Happy 1st Birthday Ella!

A year ago yesterday we became a family. Ella Mercy decided to join us on her due date- Feb.5th. It has been a year full of surprises in every way possible. We could never have begun to imagine what a little baby girl could do to our hearts and our life. She has hit every milestone with eagerness and excitement. Growing from a wee 7lbs 11oz with not a care in the world to speeding around the house on her hands and knees laughing and chattering away. We love her to death and can't wait to see where this next year takes her. Here is her birthday in review....

We began her special day with pancakes and banannas.

Then we were off to Ella's favorite time of the week. I attend a women's Bible study on Tues. mornings and Ella gets to play with all her little friends during this time. From the minute I drop her off she doesn't look back for a wave goodbye or a kiss. She is ready to play. Here they all are at snack and reading time. I think it is so cute how they circle them up.

This picture is a bit blurry but there's the birthday girl! Doesn't she look all grown up sitting there with all the other kids?

That evening before Ben had to run off to RCF large group we celebrated just the three of us. Ella had her own personal cake and loved every bit of it!

Deciding whether or not to share a few licks of icing with her daddy.

All messy and loving every minute of it!

Look at the determination in her face as she opens her first soccer ball. Thank you Woods!

Nana and Papa bought her her first set of keys and a cell phone!

And last but not least a birthday video just to show you a glimpse of our cutie as she ate her first birthday cake.