Ellary's 1st Birthday {April 9th}

Waaaay back on April 9th, my sweet girl turned 1. 

Ellary's birthday started out like birthdays always start out around here. 

 With chocolate chip pancakes.

She was eating very little food still, but chocolate chip pancakes definitely were a hit. :)

Daddy either takes a half day, or takes the whole day off on the kids' birthdays.  The whole day is about celebrating them, and I love it.  Daddy came home not long after breakfast (a half day for Daddy is at 10:00 because he goes in so early!).  DJ carried on the tradition of giving Ellary 1 rose for her 1st Birthday, just like my Dad did with me.

We went out for lunch at Hudsonville Grille.  They have really good french fries.  One thing we knew Ellary liked was french fries, so Hudsonville Grille it was.  Birthdays are about celebrating...not nutrition after all. :)

Next stop was Fredrick Meijer Gardens to see the butterflies.

It was a cold rainy day, so we had to come up with something fun and special to do inside.

Karson walked around with the guide and called it his "map" the whole time, trying to match butterflies.  

Too cute!

After dinner, we opened presents.

 

Karson was very excited for Birthday cake.

Some kids smash their cake.  Some do not.  Mine do not. Although, they do pick at the frosting.  

A few days later, we had her Princess Party.

 

Opening Gifts.

We made two cakes for her party.  

I was worried that if she smashed one, no one would have any cake to eat.  

This is how she reacted to being sung to, poor girl tried to hide. 

Big brother took care of blowing out her candle.

And again, she wasn't too thrilled about smashing her cake.  We had lots of cake left over!

 Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

InstaFriday

Happy Friday.

Linking up with Jeannett at Life.Rearranged for InstaFriday.  

 I am a sucker for Little Tikes outside toys.

I love them.

I also love when they have matching toys, that include Ellary getting a pink one.

Also, while they were washing their Cozy Coupes, it started down pouring on us. 

Because that is what happens right after you wash your car.

These days are my favorite.  

There are so many little memories. 

 Like watching Daddy hook the trailer back up to Mommy's truck.

"Mommy, Me not know how to fall asleep in the trailer."

"Read a book, and you will fall asleep."

...less than 2 minutes later.

This is what mornings look like at our house. 

And don't let Ellary's paci fool you, so only plays with it. 

Breakfast at the little table makes them happy.

Alzheimer's Association's Walk to End Alzheimer's Kick Off.

Have you been affected by Alzheimer's Disease.

Horrible.  Awefull.

Click here to help us raise money to find a cure.

{{that is DJ's fundraising page...DJ is my husband.}}

Breakfast on the beach.

Another Full Beach Day.

Love.

My Mom even met us out there this day.

She brought donuts.

YUM!!

No beach trip is complete until you get ice cream.

We stayed at a fancy hotel in Grand Rapids last weekend.

We won a photography contest last summer, and finally used it.

We took the kids with us, because that is what we do.

A walk at 10:00 at night in downtown Grand Rapids, chasing down the horse and carriages.

They were the only people under 21 out.

But it was a fun memory, and they loved finding the horses!

Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and milk before bed, brought to our room.

Because when you already up way past bed time, it is best to order room service.

She was watering the plants.

And herself.

Sweet Ellary got new pretties in her ears this week.

I love, love, love, love, love them.

Yesterday morning, she was angry.

And that is kind of an understatement.

Girl woke up on the WRONG side of the bed.

After and hour of screaming, hitting, throwing herself on the floor, and all around grumpiness, she finally calmed down and snuggled in.  

"Mama take a picture of us."

Oh I love him.