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. . . . . . . . .

Our Visit to The Happiest Place on Earth

A few days before Ell's Birthday, Jose, Ell, and I headed up to Anaheim to visit the Happiest Place on Earth …. Disneyland! Jose and I decided a few months back that we wanted to take Ell for her 3rd birthday. I knew we weren't going to do a party, so we thought this would be the perfect thing to do, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint!

I wish I could've bottled up Ell's PURE joy and excitement when we were there. She was in heaven.

The park opened at 8:00, so we decided to leave the house by 6:15, so we could get there in enough time before the gates opened. After a quick stop at Starbucks, we were on our way and arrived around 7:30. After parking and taking the bus to the front entrance, we were through Main Street right as they were letting everyone in. It was perfect timing!

We headed straight to Fantasyland, and the fun began. It was super crowded, but I feel like we were still able to do and see a lot. Here's a run down . . . . . .

Fantasyland

• Peter Pan's Flight
• Dumbo's Flying Elephants
• Teacups
• Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
• Storybook Land Canal Boats
• It's a Small World

Jose was such a great sport and went on both of these rides. There is no way I could've done it. I get super dizzy and nauseous from rides that spin!

Tomorrowland

• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Disneyland Railroad

Mickey's Toontown

• Donald's Boat
• Mickey's House
• Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
• Gadget's Go Coaster (3 times!)

Mickey's Soundsational Parade

Ell loved this parade. It had all of her favorite Disney characters, and the music was awesome. She was so excited the entire time!

Character Meet & Greets

• Pluto
• Mickey
• Minnie
• Goofy
• Rosetta and Tinker Bell in Pixie Hollow

Watching Ell interact with these characters brought Jose and I so much joy. She LOVED saying hi, giving kisses, and showing off her Minnie shoes TO Minnie(thanks Tyler!). It was the sweetest thing we've ever witnessed. 

She was so perplexed as to why they couldn't talk to her. She kept saying, "Can Minnie talk?" Why isn't Mickey talking?" It was so funny. She still talks about it!

Getting a chance to meet Rosetta and Tink was an absolute dream for Ell. She was beyond excited, and loved meeting them. The morning after we went, she was talking about all the fun she had, and I said, "Wasn't it so fun to meet Tink?" She said, "The Tink people!" I was cracking up. Can't get anything past her. Duh Mom, it's not REALLY Tink and Rosetta. They are Pixie Hollow People!

This pic is my favorite! 

We also spent some time visiting Main Street. She was in complete awe! We were able to get her two super cute pins. One with Happy 3rd Birthday Ella and the other for Her First Visit! I will keep these forever.

It was such a memorable day that we will cherish forever. Until next time Disneyland!

Hoping to get Ell's 3 year old post up soon! Stay tuned. . . . . .