Two Years Ago Today

Just minutes old!

1 year!

Today!

I seriously can not believe that my baby is 2 years old. I said it last year, but I can completely understand why my mother calls me every year to tell me what she was doing "__ years ago." I really did spend most of the day recalling where we were in the process of getting Emory here. I spent the rest of the day watching my 2 year old, in sheer amazement, at how beautiful she is and what a wonderful and perfect gift she is from God! He truly blessed my life in words I can not find, when he gave me her!!

She has grown up SO much and even in the last week she has learned so much and taught me so much more. We are trying to introduce potty training, which I can tell already, I'm going to hate!! Also having a 2 year old has shown me which words I say a lot around her...why? because she repeats EVERYTHING we say now. Her new favorite word is "ok." She must say it 50 times a day. But since she has started using the word, I have caught myself saying it a lot as well. Her independence is growing and I love to watch her discover she can do something without my help. Yes, It hurts a little but the amount of pride and joy I feel when I see her doing it, completely clouds the hurt!

Being a mother is the most amazing job I have ever and will ever have in my lifetime!

She's TWO!!!

Both babies had to come with us to the zoo.

The fish were a BIG hit with these two.

Snack break.

Colt wasn't too interested in the animals.

Callie liked the petting zoo until one of the baby goats started to run towards both girls...they were over it after that!

We had to ride the carousel twice. She LOVES that thing!!!

Playing outside while daddy mowed the lawn before dinner.

"Happy Birthday to Emory..."

Little bit of sass in this picture!!

My Preschooler...that's what my email from Babycenter said today...my preschooler...it use to say "my baby," then "my toddler." Not sure I'm ready for a preschooler!! Ha! We had a great day! Emory and I met Rachel with Callie and Colt at the zoo and spent most of the morning there. We were suppose to meet at 10 but the birthday girl didn't wake up until 9:45 because that's when I finally I woke her up!

For it being April, it was pretty hot, but the Nashville Zoo is designed VERY well and has LOTS of shade! Since it was her birthday I did let her get a stuffed animal at the gift shop. It's a tiger but she calls it "meow" because she thinks it's a cat. I guess she right in a way!! After spending a long, hot morning at the zoo we both needed naps when we got home. I slept for 1.5 hours and she slept for 3.5. We ended the day with dinner as a family followed by cupcakes and ice cream. Happy Birthday Emory!!! We love you SOOOO much!

We had a Party

I can not believe it...my baby is turning TWO!!! When did she grow up???? Yesterday was Emory's 2nd birthday party. I don't know if she really knew that all the people were here to see her, all she cared about was them actually being here. I had told her at the beginning of the week that Papa and Nita and Gee and Dude were going to be coming to see her, mainly because she asks about them on a daily basis. Yesterday morning when she finally woke up at 1030 the first thing she said was "Tita, Papa, Gee, Dude?" Not "hi mommy" or "love you mommy" like I usually get! All she was concerned about was her grandparents!! :) At last they know she loves them!!


The party was a Hawaii/Aloha theme and it turned out so cute. I went earlier this week to get decorations at Hobby Lobby and Party City and everything was on sale...it was a sign! Last year I cooked the food we had at the party, but this year I was willing to pay in order to keep my sanity intact and my kitchen as clean as possible. We ordered Corky's BBQ, which was SO good and my parents picked it up on their way into town. I ordered the cake from Publix and I was a little nervous about it but it turned out VERY cute and was VERY tasty. I thought we would have a lot leftover but it was so good we put a BIG dent in it! The leftovers are going to daycare with her on Monday.


Overall we had a great party and a wonderful time with our friends and family. Emory LOVED all her gifts and I was very appreciative of all the clothes she got...less summer clothes shopping for me! Thank you everyone who made the drive and thank you for celebrating this beautiful, sweet, baby...I mean big girl's, birthday!!

Easter Weekend 2010

The Egg Hunt at TBF:

She had to ride the choo choo first thing!

And once again with mommy.

Emory was a pro at the Egg "grab." She quickly learned to set her basket down and use both hands to pick up eggs!!

Checking out her loot.

Dying Easter Eggs for the first time.

Look what the Easter Bunny brought.

We were running late, so we had to wait and do Easter Bunny stuff after church.

Kolton and Cheryl joined us for lunch.

What a WONDERFUL weekend!!! Since we've been out of town so much lately we, of course, haven't been to our church in awhile. I had forgotten how much I loved our church and didn't realize how much I've missed it, until today! It was a wonderful service and I got to spend the weekend with my little family and enjoyed EVERY second! He has risen indeed!

Gatlinburg...The Redneck Riviera

This is what we woke up too! Absolutely beautiful!!

The Space Needle...the one touristy thing we did!

Yep that is snow and I'm wearing short sleeves!

Oh yeah and Chase skied and snowboarded...in short sleeves!

The whole group...Thanks Frank for being a good sport and letting us take the picture!

The chalet...all the boys have the same truck...too funny!

This made us laugh...as soon as we passed the sign though our GPS did say "recalculating" haha!!

Last weekend was our last weekend to travel for a while. Every weekend in March we were out of town for something. All things that we WANTED to do but after awhile traveling gets old. We had a great time in Gatlinburg. We met Katie and Frank up there LATE Friday night and stayed until Sunday morning. It was a quick trip but still fun and relaxing. I haven't been to Gatlinburg in a long time and I had forgotten how touristy it is. I think it's gotten worse since my last trip!! The best part was of course staying in the chalet away from everything, but getting to it always makes my heart skip a beat or two...geez those roads are windy! Waking up in the mountains is so calming and relaxing. Can't wait for the next trip!!