Let her eat cake!

Today was a great day!  Since we do believe in week'o birthdays, Elle got to try again to blow out a candle...

 

Hmm, maybe next year :)

PS Elle didn't get a full piece, she had to share with her Momma!

A 1 year old's visit to the zoo...

To celebrate Elleanor's official birthday, Colby and I took the day off and headed into Seattle.  We wanted to go to the zoo!



We were all very excited to see how much the animals and Elle had changed since our last visit!

First stop was the bird dome.  We purchased two seed sticks and went to work attracting our fine feathered friends.

I am pretty sure we had the pet store ringer on our stick!  Luck has it Elle was not too impressed and we did not leave with a brochure on how to purchase a parakeet.

Colby's landed a big bird that flew right onto Elle's head.  Again she wasn't impressed.

Next we decided to try out the carousel.  I tried my darndest to get her to sit on one of the horses but as soon as they started moving she wanted nothing to do with it.  Which worked out fine, as we rode around in the sleigh which I believe was being pulled by all the horses.

Once the ride came to a stop, Elle was okay sitting on one of the beautiful horses.

For the birds...

Hanging around at the zoo...

Otter be movin' along...

I just loved how this group of Daddys were all showing their baby girls the orangutans.  It was just so stinking cute!  I guess I missed the memo that it was Daddy's day at the zoo.

We then headed down to Fremont to pick up our very favorite dessert.

Elleanor's 1st birthday party

Oh Momma, did I just hear the doorbell??



The guest arrived and Daddy and Uncle Donny began to BBQ.

All of my cousins came to help me celebrate my very 1st birthday!

Daddy was very careful to not blow out my candle.  However, Mommy had a different opinion about it!  She says since it was her 32nd birthday she was allowed to help!

I really enjoyed having my very own little cake.

I still can't believe I am turning one on the 29th of June! 

Mommy and my friends all helped open my presents!  Wow, I can't wait to play with them all!

I was sad when the party came to an end.

I am looking forward to next year and want to send out a big kiss to everyone who came and helped me celebrate. I wasn't sure what to expect as this is the oldest I have ever been!

I spy with my little eye...

Something pink...



Elle's first birthday party!  I have been working on the decorations for the last few weeks and it was so refreshing to see it come together!  Colby and I made a semi-homemade cake.  We made strawberry blocks with alphabet gummy letters on them for the top layer of the cake.

 

Different shades of pink, filled the house

Along with sunshine

 

And Lemonade

Almost party time!

The Chairs

We headed up to Birch Bay last weekend for Ceci's birthday and Ceci and Sophie's ballet recital.  Tracy had the cutest adirondack chairs for the girls.  Elle and Gia had so much fun sitting in them and babbling to each other.  We will be getting these chairs asap for our house for three reasons.



1. Little babies in mini grown up chairs are adorable!

2.  Babies can't get down unless helped :)

3.  Elle stayed put for over 5 minutes!!

Seriously, could this be any cuter??  An extra bonus is that they sell adult ones to match!  Yes, without a doubt we will have these too!!

Emma and Olivia Turn 4

The twins celebrated their 4th birthday over Memorial Day weekend!  We had a great trip over to Spokane with Grami and Poppi.  Tracie's Mom made the girls the prettiest cakes ever!  I think it may have been fancier then our wedding cake in fact!  The cake tasted just as good as it looked! 



I tried to teach Elle how to use a party honker as they fascinated her!

She gave it a good shot!

Happy Birthday to Tracie, the girls Momma!  Today is actually her birthday!

The Hill

This was the view from the top of the sand dune near our house.  In the looming in the far off distance is the main sand dune.



We drove to the dune that day so we could try our hand at hiking it.  Elle and I started off on a good pace, sure to make the top by night fall...

Elle realized it wasn't realistic and decided we should stop to rest and think if it was worth it.

Nope, right here is good enough!

Seriously, Momma I am over it!

Sliding back down the dune!

Colby and Nick took off and made it to the top!  Colby said the lack of oxygen at the top made it hard for him to get his wits about him so he didn't take too many pictures and for some reason there isn't a picture of himself and nick :)  If you look closely you can see Elle, Marcus, Deidra, and I sitting on the beach!

Elle was feeling a little blue when Daddy told her about the awesome view from the top.  Hopefully we can give it another try next year!

The Blue Heron Petting Zoo

While in Tillamook we stopped at the Blue heron for brie tasting and a small petting zoo.  The brie was amazing plus it helps they let you sample Oregon wine as well!



The "petting zoo" consisted of a very overbearing lama.  He looked like he might spit at the drop of a hat.  I for one never turned my back on him.  They also had a few goats, and an ostrich.  I have never seen an ostrich at petting zoo and now I know why!  I casually offered the ostrich some grain.  He came right over and head went up to look around or so I thought.  Then the beck can down and struck like a hammer on my hand. Shoot it hurt and scared me too.  I, being the the opportunist that I, am told Nick he should feed the ostrich as he didn't see what had just happened.  Same thing and reaction.  I was laughing so hard.  Nick got Colby to do it as well, then Deidra.  All of us had sore hands but seriously a good laugh after!  I am sure the farmer was laughing and thinking ah, city folk, such suckers!