On the Hunt for the Perfect Tree

We went to the Elgin Tree Farm again this year to look for the perfect tree. We knew we hunted and hunted and had a hard time finding a tree that was 8+feet tall. So, we decided that we would cut a small tree for our dining room and then we would go get a taller tree at a christmas tree lot. We ended up finding a BEAUTIFUL tree and had a great time decorating it that night. Emma and Travis hauling away the mini tree :)
Emma and Travis standing next to the tree that Trav picked to cut down.

Hmmmmm....I wonder what she is thinking????

Sooooo sweet!!!

Emma thought THIS was the perfect tree for us :) I told her I would take her picture with it, but we were going to leave it there for everybody to enjoy :)

Thanksgiving

I took ZERO pictures to document Thanksgiving 2011 :( Trav and I hosted both sides of our families again this year. We loved having everyone over and enjoyed chatting over good wine and good food!

So...while I did not take any pictures, I do have a funny story to tell.

Picture this sweet girl.

Add a piece of carrot...up her nose.

YES...Emma wanted to show Mia a carrot nose and proceeded to shove a piece of glazed carrot up her nose. She told Trav (as we were eating) that she had a carrot up her nose. We did not believe her and thought she was just being silly. Trav took her to the bathroom to blow her nose and to humor her and low and behold...he walked out with a carrot wrapped in a kleenex. Thank goodness it was not too big and was able to be removed by a quick blow :) Who said nothing good happens at the kids' table????

Hope everybody had a LOVELY Thanksgiving with family and friends!!!

Family Pictures

My friend, Ashley, took our family pictures for 2011. Here are a few of my favorites...minus the one we picked for our Christmas photo :) Ashley did a great job!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday Emma Grace...or should I say Precious Puppy?

Emma turned 3 on November 5th. We had some friends over for a puppy party. As soon as the kiddos walked into our house, they were transformed into little puppies and headed outside for some fun. First they went to the Dog Pound to adopt their very own puppy. They had to name it and get a leash. We had different stations set up for them to play with. There was the Groomer, the Pet Store, the Dog Park, and the Vet. The kiddos had a lot of fun role playing and taking care of their newly adopted pal.

Kendall and Quinn in the Doghouse. Quinny trying really hard to give his meanest look.

Travis made a cute puppy and had fun playing the part!!!

Loved Mollee's well balanced meal :)

Q with his puppy and his puppy's toy that he got at the pet store.

Rowan playing in the dog park.

Emma and Colby at the vet station.

Kendall washing her puppy at the grooming station.

The birthday girl and Mia

Make a Wish!

Landry doing a great puppy imitation!

Leah and Gabby made LOVELY pups!

Luca Puppy

Charlie and I
Mia made Charlie little puppy ears, but they did not last :)

Happy Birthday, Emma Grace!!! It has gone by all too quickly, but it has been loads of FUN!!!

My Little Ladybug

Emma posing next to Charlie (our neighbor's dog) who was also a ladybug :) We all gathered in the culdesac again this year and anxiously awaited the parade of costumes.

Emma was not sure of what to think of Tyler, our neighbor. Last year, Tyler showed Emma what to do at each door. He did a pretty good job because this year, she did not need any guidance.

She was SOOOOOO excited to get going! Off we go!

One of the culdesacs, down the street from us, had a bounce house for the kiddos. Emma had to take a break from trick or treating to try it out.

That same culdesac also had a creative and creepy house. Emma loved driving by it in the days leading up to Halloween, but was not as sure on foot. She made it half-way to the door and the owner felt bad when she was startled by the snake that jumped out at her. He came to us and handed Em the candy.

Emma did a great job saying "Trick-or-Treat" and walked away waving and saying "Thank you!" to all the houses. She had a blast and went to quite a few more houses than last year.

We got back to our house and Emma sat back and ate a cupcake and admired her candy bucket. It is still very full and hiding away in our kitchen cabinet. She is more interested in the gathering of the candy than the eating of the candy...I am fine with that :)

Still smiling after a long night!!! I wonder what she will be next year!