Ella's 1st Christmas

After a visit with the Hennessy's, we packed up the car and headed down to Seabrook for Christmas. We had a great time with Dee Dee, Papa and Uncle Court for Christmas Eve and Christmas and then were joined by Ella'a Great Grammy, her 2 great aunts and all of her second cousins for a big week long party! I would say by all the smiles and talking she did, Ella had a great time!

Christmas morning and Ella was all decked out in her santa hat and pajamas! She is so excited to open gifts, she can barely wait!

Ella with Dad and Ella lounging in her new rocking chair for the beach from Great Grammy! She still has a little growing to do to fit into it but I know she will love it when she is down there!

Opening presents Christmas morning and Ella with her godfather, Uncle Court and in her new "designer" high chair that he got for her. I would say she loves it and her rice cereal spilling out of her mouth!

Uncle Court even remembered to bring gifts for Dakota. She sniffed and found her own gift under the tree, unwrapped it and finally got to enjoy it!

Christmas Eve, we went to church and I was a little nervous how Ella would act. She has been with us in Charlotte but always goes to the nursery but she did great the whole time and even sang along to the songs! She even kept singing after everyone else had stopped, I guess she had a solo.

Ella got to visit with lots of fun relatives on the trip and meet lots of new faces!

Ella with Brendan and a beautiful view from the deck and if you look closely, those are dolphin in the water.

The group shot! We had 21 people including Ella down for the week and needless to say, there was never a dull moment. Everyone lives across the country so for most of them, it was their first time meeting Ella. I am so glad we could all get together and celebrate.

Ella with the Lanio's. The sun was really bright, hence all the squinting.

We stayed down there for NYE and celebrated with the entire family. Ella did not make it to midnight, lucky for us! It was a great week and we were sad to come home on Saturday but we were so glad that Ella got to meet so many of her family members and have such a fantastic first Christmas. It was an amazing 2009 and we can't wait for 2010!!