Dreaming

Somebody pinch me, I must be dreaming. It is December 8th and 72 degrees outside! What a surprise! Tonight is our ward Christmas party, but I can't help but not feel Christmasy with it being so warm out. Being a Utah native, this all seems so bizarre. Sorry to all you who are driving in slush and snow. But I'll be jealous that we don't have a white Christmas. Well maybe not, since we'll be in Nevada for Christmas! The best of both worlds...warm December, with a short visit to a winter wonderland.

Six Things About Me

I was tagged by Mary (indirectly when she tagged everyone not tagged yet). Here are six things about me:
1. I love photography. I don't claim much talent, just enjoyment. In High School I was on the yearbook committee and took bunches of photo classes. My current obsession: Emery. But before that I liked taking pictures of animals, nature, friends, and family. In July 2001 on a trip to NYC I got a killer picture of the Twin Towers. I didn't pay to ride to the top...if I'd only known I'd never get the chance again.
2. I'm a cat lover. Well all animals in general really, but I've only had cats as pets and therefore I like them best. Cats aren't for everyone (I know you cat haters are out there!) but I'll take them if you don't want them.
3. I love to read. I recently became a Richard Paul Evans fan. I also like historical fiction, mysteries, biographies, and light romances. Anyone have any recommendations?
4. I love shopping. Probably too much, but I'm not perfect. Lucky for me I've been able to earn some extra cash babysitting a couple days a week to fund my shopping trips. Need a shopping buddy? You know who to call.
5. I miss school. I remember being completely stressed out when in school, but now I do miss learning new things. I still learn I guess by reading etc, but it's not the same. Maybe some day I'll enroll in some online classes or something just to keep me sharp. (5B: Studied at BYU majoring in Marriage, Family, and Human Development :)
6. Other general favorites... fav. color: pink, fav. food: potatoes (baked, fried, mashed, I like them all!), fav. movie: Pride and Prejudice (newest version), and fav. football & basketball team: BYU!

So now I tag Wendy D., Brenna P., Jan M., Jacki S., Kembe S., and Jenny S. If you were already tagged and I just didn't know, ignore this request. The rest of you, get to it! I want to get to know you more! :)

The wrinkley nose

Georgia Aquarium

We finally got around to taking Emery to the Aquarium for his first birthday. Unfortunately he wasn't as interested as I thought he might be. He usually loves windows and mirrors, so I thought fish behind a window...why not?

This is the most excited he got-and this was 1 minute after we got there. The first and last excited moment pointing at the fish.

At this point Emery was far more interested in the floor (putting his mouth on it to be specific) than the penguins.

All in all, it wasn't that great, but oh well. Not everything can be perfect! Mom and Dad had a pretty good time anyways.

Thanksgiving Disaster!

While most of you were cooking and eating delicious Thanksgiving feasts, our family was blown over with what I can only assume was the stomach flu. It began with Emery having a little diarreah on Wed (no big deal it seemed) but ended with us all throwing up multiple times over about 12 hours. So, there is one more thing you can be thankful for this year! You didn't end up like us. But honestly when I was trying to think of all I'm thankful for I do have quite a lot. And our sicknesses could have been worse too. We survived and have all recovered from the subsequent frailness it left us with. I am so thankful for my little family! We stuck together through it all!

Blocks, Bouncing, and Lounging

Emery loves to build with his blocks

Bouncing exercises

If you ask him, Emery would tell you my laptop is a chair

Or a bed

Peek a boo

Halloween!!!

We have been having lots of Halloween fun this year! On Emery's birthday(Thursday) he had Halloween playgroup. Then, Friday we had a Halloween party and trick-or-treating at our apartment complex. Saturday was the ward Halloween party and trunk-or-treating. Finally Wednesday, Halloween day, we went trick-or-treating with some friends in our ward. Wow! It was pretty fun, even though Emery wasn't really understanding what was going on. Plus I get to eat the candy! Except for one sucker I let him play with (wrapper on) that he gnawed his way through until he hit gold (well just candy but he was VERY excited). Here are some pictures from various Halloween activities.

Emery with friends Frankie & Elizabeth

Who needs toys when you have mom's keys?

How do I get this thing off?

I won a slinky!

Oh yeah, I dressed up too...

Happy Birthday to Emery!

Emery turned one on October 25th! He had a pretty fun day, despite a birthday tooth breaking its way through.

My first taste of cake!

Yummy, messy, fun!

TOYS!

We had a Halloween playgroup on his birthday, so he got to wear his costume!

More pictures?

Emery and friends!

Emery opening presents

Look what I got!

Birthday bath bubbles!

It was a long day! I'm sleepy!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I turned 23 on October 11th! My best friend gave me this crown so I could feel like a queen for a day! Plus (the best part of all) I got to go out to dinner with my husband...ALONE! It was a great day!

Matching

My handsome boys

The latest with Emery

Huh, so that's what a leaf feels like?

OOh, neat!

I love to swing, can you tell?

How do you work this thing?

Do you think I'm cute? I'll pose for you, then you decide.

No one better take this car away from me!

Who needs doors anyways? I can manage just fine like this!

Rocks are awesome!

What's for dinner mom? You can cook me if you like.

Hellooo! Who's in there? I can see you. Fine I'll just eat you!

This is what I look like as I jump off the bed at mom holding the camara.

And this is the damage. One rug burned nose. Ouch!

Trip to Germany

Museum

Frankfurt skyline

Frankfurt skyline

Traditional German architecture

A church

Saint Paul's Church and some houses

South Frankfurt skyline

Pedestrian Bridge over the Main River

Romerberg (Roman Hill), the Frankfurt city hall

Frankfurt skyline