Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

We wish you a Merry Christmas and

A Happy New Year!

Look At Me!

My cutie Sara Elizabeth is growing up before our eyes. At six months I worried that she had no interest in crawling, boy why do I stress over the little things. Now at eight months she is my light of sunshine who reminds me everyday to just relax because she will bloom when she is ready, and she is blooming! She crawls in Sara style~right leg bent and left foot flat to the floor. She has moved to all table food which I find remarkable because just a week ago she would gag on a green bean. She pulls up everywhere she goes and then tries to let go. Unfortunately tumbles and falls have increased. Her latest sounds are hysterical. Her nickname from Goddy is bubbles. This is because she sputters and blows bubbles of drool until her outfit is soaking wet. Her other sound is something of an animal. She growls and grunts in between bubble blowing. Now the next milestone should be first words. I will be waiting patiently!

**Just a note the pictures are a little out of order but simply adorable**

Look at me Mommy-I am standing

Time is lower the crib

On all fours-just waiting to move

Cousins~all the girls

Sara, Anna-Grace, Emma, Ellie & Baby Ava


Very sleepy

Love to swim but not loving the sprinkler

Telling Mommy she is tried of baby food. She has moved on to regular food. Her favorite mashed potatoes and peas

Love to swim

Getting a lift from big sister Emma

I am a crawler

Family

Our beach trip was great. It had been some time since the whole family had been together at the same time. Thanks to Holly we had family pictures taken. I think they are great considering we had to try and keep six kids focused at the same time. Another thanks to Eric who was the photo helper and the one to keep the kids focused.

Family of 13 who just recently became family of 14.

Welcome Baby Ava Ray.

Growing family~Sara is in the photo but asleep in Rob's arms

Love her

Nana and her girls

Sweet Pea & Daddy

Daddy's Girl

The Ray's

AGB & Beth

The Lane's

Nana & Goddy

Grandbabies

Family

Happy Birthday Emma!

May 18, 2011 our sweet baby girl turned three. I can't hardly believe how fast three years have gone. We love every part of her- her adorable smile, her occasionally sassy talk, her love for Sara, the way she says she loves us, her sweet laugh, her singing way off key the little mermaid song, her determination of being little miss independent, how she covers her bed with animals and princesses to cuddle with at bed time, her energy to never sit still....I could go on.

Her birthday weekend was shared with family and friends at her Princess party. She is proud to be three. When asked how old she is, her reply is, while holding three fingers up, "I'm one, two, three!" Once her party was over she asked if she could have another party tomorrow. I told her she had a whole year before we would celebrate another birthday, and I could only think about how fast it will be here, which scares me to death...my baby girl is growing up. I wish I could twitch my nose and have time slow down.

Happy 3rd Birthday Emma Katherine!
We love you!

Princess Emma

One of her favorite gifts.

She loves playing with her daddy and he loves it too!

I love listening to Emma sing. She enjoys being video taped. The only problem is she wants to see the video before she has finished the song.

Memorable Times

I realized after looking through my May photo file I take a lot of pictures. Here a just a few of my favorites.

Emma jamming to her IPOD songs while wearing Daddy's hat.

Emma is a fan of helping in the yard. The hat and IPOD are ususally being used by Rob but Emma decided it was her turn to look like Daddy.

Pony ride with Bugsy at Matty's carnival birthday party.


Tree Climber?? Lately Emma's idea of being outside is climbing a tree and/or climbing on rocks. Rock climbing is not so bad, but the tree climbing scares mommy just a bit.

My beautiful girls!

Look at me sitting up.

Big Helper

Emma is a great big sister. She is always wanting to help mommy and daddy with Sara. For the most part Sara cooperates. Emma doesn't mind helping until Sara begins to sputters out her food, which is extremely messy.

Pretty Toes

Emma enjoys having her toes and fingers painted. She says the paint makes her a princess.

Snocones with the birthday boy!

Reading time with Goddy

Snack time on the playground with AGB.

Bath time with these days are more exciting than ever. Two in a tub mean more water, more toys, more noise. As you can see bath time is one of their favorites times of the day.

Emma practicing her drive while Basil looks on

Look at that smile!

Next post...Emma's Princess Party

April 2010

Since I can't seem to post right at special occassions I intend to catch up by each month. Oh, how I wish I had more time to dedicate myself to this blog.

April 2010

The best part about this month was the family mini-vacation we took. We had a great time at Virginia Beach and Busch Gardens over Easter weekend. Thanks to Holly we had a wonderful photo shot with memorable photos to cherish at the conclusion of a couple great days at the beach-good memories, good food, warm weather, most importantly the whole family all together. We celebrated Ellie's second birthday with a dine-in lunch with Elmo and friends. The kids loved it, and so did the adults.

Wow, look at us!

Elmo, Big Bird & the Kids

Emma, Sara and I ventured up to Northern Viriginia with the Campbell's to visit the National Zoo. We had a beautiful day and loved seeing all the animals. Patricia was even brave to drive right down the main streets of Washington D.C. so Riley could see the Washington Monument, the White House, and Lincoln Memorial. Touring Washington D.C. is our next adventure.

My girls

Trip #1

Where do Mommy and Daddy Work?

Emma is such a treat! There is not a day that doesn't go by that she doesn't make me laugh or smile. She has this wonderful part about her that helps me see things of life in a different way. I am guilty to say that sometimes I get caught up in the "busy-non-important" things that when I do just stop and take in my daugther's enthusiasm of life I feel refreshed, and say over and over, "Do this more often because both us of need it and deserve it."

She recently asked me where mommy and daddy work. I told her that Daddy works at Lowes and that I work at a school teaching kids. Of course, she immediately said she needed to go to. I explained that her time would come soon enough (She will begin pre-school in the fall). A few minutes later she asked me what my school was called. I told her I worked at Cassell Elementary School. Her response was, oh you work at a castle. I explained that is wasn't the kind of castle that a princess would live in. Again, a few minutes later she said, Daddy works at Lowes and you work at an Elphantary School. To me this is simply priceless. I am a proud, hard working teacher at an Elphantary School.

What a cutie

Trying on Mommy's heels

Growing Up!

~BABY SARA~

Sara is nearly 5 months old and blossoming everyday. Honestly where does time go! Our Baby Sara, as Emma calls her, amazes us everyday. Recently, she shared her beautiful laugh with us. There is something so peaceful about a child's laugh. We can tickle her under her checks and she just giggles! She wants to roll over so badly, but realizes that she is going to end up on her tummy which is one of her least favorites things to do. The mommy (and teacher) in me is worried that she hasn't mastered the skill yet, but she is my baby and perhaps I should just let life slow down. She will soon roll over! She is loving her food. She is eating cereal and her yellow veggies. Both of which she enjoys. Looking forward to trying out the green beans and peas. She has a favorite toy. Her frog rattle, which needs to be washed up. It doesn't leave her month when she is holding it. Take a look at how beautiful our Baby Sara is...

Sara loves to be in "the big toy" (as Emma says). She bounces up and down when she turns on the music.

Spending a little time on the floor!

Yummy cereal! This was the first time to ate it. She now is a pro and can have it a little more thick. She is even drinking from a sippy cup.

Thumb sucker?!? Depending on how tired she is Sara will take a pacifier or her thumb. She looks like a pro thumb suckers but enjoys her pacifier just a much. A little time in the bumbo! Doesn't she look just like Rob!

Tummy Time! She screamed right after this photo. Two minutes was enough for her.