1st Birthday Party

This past weekend we celebrated Elliana's 1st birthday a couple days early with family. Elli's great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins came in for the big celebration. We had a rough week last week, so I wasn't sure how the weekend was going to go. I had the stomach flu, Scott was home sick for a day, and Elli...well....lets just say she didn't have a good week. Elli's had a difficult time sleeping the past week and a half and has been refusing to eat. Although we are still having a little trouble with sleep, Elli is FINALLY getting her appetite back and ate like a champ today!

So.....here was our weekend of celebration....

Friday, Elli's Nana and Papa Lindvall came to our house with her cousins. Elli got an early birthday present....

A table and chairs built by her Papa. She had breakfast at the table with the boys on Saturday morning and looked like such a big girl! I can see many meals (and tea) being served at this table in our future.

Don't worry....we'll teach her to eat with her mouth closed when she's a bit older :)

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The rest of our family came to our house on Saturday....

The princess has arrived to the party with "niney" in hand.

"DON'T TAKE AWAY MY NINEY!!" She's come quite attached to her blanket these days and loves carrying it around and laying her head on it to sleep.
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We had lunch....all of Elli's favorite things were on the menu. Hot dogs (hey....who says you can't grill out in the middle of January), mac and cheese, blueberry muffins, corn casserole, and fruit. Then it was time for.....PRESENTS and some playtime...

"Are all those gifts for me????"

playtime with her cousins....

Balloons were a big hit...

Opening a big gift

She needed some help from her cousins....

New Clothes

SO cute....

Every princess needs a new ride
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Time for Cake

This is a picture of Elli's smashing cake and Grandpa Zurcher's birthday cake....he celebrated his birthday this past Tuesday.

"Its my party and I'll cry if I want to!" I'm just glad she's not dramatic :)

Clothes off for cake....she didn't really like the hat....

She was a big fan of the icing!

All that eating made her tired....

Time for a bath! She loved the cake!!

Singing "Happy Birthday" to Grandpa
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Most everyone left on Saturday, but my parents, Grandma and Grandpa Zurcher, and Carla stayed until Sunday. We went to church, had breakfast/lunch, and then they headed home.

Family Picture after lunch

I'm sure she's loving this!!

We had a great celebration! Thanks everyone for making the trip to Ohio and for all the fun new presents that Elli loves!! Also, thanks to those (our parents) who helped with food and decorations.

I can't believe this 1st year is almost over! She is such a joy!

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This picture didn't turn out very well....I took it with my phone. I had to post it. We've been noticing some consistency for where Elli does her business. Well....it seems that right in front of the fireplace is where Elli feels most comfortable to...well...you know. If this continues....this will be right where we put her potty chair. Speaking of....we got her an Elmo potting training book for her birthday. Its never too early to introduce the subject! :)