the time i turned 39

 this is my last year of the 30's.

that's my dad with me in the picture above.

my parents and ryan's parents were here for ella's baptism,

so we celebrated my birthday a day early.

i loved having them here to spoil me!

39 years.

they have been filled with so much love.

there have been hard times, but i remember the love the most.

growing up with two amazing sisters.

parents who survived having me as their first daughter.

family.

friends.

mission companions.

ryan.  the love of my life.

new family.

two beautiful daughters.

incredible opportunities to see, grow, understand, feel.

i am a blessed girl.

 

buffalo botanical gardens

my friend, ruth, invited some girls to join her at the botanical gardens for the

annual poinsettia show.

i hadn't been to the gardens before, and quickly realized...

i had been missing out!

the building is beautiful,

it's warm inside,

and they have all kinds of different shows throughout the year.

the plant "lady" below was a remainder of the succulents show.

she was completely covered with succulents during the show.

she was still looking gorgeous a few months later.

beautiful poinsettias everywhere!

such lovely friends.

our children all attended the same elementary school at one point.

i'm lucky to have such darling friends!

golf dome

we hang out at the driving range a lot more than we used to.

probably because aftie AND NOW elle are taking lessons.

ella loves to try new sports!

afton told ella

"ella, you are going to wear me out with all of your sports!"

we wanted to show gg our newfound skills. 

he's a guy that can appreciate a nice drive.

who needs spikes? 

black high heel boots work just fine for our girl.

we all had at least one good smack.

such satisfaction when that big, fat club head connects with the ball.

ella's got her golf face on.

very serious.

ella's special day

our sweet ella-bella chose dec 8th to be baptized! 

being baptized is sort of a big deal.

when you are baptized you become a member of

the church of jesus christ of latter-day saints.

you promise to keep heavenly father's commandments.

ella is so loved!

marmee & gg flew all the way from idaho for the special day.

grandpa flew from london (he was traveling for work) and grandma flew from st. louis just for ella.

the gruwells came from erie, pennsylvania.  friends from school and friends from church also came to show their love for ella.

grandpa gave a little talk about being baptized. 

then ryan baptized ella. 

then gg gave a little talk about the holy ghost.

ryan confirmed her a member of the church and gave her the special gift of the holy ghost.

ella sang a beautiful song about the holy ghost.

 

then we invited everyone to come over to our house and celebrate!

it was a great day that we will always remember!

Ella turns 8!

our little bug had an important birthday this year!

#8!!!!!

we celebrated with dinner and a yummy chocolate cake with chocolate frosting

("not the kind of frosting you make, mom...the kind from the can")

she received lots of fun presents, including this big, fluffy, soft bean bag chair!

she had a wild and crazy friend party, too!

in fact, it was so crazy i didn't even take one picture!

it was supposed to be a lovely, little spa party...with facial masks, hand scrubs, etc.

however, i knew it had taken a turn for the worse when i walked into the kitchen and saw one girl precariously posed, on one leg, on a dining room chair.  her other leg was stomping on the table, like it had a mind of its own!

that's when i decided to call the cops.

the girls had a great time (obviously) and ella still has gifts in her closet that have yet to be opened.

yolo...

(you only live once!)