Happy 1st Birthday to our little princess!!

On June 17th Ella Victoria turned 1!! Wow did this year fly! As mentioned previously we had arrived home late from our road trip on the 16th so fortunately we all had a nice little sleep in on Ella's birthday (it was a Sat so Mal was off too)!

As we had a wedding to go to that afternoon we decided to have a little birthday celebration that morning. We made Ella pancakes for breakfast and as you can see she was well impressed!


We then thought it would be a good idea if she opened some of her presents (knowing full well that the birthday party the next day would be overwhelming:-))

Ella received a ride along fisher price toy from Grannie and Grandpa in Vancouver and they also sent her this musical caterpillar (she loves both of them!) She also received stuffed animals from both her Uncles from away - thanks so much...it was so nice of you!

We bought Ella a new swing for outside ...so after opening some presents we tried it out on the deck (it was a lovely sunny morning).





On Sunday Ella's birthday party was at Grandma's and Grandad's ...oh it was decorated beautifully as you can well imagine! There were probably close to 30 people there so it was a great turn out. The whole family was there and all Mommy and Daddy's friends who have become fast Aunties and Uncles! (as well as Grandma and Grandad's friends who have become adopted Grandparents!) There is no lack of love here!!! A few of Ella's friends who are also now 1 came with their families as well. This is a picture of Ella with her friends Annika and Kate.




I would love to say that Ella was this happy the for the whole party however when it was time for cupcakes she was completely overwhelmed! I suppose with all the people and all the focus being on her I shouldn't have been surprised! Grandma and Grandad also bought Ella her own little picnic table ...she and her friends had their snacks there ... her friends had their cupcakes there while Ella had hers in between tears in Mommy's arms :-)! (see pic below)




Presents ... holy smokes!! Lets just say that this little girl did very well. Everyone was so incredibly generous ... beach toys, puzzles, books, clothes... ride on toys and an awesome big red wagon for 2!! (Yes there were jokes about the second child but as I looked around the room we quickly realized that ALL of my friends either have or will be having a little one to fill that seat sometime soon!)

Daddy helped Ella with the opening as Mommy opened the cards and tried to keep track of what came from who ....there were a LOT of presents! Fortunately my niece Kate who is 9 was VERY helpful in all this! Thanks KATE!









With the terrible weather we have been having this June I must say that we really lucked out with a beautiful sunny weekend! What wonderful memories we will have of our daughter's very first birthday! Thanks to all of you who helped make it so very special!!