Ella Turns 12

This is a big birthday for Ella - she turns 12 and heads into the Young Women's program at church. For her birthday, she invited Paige and Addison, along with Sugar and Jim, to the Escape Room where we did our very best to escape the Pawn Shop. We were so dang close and had so much fun. Afterwards, we came back to our house for pizza.

I can't say enough about Ella. She is smart, funny, kind, organized, responsible, talented, creative, adventurous, motivated, etc. Really, she is a pure joy and I'm so grateful she is part of our family. And as much so, that she was our first. I feel like she has set the tone and example for her younger siblings.

Ella is in 6th grade and started middle school this year. She is doing great and keeping on top of all the new classes, homework assignments, building construction, and after school activities. In addition to swimming on the Council Rock North Swim Team five days a week and taking piano lessons, she also wants to get involved at school with the Art Club, Little Dresses for Africa service project, Honor's Orchestra, Reading Olympics, Odyssey of the Mind, and the annual stage production. She's still trying to figure out how she's going to cram it all in in just five days - plus time for homework.

Ella has a great group of friends who made her feel even more special on her birthday by decorating the inside and outside of her locker at school. When she got to her locker, they jumped out of a nearby classroom and sang her Happy Birthday. It made her day (I'm sure my strawberry, whipped cream, Nutella crepes helped, too.)

We opened all of her gifts and cards last night as soon as she got home from swimming. Tonight we'll take her out for her birthday dinner, which she's narrowed down to Indian Food, Macaroni Grill, or Olive Garden.

Even though we didn't make it out of the Pawn Shop, we had the best time trying...

12 one dollar bills from GPa...

Money and card from the Bargerys...

and from Fluhrs...

We always get a kick out of Grandma Asays cards. The envelopes are always covered with the cutest stickers. It's her trademark...

Grandma and Grandpa Asay sent Ella money and a church Hymn book with all the original Hymn book songs, but easier to play music for Ella's piano playing level...

Sugar got Ella this 4300 piece Lego set to keep her busy during 

General Conference this weekend =-)...

And all the Young Women values embroidered on a quilt...

Ryan and I got her a Lightbox with a bunch of letter and words to make messages. She says it's her happy lamp...