She's One!!!!

WARNING: Lots of photos ahead!!!!

This is what waking up on your first birthday looks like: Happy Birthday to me!
We started the morning with a little gift from Uncle Will...
This will most likely be the only car that she gets with a big red bow on it, so hopefully she likes it! I think she does! I think someone else does, too. (See Guinness' little nose poking through :)
I think we have a winner! Next we were headed to Grandma Nancy's for the big celebration.
Watching the slideshow of Ellen's first year...

Hoping a big knot doesn't appear after banging into the corner of Grandma's china cabinet while waiting for the guests :(
The best birthday lunch ever--Pizza Perfect & watermelon!
Climbing on birthday gifts is a great way to start the party! Opening gifts with a little help from my friends.
Opening a special gift from Grandma Kathe.
Reading books with Aunt Jess Next it was time for the cake!

You never know how they are going to react to the smash cake...

but this kid jumped right in & was all business!
Sharing some with Daddy And once you can smash no more, what's left to do but dive right in!

Hanging with Melissa
and Chris
We ended a fabulous first birthday with our first swim ever!

Not so sure about it at first...

But once she got used to it, she was a natural!

Thank you to everyone for the many birthday gifts and wishes, but most importantly for spending the day & Ellen's first year with us! Here's to many, many more birthday celebrations in the future!

P.S. Can someone remind me next year to maybe get just one family photo on her birthday? Or maybe one with her grandmas? Or her Nana? I didn't get any of them! And, the only reason for the cake photos with Mom & Dad are because Marti made me take them (THANK YOU, Marti!). Someone better be my photo reminder next year :)