Grahl Family: Ella's 2nd Birthday! (Better Late Than Never)

Ella's birthday was celebrated over the course of a few days this year. We started on her birthday, and then celebrated again when the Fergusons came into town for Thanksgiving.

Here is Ella with Aunt Sandra and the balloon she got Ella for her birthday.

Ah, the simple joys . . . to be completely happy with a balloon for your birthday!

Ella shared her night with Aunt Sandra whose birthday was in October. Mommy made a quadruple layer ice cream cake. It had two layers of lemon cake with a layer of Butter Pecan ice cream and a layer of Pralines and Cream ice cream AND a brownie bottom! Thanks to Sandra's local natural foods market, the cake, brownies, and icing were organic :)

Make a wish!

That night we went to the Aquarium because they had a member night. Ella got a happy birthday otter pin and had fun at her favorite exhibits. Here Aunt Sandra is making a rubbing of some dolphins in one of the children's areas. Ella just likes to play with the crayons :)

In that same area there are whale and dolphin fins and flippers to try on for size . . .

Daddy, Grandma, and Grace are watching Ella play in the Splash Zone. Grace is contemplating when it will be her turn.

Is Daddy just trying to help Ella see, or are we practicing for the circus?

Mommy gives Ella a kiss after putting her in her jammies before we all get in the van to go home . . . a key move when your toddler will inevitably fall asleep on the way home!

The night before Thanksgiving, we had another party for Ella and another cake so the Fergusons could celebrate with Ella. Mommy made an Elmo cake out of two cake rounds, two eggs for eyes, some tissue paper for the party hat, and one cutie for the nose :)