FHS Homecoming - September 24th, 2010

At the end of September, we spent a fun fall weekend in Farmington. It was Farmington High School’s 50th anniversary for homecoming so we went to the parade and then to the football game. Emma had blast at the parade and was in heaven carrying around her new balloon. The game was not too interesting as Farmington won by some ridiculous score but we still had a good time!

Park Picnic

It looked like a nice fall day outside so I dressed the girls in some jeans and long sleeve t-shirts, we went to the grocery store, and then decided to stop off at the park for a picnic on our way home. It sounded like a nice plan until we stepped out of our car and it was a mere 90 degrees! I was bummed because it was so hot and we were practically melting eating our cheeseburgers. The girls had some quick swing time and then we were out of there! Hopefully we will be able to try this again before winter but right now I am still suffering from the heat exhaustion from that particular day!

Volleyball Game

We went to one of Catherine’s volleyball games one weekend and now Emma is all about it! She plays volleyball often and makes Grammy sit on the stairs (a.k.a. the bleachers) while she jumps up in the air! Catherine has a great team this year and now a new little cheerleader!

Catherine is smiling because she is trying to serve and Emma is about two feet away from her yelling “GO CATHERINE GO!!”

Cheering from the floor!

A Surprise Party!

We celebrated with my cousin Jayme for her 30th birthday. It was a surprise party and her husband went to great lengths to keep it a surprise, including putting a pillowcase over her head to keep her from seeing where she was going! Happy Birthday Jayme!

The jeep is always a hit. Thank goodness Ally is such a good drive and can handle all of her cargo!

Grammy Returns!

It was a long few weeks when Grammy was away in Ohio and we were very happy to have her back! Here are a few photos from the reunion! She brought Emma a Dora backpack which Emma has not stopped wearing (we literally take it everywhere with us: the grocery store, church, birthday parties, etc!) and Audrey some finger puppets. Emma also liked the photo that her cousin Benny sent her! Thanks Benny, we can’t wait to see you soon!

And just because we love him too, here is a photo of Pops!

Engler Park

We spent an evening in September at Engler Park eating Bacon Cheeseburgers from a local restaurant, Hunt’s. It was a beautiful night and the food was delicious. Audrey was also very cooperative and looking cute for the camera!

Catherine and her friend Kyleigh were there too and Emma had a blast playing on the playground with them.

Not for sure but I don’t think that it is a good idea to use your 72 year old great-grandmother for a spotter!

Audrey 6.5 months and Silly Emma

Like usual, I missed taking photos of Audrey on her monthly birthday mark. That is ok though because I have never actually accomplished this so all of her photos are consistently on the month and a half mark! Here she is around 6.5 months. She is sitting up, chatting up a storm, and not wanting to crawl since she can roll from room to room with great speed. She said her first word “Emma” and then her second word “Momma”. This wasn’t much of a surprise since all day long she hears me screaming “EMMA!” and little Miss Emma is constantly yelling “MOM!” Adam was a little disappointed since Emma’s first word was “Dadda” but once I explained my theory on Audrey's word choice he felt better. He then began daily practicing with her and she has now sad “Dadda”!



Whenever I have a photo shoot of Audrey, Emma whips out her play camera and has one too! It is so cute how she tries to pose Audrey, get her to smile by making a silly face, and then shows her the “picture” she just took of her! Maybe she has a future in photography!

When she is not taking photos, she spends most of her days caring for her babies. She dresses them, feeds them, bathes them, changes diapers, takes them to the “swimming pool” and is always busy nursing them. I went in to check on her the other night before going to bed and I saw that she had actually fallen asleep nursing her baby! Here she is dressing them in their winter coats after leaving the “swimming pool”. We do live in Missouri and that is pretty much how our weather has been! Nice fall temps and then blazing hot the next day!

Eureka Days

Our town had their little festival on September 11th. We decided to participate and headed down there for about 45 minutes! It was long enough for Emma to get her face painted (for the first time!), ride the carousel, and get her picture with the firetruck! She had a blast in the short time we were there!

Pickle Springs

We spent the actual Labor Day on a hike at Pickle Springs. This was quite the workout and was much harder than I remembered it being. Probably because I have never done it while hauling either a six month old and/or a two and a half year old! Lucky for me and unlucky for my mom, mid-way through Emma only wanted her Grandma to carry her! It was strenuous for anyone much less being a grandma and lugging Emma but my mom was a real trooper and only got lightheaded once! Nothing a little water couldn’t fix!

The hike was full of nature complete with a snake which made me want to quit! I don’t think we will be going back anytime soon, at least not until all children can hike on their own. Oh, and the almost 12 year old Catherine wore flip flops and required some assistance as well at times!


In case you were wondering what the heck Emma is wearing, let me explain. Earlier that morning my dad had been to Wal-Mart. Apparently he got sidetracked in the summer clearance aisle. He came home with a twelve pack of Sam’s Choice Cola Zero (that he only paid $1 for; we heard all day about what a great deal it was!) and this lovely ensemble for Emma. He had called to ask what size she wore so I knew he was buying her some sort of clothing and was expecting a dress of some sort. Instead, he went for Thomas the Train! The best part of the entire story is that he still believes that this is a girl outfit! The lady in the check out line said “Oh, do you have a little boy at home?” and my dad said “No, my grandaughter!” She then proceeded to tell him how Thomas was for boys but my dad was quick to inform her “No it is not, we watch this show together on TV!” (So it MUST be for girls!)

Labor Day Weekend 2010

We spent most of Labor Day weekend at my parent's house just being lazy. Is that what you are supposed to do on Labor Day? Adam and I did get some away time as we headed to southern IL for Adam's friend Jason's wedding.

We met up with Eric and Erin at the wedding. I brought along my camera with a dead battery and Erin’s memory card was full so these are the only two pictures we have! However, I did manage to snag one of Adam dancing off of facebook! Give him $20 bucks and he will do anything! (He told me he is always trying to make extra money for our family and I guess that includes embarrassing yourself on the dance floor if it is a paying job!)





We spent some time OUTSIDE of the pool as it was too cold to get in (though Catherine did, she would get in when it was snowing if we let her!), went on a hike, and ate lots of food!


To entertain the children (actually it was quite fun!), I traced everyone in sidewalk chalk then colored their clothing on them. I also traced Adam who complained about his image and said that I messed up his foot. I was only drawing what I saw. (Anyone who knows Adam and sees this picture of the left foot will probably see the resemblance!) He then traced me and gave me no neck. I like to think that was because my hair was in the way and not because I really look that way! Also, I started getting tired so Adam and I are not clothed! Sorry if this bothers you!