Monterey Bay Aquarium

We took Ella to the Monterey Bay Aquarium today for her first birthday. We had a great time!

Outside the Aquarium with Mama

Looking at lots of fish with Daddy

We visited the otters twice, during their feeding and later when there weren't as many people around.


Watching a wave wash or this window

She loved the waves!





Looking at Jelly Fish with another little girl

On the balcony with Daddy

Spinning a cool globe

Touching the bubbles on this special glass tank

She loved the bright colored fish in this tank.

We spent a lot of time in the baby & toddler playground. Ella loved this water fountain and floating toy fish!

Enjoying the penguins

Ella loved the penguins and they seemed to like her too.

Touching seaweed (she also got to touch a Star Fish)

On the way home (note the purple and red ball from the toy Gramma & Grandpa got her clutched in her hand)

Watching Finding Nemo on the way home... I picked it at random and then realized when I loaded it on the way home how appropriate it was. :-)

Playing with a couple of souvenirs Mama picked up for me, an otter board book and a little stuffed otter (he's really soft!).

She loves them both! She's already opened her otter book and pointed to animals in it.

Ella's First Birthday!!!

Today is Ella's 1st Birthday!!!

We got Ella a white table with chairs. It's mostly from Gramma Jean since we used money she gave Ella for her birthday. She's been bringing her toys and books into the bathroom to put them on the toilet seat since it's the only flat surface at her height in our home.

She loved the Winnie the Pooh balloon we got her.

Discovering the Blue's Clues balloon... another big hit

Opening a present with Mama

Helping Daddy build the present from Gramma & Grandpa

She especially loves the balls. She held onto one of the balls for the entire drive down to and back up from the Aquarium today.

Another present to unwrap

A farm magnet set from Auntie Joy, Uncle Nate, and Cousin Grant!

Playing with the magnets on our refrigerator

A Little People boat for the tub from Mama and Daddy

and a Little People doll house!

More Pictures from Gramma & Grandpa's

Ella walking around doing the raspberry

Ella loves playing with Gramma & Grandpa's three Bostons

Playing with Ruby and Lucy

Playing with Buddy

Buddy on Gramma Jean's lap

Ella loves our camera case. Of course, I do remove the camera before she plays with the case. :-)

"Mama, stop taking pictures and pick me up."

Looking at geese at the park... there were a lot of them!

"I got the camera case again, Mama!"

New Shower

Here's what Sead was up to while Ella and I were at Gramma & Grandpa's... a new shower!

Christmas at Gramma & Grandpa's

Ella and I traveled up to Colfax the day after Christmas to spend time with my mom, dad, Nate, Joy, and Grant.

Ella's present from Auntie Joy & Uncle Nate

Opening the present with Grant

Ella loved the bows.

Playing with the Bee Bop Band that Uncle Nate & Auntie Joy got her

Uncle Nate building Grant's present from Gramma & Grandpa

Grandpa's present from Nate & Joy

We got this beautiful sign for our home from Nate & Joy

Grant opening his present from us - Ella helped him

Ella's new doll from Gramma & Grandpa