Just Waiting

Christmas Day

We spent the night at John & Nancy's house and we got up really early in the morning to open presents. Cameron was ready to open presents and I think Emma shared his enthusiasm. We were listening to Spike Jones Christmas record in an actual record player while opening presents (the record is over 40 years old).

One of Emma's gifts was her first doll!

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we went down to Gramp's house for dinner. We had a great time and this year Gramp read us the Christmas story from the gospels of Matthew and Luke. I hope he continues to do this in years to come.

We all had gifts to open. A great gift each family got this year is a certified US Flag that was flown on a combat rescue mission in Afghanistan. The flag is folded and displayed in a beautiful wood and glass case. Ours is sitting on our mantle.

Here's Gramp opening his flag with Cameron and they are both reading the certificate from the US Air Force (the flag is on Gramp's lap):

Emma with Grammy Douglas and aunt Jan:

Emma opening her gift from aunt Jan:

Livengood Visit

Last weekend our good friends from Texas drove by Ohio and we had a quick visit with them. It was great catching up with them and learning more about their misionary work down in Mexico. Last time we saw them was over two years ago. Their kids were little and Emma wasn't even born. Now Emma and Abby (4) seem to be good friends just like their mommies.

Perla and I have been friends for about 12 years!

Luminaries and Christmas Tree

A couple of weeks ago we lit up our house with luminaries and in the evening we headed down to our park to see the lighting of the Christmas Tree.

Here's Emma helping Daddy fill up the luminaries with sand:

She took her job real serious:

It was very chilly that evening (low 20s) but we enjoyed a great time at the park with our neighbors, music, hot chocolate, popcorn and carriage rides.

Emma taking it all in:

Part of the local highschool playing Christmas carols:

The Christmas Tree at the park:

Another Stinker Face

There is never a dull moment with Emma and whenever she sees me with my camera (and she's in the mood for pictures), she tries to give me her best pose.

Here's Emma wearing her Santa hat while watching Christmas videos online and singing along with Daddy:

Family Pictures

It is very hard to take family pictures especially when it involves a tripod and a very active 20 month old girl and no one behind the camera. So that's the reason why Emma looks so serious in the picture below, because there was no one behind the camera to make her laugh.

Emma, Daddy and Mommy:

She is still TOO serious!

But not for long! Daddy always makes Emma laugh:

Trip to Florida

Emma and I flew down to Florida to visit our friends that we met in Texas. Unfortunately Daddy couldn't come with us, he had to stay and work hard.

Our friends have a little boy named Andrew (Drew) and he's only five days older than Emma. It was a lot of fun seeing these two interact with each other and see their different personalities.

Here's Emma wearing her bikini at the beach (courtesy of auntie Jenny):

Mommy and Emma:

Drew and Emma playing in the sand. The breeze made Emma's hair "blow away". Ha!
As we were taking pictures, Drew sneaked up on Emma...

...and dumped some sand on her hair. Emma just sat there. Boys will always be boys!

"What a cute little boy"

This morning Emma and I went grocery shopping to Sams Club. We got there just in time for all the samples; Emma really enjoyed tasting all their pies (pumpkin, pecan, cranberry apple, apple, and apple caramel).

As we were moving through the store, an old lady approached us and said "what a cute little boy you have". Seriously?!? I graciously said "thank you". Then immediately she asked "or is it a girl?". Yes, she's a girl. She's wearing earrings, she's wearing polka dot tights, she's wearing girly colors, she's wearing cute girly shoes, and she still looks like a boy? After Emma waved bye bye and smiled to the old lady, we left and kept moving throught the isles. Then we met another old lady and again she said "what a cute boy". Ah! I give up! I guess old people look for long hair and bows or head bands to identify weather the kid is a boy or a girl.

So, here's my cute little "boy" wearing cute girly clothes (courtesy of her Grammy Douglas):

Emma + Atenas + Vaseline = Dissaster

This morning after breakfast I lost track of Emma for a couple of minutes while I was browsing through a catalog. Everything seemed so silent and peaceful; then I came to my senses and I knew that there was something wrong.

Atenas was still in her bed and Emma was right next to her. Under normal circumstances this happens quite often. Emma loves to "embrace" Atenas.

I turn on the lights and I see these two enjoying themselves:

Unfortunately, Emma had the jar of Vaseline (petroleum jelly) and was not only rubing it on her pajamas, but also on Atenas! Now why wouldn't Atenas run for her life? That is something we still haven't figured out. Atenas was letting Emma grease her all over her furry body and I'm stuck trying to wipe off the Vaseline from both of my little stinkers! What a beautiful and exciting way to start my Friday!

Helping Mommy Rake Leaves

Yesterday we went outside to rake some of our leaves. Raking leaves is fun since we don't really have many leaves to worry about. So Emma decided to give Mommy a hand. Notice that she's not using her small rake; she preferred Mommy's:

Then Emma decides to have some fun:

Her face reveals her intentions:

Leaves flying everywhere! She got a good kick out of this:

After all that hard work, Emma decided to play with her ball. It is amazing how much fun a kid can have is a $1 toy!

Boo!

Grammy Douglas bought Emma this onsie so she could wear it while handing out candy to trick or treaters.

At the Park - Fall Colors

Yesterday Cameron and a neighbor went mountain biking. They went through one of our local parks and Cameron came back saying that we should go there because the colors of the fall leaves were beautiful.

I'm not sure why Emma is not smiling in these pictures. Maybe it was because we didn't let her run towards the pond.

But it didn't take long to make her happy. Here's Emma with Daddy: During weekends, Emma is a Daddy's girl (and Mommy gets a break):

Daddy's Helper

These are old pictures from early last month when we were still enjoying hot temperatures.

Cameron was working on our yard and of course Emma wanted to "help". I'm not really sure how much of a helper Emma was to Daddy, but she had a great time riding in the wheel barrel.

Four Year Wedding Anniversary

Four years ago we vowed before the Lord to love, honor, and serve each other. We became ONE. I love this man, my husband, more every day. What a blessing he is to our family!

I'm not sure what Gramp is telling us but he sure is making us laugh!

19 on the 19th

Our little one is 19 months old. Time really goes by so quickly.

Last week she was teething and her molars are giving her a tough time. She hasn't had any fever, but we can hear her in the middle of the night complaining. Last Friday she was miserable and nothing could console her. She woke up at 3 AM and didn't go back to sleep. Daddy had to go to work and I was able to take a nap when Emma decided to take one. Poor baby, it breaks our heart to see her in pain. I guess it is just part of life.

Here she is after waking up at 3 AM last Friday:Emma loves the teddy that auntie Jenny gave her when she was born: