We are BACK!

Well, I hope this is the beginning of a consistent blogging for me. I miss being able to share with everyone how the family is growing & pictures of our adorable children :) Facebook has replaced my blog posts but I would like to get back to it in this way. I am able to write more & hopefully make this blog into a book that helps me remember what we did! Please encourage me to keep this up :) See you soon with more updates.

Good-bye 2011, Hello 2012!

Well, it's been an interesting end to 2011, in regards to this blog and my lack of posting. Nakia's "work" computer, a Mac book, had an untimely death in the beginning of December and took with it about 2-3 months worth of pictures :( I try not to think about it or I get teary-eyed. It made us realize that we were not doing a good job of backing things up onto our external hard drive and also grateful that I had not deleted about 2 months worth of pictures from our cameras! Unfortunately, some of Emerson's 1st birthday pictures & videos are now lost forever. It's sad to think about. But I don't want to start the new year on this down note....

To substitute our lost computer, we are reviving my Toshiba laptop and will be outfitting it with more power and memory! Plus, we backed everything up that is currently on it. We hope in the near future to purchase the parts of a desktop computer that Nakia will build with the help of his wonderful friend, Rich Miller, who has also helped immensely in our computer woes! So, I just wanted to explain why I had not been updated our family blog. I hope to be back soon with beautiful pictures from the months of October-December :) And of course, the start of a fresh, new year! Thanks for being a part of our blogging family!

Something new for Eleanor

Eleanor is taking a ballet/tap class at the YMCA this year and I think she is the cutest ballerina!

Her good friend, Campbell, is also in the class

Get a nice stretch, Eleanor

Looks like 1st position

Emerson wanted to dance too!

She's a bird!

The skirt helps her twirl and spin

A great big sister and friend who love Emerson

A celebratory dinner at Cici's pizza after class- these three love their cartoons!

What?! Another party?

It's his birthday party so he can sit on the table if he wants to- Grandma Teresa will make sure he doesn't fall off

A little muffin snack prior to another birthday cupcake

2-month-old cousin Ryder made it for the party!!

The cute girls have their own table- cousin Memphis & neighbor Campbell with Eleanor

It looks like they are all ready for the cupcakes!

Checking out the flame...

and scared to tears of it!

Emerson was easily consoled by the cupcake

Neighbor Maggie loved the cupcake too

Ryder wishes he could have some!

Apparently, all the kids make too much noise for Emerson

I can see that they are related- love our boys!

Emerson had to be protective of his gifts by climbing on top of them

"It's his party and he can cry if he wants to"

Thanks Aunt Heidi, Uncle Andre, cousins Memphis & Ryder for making it to celebrate Emerson's special day! It will be Ryder's turn in no time!

Our great friends, Laura & Rich, also Emerson's godfather, made the longer trip with their son, Owen, and we were so happy to have them!

Once Owen woke up, he got to enjoy the party! He is a sweet little boy and we look forward to a great friendship for Emerson!

The birthday boy got a solo picture with Mommy & Daddy (because big sister, Eleanor didn't feel like taking a picture)

Thanks Grandma Teresa & Grand Daddy Pope for making the party as well! We wish we could see you more often- Grandma Teresa wants to teach the kids so much!

Emerson's birthday fun continues...

After the busy morning playdate, Emerson had no problem going down for nap- somedays  I really just enjoy holding him a little longer before I put him in his crib.

Then, he was up and happy to pull himself up on the chair. No walking yet, but gets around quickly by crawling.

We decided to take the Birthday boy to IHOP for his birthday dinner/breakfast, plus kids eat free! 

Before we went there, a quick stop to pick up Nakia at his office caught Eleanor and Emerson in a sweet sibling moment

That looks says, "Don't worry, Mommy. I will finish all this and more- keep it coming!"

The birthday boy get a happy surprise- ice cream sundae!

I think he loves the whip cream the most! We are so blessed with our sweet little boy.

Sibling fun & cuteness

On a gorgeous September day, Eleanor & Emerson have lots of fun in the sand & water table

Emerson had too much fun and started eating the sand

Mommy telling him "No" makes him smile & laugh

Another wonderful weather day meant bubbles for our two bubbly kids (I think Emerson tried to eat those also)

Even playing on the kitchen floor is fun and cute with these two! (Sorry for the sideways picture)

Emerson's birthday playdate

It was finally Emerson's time to turn 1! I borrowed the decorations from Carter's mom and personalized them with pictures of our sweet boy 

Our big 1 year old in his personalized lion shirt- Roar!

A whole plate of Emerson's handsome face- they were delicious!

Sawyer came to celebrate the big day

Charlie was happy to be there for his best buddy too

Carter wanted to play ball

Standing & walking Kiersten enjoyed being the only girl there

Emerson & Charlie communicating & sharing their toys

Smiling Liam will be the last one to turn 1 in the group

What a mess a few little people can make!

Emerson was not crazy about wearing the hat

But he sure did get excited about his cupcake!

"Are you all singing to me?"

"Mommy, I am not sure about the fire though"

"Yummy, let's see how this tastes?!"

It's amazing what Moms shaking maracas can get the kids to do- they are all looking, except for Emerson trying to escape

I think he is claiming this toy- apparently climbing on the box is more fun than the toy itself

A beautiful book called The Tickle Tree- thanks, Liam!

Thanks everyone for celebrating my special day with me!

I had a blast with the mirrored card!