Friday, October 31, 2014

Halloween 2014

We invited some friends over to join us for trick-or-treating -- more fun than just going by ourselves! It was a cute little party with Oma's special jack-o-lantern sloppy joe's -- Elina and Evelyn decorated the door (a monster!) and the table, and hung up decorations around the house.  The weather, unfortunately, was awfully cold and wet so we didn't last too long going door to door for candy - but it was nice to have fiends to commiserate with.
Evelyn as Cinderella, and Skye as Mary Poppins
sweet Hannah as a monkey
Ella having fun
Emerson the Giraffe


October 2014

October weather in Memphis is fantastic.  We spend as much time outdoors as possible - there are lots of outdoor festivals that are fun for kids.  We especially love the craft tents and the petting zoos (Emerson took a ride on the back of a tortoise at the Pink Palace Art Show!). 

At home, Emerson is reaching higher and farther and practicing standing on his adorable legs - surfing the furniture, and enjoying his expanding world.

A garage tea party with poppa 





Air show party with Skye Stewart
hanging out with the Blue Angels
Corn Bin !



my beautiful performer - the world is her stage
potato gun.  oh boy.

Friday, October 24, 2014

Emerson Turns One

One year ago, I woke in the night to labor pains and a few short hours later we held this amazing, sweet, gentle boy in our arms.  He is such an amazing gift. I love that he and Evelyn have each other. Now that he's one, he is more fun to play with - and I can see that Evey appreciates a more cooperative playmate!  We made him his own pumpkin cake and watched him destroy it in true baby graham form - with Ev encouraging him and demonstrating the proper tactics.  Oma and Opa and Elina were with us to witness this special day. My heart breaks to see time passing so quickly - but he sure is at a fun stage.  And such a love - he's a very affectionate little man.






with his favorite caretaker, Elina

Friday, October 3, 2014

Sweet sweet boy

This little man just swells my heart. He is so fun to watch - great sense of curiosity. Loves being outside and going for rides in his Little Tike car. He is a gentle soul. With a contagious smile!




Tuesday, September 30, 2014

September 2014


School Picture (in Queen Elsa gown, naturally)
The movie Frozen continues to capture Ev's imagination. Her love of the Elsa character hasn't diminished at all.  I treated her to a dress-up gown that I found on-line, one that I thought represented the real Disney costume better than the crunchy, flimsy dresses we'd see in stores.  She put it on and immediately walked with a tall back and a regal smile.  Oh my.  She's an actress.  When school picture time came up she asked me carefully if she could please please please wear her Elsa dress for the photo.  I told her, "if Ms. Beaty says it's okay, then it's okay with me - but you have to bring it and only wear it for the photo, not during the normal school day."  By 11am I had an email from her teacher telling me it was okay to wear the dress (Ev never misses a beat).  It was a great decision -- the photo of Evelyn is incredible.  You can see how magical that dress makes her feel.
so in love with this happy boy
Auntie Laurie came for another fun visit
Em enjoying his mobility....my pantry doesn't stand a chance
building a fairy house
just plain lovin' being outside

Sunday, August 10, 2014

early august 2014

sitting at a restaurant for a quick lunch, I asked ev if she'd like to work in a restaurant someday.  "Nope. Too many people."  would she like to have a job like her mamma, working in an office?  "Yeah, that would be okay.  that would be easy, not too tricky."

she still objects to sleeping in a room by herself.  Tag heads upstairs before he turns in each night, never certain where she's camped out (it's rarely in her bed). Sure enough, she's nestled neatly in the alcove of Elina's room, a blanket perfectly laid out underneath and another blanket neatly pulled up over her, pillow comfortably under head.  Totally crashed out.  Beats the days when she'd have carpet imprints on her face I guess.

emerson is up off the ground now - no more army crawling.  he seems to prefer all fours at this point. he's pulling himself up on everything and feeling more and more confident about his balance.  he actually forgets sometimes and lets go with both hands...which sometimes ends up as a bump on the head.

no teeth yet.  but lots of drooling, fussing and hand gnawing.  poor kiddo.

started eating food bits -- not a big fan of food on a spoon, but loves feeding himself noodles, meatloaf, cheerios, bits of fruit (if he can catch it in his fingers...).

loves the bath -- scoots back and forth in the tub, giggling and chattering all the while.

he babbles when he's happy.  "bubb bubb bubb   bobb bobb bobb"  Just happy sounds, not trying to communicate anything yet, although I swear I've heard him say "mamma" in moments of distress....
water fun on the patio
a favorite activity
goofing around at the baby playground

Friday, August 8, 2014

Naples - July/Aug 2014

We LOVE Florida.  And our friends the Sullivan's were going to be there for a short bit (back from Switzerland for a month).  So of course we planned a weekend of visiting in Naples.

Ev is such a travel pro.  Loves going places.  Loves packing her own suitcase (the blue one is mine, mamma).  She's a darn good packer too!  And she was super psyched to see her dear friend Lilly.  It was a great trip.  Emerson struggled with unfamiliar surroundings, but Darcy still got her snuggles in.

keeping busy at the airport
The ladies of Naples!
How lucky were we?!!  A day trip with Cap'n Sully!
I think she has the boating bug now...
Em checked out fast.  Wind? Weird lifejacket? No can do.
The girls LOVED flying at the front of the boat
Do you think we had enough fun?  This was the trip home...