Ella's 12th Birthday!

Yesterday we celebrated Ella's 12th birthday as a family. It's so hard for me to believe that this darling, little girl of mine is now 12 years old.  Where did the time go?!  We were blessed with a beautiful, spring day and we started off with our traditional birthday waffles.  Since everyone else was already at work and school, just Emmett and I sang "Happy Birthday" to Ella before she enjoyed her breakfast.  I then dropped her off at school with three batches of homemade brownies for her to share with her classmates and favorite friends and teachers around the school.  We skipped our club track practice in the evening, so that we could have Ella's family party.  My parents drove down to join us and we spent a wonderful evening celebrating Ella with dinner, gifts, and dessert.  She seemed thoroughly pleased with everything--especially her new clothes.  Due to other plans, we will not be hosting her friend party until the end of April, so I am grateful that we were able to celebrate her big day together.  Happy Birthday, Ella!  We sure love you!

Ella and Emmett posing next to her birthday waffles.

Ella blowing out her candles!

Since Ella had to miss our family Easter get-together at my parent's house on Sunday due to competing in her state gymnastics meet, she was unable to participate in my mom's Easter egg hunt.  As a result, my mom was able to go out into our backyard and hide all of Ella's treats for her to find after school.  Here she is pulling a bag of candies off of the branch on one of our cherry trees.

We then enjoyed eating a dinner of Ella's choice in the dining room.  The menu included ham, homemade mac 'n cheese, deviled eggs, rolls, Caesar salad, and a fruit platter.

After dinner, Ella was able to open her presents in the living room.  Here she is posing with the darling, stuffed monkey (that she named Punch after the viral monkey in Japan) that her friend, Sam, gave to her today.

The boys being silly while watching Ella open her gifts.

Ella showing off the new heels she chose to wear to church.

Ella holding up her new hoodie that she got at the state meet on Sunday.

Our family posing with Ella before singing "Happy Birthday" to her.

Ella waiting to blow out the candles on her chocolate cream pie.

Blowing away with Emmett photo bombing in the corner of the picture.

All four children posing with their grandparents at the end of the party.  I'm so grateful that my parents are still able to drive down to join us for all of my children's birthday parties!