We traveled to Utah mid-October to see family, celebrate Ella’s birthday, and for a film screening for Paperback Dreams

The film screened on Thursday, October 23rd at the SLC library. It was well attended, thanks in part to our Heiner family, and SLC friends! Unfortunately, our dear one-year-old (still sounds strange!) did not have the patience to sit quietly and watch Daddy’s movie. But luckily (?) neither could Cousin Gray. So Spencer, Gray, Ella and I entertained one another in the lobby. Spencer is the best Uncle ever, and was a huge help with Elle, and I taught Gray how to hand out postcards once people left the theater. He called them his “monies.” And he’d give them out to anyone who walked by – and sometimes would demand their return!

The next day was “Hamburger Day.” On the 24th of October last year we met with A Angel Adoption to sign our adoption paperwork, in a Burger King. It was surreal to say the least. But we decided that ever after 10/24 would be Hamburger Day. (We couldn’t stomach the thought of it being BK day…). So we piled up Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Spence, Cousin Gray, Mom, Dad and Ellie. We went to Five Guys Burgers and Fries. Ella and Gray had a blast, mostly sharing a Caffeine Free Diet Coke (nasty).

That night when we went home Spencer and Alex decided to carve pumpkins. I thought they were a little over ambitious, but boy was I surprised! They carved 4 pumpkins – one that looked like Ella, Gray, Milo, and Dash (the latter two are our respective pups). They were so awesome lit up!

On Saturday Chris and Amanda joined us. Ella took a real shine to Amanda. Super cute.

And we had her birthday party. It was great to see so many family members and friends. Too bad we didn’t take many pictures! But here’s the 2nd birthday cake. She was still a bit freaked out when we sang to her. Maybe it’ll go better next year…

All in all it was a great trip. We got to see family, Gray and Ella had a ball together, and it was great timing for a vacation.

I can’t believe I forgot to post pictures of Ella on Halloween! Here’s our happy peacock.

Ella loves nothing more than admiring herself in the mirror. We figured a peacock would be perfect!

Here she is in the car on the way to trick/treat.

She wanted to walk… everywhere!

Such a big girl. She’s not just walking, but running. I can’t believe I have a toddler!

YES WE CAN!!

We are elated about the results of the 2008 Presidential election. But it is with incredibly heavy hearts that we find that California’s Proposition 8 seems to have passed. It is saddening that as we elect our first black president and overcome years of discrimination, on the same night we allow blatent discrimination against our LGBT community. Bittersweet indeed. But the fight has not ended, and we cannot, will not allow discrimination in any form.

I meant to have this done for Ella’s birthday, but somehow in the craziness, I didn’t get it done. But here it is, one year in pictures of our little Ella Michelle.