Happy 1st Birthday, Ella Tate

It is SO hard to believe that one year ago today Ella Tate was born! This year has gone by so fast, but we have enjoyed every minute of it with our precious little girl! (Warning...this post contains alot of pictures!)

The zoo, a wedding and ROLL TIDE!

September has started off slow, but is getting busier by the day preparing for Ella Tate's birthday!

We met Katie, Ford, Courtney, Grady and Nolen at the zoo a few weeks ago and had the best time. Grady got to play on the playground and the babies (we won't be able to say that much longer) had fun just watching.

Hunter, Ella Tate and I went to Uncle Stephen's house to see what all he has gotten done and Ella Tate thought it would be fun to get into one of his baskets. Labor Day weekend we headed to Nana and Pop's house because my best friend growing up, Christy, was getting married. My mom, my sister, Rachel, and I gave the bridal luncheon on Friday morning at Number Sixteen Restaurant. It was a lot of fun and was nice to just be with the girls for a little while! (Of course, I didn't have my camera, so I didn't get any pictures.)
We were busy all weekend with the rehearsal and dinner and then the wedding on Saturday. Everything was beautiful and Christy especially looked beautiful! (I didn't have my camera half of the time, so I didn't get a lot of pictures.)Me and Christy at the rehearsal dinner.
Christy's beautiful dress! She was such a beautiful bride!

Alabama's first game was Saturday night after the wedding, so of course I couldn't wait to get back to my parent's house and put Ella Tate in her Alabama sleeper (from Sara Parker) to cheer on the Tide! (Hunter was NOT happy, but as the saying goes...when in Rome!)

I hate it when I do this...

...as in waiting a month to update the blog! Sorry in advance for all of the pictures, but I HAVE to get caught up.

August was another busy month mostly consisting of birthday parties!

We started out with Anna and Pop's birthdays. Hunter, Ella Tate and I went to my parents the first full weekend of the month to help them celebrate. Ella Tate and I stayed on for the week and had a great time. (The pictures I took from the b-day celebration got deleted~UGH~so all I have are the ones I took as we were leaving to come back home.)

On our way back to Nashville, we stopped to see Grandmother. She and Ella Tate were so excited to see one another!

When we got home Ella Tate chilled out in her pool, in the front yard (REDNECK, I know), while she watched her Daddy wash our cars.

Emma turned 5 this year and celebrated with a cowgirl-themed party complete with banadanas, boots, pinatas and pony rides!

Sweet Emma Kate
It was then time to celebrate Turner, Mary Elizabeth, Aunt Katherine and Uncle Tommy's birthdays at Gran Gran and Papa's house.

Mary Elizabeth~3rd birthday and Turner~5th birthday

Turner opening a car from Ella TateMary Elizabeth in her princess get-up!
"Mary Elizabeth, you are SO pretty!"

Next, it was time to celebrate Nolen's first birthday at Courtney and Jake's new house. Nolen loved his cake and couldn't wait to get his hands and mouth in it! We went to Dyersburg to see some good friends, Craig and Stella, that moved last year right after Ella Tate was born. There house is on the lake and it was so beautiful out on their deck. They have a little fishing boat and Hunter and I got to take a "sunset cruise" on it on Saturday night! We had the best time with them and are looking forward to going back soon!

Here are a few random pictures I took if Ella Tate throughout the month...

She loves getting into the drawers in the kitchen. I love this one with her on her tippy-toes peeking into the tupperware drawer!

Another one of Ella Tate's past-times is standing at our storm door and watching the cars go by and waiting for her Daddy to get home!
We rode with Aunt Katherine to pick up Turner one day and Ella Tate got to ride in Mary Elizabeth's carseat...she thought she was big stuff!Playing with Izzy at Ford's house. Poor Ford gets no attention when we are there because Ella Tate had rather play with the dog!

Ford's Birthday Party and the Neighborhood Picnic

Last Saturday, we went to Ford's 1st Birthday party. It was Ella Tate's first time to go to a "friend party", so I was pretty excited! We had a great time and Ford was so sweet to let all the kids play with his new toys. (The camera battery died during the middle of the party, so I wasn't able to get any pictures of Ford opening his gifts.)

Getting ready to go to Ford's party and SO excited!

Ford's birthday cake was not only adorable, but so yummy!

Ella Tate trying out Ford's new ride. She loved riding on it and I think it may be a purchase for another birthday that is coming up soon! "Move over Ella Tate, this is how you do it!"

Ford also got a water table that the kids enjoyed playing inI didn't want Ella Tate's dress to get wet, so Ford let her borrow one of his shirts. I told Katie I guess it was kind of like her wearing his letterman's jacket! (haha) Getting ready for some cake...

"Happy Birthday to you"

On Tuesday night, the guys played basketball, so Ford and Katie came over. The 4 of us walked down to the neighborhood picnic and ate hot dogs, chips, cookies and even a shaved ice. The kids got balloons which was the hit of the night. It was such a fun time and we're happy Katie and Ford could join us!

Before we left for the picnic, Ford decided to try out Ella Tate's Johnny Jump Up...he LOVED it!

9 Month Pictures...a little late

I just realized that I never posted Ella Tate's 9 month pictures. They were taken on June 25 by Wendy Tate and, of course, I thought they turned out great. Here are a few of my favorites.