Thursday, December 10, 2009

Ella's Birthday

Ella's birthday party was a wild animal theme. We had it in the play area of a local church. You can rent the facility which was perfect because it was just our group there. Our biggest complaint was the sun blaring in on us (made for difficulty taking pictures along with just being able to see what we were doing). We survived, just pointing it out so you aren't wondering why the pictures are the way they are.



The food...

We had animal shaped cheese and salami...elephant and moose


Animal shaped sandwiches...elephant, giraffe and crocodile

and of course, animal shaped cupcakes...monkeys, lions, zebras and tigers


a close up...

The kids were all invited to make their own plate. We did this when I was a kid and still use the plates at my mom's house.

Opening gifts...
Ella got several wonderful gifts...thanks again everybody!!


I love how the girls (who were all sitting so very nicely while Ella opened gifts) were excited and very carefully pointing out something on the box ...it just seems so sweet.



I need to take a picture of the invite, so will post that when I do it. I was quite proud of how the invites and cupcakes turned out. :)

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

This is our first Christmas in our new house! woohoo!

One of the criteria for our new house was a place to put the 9 foot Christmas tree that I bought in 2001. It had never even been out of the box. I know, I'm silly to buy the tree in the first place but it was so big and beautiful in the store. And it was on clearance.

So this past weekend we had the task of putting up the trees.

We assembled the 9 foot tree, which is our fancy tree. I had no idea how it would go together but it was a breeze...just snap these 3 pieces together and fluff the branches! Next step...lights. We apparently got rid of most of our lights 2 years ago (we just put up a tiny tree with no decor last year in the apartment). The fancy tree is on hold while we wait for lights.

We decided to put the smaller tree in the family room. We put it together and decorated it. Ella was a great help with ornaments. I would hand them too her and keep sorting through the box and when I finally looked up I found she had put about 8 ornaments on one branch.

We finish the tree and stand back to admire and Ella declares that it "needs something". We ask her what it needs and she proudly grabbed a barbie and put her in the tree. The tree still wasn't done. She found another barbie and put her in the tree. And declared "there, that's better".


The next day we spent the day searching for lights for the fancy tree. We went to 5 different stores and finally found a couple of boxes. As I was confirming with Darren that these would do (he stayed in the car while I checked for lights) people were snatching them up right and left. I grabbed the last 5 boxes, display box and all and ran (well, not literally but I walked quickly and hoped I didn't get pounced on). What's with the light shortage this year?


This is the only spot in our house that can accomodate the tree and the star is touching the ceiling! Love it!!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Happy Birthday Ella

Today is Ella's 3rd birthday!!!

Where has the time gone??

It seems like just yesterday we were nervously driving to the hospital, but it was 3 years ago!

A lot has happened it these 3 years...we have sold our condo and moved into the apartment and then bought our new house. We've travelled to Wisconsin and Gatlinburg. Ella has learned to sit up, crawl, walk and talk! She amazes me with how smart she is!

Happy Birthday my sweet baby girl!!