Ella's neighborhood friend, Ella Sanidas, turned ONE today. The Ella's (as we like to call them) are only about 6 weeks and 2 blocks apart. While at Ella's birthday party, Ella H. climbed the stairs ALL BY HERSELF!

Then... as if that wasn't enough... once we were back home, Ella pulled herself up to standing ON HER OWN! Our little girl is moving!!!