Merry and Bright!

This holiday has been an absolute blessing filled with many wonderful memories. Emma has truly been a joy to watch over the past few days. She has had so much fun being with many family and friends...enjoying new toys and spending lots of time with her mommy and daddy. As we are waiting for the new year to come we are hopeful for continued good health...many fun memories to fill our lives...and many more moments to share with our family and friends. We love each one of you near and far...hope your '08 is Merry and Bright! :)

As you can see...this year was the first time Emma has really figured out present unwrapping. She was a pro by the third day of Christmas. If you look real close...she definitely concentrated by sticking out her tongue just a bit to help her really focus on the task at hand. :)

You know the saying...something old is new again. Grandpa Rod helped transform this worn down old table to a brand new life. This brown table and chairs used to be mine as a young girl. I had many a tea party in its day. We thought it was time for a new face lift. Can you believe how beautiful it is?? Grandpa Rod painted it...wrapped it with new seat covers...replaced the table top and put new feet on the legs. He is so talented. Thank you Grandpa Rod for all your hard work and many hours you spent to bring it back to life. Emma will enjoy it for years to come. In fact, she and daddy have already had a couple of tea parties. :)



On Sunday, December 23, Emma met her Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Horstman and Great Aunt Lori. She had a great time running around showing off all her tricks.

Fun Times

Emma and I are so excited that Aunt Kate is in town today. We will spend the day with her and shop a little bit. Grandma Berry and Aunt Emily will be here too.

Last night we spent the evening with the Myatt's celebrating Christmas with them before they hit the road this weekend. Emma couldn't stay out of the gifts...she thought she should get to open them early. haha Once it was gift opening time...Emma had a ball. She thought she should open each one...not just hers. LOL We had a great time enjoying tortelini and all the fixin's. A chocolate truffle pie and lattes finished the evening off. Thanks for such a good time...your friendship is priceless.

On Sunday afternoon, I was talking on the phone to Tina while Emma was under the table taking out every item from her diaper bag. I made the comment to Tina..."Oh isn't she cute...Emma is under the table taking everything out of her bag." haha Little did I know......Emma had discovered the clementine orange that had been mistakenly left in her bag. Can I just tell you how GROSS that was. A couple washings of her diaper bag and a few items tossed in the garbage...we are back in business. LOL

Snow Fun

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!! Over the weekend we received about 6-8inches of snow. Today Joe, Emma, and I bundled up in our snow suits and rushed outside to play in the freshly fallen snow. Emma had an absolute ball. She loved crawling in the snow, eating the snow and rolling in the snow. If her gloves had stayed on better we probably would have been out there a lot longer. Looking forward to more snow days. :)

Holiday Happenings

This weekend was a busy weekend full of Holiday excitement. On Saturday we had our third annual progressive dinner. We had a wonderful time...enjoying each other's company, visiting each other's homes, and of course eating way too much delicious food. We ended the evening by having dessert at our house. The chocolate fountain was such a hit. Everyone enjoyed dipping their favorite dessert in the flowing chocolate.

20 days to go...Ho Ho Ho!

Today we spent the day with Grandma Berry shopping. At the mall Grandma wanted Emma to see Santa...Ho Ho Ho. Emma "performed" very well...LOL. She hopped up on Santa's lap and looked right at the camera. Whew...one more year with a good photo op. haha

Weekend Happenings

This past Friday Joe had the dogs put down. It was a difficult decision and challenging week. Both Copper and Sable were getting old. Copper was deaf and blind and Sable was deaf.
We had so much fun with them in their younger days. After all Copper was the one who told Joe that it was "OK" to have me around. :) Sable was always full of energy and kisses. She was the mother to two litters of puppies. Emma loved helping to feed them and trying to catch their tails. They will both be missed very much.


Over the weekend Emma and I traveled to Grandma & Grandpa Berry's house for the two days. While we were there we baked many holiday cookies. We had a great time...even the electricity went out late Saturday afternoon due to the ice storm. We were very glad it came back on before dinner. :) Both Emma and mommy missed daddy very much...we came back late Sunday afternoon. Whew...we were tired! :)


As you can imagine...Emma has been having a wonderful time trying to dismantle the Christmas tree. She is rather intrigued by pulling off each ornament. Here in this picture she is trying to be sneaky about getting an ornament while laying on the couch. LOL

Love at first sight!

Yesterday Emma and I spent the morning at Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Spriggs. We visited for a while...checked out all of Grandma's decorations and brought Santa up from the basement. Mommy was curious how Emma would react to Santa...in real life (or nearly). It was love at first sight. Emma loved dancing with Santa and trying to love on him. She figured out very quickly how to push the button to change the songs. I know we will have to go back another time to play with Santa. :)



Today mommy got her haircut. On the way back home we stopped and visited mommy's dance friends. Emma loved running back and forth in the studio. Needless to say she is wiped out...taking a snooze. (Yeah for mommy!).

Over the River and Through the...

woods...to Grandma's house we go...etc. etc.! :) We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at the Taylor's house on Sunday. And literally...it totally felt like the song...as we were carving the turkey the snow was falling. :) We of course stuffed ourselves with great food and yummy pies. Emma took another great "super nap" in her pack and play allowing mommy and daddy a little break for the afternoon. A great time was had by all...sharing stories...checking out the Sunday adds and sharing Christmas lists. Here are a few pics from the day.
PS...Emma discovered Great Grandpa Johnson's walking cane...she had a ball. We decided she would make the perfect sheperd...or maybe she was practicing to be a flag girl in the marching band????

So much to be Thankful for...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Today is a day to eat too much food...enjoy many pieces of pumpkin pie...and remember the many things we are thankful for. Joe and I are so thankful for family & friends...love...good health...and of course our little Emma. Everyday is a delight and a joy to have her in our lives. We are sooo blessed to have many people present in our lives to brighten each moment. Even though we can't be with everyone we think of you often and you are never out of our thoughts.
Today we spent the day at Grandpa and Grandma Berry's house. We gobbled up three turkeys...all the sides and yummy desserts. Emma took an awesome 2 1/2 hour nap while the rest of us watched the movie Hairspray.
Is anyone shopping on Black Friday?? I usually awake early to catch as many deals as possible. Much to your amazement...I value sleep a little more these days...I will shop when I shop...if I run into a good deal...great...if not, oh well!! LOL
Have a fun weekend with family and friends. Here are a couple of photos caught from today. :)

Don't bother me Mom...I am reading my books!

Emma was playing in her room after breakfast this morning. I was getting a few things done in my office...able to hear every noise. :) I caught a few photos of Emma reading her books. Who says 17 month olds can't read. LOL It is so awesome to see Emma play and read. I am amazed each day at the discoveries she makes.

Happy Monday!

Today is a day of this and that...catching up on a few household chores and running a few errands. We are very excited that we are going to be spending Thanksgiving with our families. Aunt Kate and Uncle Phil are coming home very soon. Here are a few random photos that I have taken over the last few days. Enjoy! :)

Emma frequently looks out the front door for Grandpa Bud and Grandma Shirley. I was able to catch her looking one day last week. Not a great shot...but, I thought it was cute. :)


Emma loves to pull the pots and pans out of the kitchen cabinet. On Thursday last week I found her sitting in one of the skillets. I title this picture..."What's for dinner Mom?!"


Over the weekend we celebrated Jean's 80th Birthday. On the way out...I was able to catch this shot of Emma and Daddy. Too cute. :)


Yesterday Emma was playing in the basement with her kitchen and other toys while I was folding laundry. On occasion she will help me push the basket from the laundry room to the tv area. So...while I was working she decided to push the basket herself and then take a break. LOL

Morning Smiles!

Good Morning...well, actually it is afternoon right now. :)
It is such a blessing to feel good in the morning and wake up loving life. As much as I loved being able to get a few things done in the morning while Emma was sleeping...those days have drastically changed. This morning Emma woke up at 5:45am...singing, giggling, calling for anyone who would listen. (mama...dada!). :) While I was exercising this morning, Daddy got a little cuddle time with the little peanut. Once I got home Emma greeted me with smiles from ear to ear. Since she was in such a happy mood we caught a couple pics to share her morning smiles with you. Grandma Berry was in town today so we spent the day with her shopping and running errands. Emma loves to shop and ride in the car. Needless to say...she is sacked out right now...I think it took a total of 2 seconds to shut her eyes and be sound asleep. LOL

Hugs and Kisses

At 7:00am this morning we gave hugs and kisses to Grandma Shirley and Grandpa Bud as they headed South for the winter. Even though we are sad to see them leave we know we need to share them with their family as well. :) Emma gets sooo excited when she looks out the front door and sees Grandpa Bud working outside or Grandma Shirley backing out the drive. She knows they will wave and usually come over for hugs. We are extremely fortunate to have them in our lives...they are always there for whatever reason. We love them so much and will miss them so much. Enjoy the warm sun! :)

Tonight Emma decided to climb onto the step stool in the kitchen and finish drinking her milk. It is too cute to see her have such a sense of accomplishment. :) Once she gets on the stool she looks at you with those big blue eyes...look mama...I did it! I am guessing there will be so many more opportunities to show off to mama...just hoping they are all safe. LOL

Fallin' for you!

Fall is the best time of the year to be playing outside. Mommy took Emma for a walk this afternoon. Daddy took half the day off from work to pick up the leaves and clean up the yard. Emma had an absolute ball playing in the leaves for a whole three minutes. LOL She is still fighting a bad runny nose...but, we couldn't pass up the photo op of playing in the leaves. :)

Wedding Weekend

This weekend was so wonderful. Filled with lots of family, friends, and many memories. Joe, Emma, Grandma Berry and I arrived at the hotel after lunch on Friday afternoon. We walked into the room and I could smell the aroma of roses and stargazer lillies...Daddy had surprised Mommy with a beautiful bouquet of flowers for their 7th Wedding Anniversary. Friday evening was the rehearsal...which Emma was the star flower girl by walking down the aisle twice without a glitch. We just prayed that she would do the same for the big day on Saturday. Saturday was a very busy day. We arrived at the church around 1:30...no nap as of yet. :) Emma loved wearing her dress. She loved smiling for the camera. The 3:00 hour grew closer and closer...Emma began to get crabby and restless. But...low and behold she made it down the aisle. Although once she realized there were so many people...she decided to stop and smile at everyone and look around. The ringbearer thought he should keep her moving by tugging on her arm. Emma wouldn't budge so she tumbled over right in the middle of the aisle and then the ringbearer toppled over Emma. It was worthy of a little chuckle. Grandma Gloria came to their rescue by picking them up and guiding them on their way. Once Emma was down the aisle...Aunt Jennifer was sooo beautiful and she made it down without any glitches. :) Grandma Berry took Emma out of the sanctuary and settled her down for a nap. Emma slept for 1 and 1/2 hours in her arms. The reception was filled with great food and fellowship with family and friends. We made our way home on Sunday morning. We are definitely exhausted and worn out...but, it was all worth it. We are sooo excited for Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Jimmy to finally be married. We were so blessed to be a part of their special day. Here are a few pics from the weekend.