Christmas!

We were back in NC for Christmas day. Here's Emma with her favorite gift from us, the cheapest one. :)










Emma playing with the toys and the wrapping paper.








Emma loved playing in the wrapping paper so much that she didn't want to move it off of her face and instead played with her toys like this.






Today we had a second Christmas when a HUGE box from Dad and Connie arrived. Once again, Emma's favorite toy was the simplest one, the fabric blocks.









Emma trying out her new stocking cap from Papa and Noni.












And last, but not least, our attempt of a family portrait on Christmas.

Vacation

Hi all! Sorry that it has been so long since we have blogged. We just bought a new computer and it took me a bit to figure out our downloads. But now that we are up and running, I should be much more regular with the posts.

We just got back from St. Louis. Here are some of the pictures:

Emma helped me get ready for the trip by playing in a mound of her clothes.






Our plans had to be rearranged due to the storm last weekend (we were originally going to also travel to Indiana and Nebraska). Fortunately, Hope and Leo were able to drop by St. Louis for a night and see Emma.


Mom made Emma her first fur coat (no worries...it was synthetic...back off PETA). I think Emma was tired of having her picture taken by this point.








Emma and Noah playing, which consisted of Emma hitting Noah's face. Noah began calling Tim and I "Emma Mama" and "Emma Dada." Very cute.




Emma and William playing.








William and I bonding. He is so cuddly!







We went to see the Wild Lights exhibit at the zoo. There were lots of lights, but the only animals out were the penguins.









Here we are, all bundled up.

Emma went on another play date with the boys. Much less traumatic this time...







We had lunch over at our friend Marcy's house. Emma and Marcy are best buds. We have started calling Emma our Therapy Baby since she has the ability to break down so many barriers with our friends with special needs.

Isn't this a great picture of Emma and Tim?

Hanging with the 'rents

Emma giving her mom a kiss (or actually a suck).








Emma's new favorite place to hang is on dad's shoulders.











We taught Emma how to whistle!! Not really.

Thanksgiving

Hope and Leo spend Thanksgiving with us and had a blast with Emma.








Emma loves her grandparents!








Emma and Grandma Hopie enjoying a book.

The view from my desk...

Before....











and after.










Emma was not happy about being bundled up for our walk.

Swingin'

Emma went swinging at the park for the first time yesterday. She LOVED it!

Out with the boys

Emma had a play date today with some of the neighborhood boys. They are MOVERS, so this was the only picture I could get with all of them in it. Emma's the one with the big bald head. ;)


I thought this picture of Emma's friend Sam was hilarious.










"Mama, don't you go leavin' me with all these boys!"

Our day of outdoor activity

Emma all bundled up for our morning walk (at 6:30 in the morning; Emma has yet to understand day light savings time).


















We later went out for an afternoon urban hike through Chapel Hill.

The Pea Pod

Emma was a cute little pea pod thanks to Grandma Donna.





















Bailey was a Dalmatian with the help of colored hair spray.











Annie was suppose to be a zebra but freaked out after only two stripes.

Emma and Bailey

Emma hanging out next to Bailey.

Tim took this as we were getting up the other day.

Hail Purdue

Hail, Hail to Old Purdue,
All Hail to our Old Gold and Black...

More Homecoming...

If you really want to see how my Homecoming weekend was, check out Kathy's Blog at http://www.fieldsfavorites.blogspot.com/ . She captures it much better....

Taylor Homecoming

My 10th year Taylor reunion was this past weekend...I cannot believe that it has been 10 years! It was great to go back and catch up with many friends, particularly the Bomb Shelter women.


Here we all are eating at Ivanhoe's.








Emma and Tim stayed with Hope and Leo for the weekend while I spent the time duty free with the other husband/kid-free women. However, Emma did sneak up for a visit to meet everyone. She had to show off her new outfit...


Grandma Hopie and Emma









Grandpa Leo, Grandma Hopie, and Emma

Emma sitting up

Sitting up and lookin' good

Emma's first soccer game

We took Emma to see her first UNC women's soccer game (best NCAA team in the country). I think she is hooked.




















Emma having fun with her doll Edith.








Emma playing with Bailey; Bailey just trying to survive another day.