SIX

On July 5th, this big girl turned 6.  

We had the BEST day, and she loved all of the celebrations with family and friends she had throughout her birthday week. She sure is one lucky be. 

I feel like I don't brag enough about Jose's family, and how much they do for Ella. Well, her birthday was no exception. They went all out. Who gets 6 pinatas for their birthday? This girl! We had a lovely afternoon eating yummy food, hitting open her pinatas, and enjoying her delicious cake. We sure do love you guys!! Thank you for making her birthday so special. 

Tia UU and Grandma Irene!!

Ell requested this adorable cake from Baskin Robbins. I think it could've fed the entire neighborhood!

Happy 6th Birthday Ella Catherine. You are so loved!! 

Ella is FOUR!

Four? How can it be? 

Our sweet girl turned four on July 5th. I still can't believe we have a 4 year old. Time has flown by so quickly, and our little be is turning into the sweetest little girl. 

On her birthday, we decided to meet some friends and family at Corvette Diner. My parents use to take me as a child, but I hadn't been in years. Ell had the best time playing games in the arcade, watching the shows put on by the waiters, and spending time with her sweet friend Emily and her cousins. It was such a fun night!

Our Dearest Ella Catherine,

       

              You have brought your Daddy and I so much joy these past four years. You have the sweetest, most sensitive heart. A HUGE sense of humor. The brightest smile. The friendliest hugs. You are kind, loving, respectful, determined, courageous, and the best little helper. What would we do without you? Thank you for making every day brighter, and making every moment better than the last. We love you sweet girl.

 Te amo,

                              Daddy and Mama

Legoland

A few weeks before Ell's birthday we headed to Legoland! I think this may be our birthday tradition, as it seems to be her desired place to go to celebrate each year. 

Ell could not wait to go, and what made it even sweeter was having her bestie Donovan join us. My Mom came too(which she LOVED), and we had the BEST day together. We were there as soon as it opened, and almost made it until closing. They were exhausted!

Ell LOVES Lego Friends, so you can imagine how excited she was to visit Heartlake City. The girls were there too, so seeing them in real life was such a treat. She couldn't get enough.

This year was much better than last. They were able to go on most rides, and because of the heat, most people were at the water park. Win, win.

These two together are just the sweetest!! 

I still can't believe our girl is four. How does that even happen?

Thanks for the best day Mom and Donovan. Let's go again soon!

Ella is THREE!

It's so incredibly sad that I am just now getting a post up about Ell's 3rd birthday. Where did the summer go? Our sweet Ella Catherine turned THREE on July 5th. We decided to just spend the morning together(just the three of us!), and headed up to Ramona after Ella napped to celebrate with her Grandma, Papa, and Tia UU(Lourdes). It was super relaxed and perfect in every way. 

The night before, Jose and I set out her presents and decorated her door. We also had her balloons all set to go for the morning celebration! Ell's birthday present this year was our trip to Disneyland, but we couldn't resist getting her a few small presents to celebrate her day. She also insisted on flowers, which I thought was so sweet and cute!

After we opened her gifts, we all got dressed for the day and headed out to one of our favorite breakfast spots. She got some yummy hot chocolate and some delicious bday pancakes.
Perfect start to the day. 

She still has the hardest time giving me thumbs up, or putting up 3 fingers. Here she is trying her very best!! I'll take it cute girl.

After her nap, we headed up to her grandparents house for her birthday celebration!

(She was SO grumpy after her nap, so it's the best pic I could get!)

When we walked in, Jose's sister had blown up about one hundred balloons, and they were all over the family room. It was amazing, and she absolutely LOVED it. Thank you Tia!

There were way to many presents!

The MOST precious cake I have ever seen!

AND of course there was singing!

She loved every second! 

We are so lucky to have such an amazing family. They would do anything for this little Be. 

The next day, my Sis came down with my nephews, Garin and Grayson. Ella was SO happy to have her cousins over to celebrate her big day. They too spoiled her with some adorable presents and a yummy donut cake my Sis put together. 

When Ell was little, she HATED when we would sing "Happy Birthday".  Every time we'd sing, she'd start to cry and threw a complete fit. Well, that has completely changed! Now, we have to sing "Happy Birthday" at least five times, and she loves every second of it! Such a ham.

We sure do love you sweet girl. You have brought your Dada and I so much joy in the past THREE years. Thank you for making me a Mama three years ago, and for teaching me what life is really about. 

I love you!

Her THREE year old update is coming soon. Stay tuned. . . . . . . . .

Ella is TWO!

I cannot believe Ella Catherine is already two years old. How did this happen? Our little peanut was born on July 5th two years ago, and I still picture her as a baby in my mind when I think about her. Reality check! She is no longer the sweet, quiet little girl we brought home from the hospital. She is now a little toddler with tons of sass and a HUGE (still sweet) personality!

I decided that I was not going to have a party this year. Last year was quite the production, so I wanted to keep things simple and just family. So, on the 4th, we headed over to my Mom and Cortie's house to celebrate the 4th of July and Ella's birthday with some pool time and a BBQ.

This child loves the water and loved just hanging out, swimming, and playing with her cousins. It was perfect!

We grilled up some chicken, burgers, hot dogs, and corn which Ella LOVED. She devoured her plate and loved sitting with her BIG cousins at the table!

I brought over some yummy cupcakes from a local cupcake shop, and also bought Ella a special larger one. I decided to keep the 4th of July theme and decorate it a bit. I thought it turned out simple and cute. 

She hated when we all started singing and started crying. That explains the red eyes! We all stopped and let her just blow out her candles. She certainly loved that.

She also opened her presents and loved all her goodies. Thanks Mom, Cortie, B, J, and the boys!

That night after we put Ella down, Jose set up her scooter and I laid out some of her other presents. We never want to overload Ella with gifts, so we decided to get her a scooter and helmet. We also got her a Doc McStuffins Dr. bag and accessories. The other two gifts are from her Grandpa Doug(my dad) and Deb, and off to the side(not pictured) was another basket of goodies from her buddies Madeline and Theo. I thought the banner I made her could be out every 4th of July. All I have to do is change how old she is. Win, win for me!

Of course I had to decorate her door with a little banner too.

And hang a little flower garland in her room. She was so excited when she saw it! We decided to keep it up for a little while.

Jose and I came in the next morning singing Happy Birthday with a ton of balloons and she was NOT having it. She started crying and getting super upset. SO.... we stopped and just gave her the balloons and walked her downstairs to see all her fun birthday treats! She was so excited and jumped on her scooter right away. She also loved her DOC McStuffins bag, and it was even more fun when it came on T.V.

After Ella woke up from her nap, we headed over to Jose's parents house and had another birthday celebration with food, cake, balloons, and way too many presents! She is so spoiled. Notice the red eyes. Yup, she cried again when we sang. I hope this isn't a trend for years to come!

I swear all she wants to do is go outside! Here she is sans dress and begging to play outside.

This pic is kinda random, but I think she looks so darn sweet in it. I love this girl to pieces.

Here is one of Ella's many gifts from her Abuela, Abuelo, y Tia. She has been having so much fun playing in her new tunnel.

We had such a great few days celebrating a very special little lady. Thanks to all our family and friends who made her day so special. She is truly blessed to have all of you. 

Jose secretly snapped this super dark and not so great pic on her and I on her birthday and I just have to share. When Ella woke up from her nap, she was super lovey and wanted to stay with me. So, I sat down on her rocker and fed her. I have to tell you, I haven't done this for several months(at least 8). It brought back so many memories of her as a bebe. This pic is so special to me, and I will remember this moment forever. 

I love you Ella Be.

 I'll try to post her 2 year update soon. Stay tuned!