Happy 8th Birthday Ella!

I can't believe it has been 8 years since this wonderful girl joined our family.  The time has gone by fast.  I really love her age right now.  She loves to celebrate and celebrate we did!!  We had a Birthday Weekend......the worst part was the little pre-baptism photo shoot that Mom wanted to do at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple in January!  It was a bit windy but we were only there for less than 30 minutes.  Even so, it was cold...but you really only need 1 good picture and we got more than 1....and then why does the weather improve so much when your calendar isn't as open.

We had a movie night with popcorn and watched "Monsters University".  We made Ella's favorite dinner...Stroganoff on Sunday.  She got to meet her activity day leaders and have her interview with our Bishop for her upcoming baptism....February 1, 2014.

January 13, 1014.....Surprise decorations, sourdough pancakes with buttermilk syrup for breakfast....school....lunch brought in by Mom.....school.....handing out treats at school....entertaining visitors...dinner at Texas Roadhouse (with face painting)....and the main thing she wanted to do on her birthday was Clean the Church.  Now before you think too much about what great parents Byron and Lisa must be that their daughter chooses to clean the church on her birthday, let me assure you that it was entirely her idea.  I am pretty sure neither Byron or I would make the same choice on our birthdays.  It is very interesting because Ella doesn't show the same amount of enthusiasm for household cleaning.  Following the main event....present opening (well she did some of that throughout the day)...visit from Grandma and Grandpa Wright...more phone calls....and cake and ice cream.

Favorite 8th Birthday Surprise:  Streamers hanging down from her bedroom door

Favorite 8th Birthday Gift: Can't choose just one--Scriptures and a beautiful handmade Scripture Case

Favorite 8th Birthday Activity:  Cleaning the Church

Happy Birthday Ella!!  We love how excited you are about life.  We love that you ask lots of questions.  We love that you like to "talk to us" about anything.  You have brought us so much joy!

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!