Em's 2nd Birthday!!

We'll things have been a little....what's the word I'm looking for....out of whack??

But that doesn't stop birthdays from happening :) Thank goodness!!!

My little boy is 2!!! Where has the time gone???

He's growing up to be such an amazing little guy....he's sweet and caring and funny and silly and he knows what he wants!!

Em's checking on Baby Bobby....that's our new fish :)

tools were the gift of choice this year....he loves all of them :)

Em's party was pirate themed...here's a little pirate island cake

1st birthdays are fun, but 2nd birthdays are even better! Emerson knew what was going on this time and he had a blast!! Here he is blowing out the candle...he actually did it!

Hey Em! How old are you??


I LOVE YOU BABY BOY, ALWAYS WILL :)

mother

I'm not very insightful, it's sad but it's true. I don't say profound things, if you know me and you heard me say something profound, you would probably be laughing :) I'm just goofy and never know the right thing to say, or the right time to say it....? I think "awkward" is the word I'm looking for? But we're all different right? That's what makes this world such an exciting place!

Obviously, I think about others and love helping others, it's my job, at home and at work! But I never really pondered about life or asked many whys? I have always been and still am very content to just go with the flow and live life. Becoming a mother has shown me "why" and what my role is in this life. Reveling more about myself than I could image. It's taught me to be patient, understanding, honest and most of all shown me what LOVE is.

I heard this in a sermon a few months ago and it really stuck with me....."the ultimate miracle of love is this - that love is given to us, to give to one another." People recognize the love of Jesus :) I have been given a great responsibility to share this LOVE with Emerson! I consider him MY angel. He will look to me to be a spiritual leader. I want to be that example for him, it's the least I can do, as you can see, he's done sooo much for me.

And so have these lovely ladies!!!
Everything I know about being a Mom, I've learned from these beautiful women.

left to right: me, Momma, Gammie and Laurie

that lovely lady in the green....is my Mother aka Momma, MayMay, Kathy. And I'm so proud to say she's mine! She's the perfect example of what I have always needed in a MOM.  I Love You! 

Seeing life through the eyes of my child has been the single most rewarding thing in my life. I never had big dreams of being a Mom. It's not something I've thought and dreamed about since my childhood. But, I will say I think and dream about it everyday now :) 

to Emerson..."say cheese"..... and Emerson's response......what's on my hands?

kissing the camera

daddy's 27! happy birthday!

hanging outside at Nina's for some birthday fun :) 

I-talian pastries and cake

family bday photo

back-tracking....our Christmas in Texas

We were able to spend our very 1st Christmas in Texas this year! It was a surprise visit for most their household, Mimi was the only one who knew we were coming ;)

Em had some play time with the boys......look at the face, the kid means business.........ha!

Some snuggle time with the girls :) 

Mimi, Emerson and Aunt Iggy

Merry Christmas!!!! actually Christmas ;)

 Papa

 Em, Daddy and Rudy

 Granddaddy, wait is he still asleep?

 Uncle Av and Em

Em and Momma

We had a great time in Texas, we'll be back soon.......for a graduation! 

BOOMER.........SOONER!

back-tracking a bit...VA Christmas activities

For memories sake, I need back-track a bit and document our Christmas celebrations (plural) this year

 Grand Illumination in Williamsburg, VA (needs to be family tradition)

 Picture with Santa :) Mr. Personality LOVED Santa, seriously he sat there and talked (well, mumbled) to him for atleast 5 minutes :)

 early-Christmas at our house filled with footfalls, p-p-puppy, and a new mini broom!

........off to Nina's house for more early-Christmas dinner and festivities

We were required to do a early-Christmas at home in VA because we went to Texas this year for Christmas, more on that tomorrow!

surprise beach weekend

Greg was playing golf this weekend with some friends in Corolla, NC......so Emerson and I tagged along for a little bit of our own fun :)

 we took a morning walk to go play at the beach

 Chased a "dah-gee"

 Sunday, we ended up at the park, where they had the coolest tire swings!!!! They're horses if you can't tell and very appropriate for a beach known for it's wild horses :) I would love to have one of these at home!!!! Maybe one day?

.......took a little drive onto the beach!

and then soaked up some sun on the deck while Emerson had fun learning that his voice echoes if he yells loud enough.....pretty darn funny :)

Emerson is soooo much fun now and quite the looker, I must say! He is very inquisitive at this stage of the game and is amazed by the smallest things, like bubbles in the surf or even a pile of rocks. 

 He is a constant reminder for me to slow down and remember that laundry and groceries and that (never ending) to do list can always wait until tomorrow, we need to enjoy today :)

fall pickin'

I'm pretty go with the flow when it comes to vacationing with another family, I pretty much enjoy doing everything or atleast can enjoying watching others enjoy :) I made it known before we even got there this is the one thing that I wanted to make sure we did this week. Apple pickin'!!!!!!

It's something I've never done before and would love to do again, and you know what I think everyone enjoyed it just as much as I did! I hope anyway :)

We also headed to a real pumpkin patch, I can't remember if I've ever done this either? 

That means one of three things:

1. I probably haven't been

2. I have a horrible memory (quite possible)

3. or I was too little to remember

Either way, we have a new little family member and I want him to experience everything, is that normal?

Anyway, we headed out to the patch with our little pumpkin in tow, in search of his own pumpkin

Found it!

"the farmhouse"

We are thankful, that last week we were able to go on a much needed vacation, for some quality family time and fun with our friends

We rented "the farmhouse" and enjoyed lots of scenic views, relaxing evening walks, bike rides, walking around in small towns, a little history, playing at a great park, skyline drive, and some pickin'.

I'll be back with more details soon :)