Road Trip to Arizona

Our nephew, Carson was getting baptized last Saturday.  Ella is off track from school so it was easy to leave the inversion, cold and snow and go to Arizona.  The weather was wonderful while we were there.  It was just what I needed.  I enjoyed the sunshine so much that I did not take 1 picture during our stay there.  JR (my brother) and Aubree were wonderful hosts.  Thanks Carson.....for turning 8....we enjoyed our visit so much!

Ella and I went with my parents.  Colby and Ella enjoyed movies together.  They were excellent passengers.

The glare really made it hard for Ella to watch a movie on the way home....not a problem when you have a blanket.  This made it so I could chat with Mom and Dad without interruption.  

We took a short detour to view Hoover Dam.  The overhead bridge wasn't finished last time we went to Arizona.  Again....it was a beautiful day!

We are actually on the bridge in this photo.  You can walk the entire length and read interesting facts about the bridge.  I couldn't stay up there too long.  It is a long way down!  

Happy 7th Birthday!

Ella's birthday was on a Sunday this year.  This meant that we celebrated it for 3 days. First we started out by taking doughnuts to Ella's 1st grade class on Friday.  Her class made cards for her and sang "Happy Birthday" to her.  One of Ella's friends came home from school with her for popcorn, a movie and cupcakes.  This is our version of a birthday party.  The funny thing is that Ella didn't care for the cupcakes....so we shared them with our neighbors...lucky for them!

Elise and Ella

We have a family tradition.....Santa brings each of us a King's English (Excellent Local Bookstore) gift card and then for Ella's birthday we go there to shop!  It is really fun. So on Saturday...we braved the snowy weather and went there.  We made it for story-time.  The employees are super nice and helpful.  We all came away with books.  Thank you Santa...this is always something we look forward to doing. 

 This photo is from last year when there was lots of sunshine and NO snow...but I wasn't blogging then and I didn't take a picture this year.  There was A LOT of snow this year!

We enjoyed a meal at Texas Roadhouse.  Ella had previously seen what they do for birthdays and  it was her deep desire to get to sit on the saddle and be sung to by the employees.

Yee-haw Ella!

Sunday, January 13th was the big day!  A friend of ours made Ella this outfit for her and her doll!  She wore it to church.  We had Stake Conference and Kit (her doll) got to attend. There were lots of smiles.

Ella chose to have Broccoli Cheese soup and mashed potatoes....strange combo I know but when it's your day...you get to choose.  She wanted to hear the day of her birth story over and over again.  Ella loves to be told stories....made up ones, real ones, ones from when Byron and I were kids...you name it and she will listen.  It is nice to be with other people once in awhile because then the storytellers get a little break.

Ella's birthday ended with a doughnut....a fresh one...not one from Friday....just for her. She doesn't really like cake and neither does Byron and I don't particularly want to eat a whole birthday cake so this worked out perfectly.

We love you Ella!  You have LOTS of energy and a very fun personality.  You are a great reader.  You bring smiles to our faces everyday.  I can't believe how fast the last 7 years have gone by.  Happy Birthday!