This Little Monkey is TWO!

Elise turned TWO on December 5, 2010. It is so hard for me to grasp that! It seriously seems like yesterday that I was bringing her home from the hospital, a nervous wreck about how I was responsible for this beautiful little life. I think her Daddy and I have done a pretty good job so far, though--with lots of help from a great family and wonderful friends. Elise's birthday party is a testament to how very loved she is, and I am so thankful that she is so blessed!

In honor of her nickname, Monkey, Elise had a monkey-themed birthday party. Stephanie Dill did a WONDERFUL job with the cake and cupcakes--Elise was thrilled and they were tasty too!

We all had a great time watching Elise open presents. She was easily distracted, but when she'd take the time to open presents, she was so excited about each and every one. Jessie did an awesome job capturing memories for me while I tried to corral Miss Elise!

Despite only having a 1 hour nap before the party, Elise was in a great mood the whole time--all smiles! :)

No one can argue that Elise definitely has all her grandpas wrapped around her finger! Here, she has Poppy (Great-Grandpa Stevens) and PawPaw (Grandpa Halleran) cleaning with her! She had Popa (Grandpa Stevens) opening presents for her, and she gave big hugs to Pah-Pa (Great-Grandpa Jackson) and Pah-Poo (Grandpa Jackson)! Elise really does have all these names for her grandpas, which she herself made up--and she knows who is who. Her grandmas have names too: Mammy (Grandma Stevens), Nana (Great-Grandma Stevens), MawMaw (Grandma Halleran), and Mimi (Great-Grandma Jackson). She also calls Great-Grandma Sweaney MawMaw--the only duplicate in her arsenal of Grandparent Names!

BIG THANKS to all the wonderful people in Elise's life who came to celebrate her SECOND birthday with her! May God bless my sweet daughter in her years to come, and may He give her daddy and me the patience and wisdom to raise her well and according to His will.