One.

Our beautiful baby girl has just turned 1!

On Friday March 13, birthday festivities began very early in the morning, when both Nathan and Ella decided they needed to sleep in Mommy and Daddy's room (which has never happened before). When they woke up at their usual time, around 7:30, and saw each other, they thought it was pretty fun. Immediately "wrestling" ensued...which means, we had to constantly defend Ella. Although in this picture, it looks like she's winning:)

For breakfast, Ella of course had a birthday pancake...much to Nathan's delight.

Make a wish...

The rest of the day was spent lunching with Daddy and Grandma & Grandpa Crowson, taking a long nap, and dining for dinner at Don Pablo's (Nana's choice) with "the Widmans.

The birthday party was on Saturday with all immediate family present, with the exception of Aunt Nette (who had to work), Uncle Mike, and cousin Katlyn. Ella was the picture of cuteness, of course, in her polka-dot dress and hair bow, and did not disappoint when it came to cake time. In pure Ella style, Ella ate her entire piece of cake bite by bite and picked up her scoop of ice cream to eat it like an apple.

All the cousins got to help Ella blow out the candles...it made for a kind of "spitty" cake!

Yummm, Cake!

After cake, the dress had to come off! "Mother Mayah" is always there to help.

Ella also received many wonderful gifts, for which we are very grateful. The hit of the party was a Little Einstein rocket car.

We are so blessed that we have been chosen to raise this precious baby girl. Words cannot express how much we love our Ellie bean.