Emerson's Baptism

I can't believe Emerson is 8 and old enough to be baptized. Emerson's baptism was January 2nd. Graham baptized her and confirmed her. She has been so excited for this day. We told her it was her decision and she needed to pray about it and ask if this was the right thing for her to do. A few days later, she said she prayed and asked Heavenly Father and she felt very good.

I told Eme she could design her own dress and I would make it for her. She was all over it. She drew it out for me and we went to the fabric store and she picked everything out. I didn't end up sewing it because it was too technical for me (I did make the flowers on the dress and added the sash) so a nice lady from our ward sewed it for us and it turned out beautiful. Emerson was very proud of her dress and she looked beautiful in it.

We don't have any family that lives near us but I was shocked at how many family came for Emerson's baptism. Graham's parents flew down, his aunt Pilar and uncle Ralph drove 5 hours to be here. Thanks Ralph and Pilar for doing that. We know how busy you are this time of year but it meant a lot to Eme. She loves you guys so much. Graham's uncle Lee and aunt Karen and son Adam, uncle Mark and aunt Sarah and their family and of coarse our Rasner's came down too. And all our close friends from here were there to support Eme. Thank you all for sharing this day with Emerson. It was a wonderful day.

Emerson's request, we had a little chocolate fountain party at our house after the baptism. YUM!

Who needs pretzels and strawberries to dip when you have fingers!

The Rasners made the cutest little candy poster about baptism for Eme. Of coarse she loved it!

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Happy New Year!

Happy 2010 Everyone!

It's days like this that we are so grateful that we live in San Diego. We went to the beach on New Years day to spend a relaxing day in 70 degrees. We had a bonfire with some friends, roasted hot dogs for dinner and s'mores for dessert.

It was nice outside but it's still cold in the ocean. I can't believe Emerson got in and played in the water without a wet suit.

We played some bocce ball.

Graham's parents, Ron and Phyllis flew down to be with us for Emerson's baptism.

It beats shoveling snow!

Merry Christmas!

We had Emerson's birthday cake and ice cream to finally finish out what seems like her birthday month.

Eme and Atti both loved helping me wrap presents.

They were both very good at using their tape.

The last 3 years, the Walthall family has brought over their Nativity puppet set. All the kids act out the Christmas Story. We have a tradition of eating breakfast for dinner on Christmas Eve. This year was especially fun with even more families joining us.

Emerson's letter to Santa.

Emerson's offerings to Santa and his reindeer. She is so cute, she left out carrots for the reindeer.

Our kitchen drain backed up during our Christmas Eve festivities. No plummers were open for business so all the men tried to fix and snake the drain. It didn't work. We have another tradition of having prime rib for Christmas dinner and have the missionaries over but with the sink not working we couldn't do that this year so what was our back up? We ordered Chinese food. It was our own "Christmas Story". The missionaries didn't care. They were stoked about the chinese food but by the end of the night, the drained cleared. Graham called it our own Christmas miracle!

Emerson and Atticus were so excited about Christmas morning. I thought for sure they would be awake super early but they didn't wake up until 8. That is sleeping in for them. That was my favorite gift.

Emerson received her digital camera and toothbrush she asked Santa for.

Present time!

The kids sorted all the presents and waited patiently to open them.

They hugged and thanked each other for their gifts they received from each other. Sooooo Cute!

Putty loved the new bed he received for Christmas. He immediately started rubbing himself all over it. I guess to leave his scent?

Grandma Linda gave us money to buy a family Christmas gift this year so we decided to go skiing. A couple of years ago, we took Eme skiing for her first time and Graham and I tried to teach her to ski. It was the worst experience for all of us. We vowed we would never try that again. So this time we put her in ski school. It was the best money we spent. She was happy, Graham and I were happy. By the end of her lesson, Emerson rocked the bunny slope. We didn't take Atti with us this time because they didn't offer lessons for 3 year olds. He will start next year. This was the perfect way to end Christmas. Thanks Grandma Linda/Mom!

Happy 8th Birthday, Emerson!

Looking beautiful in her birthday dress and a matching dress for her doll that Grandma Phyllis and Papa Ron gave her.

We got an early Christmas present. We stuffed her in my Christmas stocking. She fit just perfectly.

My Love Letter to Emerson

Dear Eme,

It's your 8th birthday today. I can't believe it. It seems like only yesterday you graced us with your presence. I was pretty sick while I was pregnant with you. It was rough and I really did not enjoy my pregnancy. People talked about how wonderful pregnancy is and how beautiful they look and feel and how they glow. I didn't feel any of that. All I got was fat, a lot of acid reflux, a lot of pain in places I didn't want to be feeling. I just wanted to get out of my own body. I thought this was all a precursor to what was a head of me and I wasn't sure if I wanted to be a parent.

Then you were born, 6 lbs 4 oz. 19 1/2 inches long. I remember being so unbelievably scared. I could not wrap my head around the fact that I was responsible for you. I have to keep this tiny person alive? I felt so overwhelmed. I learned pretty quickly how to take care of you. I also realized I loved being a mom.

You were my first experience for a lot of things. As my first baby, I could not believe how I could love someone so unconditionally. I couldn't believe how natural my love for you came. I couldn't kiss you or hold you or just stare at you enough. It was the first time I realized how much my Heavenly Father loved me. He gave me you! I am so lucky and blessed to have been entrusted with such an amazing, beautiful spirit. I would lay my life for you. I am so in love with you. I still get tears of joy just looking at you.

It's been pretty easy being your mom because you are so easy to love. It has been an amazing 8 years with you in my life. I can't wait to see what the future holds for you. I am so grateful for you and you will always, forever be my baby! Happy Birthday, Princess.

xoxo-Momma

Girls Day Out!

Emerson wanted to go see Hollywood for her 8th birthday, so we spent an entire day just girls in LA last Friday. Emerson invited 4 of her closest friends to come along. I made them all matching berets and scarfs. First, we went to Ruby's for lunch. Then we stopped at the mall to see Santa.

Finally, we made it to LA. First stop was Mann's Chinese Theatre to see the Stars. The girls had fun finding the stars names they knew. Even the rain couldn't stop their fun! The only bummer was it was too rainy to be able to see the Hollywood sign.

Then, we made it over to The Grove. The next agenda was tea at the American Girl Store. I told Eme and her friends I would take them there if they all read 5 American Girl books. They exceeded my expectation.

The girls had a blast having a tea party at the American Girls store. They all got to choose an American Girl doll to sit with. The cafe is so cute and the food was yummy. Everything was very girly.

Kari works at The Grove, so we got to see her and Hoon for a minute. Thanks for coming and seeing Emerson. She really loves you guys!

It "snowed" at The Grove. It really made a wonderful ending to the day. It was so cute watching the girls dancing and laughing as the snow came down.

I love doing these girl outings with Emerson.

Thanksgiving 2009

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We went up to Exeter to our friends, the Rasner's house for the weekend. Our kids always love playing and visiting their "fake cousins."

We all stuffed ourselves with Graham's delicious turkey and other yummy sides and desserts.

We also went on a little walk through the beautiful walnut groves and took some fall pictures. I love fall. We don't get the fall leaves here in San Diego so it was nice to see all the beautiful orange and yellow leaves in the walnut groves.

The Rasner family. We love you guys! Thanks for your hospitality.

Atti"s 3rd Birthday Party

We ended up having his party at Peter Piper Pizzas.  I forgot that it gets dark early now that the time has changed.  I think it worked out better anyway.  The kids had a blast and I really didn't have to do anything other than make a cake.

I was actually quite proud of myself.  I usually don't make the birthday cakes but I got ambitious this time.  The birthday theme was monkeys so I attempted to make a monkey cake.  I think it actually turned out pretty good.  Don't think I'm that cool and clever.  I saw it online and I copied it, but I will take the credit for the banana cake.  I knew the monkey cake wouldn't feed 30 people so I had to think of something else so I came up with the bananas.

Spoiled much?  We didn't give him any of these toys.  Everyone must have known that Atticus loves Transformers.  He has been having fun playing with all his new toys.  Grandma Linda sent him some money and we bought him some cool Puma shoes and Grandma Phyllis and Big Papa Ron sent him an alphabet puzzle that he loves and Aunt Shanny sent a cute Sesame Street book that Emerson loves to read to him.  Thanks for all your kindness!