another summer's come and gone.

I can hardly believe that summer is "over", especially because with our weird weather it hardly feels like it even happened. Today was actually a hotter day than we've experienced all season, and it hardly broke 90!
I've been meaning to post these pictures from my cousin Madison's birthday party back in July.

The party was SO cute! It was girls only, very princessey! Madison turned 4 [I can hardly believe it!] Most of the other girls were Madison's age which inspired Ella to act like a big girl! She nearly made me cry with how independent she became at that party. She sat in her chair, fed herself, and even sat in the game circle! I know someday [sooner than I want] Ella will be having her own little princess party!

We experienced a couple other parties too, and sadly we also attended the funeral of my great, Ella's great-great-grandma. She lived a great life, everyone had nothing but joy for the legacy she left. I am glad we had the chance to take this pictures back when Ella was about 5 weeks. This is 5 generations!

We also got to experience the fair this year, which is great because we missed it last year!
The fair is always a great time, lots of fried food and interesting exhibits. This year was especially fun because it was Ella's first time! She wasn't such a big fan of the livestock,

Other than these little encounters, she had a great time!

She loved her new cowgirl hat so much she still puts it on at home, it's literally the only hat she's ever been okay with wearing [maybe a sign we should become a little more country!]

Finally, I decided to add a few random photos from the rest of our summer! She is my favorite little thing in the world. I can't believe she is officially a year and a half! eeek!
I feel like she should still be that little 5 week old infant, and yet here she is turning into a big girl right before my eyes!
I can't even imagine what she will be like next summer, and for now I don't even want to think about it. I just love having the time to enjoy her every single day =)