Emma's big moment

Saturday was Emma's big moment. She decided she was ready to try riding her bike without training wheels. She was excited and apprehensive all at the same time. She did a great job! I'm so proud of her for being so brave. She's going to be a great two-wheeler!

The Double Digit Birthday

It's the big 1-0 for Emmett this year. He couldn't wait to get to his double digit birthday. He and his friends love to reach the double digit milestone. You have really accomplished something once you turn ten. For me, I can't believe another year has gone by. It really just doesn't seem possible. The last few years have gone more quickly than any of the others previous to them. I look at my son and remember so clearly the first days that I had him home with me. The sweet, wonderful smell of his baby skin, the big black eyes staring back at me that seemed so full of something that I didn't understand, and those tiny little fingers that attached to anything they could get a grip around. I miss those days and at the same time I love these days.

Emmett is such a sweet and kind boy. In a moment he can forgive and understand someone else's pain. In a moment he can grasp a difficult subject far beyond his years and comprehend it in a way that I am amazed by every time it happens. In a moment he can be a fury of action and then be a loving person who realizes that someone else needs help. He is an incredible blessing to our family. He is an adored big brother and an inspiring son.

In our family the kids get to have a big friend party when they turn 5 years old, ten years old, and 15 or 16 years old. With four kids having four friend parties a year gets to be a pretty big job. On the off years we have a fun family party. This year was the very anticipated 10 year old friend party for Emmett. He decided on a sports theme. They played flag football, smashed a pinata to smithereens as only boys can do, and had an all around great time. Emmett said the day was awesome.

Queen Miriam

Kindergarten is the best grade in school. I'm pretty sure kindergarten teachers can do no wrong. My little Miriam adores her teacher. Miriam was chosen to be the Queen of the class for an entire week. This means that Miriam gets to lead the class to recess, help the teacher, and lead circle time. She gets to wear a crown and be her special self all week long. She also gets to make a poster about all of her favorite things and include some pictures of herself. So...these are some of the pictures we found for her little assignment.

The Day I Got Home

The day I got home from Xtreme I made sure I got hang out with my sweet little missy. One of my favorite times of the day is this one. The reading time before naptime for Gracie.

(Thanks for getting this sweet moment, Mike.)

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is a favorite holiday at our house. Before I even had kids I wanted to make sure that they didn't grow up thinking that Valentin'es Day was only for people who are in love. It's a day to say there's enough love in the world for everyone.

So every Valentine's eve Mike and I stay up late making a table full of fun and thinking of ways to make sure our kids know they are loved...always.

Christmas in California

Okay...get ready for a boatload of pictures! lol.

For Christmas we went to visit Gramma Betsy, my husband's mom. We had a wonderful time with her and also went to do some of our favorite things. The kids love the aquarium and we can't miss the beach. It's always cold and we always think we won't go in the water...we always do. Everyone gets soaked and we end up changing in the car before heading home.
Mike took us all on the 4-wheeler up to the top of the hill above his house. From there you can see the ocean. It's an incredible view and one of Mike's favorite places growing up. A trip home is just not complete unless we make the trek to the top of the hill. We did all kinds of fun things on our trip but I just wanted to get something posted from it before it ended up being just a memory.

Here goes....