Aunt Tracey and Uncle Greg's Birthday

Last night, we went to a Mexican restaurant in downtown Sac for Aunt Tracey and Uncle Greg's birthdays. What a difference a year makes . . . here is Ella at last year's party . . .

And here she is this year . . .

Ella enjoys going through her diaper bag and Mom's purse when dinner is over and things get boring with all the adult talk.

One thing hasn't changed . . . it's hard to catch her with a smile in pictures!

Ella the Entertainer

I have been bad about updating the blog, and I have been bad about taking pictures and videos of Ella. I guess she's just old news now :) I think I'm taking a little bit of a breather before the next firestorm of pictures comes with the new baby.

Here is a series of videos taken of Ella the first week of January. She was being her goofy self, laughing and "dancing" and getting into trouble. The object she's standing on is a toy with various play stations on it like a keyboard and a steering wheel, but she prefers to knock it over and stand on it upside down. I think she's working on her balance.

Finally . . . the Christmas Pictures!

Mommy has finally gotten around to posting pictures of Ella from Christmas, and they are so cute!

Here Ella inspects the Christmas tree after we brought it home.

This is Mommy's Yule Log for Christmas Eve dessert. She might take orders next year :)

Ella and Daddy at Aunt Nancy's house on Christmas Eve.

Ella needed to inspect Aunt Nancy's tree and its ornaments every few minutes.

She also took a good look to see which gifts were for her :)

Julio volunteered to be Santa, but Ella wouldn't fit on his lap!

Ella is opening Uncle Greg's present.

She immediately needed to take the baby doll's hat off, of course!

Thanks Uncle Greg!

Relaxing on the couch with Aunt Tracey and Uncle Greg.

With Daddy by the tree . . .

And Mommy . . .

And Nonna!

Mommy has a picture just like this one from her first trip to Disneyland. Nonna was trying to take her picture on the "It's a Small World" ride, and Mommy turned around with this face to tell Nonna she did not want to be bothered with pictures!

Ella is playing with Mommy and Daddy's gift while the adults open their gifts.

This was New Year's Eve at the Garrett's house. Ella and Sierra were playing.

A rare photo of the three of us thanks to Julie!