Date Night

Ella Kate and I started off our day with playdate at the pool! We went to the pool in Brittany's subdivision and had so much fun playing with everyone.
Tonight Dave decided to take his girls out on a date. Yep, we went to dinner and then a round of mini-golf. So much fun!!

Ella Kate and Daddy playing in the arcade. Dave was about to kill me for taking pictures in an arcade :)

She loved pushing all the buttons.

What a good Dad - he can play golf with only one hand.

I love this picture of Dave with his giraffe print diaper bag :)
Ella Kate loved to chase the balls.

She was also very useful at getting the balls out of the holes.

Carrying around her golf ball and putter.

The putter was just a little to big for her.

The slant on the green was a little challenging.

So proud of her putter.

Entertaining all of the people at the mini-golf course.

1 year doctors appt

Today we had Ella Kate's 1 year checkup. She had to get 2 shots which she did not like one bit. Poor thing was cutting another tooth today so needless to say it was a rough day. She weighed in at 19.1 lbs and 30 inches. She is in the 25th percentile for weight and the 75th percentile for height. We have now totally transitioned off of bottles and also transitioned from formula to whole milk. EK has not had a bottle in over 3 weeks now. Wahooooo!! She did not have any problem with the transition so far and boy is it easier to just pour some cold whole milk in a sippy cup. :)

I still can't believe our little girl is a year old.
We love you Ella Kate!

A couple of pics of Then and Now.

Ella Kate's First Birthday Party

Ella Kate had a perfect 1st Birthday Party this past Saturday. A special thanks to LeLe, Papa John, and Nana for all their help and to all the B'ham family whom made the long drive to be there!! We love and appreciate all of you very much!

Some things that I want to remember about Ella Kate at 1.
1.) She loves her Daddy and lights up when she sees him but she is still a Momma's girl :)
2.) Loves her LeLe, Papa John, and Nana. It is amazing how she knows that she is extra special to her grandparents. They love her and she sure does love them too. Anytime we are around any of the grandparents Dave and I are second on her list :)
3.) Loves all of her family and friends. She has a wonderful time at all of our playdates and just lights up when other kids are around.
4.) She loves her Baby Dolls and knows to hug and rock a baby doll (Nana taught her to hug the baby dolls and say "Love the Baby."
5.) She walks all over the place - FAST
6.) She wants to climb on any and everything
7.) She loves her dogs Sally and JoJo and wants to constantly be outside with them. She will stand inside and bang on the windows wanting to go outside with them.
8.) Love clocks and can say Tick Tock
9.) Is a good little eater. Favorite foods: cantaloupe, chicken, strawberries, raisin bread, Nilla wafers, green beans, broccoli aka trees, and sweet potatoes.
10.) Is a great sleeper. She has been sleeping 11-12 hours at night since around 12 weeks and has continued that tradition. Thank Goodness. She is also a good little napper.

EK's practice first b'day cake. As I was planning Ella Kate's 1st b'day party I was flipping through my recipe book and found a picture of a castle cake that I had cut out of a magazine who knows how long ago. Anyway it was just perfect and I decided to copy it and with the help of Dave's Mom, Leigh, we made it for Ella Kate's 1st b'day party. The above picture is the "practice castle cake we made the weekend before EK's b'day.

Another pic of the practice b'day cake.

Dave, Ella Kate, the dogs, and me took a long walk through our neighborhood Tuesday night and we found this precious little kitchen on the side of the road waiting for the trash man. Dave went back later that night and picked it up and cleaned it off as it was just perfect for Ella Kate. EK loves playing outside and we did not have any outside play equipment until now.. :) I just love free stuff. Ella Kate having a blast Saturday morning playing with her new kitchen set.

All smiles :)

The real b'day cake - complete with a moat, water, ducks, drawbridge, etc. etc.

The masterpiece.

EK's first guests arrive! Yay

Me and EK hanging out in the pool.

Sweet Lilly Grace came all the way from B'ham for the day to be at Ella Kate's b'day party!! What a great cousin. Thanks again for coming Lilly Grace. We were so glad to see ya.

Nana and Ella Kate. Ella Kate is so excited about all of her guests arriving.

The festivities have begun. I know alot of people for a little girl's b'day party. But she is extra special :) and it was a great excuse to have a big party with friends and family.

One last picture of the castle cake before we cut into it.

Ryan, Ali, and Rhodes.

The birthday girl and her proud Mommy.

The birthday girl and proud parents!! We just can't believe she is already one.

More of EK's friends (Brittany, Pres, Evan, Shannon, and Gigi)

David and sweet Riley Grace.

Riley Grace mid air.

The birthday princess must of course change several times during her party. Her princess outfit handmade by her LeLe. Now she is ready to cut her cake.

Mommy and Daddy with the birthday princess.

She is eyeing her castle cake.

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you....

All ready to dive into her "Smash Cake"

After the Happy Birthday song was over everyone clapped including Ella Kate :)

Mommy being slow at taking the candle out.

First bite of her b'day cake.

She particularly liked the cone.

Proud Grandparents (Nana, Papa John, and LeLe)

Proud parents and Grandparents.

More family pics.

Ella Kate's (Great Great Aunt Mary, Great Grandmother Ethel, PaPa John, Aunt Laura, LeLe, Daddy, Mommy, Aunt Tina, and Uncle Keith)

Ella Kate got so many wonderful gifts and had a blast opening presents! I think this pic is so funny b/c of the expression on both mine and Ella Kate's face.

Uncle Harold and Aunt Janice gave her a push lawnmover that she is holding in this picture. Ella Kate has pushed that lawnmower all over the house. She loves it! It sings songs while she pushes it and she just cackles.

Sweet Evan helped Ella Kate open some of her gifts.

Keeping a close eye on Evan.

Evan showing everyone Ella Kate's new dress from Aunt Helen and Uncle Ken.

Posing with Aunt Tina and Uncle Keith's present.

Miss Riley Grace stopped by to help with the present too. They were all great helpers.

Aunt Helen gave Ella Kate and Lilly Grace a balloon. Very exciting.

Happy Birthday Girl. She stole that little bear out of one of the party favor baskets :)

PaPa John and Ella Kate checking out all of her new loot.

The B'ham fam hanging out once the festivies were pretty much over. (Uncle Ken, Aunt Helen, Jennifer, Tripp, Aunt Tina, Uncle Keith, Nana, Kurt, Wanda, and Lilly Grace).

The castle cake at the end of the party!! I guess it must have been pretty good.

Lilly Grace was all smiles.

With all of her new presents sitting around Ella Kate still restored to her favorite activity - rearranging furniture.

Ella Kate and Lilly Grace probaly working up a scheme to have a spend the night party. At least that is what me and Lilly Grace's Mom (Wanda) used to do :)

Sweet Cousins.

A happy Ella Kate and LeLe at the end of the party.

Ella Kate did not want Nana to go back home on Sunday afternoon. The next couple of pictures are of Ella Kate clinging tight to Nana not wanting her to go.