Merry Christmas!!!

We have had such a wonderful two weeks with both sets of grandparents in town to celebrate Christmas with us. Emory is completely overwhelmed with the gifts she has been given and hopefully it will keep her entertained with baby brother arriving soon.

Being from Nebraska, our idea of what the weather should be like for Christmas is different than what it is like in Dallas most years, but this year did not disappoint. Christmas Eve it started to snow! Now, it was not the real snow storms we remember from our childhoods, but just enough to make us very happy. And nothing brings me as much joy and seeing my daughter love the cold weather like I do, I took Emory out for some pictures and she was so happy.

Christmas Eve night we went to a local children's service, which Emory loved. I thought it was well overdue to have a pregnancy picture, so here is my 35 week shot. Thanks so much Jeri for the adorable sweater dress!

Emory received so many amazing things this year, and we are so thankful to everyone, but I do have to specifically mention one that was a home run. Uncle Ryan and Aunt Jenny bought Emory some dress up shoes and earrings...... she LOVES them!!! She is constantly shaking her head while wearing them and comments about them to us. Way to go uncle and aunt!

Emory did not only receive gifts this year, she also wanted to be involved in the act of giving. What a selfless two year old, I know. So Christmas Eve night, Emory decided that she wanted to give her daddy the gift that keeps on giving................... a black eye.

Merry Christmas to all!

Love, the Dess Family

Seeing Santa...

Our visit with Santa was good again this year. We went to the mall in the morning to get our number and then came back after her nap. She still doesn't understand who Santa is, but knows he says "ho ho ho."Emory does not smile but she does not cry. Kind of a "just get through this" reaction. When we got back to the car I asked her if she liked Santa and she nodded very enthusiastically, so we might try and make another trip back.

It was very similar to her reaction last year.... Notice the hair difference, what a year!

Grandpa and Grandma Zimmerman gave Emory these pjs when they came down and she really liked her tutu. she has even requested it over some of her clothes.

We also wanted to give daddy a big congratulations for getting a new job! He is staying at the same company, but is moving into a different area that goes right along with what he is getting his masters in. WAY TO GO DADDY! We are so proud of you.

Happy 2nd Birthday Emory!!!

Our little baby is 2!! Hard to believe but true. It is amazing to see her learn new things and to be able to talk with us. Her vocabulary is incredible and she picks up on everything. Emory is very maternal and loves taking care of her babies, which is encouraging to us with baby brother on the way. She loves to wrap up her babies, feed them and she will pat them on the back. Currently every baby we see or play with is named Ella.

After dinner tonight we sang to Emory and gave her a birthday cake, as you can see she LOVES the happy birthday song. She clapped for us when we were finished, I guess it couldn't have been that terrible.

She knows the routine with birthday candles. We did the candle thing twice because she likes it, why not it is her birthday!

We had a birthday party for Emory Saturday morning at build-a-bear. We went to Emory's friend Ryan's birthday party there 6 weeks ago and loved the idea of it not being in our house. Plus the kids love making a stuffed animal. It was a great morning!

At Ryan's party, Emory choose to make a bunny and now she will not go to sleep without it. This time she decided to make a puppy. She is still talking about my parents dog from their trip down here.

Caden was very happy...

After the animals were made and dressed, we went to the food court for some juice and birthday cookies.

We knew the party was coming to an end when all the kids were just running around the food court. Emory was happy to carry around her puppy and the bear she made for her cousin Ella.

Thanks to everyone who was able to celebrate our little lady turning two!

It Was A Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Because baby Ella Grace came into the world early, we were lucky enough to spend Thanksgiving with Grandpa and Grandma Zimmerman, and their dog Ruby. Emory has been calling her grandparents "grandpa and grandma" for the first time which they just love. Emory has been fascinated by Ruby, the instant she wakes up she asks for puppy, she has to say byebye before we leave and night night at bedtime. When we put Ruby outside, Emory says no because she doesn't want Ruby to leave.

Grant and I decided Emory and Ruby could use some exercise before lunch on Thanksgiving, so we took a little walk

After naps we were so happy that uncle Ryan, aunt Jenny, and baby Ella Grace came over for a visit. Emory is so in love with Ella you can see in these pictures how happy Emory is to be "holding" her cousin.

She always has kisses for Ella Grace!

In preparation for the holiday, we talked about turkeys with Emory. Here is what a turkey sounds like to her....

What Grant is thankful for this year....

Well other than the normal things of health, job, family.... Grant is very thankful that his daughter has such an appreciation for music, well Guitar Hero to be exact. We now have two guitars and when Grant plays, so does Emmy.

Emory always claps at the end of even if daddy got booed off the song.

Our future rock star....

2 Year Pictures!!!

Here are some of Emory's 2 year pictures. We are always so happy how they turn out, even with a busy toddler running around. Lindsey did a great job and we would highly recommend her to anyone!

Lindsey and Beto had the great idea to get Emory to play peek-a-boo and she loved it! This picture is one of my favorites.

I love this one too!

Now for the difficult part of picking which ones to order.....

Ella Grace Zimmerman

Here she is in all her beauty!!! The new Zimmerman family of 3 is doing well and hopefully getting to go home soon.

All smiles....

I took Emory up the the hospital yesterday to see her cousin and she is in love! Emory gave Ella many kisses and hugs, with adult supervision of course. Ella had a band-aid on her heel and Emory was very concerned with her boo boo. It was almost all she would talk about on the car ride home!

More pictures to come soon! Give Emory one day and she will learn her cousin's name....

I'm An Aunt!!!!!

I am an aunt as of today!!! My brother Ryan and his wife Jenny had a little girl at 1:07 pm today. Ella Grace is 6 lbs 7 oz, 19.5 in long, and all adorable! Jenny was such a trooper and endured a very long labor, everyone is doing well and in need of some rest. Emory got to meet Ella and was very shy, but loved the baby. Can't wait to see her again tomorrow. No picture yet, but I will remember my camera tomorrow.