A Wonderful, White, and Wild Christmas!

Just as we always have, we ventured to Booker for Christmas with our families. But, before we headed out we had our little family Christmas at home on Sunday night. Of everything in her stocking, her Santa Clause straw made her the happiest. Em'ry was super excited to ride her new four-wheeler! We were afraid she might be scared but she loves it. She doesn't hold the button down so she just peels out again and again.

We have been traveling with Em'ry since she was very small but still weren't sure how she would handle the drive since she is getting older, napping less, and becoming more mobile. She was an angel as always!

We headed out at 5am and the trip took 12hrs. Em'ry slept for the majority of the trip but even when she was awake she was her bubbly self. She talked, snacked, and played with her "car toys." She let Macy know who is boss. She refused to let her rest her chin on her carseat. They worked it out.

Em'ry is definitely to an age in which she remembers people, is confident, and very social.

With so many distractions, we thought it would be a great time to cut out one of her last two nursing seesions. This combined with her new mobility means she needs more calories and it just so happens that she started a growth spurt at the same time and is eating constantly. We were successful and she is INDEPENDENT! and, so is mommy ;)

We started of our Christmas celebration with lunch in Pampa with Greg's extended family. Em'ry loved playing with her cousins Gracyn and Maddox and met her Great-grandpa Robinson for the first time.

We spent Christmas Eve at Mimi and Grandad Banks' with dinner and gifts. Em'ry got a ride-a-long train and it was a hit! She was a little hesitant to open her presents because we have been telling her "no" for a month. She also got clothes, books, and numerous toys. We were busy all evening playing hard.

Christmas morning was spent at Nana and Papi's. Em'ry was up early and I finally let her wake up the house to open presents. The dancing snowman in her stocking made her dance! By now she was starting to get the hang of opening gifts and realized she wouldn't get in trouble. Her favorite gift is a little walk-a-long puppy that doesn't even use batteries!

Of course, Em'ry thought the biggest present was for her and she doesn't look too worried about her wild hair!

She also got cheetos in her stocking and she cared more about those than any of her gifts.

Em'ry loves this wagon she got from Grandpa and Grandma Godino and Aunt Ang. We couldn't get her out of it! And, since we've been home she has enjoyed the trip to the mailbox more than ever before.

The evening of Christmas day was spent at Grandpa Calvin's for the Cochran family Christmas. What a crew! There were 30 people in his house! It was loud and it was fun!

All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth!

What an eventful month it has been! Em'ry is almost running, talking in phrases, has four teeth and finally caught up to her age in clothes! We have had an amazing time watching her grow.

We took Christmas pictures on December 15th and I'll be darned if Em'ry didn't get two teeth on the same day. This is the second time she has gotten teeth on picture day. Luckily she isn't much of a complainer!

Greg and I are definitely seeing the perks of teaching. We are enjoying our two weeks off for Christmas break. Ms. Nancy may be a little frustrated with us when she has to go back and is a little spoiled.

On Friday before Christmas Break, I took Em'ry to school with me for a couple of hours. She was a ham! She loved being in my classroom and was so friendly to all my kids. She was friendly to the teachers as well but would rather let them admire her from a distance.

Em'ry loves the Christmas decorations in our house and loves riding around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights. She especially loves talking to her "Elf on the Shelf" which is a new tradition in our house. She isn't however too keen on the idea of sitting on Santa's lap. Two days in a row I dressed her up in Christmas attire and went to the mall only to decide it wasn't worth 45min in line and $20 to see her cry for Santa. We'll try again next year!

1st Birthday!

What a perfect time for Em'ry's party! Having family in town for Thanksgiving made it easy to celebrate Em'ry's 1st birthday!


We started with a terrific brisket lunch that Greg made and then dove right in to opening presents because Em'ry couldn't take it anymore.











After seeing this gift from Aunt Jana and Cesar, she didn't care to open any more gifts!










We finally pulled her away and she is opening her new kitchen.









Em'ry knew exactly what to do with her cake :) She tore it up! She got such a sugar rush that she needed something to wash it down. She couldn't even put her cup down for pictures.

One of the neatest parts of Em'ry's party was having Grandpa Calvin here! He turns 90 in January yet he got on a plane for the first time in 30 years just to be with us at Thanksgiving and celebrate Em'ry's 1st birthday.

Thanksgiving 2009

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! My parents, Jana, Cesar, Hailie, and Gramps all came in and stayed with Brandi and Corey while Greg's parents came down and stayed with us. On Thursday, we all gathered at Corey and Bran's for Thanksgiving Dinner! Matt came out as well as Corey's dad and nephew Darnell. It was a houseful but it was a blessing!















Hailie and Em'ry thought they were big stuff with Kinzy in her cage. They better watch out because if she gets out that pit bull will love you like the cocker spaniel that she thinks she is :)













Don't worry, Em'ry got her fair share of Thanksgiving goodies. In this picture, its 9 o'clock in the evening and she and Hailie are eating whipped cream all by itself!














It was a great day! Beautiful weather and amazing family. We have so much to be thankful for!

Halloween 2009

Halloween is so much more fun with a baby! Apparently we liked Em'ry's costume more than she did. We tried it on her several times leading up to Halloween in hope of getting her used to it before the big day. Every time she cried and fell over like sumo wrestler who can't get up. It was hilarious.

Not until the Halloween party at the babysitter's did she decide it might be okay. She saw the other kids in their costumes and wanted to wear hers.






By Halloween night, she was so happy to be a monkey!













Our neighborhood goes over the top for ALL Holidays and it was so fun to walk around, see the decorations, and trick-or-treat.

Check out the kids in the background!

Em'ry didn't get to eat much candy but she loved this cherry tootsie pop! Too bad it gave her a terrible rash :( I think she would say it was worth it!

All tuckered out!

Fun to have Nana and Papi here!

The Swing is a Hit!

We have been meaning to get Em'ry a tree swing since the end of summer and it is finally up! A few weeks ago we found the perfect pink swing and hung it in our front yard. Em'ry loves it! Any time we are outside, she points and yells to get in it. She loves to swing high even if it makes her grandparents nervous ;)



















Before we even had a chance to get it up, Uncle Corey and Em'ry had to try it out. She cried when it was time to get out!











Mimi and Em'ry had a blast in the swing while I whooped up on the boys in a game of HORSE in our driveway.











"Swing time" has been added to our daily routine. As soon as we get home from school, Em'ry lets me know what she wants. If its too late or too chilly, she will stand at the front door and look at it through the window. And, did I mention she screams (a happy scream) at it! hahaha So cute!

Dewberry Farms

After we went to the first pumpkin patch we heard about Dewberry Farms. It is a pumpkin patch, tree farm, corn maze, and petting zoo all in one!

Oh, and did I mention the old school carnival activities? Here she is waiting to ride the barrel train.

It was so neat!

STATE FAIR!

We have had some exciting weekends. The weather has been great and we are taking advantage of every moment.

We were so happy to visit Cassie, Adam, and Jalen in Ft. Worth. We all went to the State Fair in Dallas and it was a blast!

Em'ry loves the carousel. She has ridden it several times and every time we ride it the first couple of rounds get her stomach but she thinks its funny.

Can't go to the Fair and not eat fried food. She loves her some french fries!

10 months!

Em'ry is 10 months old! Wow! She is walking behind her cars, along the couch, testing the waters about standing alone, and getting into EVERYTHING! And, I love it!

Em'ry is such a sweetie! She waves at everyone and blows lots of kisses. She is sleeping in her own bed from 8-5:45 and starting to eat a few table foods. She loves fruits and veggies and especially french fries (which she gets once in a great while).

We gave her spaghetti for the first time and she loved it! How could she not? Its Grandma Dovie's secret recipe! In times like these I miss Grandma even more because I wish she was here to cook it for Em'ry and watch her enjoy it.

What am I suppose to do with this?

Okay, I'll try it.

Wow! I love it!

Em'ry's love of books is continuing to grow. She shows more interest in books than she does toys. But, be careful. If you read it to her once, you'll have to read it to her a million times!

She loves her Aunt Brandi and Uncle Corey!

Pumpkin Patch

Fall is settling in and we are loving the weather. We made a trip to the pumpkin patch to pick up some Fall decorations.

Em'ry loved riding in the wagon and playing with the little pumpkins. There were also cats running around and she was very interested.

She was all smiles as we decorated!