Monday, October 31, 2011

Snow days & Halloween nights

Porter had a blast after the first big snow of the year, and Corey already has him preparing for ski-season.



He's a big fan of snow, just like his dad.







Emma Rose is equally hilarious. She is 100% content if she can sit up and join the fun - even if the "fun" is taking place in the hamper. The little socialite does NOT like to be left by herself.



Both kids enjoyed the pre-holiday fun with grandparents.



We carved pumpkins...


While Porter posed as a fire-fighting truck driver,



Emma Rose simply enjoyed being in the middle of all of the fun.




Porter had insisted on being "Thomas the Tank Engine" for months before Halloween.



We had to coax him with a dum-dum before he'd gladly put on the costume, though.



Thomas hosted our annual Halloween party, which was quite a hit.



All of Porter's favorite friends came: "Ben-ja-ben,"

Lexi & Sophia...




...Scotty...



..."Gabyn"...



...Kai...



They had too much fun playing together.



Emma Rose had a good time too, and some of her new friends came too!



Baby Hampton (and her big brother Linden)...



...and baby Ryker (and his big sister, Ellery)...



One of the most hilarious parts was watching the kids hit the unbreakable pumpkin pinata.



I'm not sure they understood that it was supposed to actually break open with candy.



But they were all so cute as they'd hit it once or twice, then pass on the bat to share with their friends.



On Halloween, Porter met up with Ellery to go to "Trick-or-Treat Street."

He wore Thomas much more proudly that night, and he ate candy as he got it. We've never seen him so hyper in our lives.



The kids' costumes were a hit all around, and Porter can't wait until it's Halloween again.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Happy 6 months, Emma Rose!

Disclaimer: Dear "everbody," I talk lots and lots, but "it makes me sad" when I can't always come up with something clever to say - I'm better at the funny stuff. So I've decided to hand over the voice-torch to mommy, who knows me and my baby sister Emma pretty well...So for now, "Bye-bye! I wuv you so much." ~ Porter.


I can't believe that 6 months ago, at this moment, I was screaming and silently praying that this little, kicking, puke-making girl would finally get out of me. It wasn't until I was reading Porter his night-time story, and trying not to worry him with my contraction yelps, that I realized it was time to finally head to the hospital to meet my baby girl.


I remember fearing not loving this girl as much as I loved her big brother...


...But I'm absolutely crazy about both of them!

Porter is smart, intuitive, sensitive, and all-2!!! And Emma Rose, my little cuddler, is determined, knows what she wants, and smiles a smile that melts hearts.


Today, at 6 months, she tipped the scale at 17 pounds 11 ounces, and measures 26 1/2 inches. The doctor told us to start feeding her solids.

Thanks to Emma Rose's determination, she was ready to take over and do it herself. That should have come as no surprise to me, as she is already crawling, has cut her first tooth, and spares no scream to let us know that she needs a change of scenery.

Emma Rose, I never knew I could love you as much as I do, but you melt my heart and put a song in my step. I love you and can't wait to know you more and help you on your journey of life. You are a beautiful gift from God.


Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Fall is Here...

Fall is here, so we've kicked off the season by attending a local Fall Festival on the 1st day of Autumn!

I was in heaven practicing "gentle" on all the farm animals.
I was SO happy.

I've even started decorating pumpkins for the fall.

And in the spirit of crafts, mom made my requested Halloween costume!
(But she's hiding it from me and just shows me a picture of it on her phone...
I had a LONG, one-way conversation with Thomas on the phone when I first saw my costume on her phone.)

Emma Rose is going to be a baby bumble bee!

"Wook at her buns!"

She's a pretty cute, scoot-crawling little thing.

Yup, Fall is in the air, and we're pretty thrilled about it.