Just Visiting

Emily has had a pretty fun weekend, especially when you consider that she has been cooped up in the house for the better part of the last week and a half.  On Friday, Mimi and Devon (visiting from CA) came up our way and even spent the night.  Emily was being pretty shy around Devon until she gave Emily a present (this red flashing snowman ornament with Emily printed on the front).

Without a doubt Emily LOVES this ornament and shortly after was playing catch...

and tug-of-war with Devon...

and Mimi too.

Then Emily played catch with Daddy - with just a little assistance from Mama...

and smiled BIG for Mimi's camera before bed.

Of course, Magic came along too and Emily thought it was so FABULOUS when she said good morning on Saturday.

Mimi and Devon were off again mid-morning and we had a regular Saturday.

But, this morning our fun continued when we were able to go and visit some friends and their new baby!  If you would believe it, I didn't take any pictures of sweet Ivy (1 month)!  In my defense, she was sleeping most of our visit and when she woke up Paul and I were taking turns snuggling her.  Still not good enough?  I know!  

I did get some pictures of Emily and William though (3 yrs. in March) when they played chase,

gave "hugs,"

watched a show, 

and played puzzles with the daddies.

Emily had some fun on wheels when she rode William's scooter, 

and was pulled in the wagon.

Emily ended the morning with a quick lunch while William kept her company.

I also missed a pic of the farewell hugs Emily was giving out to everyone.  I think she wants to visit them again soon!

Winter Days

Well, we haven't really been doing much lately.  No fun activities or extended time outside - you all know how much I love the cold!  Instead Emily has been keeping busy in the house playing "dress up,"

(Could you see the "bracelet?"  It fell from the bottom of Daddy's chair - look again.)

dancing A LOT, 

and dusting.

Today, she got her own set of multi-colored lights...

that she likes to play with.

Finally, Emily has been doing some coloring in her (ginormous) Christmas coloring book.

She picked this page first, especially for all of you.

In other news, Emily is tired of what I am feeding her and called in some delivery tonight. 

Emily's New Ride

I have wanted to get Emily a Cozy Coupe (car) for Christmas for a while - or at least ask Santa to bring one.  But, I do not like the current model and I began to think that we were better off waiting until after the move.  Anyway, in one of the many car discussions we were reminded that Nana and Grandpa had one in the attic that they were willing to let Emily drive around for a few months.  So, on Saturday I took her over for a test drive.  

Yep, it is a police cruiser with all of the lights and sirens - which Emily LOVES!  (I told Emily that this is the only police car she is allowed to ride in!)  She got right down to business, pushing all of the buttons...

and exhibited some dangerous driving behavior as well.

A girl can't stay occupied with a car forever though so she went to visit Elmo and read a book with Grandpa before we headed home.

On Sunday, I got a picture of her smiling with "her" new car... (first is her smile, second is "cheese")

and then more dangerous behavior behind the wheel.

Later that night Emily called Papa.  Guess what she wanted to tell him about...

(These were two really cute videos of you talking to Papa about the car and he struggles to understand you.  It isn't easy without seeing you and the things around you sometimes...)

Thanks for the new ride Nana and Grandpa!

No Touch?

Although this is not Emily's FIRST Christmas it is the first time she is enjoying the Christmas-y things around her.  She is allowed to touch most of the decor but there are, of course, those few breakable things that I ask her to leave alone.  Emily has a bit of a hard time NOT touching those - but does a pretty good job.  

As far as the tree goes, she is not supposed to touch the glass balls.  What she does instead is walk around the tree saying, "Emmy," (over and over) as she sees her reflection in each one.  She also likes to push the button to turn on the lights but then promptly wants to turn them off.

She spends a lot of time with her Little People nativity.  She knows all of the animals, the wise men, Daddy Joseph, Mama Mary,

and likes to give Baby Jesus kisses...

and big hugs.

It NEVER stays set up like this for very long!

Emily also likes to play with many of the other nativities that I have around the family room but the main nativity that she is NOT supposed to touch is my porcelain one in the fireplace.  The ottoman helps deter her but she has found ways around it.

This particular time she wanted to see the donkey UP CLOSE.

Christmas deliveries are a big hit too - boxes!

Today we started playing some Christmas music and Emily is a fan...

(In this video you were twirling around - your favorite after all - singing lalala, and at the end I ask you to kiss the camera which you do.  You also leave some steam on the lens... cute)

as a responsible parent (I try to be) I had to change my position and block the TV cabinet.  I bet Mimi had a heart attack while watching Emily "Fall"-la-la-la-la toward the corner!  :)

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...

But only kinda.  As beautiful as snow is, I am not really built for it.  I do, however, love days like today when Emily and I woke up to find snow flurries!  We missed Daddy's call to tell us about it because we had already run outside to see.  Emily liked her first peek...

so I put her snow boots and winter coat over her jammies and out we went.

The snow didn't amount to much but it was fun while it lasted.  Emily did enjoy her time playing but also liked the idea of going in for Cheerios after a few minutes.  Maybe it will be more fun when she can sled and build a snowman?

(The best part of this post was going to be the video but of course it is 25 MB too big!  GRRR!  You will just have to imagine Emily running around in the snow I guess.)

December Is More Than Christmas!

Dear Uncle Ryan,

I knew I liked you from the beginning - I could tell you were good with little ones like me. 

I thought it was because you are a Daddy,

but Mama said it started way before then.

I like how we take walks, 

play hide and go seek,

and how you feed me when no one is looking.

Mama tells me that I can count on you for a long time because you have always been a great big brother...

and I like that - even though I don't really know what a brother is.  

I was thinking that one thing you could help me with this June is blowing out my candles.  Are you any good at that?

Well, I hope you have a WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY today and a great new year!  Cheers!!

I love you!

Love, Emily Rose