The swing

I was organizing my photos and came across these. They were taken exactly 16 seconds apart. =) Oh the joys of a dramatic 3 year old.

And seeing those made me want to do a comparison of her in her swing. She has officially outgrown it, just don't tell her that...

And now it's Emerson's swing...she looks thrilled doesn't she.

OS

Here are a few pictures from our most recent trip to OS. We seem to have horrible luck with traffic getting there but we always have a wonderful time once we do finally get there. The weather last weekend was beautiful. A little marine air in the morning and beautiful blue skies for the afternoon. Per-fect! Hannah had so much fun on our morning walks, she got to ride in the stroller like a queen while grandma Judy pushed her around. Oh, the rough life she lives. Emerson actually was awake this time around. Our last trip in May, she seemed to fall asleep on the walk to the beach and then would stay asleep until we returned; totally missing the beach. This time around she was so content to just sit in the pack and take everything in. My cousin Katie was visiting OS the same weekend and we met up with them for ice cream. I felt bad stealing her away from Landon's family reunion but we enjoyed the little time we got to spend with them. Thank you Katie for the ice cream and for introducing us to Carousel. =) Here are a few a few pics from our weekend. Sorry they're just like all our other trips to the beach. =)

Standing tall...such a big girl
The boys having some fun. And no, Tom didn't wet himself, he just got out of the pool...

Chasing away the birds.
We had been sitting next to the pole until the big wave came and nearly washed us away. We quickly gathered our stuff and ran towards the car (that we very carefully parked on hard sand). From that moment on Hannah would scream with each wave - she was sure we were going to be swept away...we didn't stay much longer.
How Emerson enjoys the beach...
We really do feed her, honest.

My rock climbers.
Sitting on the rock bench.
Hannah and Ashlyn after their cotton candy ice cream.
Grandma and Hannah poking at the sea anemone.

Breakfast in bed, minus the breakfast.
Queen for a weekend
Tom and his seaweed boa.
Sweet Emmie watching her big sister.

And, finally, one of my favorite pictures from this trip.

The Fourth

I feel silly posting all of these old pictures but I know of at least 1 person who doesn't mind me going back to cover it all. We had a quiet 4th at my parents house which was really nice considering we had just gotten home from Leavenworth the day before. Hannah had fun with the pop-its, sparklers and her Cait-Cait. Poor Caitlin, Hannah was pretty much by her side the entire day. And, no, that's not what I dressed her in for the 4th. She was all dressed up in her 4th of July t-shirt and jean skirt, looking oh so cute until the strawberries came out and then that was the end of that outfit. Thank goodness we had brought along jammies! Emerson LOVED the fireworks and wasn't bothered by the noise one bit. She sat ever so contently on my dad's shoulders and watched the fireworks as if they were all set off just for her. She even let out the occasional ooohhh. It was really sweet.

Happy 4th of July
Cameron, Camille, Caitlin, Spencer, Sarah & Tom playing 3 to 13. Thanks to Caryl for introducing us to that FUN game. I forgot to mention that we must have played that game 100 times in Leavenworth. Fun, Fun, Fun!

Dad and our Angel Emerson

Donna, Susie & Mom

Caitlin and her shadow

Finally...Leavenworth.

We spent a week in Leavenworth at the end of June. We stayed at one of Sue and Dave's condos and had such a great time. When we started planning this trip it was probably March or so and all I wanted was warm weather. Well, we got it, and boy did we get it. The entire time we were there it was above 90 degrees and a couple of days it was above 100. And wouldn't you know, those few super hot days are the days that we spent away from the pool. Go figure.

As soon as we got to the condo and somewhat unpacked we got ready and headed to the pool. Hannah was a little unsure at first in the big pool but she settled into the kiddie pool just fine. The next morning we headed into Wenatchee and got her a swimming ring and that was all she needed to feel more confident in the bigger pool. Emerson stayed out of the pool the first day. She was content to sit with me while I enjoyed the sun. Hannah loved the pool and we've decided that the girl is in desperate need of swimming lessons. Emerson didn't like the pool at first and I think that was because it reminded her of the bathtub (which she hated) but that all changed after she experienced the heat. Poor girl got such a heat rash and as soon as we would bring her into the pool or a cool tub it seemed to just disappear. Except for the rash under her eyes that is STILL with us. Urgh.

We went into town one night for ice cream and enjoyed the music at the little gazebo. As we parked the car I realized that I had forgotten the camera and wouldn't you know it, that was the night that Hannah went up on stage and got to ring the bells with 6 other kids. It was so cute and we were so proud of her for not being shy. She proudly said her name and where she was from and followed the directions. Tom and I were SO proud. We thought for sure that she'd come running back to us, like I'm sure I would have done if I were her. The only pictures we have are from my cell phone so they're really blurry. She's the only one without their shoes on. I apologize to my family now...I have vowed to always have my camera with me!

Our next trip into town, I brought my camera. It wasn't nearly as exciting as the previous trip. No bell ringing, no public chicken dancing, just HOT. We got there, walked through a few shops, ate at the most delicious eatery and got out of there. It was SOOO hot. I think that day it got up to 103. The girls both did really well, better than I did but that's another story. =) Hannah is a girl after my own heart. We ordered her a hot dog for lunch but the only thing she ended up eating was the delicious sauerkraut. She had a bowl full of it for lunch and it just about gagged her father. Pretty funny. It was a fabulous little eatery but the only seating is outside and we managed to get one of the only tables that didn't get hit by the "mist-er".

Enjoying her sauerkraut

Tom brought along his hiking with kids book and we found a nice easy hike up icicle creek. Only problem was that the road to get to the starting point of the hike had been washed out. So instead of taking a nice family friendly hike along the river, we hiked to the starting point. Nice! It was so hot, the mosquitoes were horrible and the "trail" was so not a trail that by the time we got to the starting point Hannah was in tears and was ready to go home. I felt bad for Tom because he had to carry her back to the car and well she's not exactly easy to carry anymore. It was an interesting hike none the less. We saw a deer that didn't care that we were right next to it and the amazing site where the river jumped its banks and took over the road. We have decided that Hannah isn't quite ready for hiking but I'm really glad that we went.

where we started..

where we should have started...

Other than those few outings we pretty much stayed close to the Condo and the pool. We're hoping that we can make this an annual trip. Hint, hint Susie. =) Here are a few other pictures from our week.

It was super hot this day as well. We didn't last much past this hole. Poor girl was SO hot!FishingPhew, that was a whole lotta pictures. =)

Yummy?

Squash...need I say more?

This was way back on 6.26.08

Computer update

Well, my computer is gone and with it went all my pictures. The computer man came and changed out our Internet card and got it working again, but decided to take it with him to clean it up. So, I'm without my computer and this will be a post without pictures - a rare thing for me. The nice man is going to bring it back Monday all spruced up and ready to go. If we weren't going to the ocean this weekend I'm not sure I could have parted with it for so long.

In other news...3 of the u.g.l.y portables are gone from the school next door. For those who don't know, we live right next to Hillcrest Elementary School. We used to have a nice view of the play field but for the last year the school has been going through a "modernization" and they covered up the field and put 13 or so portables out there to house the school. Well some of them are coming down and I'm about ready to do my happy, woo-hoo dance. I'll actually have to wait until next summer to do the entire dance because another school in the district will be sending half of their students to the remaining portables for the next school year. 3 down 10 to go. YAY!!!

6 months

Can she really be 6 months old now? Technically she's almost 7 but regardless I can't even believe it. It's gone by SO quickly, a little too quick if you ask me. So lets see, at her 6 month check up she weighed in at 15 lbs 1 oz and is 26 inches long. Her doctor was most impressed with her and how well she is moving around. She rolls both directions, sits herself up, has mastered crawling and she can even pull herself up to standing. She is most definitely a girl on the move. I was so hoping that she would be the baby that would lay around not motivated to roll or move, but no such luck. She's determined to keep up with her big sister. Speaking of her big sister, Emerson l.o.v.e.s her big sister. Her whole face lights up and her legs start kicking in the morning when Hannah decides to join us. Emmie is still the good sleeper that she was as a newborn and sleeps from 9 - 5 but she only takes little cat naps through out the day. I really can't complain it's just such a difference from when Hannah was her age. Hannah was up 2 or 3 times a night, but then she would sleep in until 8:30 or 9. I'm really struggling with Emerson's early rising. It's actually not too bad considering that I've started working in the morning. Poor Tom is the one who gets to spend the early hours with her. I really don't think he minds...it's their special time. =) Emerson is at such a fun stage and we are truly enjoying every minute of it. Her are a few pictures of her at 6 months. Isn't she just the cutest!

Happy Baby Emerson


Trying to crawl off the bed...

Watching her big sister...

Congratulations to my cousin Joel and his wife on the birth of their 3rd child Jackson Arthur Denny (7/13) and also to Tom's cousin Stashia and her husband on the birth of their 2nd daughter, Laila Votava Kaiel (7/15). We are so happy for you all!