"E" themed FIRST birthday party

What an eventful day yesterday was! I woke up so excited for Elle's birthday party! It definitely is more for us (Miles and I) than for Elle, at this point! I had been preparing for about a week and was hoping all would go smoothly. I should know better than to think that! 

Bonnie, Dad and Marsha arrived around 10:00 Friday night. We had a good time catching up and stayed up much later than I am used to but that always seems to happen when we are together. I slept better than I have in a long time so when Elle woke us up at 6:30 crying, I was ready to go! Poor Aunt Bonnie had to sleep on the couch and was awake once rambunctious Elle came rolling in the living room! We told her to go to our bed, but she wanted to stay up and chat. It was a great morning, Elle played and ate breakfast and then hit the bed for nap time at 8:30. We started getting showered and ready for the day. E woke up around 10:15 and we all took turns keeping her occupied while we got ready for the party. Bonnie's duty was to make the guacamole and she started it at about 11:00. I was glad she took it on since I am not a big fan of my rendition :) Mom called while she was making it so she had the phone at one ear while she was cutting the avocados. The next thing I hear is "Oh my gosh...oh my gosh" followed by screaming. I heard her say "Mom, I cut myself.....I HAVE  TO GO (screaming...)" I ran in the kitchen to find blood everywhere. Dad and Marsha were both trying to calm Bonnie down...side note-Bonnie NEVER gets too worked up or dramatic so I knew something was REALLY wrong! So, dad is trying to get her wedding rings off while Marsha is talking Bonnie through taking deep breathes. It seriously looked like she was about to pass out. She was sweating and hyperventilating....not fun to watch :( So, it seemed to take forever to get her rings off. Once dad did that he immediately said "we have to go to the doctor. " I told them where the closest doc- in- a -box was and they scurried out but not without Bonnie saying "I'm so sorry" on the way out the door. Can you believe she was apologizing?? Crazy girl!

So, we are all worked up at this point. We have no idea where she cut herself on her hand, how bad it was...anything! So, we were happy to get the report from dad that she was getting four stitches and was feeling much better. Phew! Everything was under control....well, sort of! We get a call from Susan in the midst of all of this and her GPS had gone out and she is so terribly lost!!! We had no idea where she was by what she was telling us. She is bad at directions, I am horrible as well so I can relate, so it what like the blind leading the blind. Luckily Marsha took over and she was on the phone with her for what seemed like more than an hour! Now all of our guests are arriving and Susan seems to be pretty far away still. So, Suanne made the suggestions to just get in the car and go get her. So Marsha and Suanne went to find Susan and it turns out she was not that far at all.  Wow!! Susan, Aidan and Ally were now at the party and we could get started...yay!!!

Elle was in the best mood and just loving all of her guests. Miles made yummy burgers and we all sat around and chatted. Elle played with the balloons all afternoon! It was precious. I can remember when Aidan was a little older than Elle and he was obsessed with balloons. He would go around saying "balloooooooon". It took me back to that and made me realize how fast time flies. I can not believe my baby will be one on Wednesday. I feel like I just brought her home. It has been an a emotional, tiring, and overwhelming year! I have pure love and joy in my heart when I think about it though. It has been the best year of our lives and I feel so lucky to have the rest of my life with this beautiful, vivacious, and stubborn little girl! 

I have to say, we were so thankful to have all of our family in from out of town and all of the family that lives in town here for Elle's party! She loves you all so much and it would have not been the same without you here. We REALLY missed Gigi and Grandpa Rich! I hate that you could not be here mom, but we look forward to seeing you in June. Elle loves her baby and stroller that you sent. Also, I thought I did a good job of taking pics of everyone but I did horribly. I do not have any pictures of most of our guests so if you have some, please send them my way!!

Birthday girl

"E" cupcakes made with love by mommy

Crew came to party

Ana and Elle

Aunt Bonnie (with her bandaged finger), Ana and Elle

Bonnie, Stacy and baby Crew

Clancy and Jenna

It was the perfect day!

Thanks everyone! Elle is set!

Elle in the chair we got for her

Reading a card from Jenna and Clancy

Thanks Uncle Nate and Aunt Nina for my alphabet zoo

My grandmother could not make it but she sent a gift with dad and Marsha. She made Elle this adorable baby doll and crocheted a blanket for her. Elle loves it!

So sweet

Singing happy birthday to Elle

Dig in!

Ally enjoying the cupcakes

Lethargic from all of the sugar

Had to get a bath after eating the cupcake-thanks Nana and Grammi!

Sweet Ally

Hanging out after a long day-Look how tall my child is-I am just stunned when I see pictures!

Elle has had it!