So far 8 is G-R-E-A-T!

 Happy Birthday, Ella- burrito.  We love you and I can't think of a better way to express it then posting this picture of  me squeezing the daylights out of you, with only one eye opened, and a little bit of my religion peeking out.  That's some serious love.

Ella was wise enough to choose to come into this world on conference weekend.  I say "choose" because I spent 3 whole days in the hospital waiting for her to greet me.  I would have been happy to wrap the whole thing up within 6 hours.  However, a fortunate by-product of her reluctance to enter the world was that she got to spend her birthday at the cabin with some of her favorite people.  We had a lovely celebration in her honor complete with a kill-your-diet chocolate bundt cake.  Oh, sometimes I still dream about that cake.

Feel the love. 

Jackson provided the entertainment.  

We take blowing out candles seriously.  As you can see from Jackson and Robert, we allow no interference in the process.  So don't even try to breathe in the direction of our candles.  We will take you out!

Oh, Ella you are so lovely.  

It was one of those years.  The one where I agree to host a birthday party  for my child.  It was also one of those days that Robert decided that he would try and be as far away as possible (Brazil).  I don't understand why twelve squealing 8 year-olds playing games and doing crafts doesn't sound like a fun evening to him?

I'm just guessing but I think Ella had a great time.