Time for cake!!!  Ella was able to dig into her own cake at the photo shoot!  She wasn't to interested in standing during the shoot, until it was time for cake.  Then she decided it would be a good idea to stand, just so she could plop right down on top of her cake - TWICE!  It was a messy good time!  She has a way of making wonderful memories!

We went for Ella's 1 Year Old Photo Shoot the day before her birthday!  It went well, however she is defiantly starting to display her "1 year old" personality!  She has a mind of her own now and thinks she is the boss.  It's just impossible to get upset with her though!  She has figured out how to give us her "cute innocent smile" when we tell her "no" when she is being naughty!  We have to admit, it usually gets her off the hook!  Oh are we in for it!  She is working us already! 

We can't believe our little baby girl is 1 YEAR OLD!!!  It seems like yesterday that she was born.  Our little newborn is now a (almost) walking, talking TODDLER!  You have made this last year the best year of our lives! 

We love you "Ellie Bean"!!! 

Happy 1st Birthday and many more!!!

Love, Daddy and Mommy 

Happy 1st Birthday Ella Mazzy!!!

What a moment!  Ella eating her 1st birthday cake and ice cream!  Mommy spent an entire year keeping Ella away from sugar, waiting for this very moment!  (Any of you who snuck her sugar when I wasn't looking, don't ever tell me, just let me believe this was the first time!)  Dig in baby girl, you deserve it!  Happy Birthday!!! 

Ella opening her presents!  Spoiled!  Spoiled!  Spoiled!

Her Spring, Summer and even Fall wardrobes are certainly complete now!!!

Awww, Ella wrestling with her favorite cousin Ethan! She can not get enough of him! He is by far her favorite person! Ethan is such a good sport and sure puts up with a lot of harassment from Ella! It really gets interesting when Emma and Ella team up on poor Ethan! Ethan made Ella the coolest birthday hat out of balloons and paper. He did an awesome job coloring it and wrote Happy 1st Birthday, he even added glitter! He's so creative and Ella loved it!

You're the best E!!!

Ella receivng some birthday love from Aunt Jenny, cousins Emma and Ethan! 

Ella scores big on all year round with hand me downs from cousin Emma!

Thank you Emma Jo!!!

There's cousin Brady!  Smiling like always!  What a handsome guy!  We had Ella's birthday party on Brady's 3 month birthday!  Happy Birthday Brady!  Can't believe how fast time goes.  Even harder to believe is that Brady at 3 months, only weighs 3 pound less than Ella at 1 year!!!  Ella will never be in need of a body guard with cousin B around!

All the cousins!

(Except baby Brady - a boy's gotta sleep!  You'll be able to swing next year dude!)   

Ella was thrilled to have her cousins come celebrate her birthday with her!

Ella loving being the birthday girl in her birthday outfit with mommy!

Ella squatting in her tutu - is that so you don't get it dirty princess?  Mommy has taught you well! 

If only that were the case!  I believe we are going to have a strong combination

of a tomboy/princess on our hands just like cousin Emma! 

We made flower balloons to put in the back yard for Ella's birthday. 

Of course they had to match her tutu colors!

We celebrated on Sunday April 11th, before her actual birthday on Tuesday April 13th.

HAPPY EASTER!!!

We hope that all of our family and friends had a very Happy Easter!!!

Love, Ella Mazzy

Yup, right there...looks good daddy!  Good work!

Whoa...easy does it!

You want me to hold what? This thing is bigger than I am!

No worries my Napoleon complex is sure to kick in!

Let's get started!

Ahh, daddy, you put the wrong "thingy-ma-jiggy" in the drill. 

Don't worry, I'll fix it!  I am such a good helper!

The final step before starting the project is finding the right sun protection.  Should I go with my shades or my hat?  Well, the shades cover up my beautiful blues eyes, and the hat messes up the little bit of hair that I have, so I will just have to rough it!  A girl must look her best at all times!  Alright, I have taken inventory in the boxes, it looks like all of the pieces are here, I am ready to help daddy start the assembly!

It's also important to play a bit before starting a large project! 
C'mon Bienna!  First time in the grass baby girl!  Oh, so brave!

Next, you have to get your plan together...

Ella finds it helpful to chew on a piece of grass!

One of Ella's Easter presents was a new swing set. 

She was a big help to daddy in putting it together! 

First things first, you have to read the instructions!

Ella had such a busy day she didn't get to her Easter Basket at home until right before bedtime!

We celebrated Easter at Grandpa and Grandma Swanson's house. It was Ella and cousin Brady's first Easter!  Brady is still a bit to tiny to hunt for Easter eggs though, so Carson and Ella took over!  Carson did such a good job helping his little cousin out.  Even he knows what a princess she is and was sure to give her the pink eggs!  He did a great job of sharing the loot! 

Ella visited the Easter Bunny at the mall.  She had a great time!  She kept trying to grab the Easter Bunny's ONE tooth! Daddy and Mommy are still taking advantage of Ella's "no fear" attitude as long as we can!  This time next year she may not be so open to Santa or the Easter Bunny!

Happy 1st Valentine's Day Princess!!!

Have you ever seen a more adorable Valentine?

Oh, Ella you are a doll!

Ella with her new blanket and pillow for Valentine's Day. 

Ella gave wonderful presents to mommy and daddy too. 

She made a picture collage for daddy to hang in his office and a 

heart shaped Valentine with her hand prints for mommy. 

They were the best Valentines that mommy and daddy have ever received. 

We love you princess!

Aunt Pat Did It Again!

Yea!!! Aunt Pat - I loooooooove my new hat!

(Well, to be honest, at first I loved my new hat and the

envelope that it came in equally, as you can see by me eating it!) 

But now, I only love my new hat!  I had to try it on right away!  

Aunt Pat you sure know how to spoil a girl!  Thank you soooooo much! 

I am sending you lots of kisses and hugs!  

I am also sending lots of kisses and hugs to Uncle Don because

I want his knees to feel better very soon! I love you both! 

Time To Go To Work Gramps!

Ella helping Grandpa Jimbo get all decked out 

to work security for an Energy Basketball game! 

As if Ella doesn't look enough like her daddy,

she decided to sport his CSC Event Staff hat! 

G'pa and G'ma Swanson were in town for the weekend

and took us to one of Ella's favorite restaurants - Olive Garden on Friday!

As usual Ella turned on her charm to capture the attention of the

table next to us by exchanging her favorite raspberry noises!

G'ma, Ella and mommy hung out on Saturday

while G'pa and daddy went to work.  Just another excuse

for G'ma and mommy to order Chinese and drink wine!