Ellie's 2nd Birthday Part 2

We had a second party for Ellie Mae with family on the 23rd, the day after her 2nd birthday. All of Joel's family was here for the party and my Mom, Rupert, Dad and Grandma all came up, too, along with old family friends (Donna was my first babysitter) and some of our Hume "family," the Davies. Joel made delicious barbequed pulled pork sandwiches with homemade BBQ sauce -- authentic southern food! It took him about 17 hours to smoke the pork...well worth the time! Uncle Allan (Joel's brother) grabbed the camera for us during the party, so these are his pictures -- Allan just became the full-time photographer for Hume a month ago and has an incredible eye for capturing moments. We sure had a great time celebrating our sweet Ellie Mae!

































Ellie, Connor Davies (2.5) and Olivia Davies (4) blowing bubbles and playing with party blowers.














Ellie greeting Grandpa Dan, who came up for the day to be at her party












Hug time! Ellie and Olivia





















From left: Richard and Donna VanSlyke, longtime family friends, Grandpa Dan and GG (Great-Grandma Schuler).










Ellie running to Great-Grandpa Schuler and Donna to say, "Thank you!"











Sweet Connor!









Ellie's cute little cousin Ezekiel (7 months) -- Ezekiel is Joel's brother Brent's first child.










Ellie Mae loves corn on the cob!












Present time! Ellie was really into opening gifts this year! Grammy Gayle let her open presents the day before (her actual birthday), so Ellie took every gift to Grammy to help her open during her party!





Opening another gift with Grammy Gayle. From left: Julie, Olivia, Damon and Connor Davies, Great-Grandma Carmen, Grandpa Rupert, Grammy Gayle and Ellie Mae.








One of Ellie's favorite gifts was a new pink laptop just like Daddy's (Joel's computer isn't actually pink!). She was absolutely delighted!








Grandma Debbie made Ellie a beautiful outfit as part of her present. Joel is holding up the jacket as every one looks on amazed! Counter clockwise from toy box: Uncle Brent, Auntie Crisha and Ezekiel, Uncle Collin, Grandpa Mark, Auntie J (Jennalee), Grandma Debbie, Grammy Gayle, the Davies.







Two great-grandmas! Ellie saying, "Thank you!" to Great-Grandma Carmen (who also came up for the day to be at the party). GG is watching from the side.







Ellie's cakes! Our theme for the party was butterflies.











Ellie looking at her cakes.









Oops! Too soon! Ellie was so excited to blow out her two candles that she blew them out in the middle of "Happy Birthday!"









So...we relit the candles and had a second round of candle blowing for the pictures!











Caught in the act! Ellie couldn't resist taking a swipe from her cake when she saw it just sitting alone on the table!










Yum!





















Our little birthday girl loves cake!