Happy Birthday, Daddy

We Love You!!

Playing Catch Up

We went to the zoo the first week in June. (Yes, we do go there a lot-it is a really nice walk and if the weather is bad, they still have really nice indoor exhibits.)

Plus when you have an annual membership, it makes it worth it to go a lot! Emalyn sure knows her "am-mi-moes" (animals) from our many trips.

This time we got to go with Cameron's Mom and brothers, Duncan and Jon.

Emalyn got her daddy to pick one of the flowers and held onto it like gold.

A cute one of Emmy and her mommy on the MN Trail. I don't get in too many shots because I am usually the crazy one with the camera. :)

Daddy and Emmy in the Tropics Trail. They have a beautiful fish tank here that rivals some of the ones in the Sydney Aquarium (AU). Seriously, I am always impressed when I see this tank.

Daddy and Duncan with Little Miss. We were still on the tropics trail....I think outside the tortoise's.

And a group shot minus your's truly.

Overall, super fun day. Wish the whole fam could have been there, but with work and such, that definitely doesn't get to happen during the week.

Maybe we'll have to plan another day out!

In the Backyard

Watering the plants...

Chillin' with daddy....and observing the fact that she watered his knee.

Finally decided I should get a belly shot as I am in that final stretch....this was around 38 weeks, so at least a week or so ago.

Emmy was a little better sport in this shot than the first...

...but the belly was cut off, and I can't have that!!

Hope you had a good weekend!

Her own Wheels

With the soon-to-be arrival of "the boy" we decided to purchase a larger gift for Emalyn partly to take her mind off the drastic changes occurring in our family and also to allow her to feel more like a big girl.

Hence:

Not too girly, not too boyish, and that is of course the frugal side of Cameron and me coming out.

I always want things to last and be useful to everyone. So...when the boy starts riding himself, here is the first set of wheels he will also have!

Additionally, in this day and age, of course, one must buy a helmet....I can't find an image of the one we got, but I think it is just adorable. Soft blue with little lady bugs and a bit of spunk just like Little Miss.

I am sure images will follow shortly with Little Miss biking all suited up...however, we do still have to put that bike together yet!

I have to say too, I am just kicking myself for not purchasing a bike at an annual second hand sale that we go to every year in late winter.

My mom in law pointed out a bike to me and I said no because we don't have a lot of space. I wished I could, but I am going to wait.

Then, the doctor said at her 2 year appointment that Emalyn should be starting to work on that pedaling motion.....grrrrr. Result: I should get her bike.

We'll see how long it takes her to pick up on pedalling....more info to come!

At the Zoo

We again made a trip out to the zoo....and I thought how nice it would be to try and get a group shot....only Emalyn wanted nothing to do with us. Who knew it started this young!! :)

So here we are, Cameron and me...must say, I am looking a little plump and can't wait until little boy has made his appearance!

Feeding the goats...last time she gave it a try. Not this time!

Daddy and Emmy by the tigers.

And that's all I have, we had a really nice time since it was really empty and we got to see all the animals without having to deal with the crowds. Lovin' that!

First Dip of the Summer

Everyday Cameron, Emmy, and I try to walk together in the afternoon after we get home from work and school. This is mainly for Quincy since he needs to be let out and go to the bathroom.

And everyday we pass the pool in our association. It was quite a big deal when we were walking one day and she saw the pool cleaner out and then a couple days later they were filling it and checking the chlorine levels.

Today (before baby boy arrives) we decided it would be time to make a visit to the pool after dinner.

Here we are on our way to the pool....little miss and her "backpack" (a floating seat thing-ee.)

Here we are while we were waiting for daddy to blow up the floatee thing (it looks like a lily pad and she sits in the center).

She hated it last year and this year we weren't really sure what to expect.

In this next photo she looks a little apprehensive about the water, but believe me she was not.

We had a lot of fun singing some of the water songs we learned in our swim lessons last winter. She's never been a huge splasher, but she just likes the floating/swimming sensation.

Finally, before we were ready to leave, she decided to give the lily pad a try...

...and I am pretty sure that was to prolong her time in the pool as she pretty much didn't want to leave.

We finally had to tell her the pool was closing (we'll come back later).

She didn't really care for that explanation, but there was no tantrum, thankfully!

I definitely think she is going to be like her daddy-he was really into swimming in high school...another little water bug!

Lucky Number 7

These arrived for me today at work. (Please forgive my phone pic.)

He is a sweetie, my husband. It's our anniversary.

Seven Years!

(And as I type this the fragrant peonies are practically knocking me over and causing me actual sinus pain.)

(But I won't move the bouquet because that wonderful peony smell reminds me of early summer growing up. My mom had some bushes in her garden.)

Seven years is a long time. Not long like 30 years, of course, but long enough to show we're hanging in there.

I have a hard time realizing I have actually been married seven years.

It isn't that it has dragged on that long....or that it was so blessed and wonderful that the time just flew by (just being realistic people-nothing is perfect!!)

Maybe what seems so long is that we have actually known each other since we were 19 and 20.

I'm 31 and he'll be 33.

My MIL says that if I wasn't the way I am, he'd be a tyrant and if he wasn't the way he is, he'd be a hen pecked husband.

Is that a compliment? :)

Kind of. I guess it means we "work." And that is a good thing.


Happy Anniversary Love. It has been a good seven years.

Opinions

So.

I have another kiddo due soon.

This blog is pretty much made up for just Emmy.

What to do regarding the blog....

Do I make a whole new blog? Or should I just change the title and keep the address so no one gets lost? It's not like I have a million followers anyway, this is mainly for personal/family connections.

But I like opinions, any and all opinions. So let me know.

Thanks.

Musically Inclined

Emalyn loves to sing. She makes up songs and tunes/words or sings whatever ones she knows. The most repeated is the ABC's. She was singing that in it's entirety before she turned two (I like to think that is pretty impressive :) ).

Anyway, here she is in not one, but THREE videos. Pure enjoyment for the grandparents, I know!!


Thanks to the Cedarmont Kids, this was a favorite for a time....



The Sound Of Music, Do Re Mi. She never tires of this one.


And of course, the alphabet.

Photography at 2

We were lucky enough to be able to have Emalyn's 2 year photographs taken on her actual birthday.

They turned out so fun. Just like Emmy.

Kim is really a great person to have take these photos....so glad we have her as a resource!

Thanks Kim!!

The Gala....Finally

Tiredness has made all my posts arrive late....so here I am catching up.

Alzheimer's Gala. I mentioned it here awhile back.

And here are some photos...hardly "many" but still some nonetheless.

Centerpeices-there were two types-one for the tables with Chiavari chairs and another one for the tables set with gold brocade slipcovers. Both tables had a gold/robin's egg blue tablecloth that pulled the colors perfectly.

Turned out beautifully.

This is a large statement piece that stood atop the main auction table because the main room we were in is an atrium-this is during the silent auction.

To say it was large is an understatement.

If you live in the Twin Cities and don't use Arts & Flowers in St Louis Park, you are sadly missing out. Steven, the owner, is great at what he does.











Lastly, Cameron and me.