Gingerbread House

Last night we went to Uncle Josh and Aunt Amy's house to make a gingerbread house and eat dinner. Our entire family has been sick so it's nice when you can hang out with family because they don't care if you come over sick:)

Please don't look too closely at the gingerbread house as we need more practice at this tradition. EmK was eating the candy faster than we could put it on the house. This was just a reminder to me of how much I love family and I like that both of our families like to have family traditions. We just need a few years to perfect this one:)

YAY!!! Big news....Emily Kathryn can NOW say Amy:)

Santa

Even though Emily Kathryn talks about Santa (she likes to say "ho ho ho" when you ask what Santa says and replies "YAY" when you ask her if she wants to go see Santa) the visit basically went the way I knew it would. She was fine in the line and loved watching him, BUT the minute we were next in line she changed her mind. She had a death grip on my arm and did not want me to let go. Then she wanted the "rudolph" stuffed animal the camera lady holds to get the kids to look at her. I haven't scanned the final picture, but I think these are just as good. I thought maybe the candycane would help, but it didn't:)

The 2 minute meltdown was completely worth it because we had FABULOUS food and fellowship at Brio afterwards with a little (actually A LOT) of help from the amazing iphone apps that keep EmK busy for hours:)

Maybe next year I won't have to be in the picture.

DECEMBER

I can't believe I haven't blogged since Halloween! Honestly I only have one picture from Thanksgiving:( so we will move straight to December:)

Emily Kathryn and I went to visit my parents and friends...AND do a little Christmas shopping! We had a playdate with my best friend and her daughter. We went to a "jumpy" place and then had lunch. EmK is finally getting to an age where she will play with other kids so it was fun to watch her play with Natalie.

THANKS Amberly for such a fun day! I wish we lived closer...BUT even with the distance I know our girls will be close friends! Side note, Amberly and I always give the girls an ornament for Christmas. Amberly gave EmK a gingerbread girl and EmK will NOT let me put it on the tree. She's been carrying it around all week like it's her baby! Oh, and aren't they SO CUTE dressed alike:) Someone stopped us in a store to ask about their outfits;)

EmK insisted on climbing up the slides instead of using the stairs;)

MEOW....

Emily Kathryn was a cat for Halloween...and the cutest cat ever I might add! Here are a few pictures from our night of trick-or-treating. Luckily two of our favorite relatives live in out neighborhood so we got GREAT treats for Halloween!

We LOVE....

STICKERS:)

Pumpkin Carving

We've started a pumpkin carving tradition with Uncle Josh and Aunt Amy. They come over for dinner each year and we carve (at least one) pumpkin. Here are some pictures from out 2nd year of pumpkin carving. We had SO much fun!

Thankfully Aunt Amy was there to prevent EmK from trying the pumpkin seeds

Checking out the inside of the pumpkin

Checking out our hard work up close.

Trying to capture a family shot with our pumpkins...these pictures are HARD to capture these days:)

Petting Zoo

Last weekend we took Emily Kathryn to the petting zoo. She loved the animals (as long as they didn't get TOO close). We had a fun morning! Jordan is such a good dad! He was so excited to take her and was patient in helping her "warm-up" to the animals.

yelling at the donkeys to come to the fence

waving to the pigs

Pumpkin Patch

Last weekend we went with the Sheheane's to the Pumpkin Patch. It was actually my first time to go to a pumpkin patch. They had lots of fun things for the kids. We had a great time (despite the heat) and I think we will make this a tradition.

They had a small petting zoo at the pumpkin patch. Emily Kathryn liked the animals as long as she could keep her distance. While we were there we took a hay ride and got to pick our very own pumpkin. It was a fun day!