Amy and Chuck's wedding

We attended our friends, Amy and Chuck's wedding on the last weekend of October. We are so happy for them. Amy is my friend I was with the night I met Mike. I always acknowledge her when Mike and I celebrate any of our anniversaries (of meeting each other, dating each other, our wedding, etc). I didn't get many pictures because my battery died. I did snap a couple before it did. I am glad I got these. These are pictures of Ella listening to the live band at the wedding. The band Alligator Blackbird performed and they are an excellent group. Ella loved experiencing a live band. I hope her love of music never ends. She sat on the floor in front and felt the vibrations through the floor. Of course she danced and captured some attention. She loves a good time!

Ella's Second Halloween

Ella last year on Halloween with Aunt Sarah

She has come a long way since then.

Ella last year around Halloween.

Me and E

Ella and Droopsy at Uncle Duane and Aunt Joanne's house.

Ella grabbed ALL the Halloween stuffed animals she found at Aunt Joannes.

Ella and Grandpa Martin.

Ella literally rocked herself to sleep.

A stinger on the stinker :)

Ella trick or treating up Court Street.

Halloween books

Halloween balloon

Halloween Jack o' Lantern from G&G Martin.

On an Autumn walk here. She really resembles my dad here.

Halloween 2010

I remember this time last year...Ella was only about 3 weeks old and was a banana for Halloween. I also remember staying in the house anticipating taking her out the following year for trick or treat. Well, 2010 was much more exciting. She was a bumble bee for Halloween this year. Intially I planned on her being something else, but upon putting that costume on- I found that it was much too small since I bought it about one month in advance! Yikes! I had to run out on the day of Halloween to find something else. Thankfully, I found the perfect costume regardless of the time crunch. It worked out perfect! She was a perfect little bumble bee, stinger and all!
We took her to Crown Point on Court Street (our old street in Crown Point where our CP home is). We visited former neighbors there and trick or treated among our friends on Court St. It was great seeing everyone. We miss our great neighbors we had there! We also stopped in to my parent's house for Ella to receive her Halloween goodies. Of course there was a balloon waiting for her. Balloons are now her favorite since her Birthday. We also stopped at Uncle Duane and Aunt Joanne's house. She loved playing with them and cousin Sabrina. She doesn't fully understand what trick or treat is all about, but she sure was happy to be part of the action.

Ella's First Birthday Party (with family and friends)

With friends Mike and Deanna.

Cousin Sabrina and Aunt Sarah.

Grandpa Martin and Ella.

Uncle Duane dancing with Ella.

Opach side.

Cousins Hannah and Emily helping us open gifts.

Family from Nora's side.

Grandma and Grandpa Liss.

Uncle Chris and Aunt Sarah.

Liss side.

Pink boots--perfect for Ella.

Ella's denim jacket from Brigette.

Finally sampling the cake. This is as dirty as she got....one hand only ;)

Birthday cake we ordered (and then decorated with owls).

The smash cake Mike and I made.

Ella sporting her Birthday hat.

On Sunday, October 24th we celebrated Ella's 1st Birthday with family and friends. It was such a great day! We really appreciated all who came out on the sunny, unseasonally warm October day! Over 50 of us gathered at Gelsosomos in Crown Point to celebrate (since our Valparaiso home was still under renovation). Ella received many much appreciated, generous gifts. Of course her cake was decorated with owls (what else ;). Mike and I made the smash cake and we ordered a larger coordinated sheet cake. Mike actually did a great job in helping decorate the smash cake...he decorated with the purple frosting (must be his experience in working at a bakery years back in college :)

For Ella's birthday, she wore a sparkly tutu I found and a custom made shirt from our friend Brigette (who lives in California now and who we truly miss)! Brigette also surprised us with a custom jean jacket--very cute! Brigette also made a custom shirt for Ella's tutu. It is perfect! Her tutu was custom made by another friend of mine.

After we sang Happy Birthday, and her candles went out she started to cry for some reason. Not really sure why. We sang "Happy Birthday" ("STO-LAT") in both Polish and English. Sto-lat means "many happy years". During her song, I called our friend Brigette and her family sang with us. It was as if she was there, so it was nice :) We recorded the song for Aunt Lori and family (in Massachussetts) so they could be a part of it too.

We were grateful that our cousins Mark and Kristy were able to join us from Florida. We are also grateful to cousin Sabrina for helping put Ella's 1st year picture CD together for the party. It turned out to be quite a project with over 1,000 pictures to choose from! A special thanks to everyone who had a part in making it such a memorable day! What a great way to celebrate Ella's First Year! What a big girl she is becoming.