a little catchin up

Last weekend we celebrated this guy's birthday!

MY DAD!

He is such great dad and amazing grandpa!  I really respect and admire him.  He's had his fair share of up's and down's and he's been a trooper.  My dad is funny, kind, loving, dependable and just the best dad around.  I don't think he know just how much I love him!

Emmy loves him too!

And she loves her Uncle Dave

This week the weather has been pretty unpredictable.  One minute it's sunny and the next minute it's pouring rain or super windy.  Poor Emmy, she LOVES being outside and just cries at the door when we can't go out.  She doesn't quite understand what "cold, wet and rainy" means. 

Here she is with Gunner just waiting to go outside.

(it looks nice out, but it was COLD)

One sunny day this week we spent almost the whole day outside!  We went on a morning walk.  Then we went on an afternoon walk.

After all that walking, we figured we deserved some ice cream.

Brian bought us a new toy that day so when he got home from work we went on a bike ride!

"In here dad.  I want to get in here."  At least that's what I think she's thinking as she pats the seat and watches Brian.

"This is taking too long..."

Emmy loves going for rides behind the bike!

"Hi mom!"

Then, of course we couldn't have too many nice days in a row.  It got chilly again...so here's Emmy trying to escape out the doggy door (yes, those are Christmas pj's. hey, they keep her warm and still fit - well, kind of). 

 

I'm really hoping for better weather this weekend.  At least 7-8 hours of sun and warmth each day!

Anyway, hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! 

 

(image courtesy of Google Image)

spring weather

We LOVE the sunshine and being outdoors! 

Here's to many more sunny days!

weekend fun

Last weekend the weather was so fabulous!  It actually felt like spring!  I wore capris and flip flops and even got a little color from being outside (hurray for vitamin D)! 

Saturday was a busy and super fun day!  My mom, sister Heather, Emmy and I (we missed you Holly) loaded up the car and made a short trip through the canyon for some food, some shopping and some fun.  We didn't go far, just far enough for some new scenery!

My mom picked Emmy and I up about 9:30am and then we went and picked up Heather.  Here's Emmy patiently waiting for grandma to come get us.

Our first stop was Rainbow Garden.  We hadn't been there for awhile so we thought we'd pay it a visit.  SO MANY interesting knick-knacks for sale there.  From neck ties with a blow up pillow in them to rainbow umbrellas (which of course I bought a kiddy one for Emmy).  There was jewelry, kitchen supplies, soaps, teapots, walking sticks, tie dye tanks, chimes, funky sunglasses, Olympic memorabilia, dancing flowers, cards, etc.  Our plan was to have lunch at the fun little cafe there but we snacked all the way down so none of us were that hungry.  Instead, we purchased some of their famous muffins.  They were nice and warm so we couldn't wait till the next stop and we ate them in the parking lot!

After our adventures at Rainbow Gardens we headed to Historic 25th to walk around and find some lunch.  There are lots of fun shops on that street!  We found a great little BBQ to eat at too.  Of course Emmy was a goofball at the table!

It was a fun afternoon with the girls!  We would have ventured on to bigger cities but Emmy and I had to be back for a local PARADE!  Brian's family get's together every year and has a BBQ after the parade to kick off summer.  It was a super nice evening for a parade and all the kids (and adults) had a blast!

SO, those were the highlights of our weekend.  What did you do?

mother's day and stuff

It seems I'm just a little behind on things lately, a lot of things.  I love to be busy so I pack my schedule with crafts, photography, housework, church meetings, finding new hobbies, work, family time, outings with the girls and of course...lots of time with Emmy.  Then, I complain because I'm busy-when I'm the one who makes my schedule. Oh well, I wouldn't change it.  I love having things to do.

I especially am loving the weather forecast this next week because I can pack my life full of outdoor activities!  I can't wait to take Emmy to the park and have a picnic, down to the dam to feed the ducks (we did this once already but I think it's going to be a frequent summer activity), go on walks and enjoy the flowers, go up the canyon for a cookout, camp, go to the pool...the list is endless!  I love being busy with these kinds of things!

Anyway, what's a post without a few pictures right?  These are from Mother's Day.  We spent the afternoon at my parents and celebrated with my family.  Brian's parents were out of town but that doesn't mean we didn't celebrate his mom.  She is super woman and I am so blessed to have her as a mom-in-law.  We wished her a happy mom day last weekend.

My mom and her kidlets.  I love it when we all get together. 

Isn't my mom beautiful!  I love her smile and her laugh.

Then we got a picture with mom, her kids, and the grandbaby.  You might be asking yourself, "What are they all laughing at?"

 

My dad...doing a little jig to get Emmy to smile!  Go dad, go dad, go dad...

(thanks to my bro-in-law for the pictures)

Holly, I think you deserve a mother's day wish also.  You are so helpful with Emmy and I appreciate you more than you know.  I know when I go to work she is in good hands.  Thank you for being such a great Aunt and for teaching Emmy so many wonderful things.  We will miss you when you head south this fall!

Heather, you deserve a shout out too. You are such sweet sister to me and wonderful aunt to Emmy.  I love to watch you play Emmy.  You show her so much love and I know she loves you too.


Mother's Day is such a special day to me.  It always has been.  I love that we get to dedicate a whole day to our mothers, grandmothers, mothers-in-law and all those who have "mothered" us throughout our life.  I really don't think you need to be a mother to be celebrated on this day.  We all "mother" others in our own way.  It should be called "Woman's day" or "Mothering Day." 

Anyway, I am very blessed to be a mother.  Last year I was released from the hospital on Mother's Day, after having Emmy.  Having her in my life is the best Mother's day gift ever.  I love all that she teaches me.  I love how much I have grown because of her.  I love that I have developed a new kind of love, a mother's love.  Being a mom has also helped me really appreciate my mom and all the she's done for me and for all my siblings.  Sometimes being a mom can be a tough job and I'm sure us four kids didn't make is easy on my mom.  She is the most gentle and loving person I know.  I only hope that I can be the mother to Emmy that she has been to me.  She's my mom and my best friend. 

So, happy belated mother's day to ALL of you out there!

 

sweet little one

I had such a fun morning with this little babe and her parents the other day.  She was an absolute angel and it was hard for me to stop taking pictures. 

Isn't she beautiful!

Click HERE to see more of this little one.

I wonder what she's dreaming about. 

Luv ya MOM

I'm a day late but that doesn't mean I wasn't thinking about you yesterday (in fact, I was with you!).

I love you tons and hope you had a WONDERFUL Mother's Day!

P.S.  Don't get mad at me for the picture.  I could have put a nice one of you and all of us kids, but I couldn't resist this one.  You are a mother to all!  Pets and People! 

ONE

Just a warning:  this is a long post

We've been doing a lot of celebrating this last week. We've been celebrating

Emmy's 1st birthday!

It so hard to believe that THIS...

and THIS...

Is now THIS...

and THIS!

Emmy is such joy in our lives and we are so blessed to have such a sweet little angel in our home.  She is an absolute ball!  I would do ANYTHING for this little girl! 

We has such a great time celebrating her birthday last weekend with all of our extended family.  Our house was pretty crowded but I wouldn't have done anything different. 

Take a look at how we've been celebrating.

I bought a cake stand a long time ago (I don't even think Emmy was born yet) knowing I would be using it on my little girls first birthday and henceforth as she celebrates each year.  So because I had a special platter I thought I needed a special cake.  I went to a little workshop at my neighbors house and she taught a group of ladies about fondant.  I left feeling like it was something I could surely do for Emmy's cake.  It was harder than it looked.  The night before her party my mom came over to help me with Emmy and the cake.

We were up till 11:30pm.

The cake turned out pretty cute.  It was by no means perfect, but is was my first fondant cake.

 

I made a special cake for Emmy to dive into.

The day of the party, I was SOOO excited!  The house was decorated.

There were goodies for the kids to take home

And I just anxiously waited for guests to arrive!

Our living room was full of people.

Our kitchen was full of people.  And there were even people standing outside!  I LOVED IT!

Everyone pitched in and brought chips, salads, drinks and all the goodies for a great BBQ!  I was in charge of the hamburger patties and dessert.  I bought the least expensive patties and they turned out to be SLIDERS!  They were SUPER mini after they were all cooked up and you had to put 2 on one bun!  I felt silly, but it was memorable! 

After dinner we opened presents!

Then we sang Happy Birthday and let Emmy dive into her cake! 

She was actually quite modest about it and didn't make a real mess. 

We all just sat back and watched.

Oh what a fun day it was.  Emmy is so loved and we are so blessed to have all our family so close by so we can get together for moments like this! 

TODAY was Emmy's

OFFICIAL 1st birthday. 

Brian has been out of town so I spent the weekend with my family.  We celebrated Emmy's day today by first, going to the Healthy Days Parade! 

This huge Sinclair dinosaur balloon was pretty random.  We joked about it being our own little Macy's parade.

After the parade we went home to rest.  Staying at the "Petersen Bed & Breakfast" wore us all out.  We were up WAY past our normal bedtimes!  

Later in the evening we had a little "party" for Emmy.  We sang, she attempted to blow out her candle.

 Opened more gifts then played with Emmy's new toy outside and just enjoyed the weather.

  

This has been such a great week. I can't say it too many times... I am so lucky to have the life I do. I am so blessed to be part of such a wonderful family (both my family and Brian's).

I am so blessed to have this sweet little girl as my shopping pal, confidant, dance partner, walking buddy, personal comedian, snuggler and daughter.

  HAPPY ONE YEAR EMMY! 

YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL AND WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!