Sneaky Video from Emma

Yesterday after Jamie came home from church he went upstairs to take a nap. He works hard all week and usually goes into hibernation at least once over the weekend. Emma came down and asked for the camera, not an uncommon thing, and before I knew it she came down the stairs laughing. This was the result of her mischief. Maybe now he'll believe me when I tell him he snores!!

I'm Thankful For...

I am thankful for my health. It really is ironic the things you take for granted. But over the last 2 weeks I didn't really realize how healthy I have been. Over the Labor Day holiday we took the kids ice skating and I hurt my back. I have been down (as much as you can be with 2 kids) at the doctors, chiropractors, icing it, and taking many pain meds. Within the last 2 days it has felt remarkable better--then I started getting a cold. Then Grant started getting a cold. I'm not complaining--okay maybe a little. I was just telling Jamie tonight now much I never realized you use your back for. So from this point on, I am going to try and make a conscience effort to be grateful for the health that I enjoy and try hard to preserve it!

Oh Christmas Tree

Today we spent the day putting up our Christmas Tree (I'll post a picture when I find the cord to the camera). First of all we pulled out the fake tree that my mom and dad gave to us last year. They got a new one and we thought we'd try one out. So this year we pulled it out and remembered that the stand broke (I don't know why we even packed it back up, we probably should have just thrown it away then), so we went shopping to find a new one. First Sam's Club, then Lowe's and last of all Target! I think we compromised on color, height, width, etc. We put on Christmas music, lit a fire and have had the lights on all evening. Some may think we're crazy, but the season doesn't last long enough (and if I waited any longer, it would probably been December 21st when I got it up--let's be real folks!!) Merry Christmas!

Blog Withdrawls

So the cord to my camera has been lost for several days now, and for some reason I don't think I can post to my blog unless I have a picture to go with it. So here is my attempt. I have seen a cute little thing done on some of your blogs where you take the 4th picture in your 4th folder and post it with an explanation. Here is goes:

This is Emma in her Easter dress in 2004. She was not quite 2! Can you even believe those chubby checks? Where does the time go?

Okay that was fun! You should try it!!

Quad Trip

This weekend Jamie and my Dad went on a little quad trip with some guys from Jamie's work. Jamie goes with this bunch of guys quite often, and Dad went along this time--now that he has a Quad too! Jamie promised that they would be nice to Dad and not take him on anything too hard--what do you think?
Dad getting a little help
Jamie
The Whole Gang
But it looks like they had fun! We love you guys!

Emma's 6th Birthday Party

Last night we had Emma's birthday party. She chose 4 friends and we took them all to the movies to see "HSM3" (High School Musical 3--for all of you without groupies). I have to say it was the funniest thing! I think Jamie aged about 3 years during the car ride over to the theaters. The music was turned up and they were belting it out in the backseat. I think I flashed back briefly to my NKOTB (New Kids On The Block-for the non groupies)days, when MY dad was taking me to a concert. Anyway, after the show we headed over to the local self-serve yogurt shop for cake and presents. Every year I am reminded at how genuine Emma is. She doesn't skip over the card, or hurry onto the next present. She really LOVES everything she gets. I am grateful for good friends, and a wonderful daughter!

Balloon Fun!

We all know that the best toys aren't really toys at all right? Well this afternoon this has been confirmed to me once again. I had to blow up about 30 balloons for something later this week, so I thought I'd get a head start today. Of course Emma and Grant had to have one, and they continued to play with them the whole afternoon. And most of the time they weren't even fighting!! Grant even got to the point that he was red faced and sweating.
**Note to self**next time it is raining outside, give the kids balloons,sit back, and relax.

Daisy Scouts

Last night Emma joined the local Daisy Troop. Daisy's is the first step in the whole Girl Scout process. You are a Diasy for kindergarten a first grade. Her troop has about 15 girls in it right now and she goes to school with more than half of them. Yesterday when we got home from school (at 11:30), she put her uniform on and asked me every 20 minutes how long until her meeting (at 5:30). I guess you could say she was a little bit excited!

Girl Scout Law:

I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

Girl Scout Promise:

On my honor, I will try: To serve God* and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law

Buried Treasures

Don't you just love it when you find something on your camera that makes you smile?



These were taken this summer at the Exploritorium in San Fransico. I forgot what the display was actually about--all I remember is that Grant couldn't wait to drink out of the toilet--and NOT GET IN TROUBLE FOR IT!!

Our Newest Bundle of Joy

Tricked you!! She's not OUR budle of joy, she is my sisters, but we are the proud Aunt, Uncle and Cousins of Rachel Ann Wallace:




Congratulations Wallace family!! We can't wait to meet Rachel in person.

Families Are Forever

This weekend we helped make one final push to urge those undecided ton Proposition 8 (proposition in California to protect traditional marriage), to vote YES! Even though it was raining ALL DAY we went out as a family (plus Papa Redfearn) to put door hangers on about 100+ houses for about 2 hours. The kids started out in the wagon and then Emma wanted to get in on the action too, so she ended up walking most of the time with daddy or Papa. I don't think she really understands what is going on with the Proposition, but hopefully she will be able to reap the benefits of it in her youth. All you Californians who read this--DON'T FORGET TO VOTE TUESDAY!!

Happy Birthday Emma!!

From her first birthday....to Today!!






Emma came into this world making a statement....and still does to this day! I went into labor at a Kings basketball game on Halloween Night. I was having contractions so I went to the stop of the stairs to stand for awhile, and if one more person said, "Great Costume!" to me I was going to scream!! So we finally ended up at the hospital to finish the whole thing. But Emma was going to decide when that all happened. My wonderful doctor, Dr. Jo, had a feeling that she should come bring her paperwork down into my room while I was towards the last stages of labor--but still thinking it might be awhile. Not 15 minutes after she broke my water did Emma's heartrate drop below 60 for quite awhile. Luckily since Dr. Jo was there she was able to act fast and use the vacuum to help Emma out (weighing in at 8 lbs. 13 oz.) Once out, they wisked her away (luckily with everything happening so fast Papa Redfearn was caught out in the hallway and was able to be with her until Daddy could get out there) and everything turned out fine. We now know that this was Emma's way of making a statement. She is and always has been a very laid back child--but WATCH OUT--every once in awhile she let's us all know what she wants.

As a mother of my first child, I really didn't know what a great baby/kid she really was. Very happy, alert, and full of energy. Nothing really bothered her and she was very shy. Even now Emma is just starting to come out of her shell in public and let the rest of the world see what we get to at home.

Even though Emma has been somewhat reserved, she has always been able to be who she is. She is not easily swayed by those around her, and seems to stick up for the underdog. Just this week at school another mom told me how much her son talks about Emma. It looks like she made an impression on him the first week of school on the playground when some other kids weren't being that nice. Emma is always the first to give into her brother when he wants something she has, plays the game the way he wants to play it, or even say it didn't really hurt when he is about to get in trouble for hitting her.

She has recently developed a love of reading. Anything to do with art, markers, scissors, glue, tape, glitter, etc. You can always find Emma working on a new "project" at some point during the day. And since she could walk, anything Princess, jewelry, makeup, shoes, purses,clothes(good or bad), or hair accessories have caught her attention.

I hope she is always able to keep that mellow, easy going spirit about her when there is turmoil in the world around her. And that she will always be okay with herself and sure enough, not to let others opinions influence her. And that she will still let her brother win sometimes, even when she is 16!! We love you EMMA!!