The Christmas Season

I know, I'm really lame. For all 3 people out there who read our blog, please accept my apologies. Here's a quick recap of our last couple months:

Celebrating Thanksgiving in Oak Harbor, Washington.My latest project - potty training! I think it's safe to say we have a ways to go. Don't worry, Grandparents...I edited the picture. We celebrated Christmas early with the Hartmans. Not even 2 and Emma really gets the concept of gifts - and as the only grandchild/neice there were a bunch for her to open!We celebrated Christmas Eve and Christmas with my family in Thousand Oaks and Palm Desert. Emma barely fit into her 24 month Christmas dress...good thing Christmas wasn't any later or we'd be back to the store to buy another one.Andrew snapped one last picture of me and Dylanne, the dog I picked out in 1995. Chances are good this will be that last picture of her - she's headed to doggy heaven soon. Love you Dylanne!

Candy?

It's so fun watching a 20 month old figure out Halloween. First, we dressed Emma up like a butterfly ("fuh-fly" as she says). Then, we tell her to ring the door of total strangers and ask them for candy. She caught on pretty quick, especially after the first couple houses.

We had a little block party, complete with "spooky" deviled eggs.

My baby girl all dressed up. She was such a ham.

She loved pointing to her wings and saying "Fuh-fly"!

Thanks to Granny for some amazing shots!

The three of us before we took Emma trick or treating. She would stop at every house and point, saying "Candy?" She's a quick study.

I love this picture. It looks like it should be in a magazine.

New York, New York

So last week Andrew and I went to New York city for our 5 year anniversary while Emma stayed home with Mimi and Papa. We missed her a ton!...but were so thankful for the time away.

Central Park was incredible, especially as the days we spent there were so mild.

We went to the Top of the Rock at sunset. The view was breathtaking (and we enjoyed it with about 500 other people, most of whom didn't speak english).

We went to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Andrew found his family that immigrated through Ellis Island in 1904. Well, he didn't actually find them...we found their immigration papers.

Brunch at the Boathouse in Central Park. We needed a break from strolling museums.

See a pattern here? Andrew had never been to New York before so I just HAD to show him all classic NYC places. We saw a show, ate incredible meals, stayed out late, walked all over town, road the subway, made an appearance on TODAY, bought food from street carts...if we ever win the lottery we may just consider a second home in the city.

The OC Fair

We took Emma to the OC Fair this month while Mimi and Papa were visiting.
Emma loved the gazillion animals in the petting zoo and we enjoyed the people watching and a frozen lemonade on a hot day.

Here's Emma posing at the front entrance.

I'm not kidding...these steers were taller than Andrew. Only at the county fair.

We found a petting zoo with tons of baby animals.

Apparently Emma didn't read the sign...she's such a rulebreaker.

Our Little Patriot

Celebrations

I pinch myself sometimes when I think about the incredible community we have around us.

Celebrating Father's Day in Laguna Beach.Celebrating the birth of Baby Carson.
Celebrating Matt's Birthday.

Book Club

So last year I joined an amazing group of Mamas who love to read and talk about life and raising kids and the spiritual journey of being a parent. I'm sure there are a bunch of different things we could call our group - I choose to call us a book club...it makes me feel like a sophisticated and hip Mama...
We get together every week over coffee, after the kiddos are in bed, and by the time I get home Andrew is fast asleep. But I love these women and feel blessed to walk through life with them.
This weekend we met rather spontaneously at the bluffs at Corona Del Mar for a little wine and cheese picnic with our families. It was fun and totally chaotic, but we had a blast.

Around the house...

Happy Summer!
Here are a few things we've been up to this month:

The three of us at our friend Colby's 30th bday.

Emma has taken to helping out with the dishwasher.

Here she is practicing the piano. As you can see, she is really focused.Andrew split his head open while taking out the trash. I told him to put some ice on it.

Emma and Taylor at Andrew's Summer League Softball Team BBQ.

Emma and Ethan chilling together in someone else's wagon.

Emma and Lucy enjoying the pool. Emma's latest way to pass the time on warm days...stripping down and playing in the water.

Sweet Girl...

Thanks to Aunt Carly for an adorable shot of our girl.
P.S. Is it just me or is she taking after her dad with the widow's peak?

Best $45 We've Spent in Years

Okay people, run, don't walk to the Santa Ana zoo for an annual membership.  $45 dollars.  No joke.

Sure some of the animals are sickly.  And lets be honest, that elephant's not gettin' any younger... but the monkies.  OH the monkies.  So good.  Emma loves them.

 

Who doesn't love a lemur?

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Emma mid clap.  Notice the delicate interlacing of fingers.  Only the best in response to the monkies.

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Did we mention they have a petting zoo?!! Forty... five... dollars.  Make it happen and call us.  We'll go together! P.S.  This goat is showing indifference, but he's just playing hard to get.  He'll come around. Give him time.

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Mia (Emma's buddy*) and Emma on the Merry-Go-Round (COME ON!!!).  What does this place not have?!!  Don't even get me started about the train.  Yeah, that's right.

*By "buddy", we mean casual indifference with the occasional toy share and over-agressive recovery of said toy.  14 month-olds aren't exactly bosum buddies with anybody just yet. 

Happy Easter from the Hartmans

She's Mobile.

Emma's First Birthday Party

A year has flown by since our sweet Emma arrived. We decided to mark the milestone birthday with a French-themed party that was inspired by a dress a client gave me for Emma and, of all things, an Eiffel Tower shaped cookie cutter.

As we all know I'm so not creative so my mom added her magical touch to make the party memorable, like creating this banner that hung from the arbor in our courtyard.

Andrew's beachcruiser was turned into a French bike scene with flowers, a Bonjour welcome sign and a basket with breads, fruits and French cookbooks.

I always love cooking for our parties.

The birthday girl.

The proud parents.

Emma's first cake - Chocolate Mousse. She performed well for her crowd of adoring onlookers.

Emma with her Mimi who she LOVES.

Pops usually stays behind the camera at these events. I'm glad we were able to get he and Granny with their messy granddaughter in this shot.

Thanks to our family and friends for your generosity and love!
We're so glad to have you in our, and especially Emma's, lives.

One Year and Counting

Fair warning: We love you enough to warn you that this is chocked full with Momma/Papa pride. It's 10 minutes long.

February

It's a new month...and it's been busy!

Here are a few highlights...

Emma helping me put the bowls away...wait, no...actually she's trying to pull them down.

Emma helping gather a few things around the house, put them on her walker, and bring them to me.

Here she is helping unload the dishwasher.
Her favorite foods vary daily, but this week she's been all about the frozen peas. Who knew.Happy Valentines Day!
We've never been big fans but we did celebrate with wine, cheese and chocolate at the Kershes. Emma loved the wine...just kidding.More milestones - we turned her car seat around and she's drinking regular milk. When did I become that mom who blogged about her daughter sitting forward in her car seat? Seriously though, it's awesome.