Angel Kate at 11 months

This little angel didn't like her wings, but I just couldn't help myself!

She was also really grumpy/tired when I tried to take her rocking chair pictures... we'll see if I get around to another try or not. She's sayin "Mom, I'll cry if I want to!"

Little Kate is so fun to watch and interact with at the age. She is always discovering something new! We thought she'd decimate the train and tree, but she seems to know the train goes fast and doesn't bother it much. And the tree is far too tall for her to reach anything but abut 3 ornaments!

She still loves to play peek-a-boo, and I still love my laundry folding companion!

She loves when siblings get out the pots and pans for her to make a "backyard band", as Ella calls it.

Little silly is getting her two front teeth, and loves to suck on and bite soft things.

She really liked her first try of spaghetti. And she loves green beans. But she doesn't much like her mushy foods anymore.

She also hates anything on her head!

And she LOVES being outside in the wagon! It's pretty cold these days, but we got out last week for a sunny walk.

My very favorite new thing she does is giving KISSES! They're open mouth and slobbery, but she plants them right on your lips.

Ella's Baptism

My sweet baptism girl! Ella wanted her baptism pictures at the Salt Lake Temple, and the lighting was so pretty... it made her glow like the shiny and clean spirit that she is!

Cambry was good for some comic relief.

Emrie sent Ella a beautiful CTR ring. Ella wanted a picture on the door knob of the temple, where she will go inside someday!

These little best friends are the cutest!

The day of the baptism finally arrived. We are so grateful that Mike can perform these saving ordinances for our family.

It was special that I got to go a little early and help Ella change into her white jumpsuit for the ordinance (I didn't get to go with Maddie). the service was very sweet, especially watching all of the kids crowd around the glass to get a good look at Ella in the water. I loved giving her a hug with her new CTR towel from Auntie Em when she came up dripping and radiant. Mike invited me to share my testimony after the confirmation, and I reminded Ella that she can be this clean every week when she takes the sacrament, and expressed my deep gratitude that Heavenly Father shared with me his sweet daughter, and that we can be together as a family forever.

We had so many family and friends join us for the special day, I was just amazed how big the group at the church was! Part of the same baptism services, 3 other girls from her Primary class were baptized too! Their teachers Brother and Sister Fonseca came and gave them sweet CTR necklaces. She sent me this picture from church the next day,

We had a luncheon at our house afterward for everyone to visit. This is the best family shot we grabbed from the day.

It was so nice to have my parents around. Dad helped the boys get dressed, and Mom helped so much with the food. I'm so grateful!

We had soups and salad, and Mom made her famous rolls. The salads were chicken noodle, white chicken chili, wild rice and ham, tomato bisque, and mulagatoni (curry). Mike and my sisters were wonderful to help!

It was a beautiful day and my heart was very full. As my friend said, these are the days that will make up the highlight reel of life.

Ella's Birthday

Ella was so excited to turn 8! We started the morning with french toast per her request. 

 Then we went to the school for lunch with her. She requested school lunch, and we even checked Ty out of kindergarten to come with us.

I love how they hug each other at school! Wish they did that at home.

 When she got home she found a card from Grandpa Andrews, with a whole $10 inside!

Then she got to go to her first Activity Days! She thought it was so awesome that her first chance was on her birthday. They had a scripture treasure hunt around the church (for example, a scripture that talked about an oven was in the oven).

At dinner time, Grandma and Grandpa arrived just in time!

Grandma Osmond and Dana and Landon were of course there too! We had crepes: savory with pesto, bacon, cheeses, and spinach, and then sweet with nutella, bananas, and strawberries. It was delicious!

I don't probably need to post about everything she received, but I loved her face every single time! Obviously she was delighted.

Grandma Marcia made her baptism dress, just from some picture ideas we sent her. It turned out just gorgeous, and exactly what she wanted!

Honestly I think her favorite gift of the whole day was her scriptures! She has been looking forward to this for so long. And she was surprised I found the request she made of a blue bird bag.

She was so happy too with all the new wheels.. a scooter, helmet, and a ripstick! Now she doesn't have to borrow Maddie's. They've had a blast having races and training in the basement.... I think they're up to 5,000 basement or something nuts.

Oh this cute girl... she went and changed into pajamas and ended up wearing the exact same shirt Maddie wore when she blew out her 8th birthday candles. I feel like I blinked and it was the next daughter.

 

Ella wanted to crack her scriptures right away. She read to the family in scripture study time, and wanted to read with Maddie and me at bedtime. Maddie is reluctant to let her, since it's our special ritual to read the Book of Mormon together in 2016, and we're almost done. So Ella has started reading the Old Testament on her own. I hope she always loves her scriptures and knows they hold the answers to life's questions!

The next night, we picked the girls up a little early from school and headed up to Temple Square to take Ella's baptism pictures. We met Cambry and Kim there too, and took her's too, which worked out well because it was sooooooo cold and it helped keep the girl's spirits up! Grandpa was a great help taking coats on and off, and Grandma was a great help keeping the little kids occupied.

There is just such a special feeling there. The lights and nativities really bring the spirit of Christmas.

After pictures we met Dana & Landon and my parents bought us all dinner at the Lion House! It was delicious. Then they kindly and generously took the rest of my kids home to bed so that Mike, Ella and I could have our 8 Date. We started this tradition with Maddie and Ella wanted to continue it!

First we stopped in the JSMB to see the art show where our neighbor Dan Wilson was set up. We call him Dan the Teaser at our house because he babysits our kids on date nights and teases them mercilessly. He also happens to be a world class painter and artist! When he heard that Ella was being baptized the next day, he kindly offered her a print as a gift. She chose this one called "Light of the World", which also happens to be in the December Ensign this month. He has sold many paintings to the church, including one for one of the new temples in Europe! He's amazing and we're so lucky to call him neighbor.

After that we went to the Legacy Theater and watched the three new "Meet the Mormons" videos. They were so good, and Ella loved them and enjoyed being with just Mom and Dad. They brought the spirit strongly which made for some good teaching moments.
 

It was sure fun to have some one-on-one time with our not-so-little Ella Bella! We love her!