Emory's Starting Soccer...

Our little miss wanted to play soccer for some time now, and we got her on a team with girls from her pre school. They look so sweet out there together! Our team, the bluebonnets, is made up of all girls who haven't played before (except for one little girl who is the superstar of the team). Grant signed up to be an assistant coach so he gets to help Em figure things out.

 My sweet little soccer player.

 The bluebonnets lined up to kick goals...

 I spent most of my time chasing this little one. Such a busy busy boy.

 Team huddle.

The first game for the bluebonnets could have gone better. It was 35 degrees outside, and my new to soccer little girl was WAY to cold to want to play. But she was a trooper and stayed on the field the entire time. Getting some encouragement from dad.

 I think Gabe would have played for her...

 Daddy's turn to entertain brother. Gabe eventually got too cold and I sat in the car with him.

 Action shot of the bluebonnets. Sadly, the team they were playing against played together last year and, well it showed. Emory said she had a good time but said they kept taking the ball from her. I tried to explain it to her, so we will see if she can get over that.

 I was so proud of Em for playing the entire game even with it being soooo cold. Hopefully warmer weather will let Emory have even more fun playing this spring.

2 and 4 Year Check Ups...

Both kids recently went in for their yearly check ups. Some time I will get my act together and schedule them together.

Gabe is such a charmer and always impresses the ladies at the doctors office. We went through the normal check list and then we were on our way. He was 35 3/4 (80%) inches tall and 27.8 (40%) lbs, he surprised us with a little growth spurt from the last check up.

Emory loves going to see our pediatrician. She is all smiles when talking to the doctor. She was 42 1/4 (90%) inches tall and 38.8 (88%) lbs. We knew our little lady was tall! Stickers and a glass of water are her treat for being a good patient. The four year check up is a rough one, poor girl.

Daddy carrying a basket of kids...

Happy 2nd Birthday Gabriel!!!

My baby is two. Pause for a moment. Gabe is two and is officially a toddler. We are so blessed to have such an amazing little boy. He is smart and so funny. Gabe jumps everywhere. Running and jumping- those are his primary modes of transportation.

 Gabe's favorite things right now are still his pacifier and tiger. (Hopefully that pacifier will be gone soon, yikes!) He loves airplanes, trains and cars. He is a man of few words, but is still able to get his point across. He knows his animal sounds, our family's names (including his own), his colors, and we think he is counting. His favorite books are Goodnight Gorilla, baby animal books and a Dora the Explorer book. He loves playing with Emory, when she will play with him. He honestly follows her every move and does what ever she asks. The funny thing is anytime we ask Gabe a question, he responds with uh-huh.

 Tigers are never very far away.

 Not one anymore....

 But two now!! (we are still working on holding up two fingers)

Happy birthday Gabe! We love you and are so happy with the little boy you are becoming. You constantly amaze us.

Christmas!!! (part two)

Christmas Eve we were with Grant's parents. We ate a wonderful meal (thank you Nanny) and had time to relax. This was the first year that Emory understood what was about to happen which was fun to see how excited she was getting. We first took over cookies and pop corn balls to the local fire department (pictures below, out of order) in Omaha. I don't think they have many visitors because they didn't exactly know how to react, but that made me even more glad that we did. We started this tradition last year, and after our visit this year Emory asked us where the dog was. Cute that she remembered that detail from the previous trip!

Afterwards, we went back to Jaypa and Nannys house to open presents. And the chaos began...

Do you think Emory was happy about getting the Dora game?

 My sweet boy.

Here are the pictures of the kids on the fire truck...

 She was SO happy that Santa brought her some Wuggle pets!

 Gabe was more interested in the powdered donuts.

 Then we headed over to my parents house for a yummy brunch and more presents.

 And wouldn't you know who stopped by after a long night of work?????

Santa! Emory could not have been more excited.

 Look at that face! This is the moment Santa gave her a pillow pet, which she had been talked about f.o.r.e.v.e.r. I just love her reaction.

 Gabe and Ella got one too.

 I think Emory was still jumping up and down.

 Santa also brought Gabe a Lightening McQueen car (that goes), Emory a rocking chair of her own and Ella a bicycle.

 Giddy little girl!

 Not as happy little boy...

 After Christmas we were fortunate to have more time with the grandparents. Gabe couldn't resist trying on glasses. Does he look even smarter? Too cute!

 My brother and I really wanted to make sure we saw our grandma Shirley (our mom's mom). We were so glad that she could join us at my aunt Rhelda's beautiful house for an afternoon. I got to see so many family members that I haven't seen in awhile and my kids got to play with my cousins kids. That will make anyone feel old.

 Emory and great grandma Shirley, who she speaks of often. (Emory is named after grandma Shirley's husband)

 A little risky business...

 Emory LOVED taking the dogs for walks. I think it became a daily thing.

 Jaypa and Nanny took us to the Omaha children's museum and it was amazing. So many things to do and we didn't even see all they had. Here are the kids driving a fire truck...

 A water table (rain coats provided). Some how the kids still got wet!

 Emory was surprisingly good on the dinosaur stilts.

 Grandpa and Grandma took us all to the Omaha zoo! I love this place. The weather could not have been nicer, who would have thought we would be at the zoo after Christmas in Omaha?

 Grandpa and Em.

 The rainforest had a rope bridge that the Dess girls walked across.

 Having so much fun!

 Swinging from the vines...

 What a great day at the zoo!

 Afterwards, the kids managed to find the LAST pile of snow in Omaha. It kept them very occupied! Emory was insistent on shoveling, while Gabe and Ella just played.

 All the kids dressed up in their Husker gear.

 Nanny had a special project to work on with Emory. All during our two weeks Emory watched the birds with Nanny and both kids helped fill the feeders, so they made a pine cone bird feeder. Emory was very into it, and then they hung it outside for the birds to enjoy.

Thanks Grandpa, Grandma, Jaypa and Nanny for a great two weeks! I am sure you all got plenty of rest after we left and found plenty of little messes the kids left at your houses. We truly had a great trip!