Picnic with grandma

After our hike at Lake Chabot we ate our lunch on the grass. Ella
hates to touch grass. She even refuses to walk on it when she's
wearing shoes.

Grandma Macs visit.

We had such a great time with Grandma Mac last week. Just about every day we did somthing new. On the weekend we went to a pumpkin patch in Livermore. It did not feel like fall at all this day. It was in the upper 80's, and we did not bring the stroller so we were all a bit tired and hot. But it was worth it to get some great photo opportunities of Ella surrounded by pumpkins and to see her reaction to the farm animals. By the end of it she was exhuasted and passed out before we even pulled out of the farm. Later in the week we went into San Fran for the day. We walked alot, ate lunch and even did some
shopping.

Our little cowgirl!

So Tired!

The last day my mom was in town we took a drive to Half Moon Bay and showed her Mavericks beach , and then drove over the Golden Gate Bridge which was a first for Ben and I also. Although you couldn't tell you were even on a bridge since it was so foggy.

Ella and I were grossed out by all the seaweed bulbs on the beach.

We had fun Grandma Mac! We can't wait to see you for Thanksgiving next year!!

Rest of Birthday Photos

I know I said I would post these pictures yesterday but Ella caught a cold and was teething on top of being sick. So needless to say I was occupied.

Here is Daddy trying to help Ella open one of her gifts. She still doesn't quite understand gifts. She's rather find something thats available and out of a box to play with then sit and open presents. But Mommy always has a great time opening gifts, even if I'm the one that wrapped them.

Amelie enjoying some of the wrapping paper. Silly!!

Ella is enjoying some of her birthday gifts .

Ella got a little shy when everyone started singing.

Trying to get the girls to dig into the birthday cake. Ella had already been there and done that and she wanted no part of the mess. Surprisingly Amelie wasn't overly intrigued by the cake either. Normally she is the first to dig into something messy.

Happy Birthday Amelie and Ella!!!

On Saturday we had a combined birthday party for Ella and Amelie. It was a lot of fun. The girls ate cake, opened presents, played, and best of all, good friends (other then the babies) got together. Even though Ella's birthday was over 2 weeks ago I still can't help but get sentimental over all the milestones that were reached in the past year. The best part is ,the girls have reached them together. That means Amy and I have had each other to lean on through the thick and thin of parenting. I feel very fourtunate that we have good friends that we can share our parenting joys and woes with together. So even though it was a "Birthday Party" I feel it was more a celebration for the parents. In my mind the party was called, " I got through the first year party!". To be honest, I wasn't sure I could be a good mom. My doubts grew even more when Ben and I first got Baxter and he sprained his paw because he jumped out of our arms on night after getting a bath. I remember crying to Ben " How will I ever take care of a baby if I can't even take care of a dog?". But just 4 years later we have Ella ,who is a healthy and happy baby. No sprains or brakes..... YET! (She is part Ben so Im not saying it won't happen some day) So Happy Birthday Amelie and Ella. Congratulations Roebers and Glanvilles on a job well done. I can't wait to see what this year brings!!

I will post more birthday party pics tmw! ;)

Ella Walking!

Ella took her first steps while Ben was out of town last month but since then she has really taken off! You can tell she really wants to walk, and really enjoys it too. She becomes real focused right before she takes her first step and after she has walked a few steps and lands on her butt she usually claps her hands as if to say"Im so poud of myself!".

A Cool Gift From Aunt Culla and Uncle Dave