Ella Kate's Birthday Week

Has it really been THAT long since I've posted?? Yep, I guess it has. We traveled to Texas for Christmas break and spent 14 days visiting my family and Wes's family (yes, 14). I will have to do a "catch up" post about Christmas in the next day or so, but I MUST do a post about Ella Kate's Birthday week. She is "two yers ode" in her own words...or rather 2 years old!!

Our Birthday week started out with a visit from our Grandma Diane (Ella calls her "Magaw", which sounds like grandma backwards...not sure why she gets it mixed up, but I've come to find it rather adorable). Anyway, Grandma flew in from Texas to visit for a few days and as always completely spoiled all of us. Of course, Ella received some wonderful gifts, and she treated us to take out every night so I didn't have to cook (a welcome reprieve) and she helped me around the house, and with the girls. Needless to say, I am always happy to have an extra set of hands...for the wonderful company and the extra help.

Presents from Grandma

pretend ice cream...she walks around saying "mum mum" or yum-yum

Ella's new kitchen - LOVES IT!! Can you tell??

We celebrated with pizza (Ella's favorite) and birthday cake.

Then on Ella's "real" birthday, I took some adorable petit fours to MDO for sharing with the other kiddos...and they were SUPER yummy!! Ella REALLY enjoyed them!

To end the Birthday week, my parents (Neena and Papa) flew in from Texas. They were scheduled to fly in Thursday evening, and we were receiving news of impending winter weather all day Thursday and Friday. I was REALLY concerned they were not going to make it and that their flight would be cancelled...BUT, God worked a miracle...or at least in my eyes He did. Southwest Airlines called my Mom Wednesday afternoon and said they needed to re-book their flight due to the weather. They said they didn't have a flight for sure until Friday evening...my mom said what about tonight (Wednesday) and the representative had room on the latest flight Wednesday....SO....they got to our house about 12:30 am on Thursday morning. PRAISE THE LORD!!! Ummm, you could say I was rather happy...over-joyed is more like it!

Anyway, we stayed indoors most of their visit because the weather DID come, and my mom helped me tackle mountains of laundry (it NEVER ends!!!). They thoroughly enjoyed EVERY second of their time with the girls.

The Birthday week ended with a party at The Little Gym (or The Wittle Bim in Ella's words). She had a BLAST!!! The weather and roads did keep many of the guests from coming, but I think all that were able to make it had a good time. Thanks to all of you that braved the nasty road conditions

The Party Room

Birthday Cake

5 hrs and 4 double recipes of icing...I think it turned out ok, but I'm not opening a bakery anytime soon.

The cutest, most fun, smartest, sweetest 2 year old in the world...remember this is her Mom talking...

Ella climbing the rock wall

Sarah Kate on the balance beam

Ella Kate on the balance beam

Parachute time

Jumping time

Cake time...yay!!!

My sweet Ella girl...you are the spring in my step and the twinkle in my eye...I LOVE YOU SO SO SO SO SO MUCH!!!!