Happy Birthday, Ellie!

Our princess turned one today and she loved being the center of attention for the day - not that being the center of attention is easy in a house full of children. She woke up to happy singing by her siblings, presents and daddy making special pancakes for her birthday. I paid a fortune for blueberries because she loved them a few weeks ago - not loving them so much now! Either way we celebrated as only we can and gave lots of extra hugs, kisses and snuggles to our one year old. Ellie also got lots of birthday visitors - Grammy and Papa, Auntie Kate, Uncle B, Kk, Auntie Meg, Uncle Colin (her godfather). Just as the day was winding down Ellie got a package addressed to her (her first - I think) with sleepers and pj's from her godmother - Auntie Beth! Tomorrow we are going to celebrate with a little family party for the twins! One is a big milestone and I can't just let it go by despite the closeness to the holiday and the busy schedules of all the aunties and uncles.

Auntie Meg loves to come in and give Lizzie treats - this is the result of one of those treats!


Good Morning, Birthday Girl!

Our beauty!I can't believe she is one! When Molly was kissing her goodnight she said "Happy Birthday, Ellie, thank you for giving us your smiles and your life for a whole year". Too cute! The big kids were all over Ellie today - the only peace she got was a three hour nap!

The biggest sister with her baby sister!

Molly loving on Ellie - she wanted to get her out of bed, dress her and feed her today since it was a special day - I love when the big kids enjoy taking care of their siblings.

Ellie getting excited when she sees her presents!

The birthday girl getting lots of love.

Lizzie giving kisses!

Ellie rested her hands on her presents but had no interest in opening them. This drove the older kids crazy - Annie was running in circels waiting for her to open her presents but we finally had to let the other kids do it - she could have cared less!

Annie opening presents for Ellie!

Lizzie takes off with one of Ellie bean's new toys!Ellie with her big brother - I love her smile - could she adore him anymore?Playing with Ellie's toys!Blueberry Pancakes for Ellie for her birthday!Happy girl listening to us all sing Happy Birthday to her! Look at Peter's sweet brotherly smile!She laughed so much she got tears in her eyes when we all blew on her - she was in hysterics! Peter finally blew out the candles for Ellie - he was nervous that she was going to burn her hand.Check out the cheek - she has a tiny little brown birthmark that just appeared recently. She was the only one of our kids that we had yet to find a birthmark on so this was big news!These are a few really bad pictures of my boy at his b-ball game this morning. I had the camera on the wrong setting so.........Papa and the twins - if you can't read it their shirts have Christmas lights on the front and say

"I light up Dad's life" I thought it was sweet and Oh so true!

Lizzie with the best view in the gym. I love to see my girls on Papa's shoulders - I remember begging to be on my Dad's shoulders and feeling so big, brave and safe up there!The problem with the kids getting older is that their activities collide on most weekends. Molly had her first b-ball practice at 10:45 and Pete had a game at 11 in a different place. The camera was at the gym with Peter so other than a mobile picture sent to the aunties I didn't get many pictures of Molly-girl! This is her in her pink pants and yellow b-ball shirt - she couldn't decide on black leggings or thinking outside of the box and going with the pink pants - I think she made a great choice and think she is a pretty cool kid from fashion to lay-ups in 2 seconds flat!

And then there's Ann! She spent the day with Papa and Grammy after giving Papa some serious puppy dog eyes at the game. She ended up coming back home at 9 tonight - she had gone out to lunch, to church, shopping and played with Grammy and Papa - she's not spoiled at all! This is her eating "blueberries!" Bob and I were cracking up so I decided to video tape her! She may have a little actress in her, after all! And I can't rememeber why she had no shirt on - I'm sure there was a good reason for it!

So Miss Ellie is ONE! She is a treasure and a blessing and I can't believe that last year at this time we didn't even know that she existed. Every once in a while it makes me sad that Peter and Ellie have parts of their lives that I don't know about - I ache to know what their cries sounded like when they were born and how they smelled, ate and cried in those first few days of life. And then I remember that God has a plan and that plan included moments of their lives that I will never know about and I just need to appreciate them and the many many many more that I will be privledged enough to be a part of. What a miracle it is that my children are exactly where they are meant to be even though they all got here in their own time and way! On this day as with most I am filled with awe for the gifts that Bob and I have been given and the amazing blessings of raising these five amazing kids!

Happy Birthday, Ellie! We are so happy that you were born!

GNM - ILY!