the green gingham anywhere chair

Do you ever have a purchase that even years later you are saying, "I'm so glad we got that?" Well, I am SO glad that we got Emery this green pottery barn kids chair 3 years ago. She was just 6 months old and I remember Jim saying he thought it was a bit early for something like that! But, I have never regretted it! In fact, I'm thinking we should get emery a bigger one for her birthday, but Jim's wanting to veto that too..... This chair has provided hours of entertainment for us as well as the girls! (Wait, not that Jim and I play with it, but we enjoying watching the girls play with it!) merrill likes for emery to shake the chair, turn it upside down and jump on her while in the chair
this picture was taken right before emery did a cannonball right on merrill's face- our first bloody incident!

this little 15 pounder is our firecracker!!!

And yes I don't think I ever posted her one year stats:

15 pounds, 5ounces

not even on the charts with height

and head...... 75%!!!!

Let's just say that she's on an even HIGHER calorie protein diet now!!!

a smiling shot

emery looks like her daddy in this picture- of course Jim doesn't have chocolate milk mustaches though!

Emery just minds her own business in THE chair and then here comes Merrill bulldozing her way in to. Emery is quite the patient sister. And, guess what they are watching? The Bachelor.... Are we bad parents for that? Emery gets such a kick out of the whole rose thing!

So, maybe after the stomach bug (N.A.S.T.Y) passes through, I will have some fun pictures to post! Who else is ready for spring????

pictures

I had trouble choosing which pictures to post....... I had over 30 I had to either post or cut, so I cut some! A huge thanks to Kiki and Pop for keeping the girls for us! I think they had a fun (& busy) time! We enjoyed our break from reality, but we are back and in full swing!

We haven't been anywhere alone since our honeymoon. Pitiful, I know! So, since it has been almost 6 years, it was time! We decided to go back to the same place we went for our honeymoon. We had such a wonderful time! The first day alone... our room was upgraded and I discovered chocolate chips cookies throughout the resort!!! A great start to the week! I was really looking forward to coming back with a tan, but the weather didn't cooperate. Our last two days were cloudy and windy. But, we did get to read a lot, watch movies, and even play bingo. Yes, I do realize we could have done all this in nashville, and yes I realize that makes us sound really dorky too!!!
Jim relaxing. This resort has a private island that you take a boat too. It was so quiet and relaxing. We also noticed that a lot of stuff had be re-done since we were there.

my first trip to a casino...... We had 2 really icky days- windy and cloudy. So, we headed to a straw market and then here. I think I look like a sleepy tourist here!

like I said... we took most of these pictures ourselves

a private 50 minute couples massage on this pier for just $270.... We just couldn't pull the trigger on that!!

can you find his eyes? They had this really big, loud band thing one night. I didn't enjoy it.... I felt like they were coming after me!

the water is just so beautiful!

I know... would have been much cuter if it were pictures of kiddos feet!

once again... I love this water!

And, did I mention... I love this water? (I really didn't mean to do three of the water...)

dinner one night

so pretty, but too bad I ate every bit of it!

view from the workout room.... Yes, we worked out 3 times and really enjoyed it!

Okay..... Jim loves to take single shots. I hate them! Jim kept saying, "Let me take your picture with this statue." Finally, the last night I did it. Of course another couple walked by right as we were taking this! On another note.... there were probably a 100 statues around this place. They look so dumb! Who told them they looked good?

cute 'single' shot of Jim

us

January

I think this is the longest I have gone without updating! Terrible, terrible...

We have had a great start to 2009! I typically really, really dislike January,(trying not to say hate there) but this year has been better! It just seems that nothing is going on- and its dark all the time and really cold. Anyways, we have been busy playing at home with the girls new christmas loot and just other random things..... Here's a picture of the girls at bath time. It's sad but I think this is the only picture I've taken of them in weeks! They are really enjoying each other's company these days. I sure hope it lasts! And another reason that this January is better than most is because Jim and I just got back from a trip to the Bahamas!! And yes.... it was just us! More pictures to come! And I'll warn about the quality of the pictures- we took most all of them ourselves!!!

Day After

Last of my Christmas posts....

The day after Christmas we hung around the house and then went and saw Marley & Me with my family. We took Emery.... MISTAKE! I thought it was a kid friendly movie- WRONG! Our whole row was crying!!! I have learned to do more research before we take Emery from now on!

After the movie we headed to Kobe's. For 20 years (at least) my Dad's side of the family has gone to Kobe's around Christmas. The day has started changing just to accomodate the most people.... This year we went the day after Christmas and headed over to Grandma's for presents afterwards. I love traditions and this is one I hope we do forever! A great childhood memory too! em& tori on the player piano

Aunt Susan, Cousin Adam, Caden, and Merrill (6 months difference between the two)

we all had a visit from Santa too.(aka Uncle Bud)

Emery opened up a snow white outfit and just had to go ahead and put it on! Right after this Emery had her worst meltdown of all times... while Christmas is fun, I think she was totally worn out by all the activities!

Emery and Merrill (yet another naked shot of one of my children)

Caden checking out Santa's beard

Well that concludes all of my christmas posts! We enjoyed some major downtime the last few days. I feel like we've been on the go since Thanksgiving! Welcome 2009!!!

Christmas Day

We spent christmas morning at our house opening what Santa brought. We then headed to Kiki's for brunch. The Church family came over for lupper and stayed a while. Most all of the cousins were there- a treat since we are now scattered all over! Then after everyone else left, we opened presents from Kiki and Pop! What a fun, fun day! Have I mentioned that this was my favorite Christmas! Don't worry, I'm almost done updating! Ha! walking to see Santa- merrill looking

walking to see Santa- Emery looking

emery and her stash

merrill and her stash, which really turned into emery's stash too

halkie-talkies that emery has been talking about for months!

emery checking out her new dollhouse

opening presents with kiki and pop- it felt good to have both my sister and brother here this year!

naked once again

bud and the girls

trying on a new swimsuit

And the best gift of all according to Emery. Uncle Bud, Aunt Law-rah, and Uncle David saved this present for last. And boy, what a surprise! Emery has enjoyed playing with it even though we can't seem to get her to get how to steer it! Trouble....

christmas eve (my favorite day of the year)

Christmas Eve is my favorite day of the year! We get up go to my grandmother's for breakfast and then we camp there all day! We play games, have great company, and just spend the day getting excited about the big man that comes that night! (maybe that's just me!) Grndmother makes that big ole country breakfast that makes you puffy cause it has so much salt in it! She then cooks some sort of soup for lunch, and then for dinner..... well, lots and lots of appetizers! My favorite kind of food!! Yummy, yummy! And then we close the night with presents. I had the wrong lens on my camera so I couldn't get any group shots!! But, these will do! The cousins had matching outfits.... Merrill had an cute matching dress, but since she's barely 2 feet tall, she couldn't walk because she was stepping on it! t-shirts from www.thecherrytree123.blogspot.com