Emerson's First Christmas: Part 2

We spent Christmas in Oklahoma this year with my family. It was a winter wonderland! Thankfully the roads were not icy and our drive up was a safe one.

Play time with cousin Lillian.

Emerson and cousin Jack were "sharing" toys.

Playing a rousing game of Headbanz...its harder than it looks :)

All the grand kids with Granddad and Grammy.

We played Dirty Santa the night before our Christmas this year with board games and it was so much fun.

There were some pretty funny moments.

Our family Christmas morning.

Opening stockings.

With my beautiful mom and sister.

Playing with his Christmas gift from Grammy and Granddad.

Frying up our Christmas lunch. Brrr...

 Emerson and his real smile, and Lucas with his "smile for the camera" smile.

With cousins Nathan and Wade. Won't be long before their little brother arrives!

With Granddad Connie.

I just love that doggie hat and double chin.

Beside all the time I got to spend with family, I also got spend some time with my best friend and her fiancé. Their wedding is in April so I got to run a few wedding errands with them and they got to meet Emerson for the first time.

He wasn't too sure about Rob's beard, but he sure was happy to be in this photo :)

And on a totally random note, I got to shoot Jesse's gun while we were at my parents house. Watch out world, I know how to load and shoot it now!

 

 

 My target: the pond. I look so ridiculous and unnatural shooting the thing, but at least I know how to handle it now.

 

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! Bring on 2014...

Emerson's First Christmas: Part 1

As always, I took a TON of photos and had a hard time narrowing down which ones to post, so I am just going to do this in a series.

Jesse, Emerson and I celebrated our family Christmas on Dec. 21 before we headed to Oklahoma.

Emerson didn't really care much about the tree this year (thank goodness), but we also never really play in our dinning room, so he was never around it.

The lights were mesmerizing.

Time to open presents!

Emerson's loot pile.

He was great at opening presents and being interested in the whole process. He, of course, especially loved playing with the wrapping paper.

He loved the activity cube we got him.

 

I loved getting to celebrate Christmas traditions this year with a child. Even if he is too little to remember, it makes it so much more special!

Thanksgiving 2013

I have very exciting news to share! But I am not going to tell you until the end of this post, so keep reading. (Or if you are lazy, then just skip to the end, but you will miss out on some good stuff : )

Anyway...

Emerson got to spend his first Thanksgiving in Tennessee. There were clear skies, cold temperatures, lots of family and of course great food! Emerson couldn't really take part in the food, but oh well, something for him to look forward to next year.

We drove, yes DROVE 13 hours to Nashville to visit Jesse's family to spend Thanksgiving week with them. The drive up was not too bad. It seemed to take forever, but all-in-all I think Emerson did great. Anytime I caught myself complaining, I just remembered how much money we were saving by not flying : )

Get ready for family picture overload!

Emerson and Pops.

 

 

Emerson does not like what this fox has to say. Don't worry, it's a fake one.

 

Turkey bottoms are too cute.

Family photo!

 



Turkey bib that Aunt Molly gave Emerson. Is it weird that I think Emerson and the face of the turkey on the bib look alike?

On our walk to the old red barn. It was a beautiful day.

Emerson could barely move his little arms in his puffy coat.

 

 Opryland Hotel Christmas lights.

OK, ready for my news? Emerson is going to get a new cousin! Two actually (not twins). My SIL, Molly announced over Thanksgiving that they are pregnant (due in July) and my brother and his wife are expecting another sweet boy in March. Two separate sides of the family are adding to their numbers and I am so excited for my SILs and for Emerson to gain cousins that are going to be close in age. The holidays will be even more fun next year! Congratulations to Molly and Jonathan Martin and Trace and Sarah Kirkpatrick!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Now I guess I better get crackin' on that Christmas shopping...

O Christmas Tree, 2013

I so desperately wanted to go to a real Christmas tree farm in order to get Emerson's first Christmas tree, however time did not allow, so off to Lowes we went!

 

Picking out our tree!

Traditional shot of Jesse bringing it into our home.

Even Emerson helped.

Putting up his own ornament. Some assistance required.

 

Happy decorating!

Pumpkin Patch, 2013

We went with some friends to Dewberry Farms last weekend. The weather was perfect and I was so excited to go this year since it was Emerson's first year at the pumpkin patch!

The Farm.

He did NOT like the hay.

 

Nor did he like being put down next to the pumpkin's : ) Still love his pouty faces.

 

This is new, he now gives us a fake grin.

 

 

 At the flower patch.

 

This is just a crazy picture...do you see the bumble bee? Talk about good timing with the camera.

 

His hair is growing! It can now blow in the wind.

 

Entering the corn maze.

We never found the exit. That thing was hard.

 

We faced obstacles such as mud pits. Not so easy with a stroller.

 

We finished out the day watching football together. Emerson was all worn out.

 

I am learning that holidays are ten times more fun when you have a child to share or start traditions with. Bring on Thanksgiving and Christmas!