Christmas Card 2012

I hate for this to be seen before it's sent but there's a good deal for doing it.

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

First Day of School

So I was a little photo happy this morning with sending my two girls off to school. One on her way to second grade and riding the bus. The other going to 3 year old preschool. They both did great. Although Katherine doesn't seem to like to smile if there are others in the photo with her. Enjoy the photos! Sorry if they all seem the same.

Look at that face on the Monkey!

Waiting for Emma's very late bus!

It finally arrived! It was lost in our neighborhood...

Running in to school...their bus was the last to arrive after all the kids had already gone in!

Emma and her friend, Grace

Katherine's cubby at school.

Her mat to sit on.

Last days of Summer

 Here are some photos from this past weekend. Emma experienced her first Packer game. Thanks to our friend Liz who had four tickets. Emma, Ethan, Liz, and her son, Jacob went to the last preseason game versus the Kansas City Chiefs.

Then we had some fun at Bay Beach. Ethan rode the big swings with our niece, Ashlyn. Ethan, Chad, and the kids (Emma, Ashlyn, and Ian) went on the Zippin Pippin not once but a handful of times. Ashlyn and Heidi decided to experience it from the front. I think Ashlyn loved it and not sure what her Mom thought.

Oh, and I almost forgot we had "Snow White" with us at Bay Beach. A very independent Snow White who took a seat in the original Zippin Pippin roller coaster seats while watching everyone ride it. She can't wait to be bigger so she can go too!
Finally the girls and I went to Two Rivers on Sunday to see the kites that were taking part in the annual Kite Festival at Neshotah Beach. It was a perfect day for flying a kite - sunny and windy!

Family

We celebrated Dad's birthday at Silver Creek Park in Manitowoc last Sunday. Wow! Pretty timely, post for me. :-) We enjoyed a picnic dinner, a walk to Lake Michigan from a trail near the picnic site, and just old fashioned fun - jump rope, air darts, frisbee, tossing a tennis ball, and exploring the creek. Emma learned how to jump rope from her big cousin Ashlyn. We finished off the day with cupcakes and cake! Katherine really enjoys the frosting. As you will be able to see from the photos.

It was quite a feat to get 3 of 4 kids to look at the camera by this time.

I am always catching Katherine with her eyes closed!

Cousins!

Where does the time go? My baby is 7!

Emma Alicia, 7lbs 14oz 21 inches 9:45PM

She arrived early and put her first time parents through all sorts of emotions with an extended stay of one week in the NICU after being born.

Our Peanut

You try to do the best you can in raising your children. With each day you learn something new. It may be the right thing or the wrong thing. You do your best to fix your mistakes and hope that you can do better next time. Each year brings new joys, challenges, and phases. You hope the less favorable phases end sooner than later. Each year brings a new milestone. As a parent you are amazed at how much a baby learns in one year! You pray and hope that you are raising your child with good values and manners.

First Halloween 2005

June 2006

Happy 1st Birthday!

You are a wonderful big sister. You love your little sister and would do anything for her, even if she does bug you sometimes. You enjoy helping her, playing with her, and teaching her how to do many things. And she loves you right back!

3rd Birthday

5th Birthday

A trip to the MOA

Your first American Girl Dolls - Bitty Twins

Then they continue to grow and you wonder how did your baby become not a baby anymore but a 7 year old going into second grade! Emma, you are sweet, caring, and kind. You try hard in all the things you do and you have learned to be a great teammate. You love to swim, play soccer, run races, color and create, and use your imagination. You love school especially math, science, and reading. Some of your more recent interests include gymnastics, basketball, and piano. You have gone from playing with your baby dolls to now your American Girl dolls.

Happy 7th Birthday Emma! You will always be our Princess.