birthday celebration

We've had a wonderful time celebrating Ellie this past weekend. 

Yesterday was her actual birthday. She felt very honored and loved

as a number of folks at church remembered her ~ giving her cards, gifts, and birthday wishes. 

She looked so cute.... all decked out in her new boots from Num Num and her new sweater from Nannie.

So stylish. (Can you tell I'm a proud and partial mama??)

We had a very full afternoon, as we had our church open house at our place. Lots of folks dropped by.

Ellie was by my side a bit, off enjoying the afternoon air with the older children 

a bit, and conversing with sweet older women in our church a bit. She is loved by everyone!!

After the open-house, our family headed out with Nannie and Popi

to try a new Mexican restaurant (per Ellie's request). It was fabulous....

the best Mexican food we've had since leaving San Diego (which we all miss!!)

It was a quaint family-run restaurant, and Ellie was mortified when the pastor

told the waiter it was her birthday.... The whole room ended up singing happy birthday

to her, along with all the servers, while she blushed red with a pink sombrero on her head.

Fun times. 

And today, we had a sweet, sweet time with Num Num, Papa, and Auntie Tricia. 

Nannie made her famous southern BBQ... along with beans, cold-slaw, and potato salad. 

It was all so good! And Ellie opened gifts from the family. 

Two years in a row, she has had BOTH sets of grand-parents with her. 

There are indeed perks to having a December birthday!! 

(Here we are last year if you would like to walk down memory lane.)

Happy, happy birthday my dear sweet girl.
How we love you and praise the Lord that you are part of our family.
 You are not alone ..... we are in this thing called life together,
walking by your side, encouraging you, and cheering you on.
You are HIS precious child.
Press on!

"Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD;
his going out is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers, 
as the spring rains that water the earth."
Hosea 6:3