Emery turns ONE!!

We just can't believe it has been one year since Emery was born!! People have told me that it flies by more quickly with the second child, but I guess I didn't really stop to think about how quickly it did go by until her birthday on Friday. It's really amazing how much children change in their first year of life. Emery is such a precious baby girl, yes- we are a little partial :), and we feel so very blessed to have her in our lives! We had a wonderful day with her on Friday- Gran & Grandad took us out to eat then back to the house to have cupcakes- which she loved! Today we had a little party with some friends and family. She was so excited to have people over she couldn't quite focus on the BEAUTIFUL cake our wonderful neighbors, Alicia and Faith, made for her!! I think she thought it was too pretty to touch! :) We look forward to year #2!!

Holiday Happenings...

We've had such a wonderful holiday season! The festivities of eating, opening presents, etc kicked off having Christmas with Allison, Jon-Micah and Caleb before they headed off to California for Christmas. Everything that Elan opened he would say, "This is just want I wanted!!". He really only asked for Moon Sand, so I guess everything else was bonus! Emery enjoyed her 1st Christmas putting the wrapping paper in her mouth and giving her new babies "wide-mouth kisses" leaving slobber all over their faces. Jay's family has a tradition of going out to eat on Christmas Eve, so we always do that and enjoy finding somewhere, non-Chinese buffet, that is open. We all made cookies for Santa and left the reindeer food too. Christmas morning was so wonderful! Elan is at such a fun age and in awe that "Santa REALLY came to my house, ate my cookies, drank my milk, etc". Everything he opened was "his favorite"! I guess we better enjoy that while we can. :) We had Christmas dinner with my parents and brother and enjoyed spending time at the house. Jay's sister, Kelly, came down later in the week and brought Corey & Carter, Elan & Emery's cousins. The boys had such a great time playing! While they were here Emery took her first steps... yikes! Everyday Elan has said that he misses his cousins- so hopefully we'll get to see them again soon! We spent New Year's Eve at the house and all was dark and quiet by 10:30p- we just can't keep up like we used to! :) New Years Day we enjoyed a traditional black-eyed pea dinner and got all decked out in our ORANGE to watch the VOLS WIN! We even had a "dusting" of snow that night and my brother got a little crazy out in it (see picture)... We have had a good year- I won't say great because with adjusting to a new baby, going back to work, etc we have had our moments but by and large we consider ourselves so very blessed and we wish you and your family many blessing for 2008!

Fun with Friends

One of our favorite things about the holidays is getting to spend time with our friends & family. Elan and I drove to Jackson last Friday to eat lunch my great friend and old college roommate, Audrey. She has been a nanny in Denver since we graduated in '99, and I always look forward to seeing her when she's in Memphis visiting her family. Our good friends from HU, Peyton & Kristy, stopped by to visit on their way home to Birmingham last weekend and we had such a wonderful time visiting with them. Their little boy Will is so precious and I think Emery already has her eye on him! We love them so much and wish we got to see them more often! We also went to Opryland with our good friends Robert, Dana and their boys to see the wonderful lights and had a great time. I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing those lights and the boys, and girl :) really enjoyed them. Elan kept saying "Mommy, I didn't know there was a jungle in here!".

Elan's Christmas Party & Program

Elan (and Emery :)) had a great time at his Christmas party at school. The kids all brought a present and passed one around in a circle until the music turned off. Of course the person holding the present at the end got it and they all LOVED playing! Elan's program was so cute- they sang several cute songs and we all really enjoyed it- it was a great way to start off the holiday season! Hopefully we'll stop hearing the songs that he learned soon!