Top 11 From 2011

I am totally stealing this idea from another blog that I read. It may be January 2nd already, but I wanted to do a post with my top 11 pictures from 2011. My guidelines were it had to be pictures of our family that were taken by us. So here are just a few of my favorites, the order just goes by the months...

The family picture counts, we used a timer to get the picture! 2011 was good to us, hopefully 2012 will be too. Happy New Year!!

Preschool Christmas Program...

Emory was old enough to be in the preschools Christmas program this year and I was so excited to see her perform. You never know if she will be shy or actually sing, but this time she had no problem performing. Here is her class walking in:

 It took me a minute to figure out why Emory was the first in line, it was because she is the tallest in her class. Never thought about that before. We love our tall little girl and her long skinny legs!

 She is in the second row on the right.

It was so fun to hear the right words to the songs. Sometimes Emory just makes up what she thinks it should be and that leaves mommy and daddy to try and figure it out. A good example would be the second verse of Go Tell It On the Mountain which she sings as: "the shepherds kill the wise men." We quickly corrected that one. Good job singing Em!

Emory's Birthday Party...

Emory had a great 4th birthday party! She told us she wanted to paint at her party so we found a local art studio (about 2 minutes from our house) and invited some of her friends.

 The kids got some smocks on and started coloring with markers.

 Our darling new neighbors. Such sweet girls!

 Now onto the painting. Each child got to paint a bag and a canvas. Look at the concentration...

 After getting cleaned up, some of the girls found a fish pillow. Apparently, fish pillows are the most fun thing at the party.

 Silly giggly girls!

 Happy 4th birthday baby girl! We love you and are so proud of the girl you are.

Santa!!!

Going to see Santa went much better this year. Emory seemed to have a better idea about Santa and Gabe was questionable, but it was worth a try! Look at my little handsome man in his bow tie! Not to mention my beautiful girl all dressed up for Santa.

 Here is my best picture from the kids time with Santa. It seems like every picture I take, Santa has his eyes closed. Oh well, at least my kids aren't crying! He did call Gabe a "wrestler" which I think means he is strong? Gabe quickly got off Santa's lap and was rescued from the terrifying jolly fellow.

 Emory was SO happy. She talked to Santa and told him what she wanted for Christmas, I think she would have stayed there all night.

 Safe and sound.

Last year's picture...

                                       

 Two years ago...

 Three years ago...

Happy 4th Birthday Emory!!!

My sweet little girl is four! Emory is such an amazing girl and we are so proud to be her parents. She is truly funny, and not just she's my daughter I have to think she's funny, but seriously funny.

The morning of her birthday she came running into our room and got into our bed. We cuddled and said happy birthday and told her how much we love her. She got powdered sugar donuts for breakfast and picked out her dress for school. Like any other day, it was a struggle and she told me "mommy, it's my birthday." Yikes, she already knows the "it's my birthday" line!

We talked about whether or not to take her to school, but who wouldn't want to have all your friends sing happy birthday to you? Plus it let Grant, Gabe and I get all the birthday goodies set up. Grant picked her up from school and they went and got s treat together. Then she came home to open presents. (notice the birthday crown that remained on her head)

 She opened a calico critter, which I had growing up. She is now obsessed.

 She also got some new legos that Grant and her build during Gabe's nap time.

 When I asked Emory what she wanted to do for her birthday, she said play ring around the rosey. Check.

 Gabe LOVED it too. You can see him smiling so big in this picture.

 Emory is able to write all her uppercase and lowercase letters. She can read her name, and Gabe's name (which I think is sweet). She read her first word this month: zoo! No prompting from me. Her favorite things to do are "projects" meaning crafts, legos or play doh with Grant, or playing pretend with her princess dolls, animals, barbies, you name it.

Her favorite food is beans and rice (from Mi Cocina, which is where we took her for her birthday dinner). She is definitely a picky eater and makes me work at meal time. Her favorite shows are Curious George, The Magic School Bus, and Dora. Emory's favorite books are Sleeping Beauty, Curious George and Pinkalicous. She wears 5T clothes just for the length and a size 10 shoe. This little girl is a no pant girl. Only skirts and dresses! Emory's favorite colors are pink, purple and blue.

 Silly girl!!

 Emory is a joy and we are head over heels in love with her. We will take her sassy and all!

 Happy 4th birthday sweetheart!! We are lucky you are our little girl.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

What better way to start off Thanksgiving morning than with a massive pillow and blanket pile? These goof balls love silly mornings, and of course having daddy home means just that.

Trying to get the kids picture together is some tough work. Gabe is a busy busy boy and does not enjoy sitting still. Here is how things start....

 followed by....

 then....

 resulting in....

 My sweet little girl.

 And there's my crazy boy again.

 We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for my family, these guys keep me happy.