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!