We love the Christopher's!

Friday, July 31st

I called Mendy today to see how her week was and she invited me, Ryan, and Emerson over for hamburgers. I was so excited because we don't get to see each other often enough! We got to their house about 6:30 and Ryan immediately made himself at home with Kallan and Kason.

Cody cooked out great hamburgers with Heinz 57 sauce basted on. Everyone enjoyed the hamburgers and wide variety of chips. Emerson loved getting to sit at the table with the big boys.

After dinner we went out in the garden and Mendy and I hunted for crops ready to pick while Cody carried Emerson around the yard. We have been blessed with a lot of rain and all of the ground is really soft and muddy.

The boys spent the entire evening playing Wii, Legos, and gun fights. They were all 3 really kind and careful when Emerson wanted to come in their room to play. I wish that I had gotten their picture, but they were too busy.

Emerson fell in love with Mendy's little pink vacuum cleaner. I was so thankful to get a little video of her before the Flip Video croaked, but Cody let me use this camera to take two other videos I will get later. Emerson was so funny because she knew that the vacuum needed to be plugged in and was very adamet about it! She then wanted to take the cord and put it in the floor, but she did this whole body wiggle that cracked us all up!

We had such a great time and stayed until after 10. I couldn't believe that Emerson stayed awake the entire 40 minute ride home. It did help that she had all 3 boys in the Jeep to entertain her. Kallan, Kason, and Ryan settled in for the night at our house and got up at the crack of down this morning to continue playing.

Should be fun to see what's in store for us today!

Happy Birthday Dad

Today my dad would have turned 54 and I thought I would share a few of my favorite photos since Ryan was born.

I wish so much for my dad to still be here on earth. I wish that he was here to be a daily part of my life and my children's lives. I wish that he had met Emerson because I know he would have loved her so much. I wish that Ryan had more motorcycle rides with his Papa. I wish that my dad were here to hug me one more time and tell me how much he loved me.

But God has a different plan for me and my dad. God knows that I am strong enough to keep loving my dad and loving Him even after my dad's death. God knows that I have grown closer to Him in a way that I had never known possible that year as I mourned my daughter and my dad. God knows that my dad gave more to me in 29 years than a lot of kids get in an entire lifetime with their parents. God knows that I treasure every day that I had with my dad and truly understand the phrase, "love like there is no tomorrow."

Happy Birthday Dad!


My dad holding Ryan--being a Papa definitely suited him


My dad and Ryan hanging out


Swimming at Aunt Jill's house


Ryan's first ride on Papa's new Goldwing


Horsing around with Miriam and Ryan before bed


Loving the new gocart


Disney World


First trip to Ruidoso


Bluebonnet hugs


Impromptu family picture at Miriam's birthday party


Ryan's 6th birthday party


Our only time to make it to the Rally in Ruidoso


Natural Bridge Caverns


Grandpa's Surprise Birthday Lunch


Day after Thanksgiving at Perini's


The last picture I ever took of my dad, the Christmas Light Ride for Fellowship Riders

All grown up

Emerson looked so cute when we were getting ready to leave the house Monday that I couldn't help but stop and take a couple of pictures. What's 5 more minutes late to the office, anyway. I downloaded them tonight and they took my breath away. I can't believe how big Emerson looks. She is starting to lose her baby face and is looking more and more like a toddler.

I feel so blessed to be called mommy. It is the greatest feeling in the world and my greatest accomplishment. Nothing makes me happier than being with my family and loving them with all my heart.

I hope that they put a smile on your face!

18 Month Check-Up

Emerson turned 18 months old on June 26, 2009, but we had to wait until July 9th to see Dr. Maslanka. She loves going to the doctor's office because everyone knows her from the months that we practically lived last fall into this spring. What made it even more fun was that Ryan and Kallan came too. Kallan got to come over the night before and spend the night at our house. Kallan is so much fun and he loves Emerson.

The boys were a big help to me by keeping Emerson entertained while we waited. We enjoyed Annie's honey bunny snacks in the waiting room and Emerson played with all of the toys.











The boys had a good time playing with the Ben 10 creatures that they made that morning. Emerson got undressed and went to the weighed. We quickly returned to the room and waited for the doctor. Emerson spent the time running back and forth through the room. After 2 minutes the door opened and Dr. Maslanka walked in. The first thing that he said to us was that he could mark running of the check list. The picture is a little blurry but she was running really fast.

I was able to tell Dr. Maslanka that Emerson is eating a good variety of foods, starting to use the potty chair, running, jumping, signing, saying more than 10 words, recognizing people, and lots more. I was pleased (overachiever that I am) that I could say yes to all of his questions.







Emerson's 18 months stats:
Length: 33" (between 75-90th percentile)
Weight: 27 pounds 2 ounces (between 75-90th percentile)
Head Circumference: 18 3/4" (75th percentile)

San Antonio Zoo in July--What Were We Thinking?

My mom and I had this great idea to take the kids to the San Antonio Zoo on Monday, July 6th. We had the awesome privilege of keeping Cameron for the day and it seemed like such a good plan--get up early, go to the zoo, come home, rest. Seems simple right? Ha Ha!

San Antonio was blessed with a good amount of rain the night before which left the whole town hot and muggy from about 11 on. Of course, it took us way too long to get out of the house after working around nap times for both of the babies. We got to the zoo about noon and took the kids on the train first. We picked out our seats and waited for the train to leave the depot. There was NO breeze and everyone started to get hot very quickly. Everyone really enjoyed the train ride and the breeze was very welcome. None of us knew that there was a golf course right there in the midst of the zoo and our favorite museum, The Whitte.















































We rented a stroller for Emerson since we didn't have Cameron's and headed to the restaurant in the middle of the zoo. Everyone was hot, thirsty, and hungry. Emerson was starting to melt down, but I really thought that lunch and juice would perk her right up. WRONG!

She cried the entire time we were there and refused to eat anything and would only drink Diet Coke with lots of ice. She loves any drink with ice and as hot as she was, I gave in. Cameron kept looking at her like she had lost it. Ryan tried everything he could to help and make her smile. Even the manager came and checked on us. It was embarrassing. Emerson is NORMALLY very mild manned and super sweet, but being that hot did not agree with her.

We didn't want the zoo trip to be a total loss, so we took Ryan up to feed the lorry's. He did this a couple of months before this and just loved it. I guess he takes after his mom who is a total bird lover! I know that all of you are thinking back to my personal zoo days before Ryan.




My mom stayed with the babies and let Emerson run around a little while Cameron took in the sights from the stroller. Emerson enjoyed the freedom and started to return to her normal self. Cameron decided it was her turn to eat and had another bottle before we back up and went home.





I am thankful that there wasn't a picture of us leaving the zoo. All 5 of us were covered in sweat and absolutely exhausted. All in all, I would say that this was definitely a trip to remember.

We miss you Ryan and Grammy

Here is a video I took of Emerson today. You can tell that she is really missing her favorite brother and grammy this weekend. She brings me every phone that she can find and we have to "call" and talk to them. There is a really cute picture of me with the kids at Dallas World Aquarium on the desktop of the laptop and I think that Emerson thinks Ryan is real in it since that is where we normally Skype. She walks up to the laptop and starts talking to it and points at Ryan on the screen.

Thank You Aunt Cindy

I took a short little video this morning as I put Emerson in the Jeep to head out. Just as I turned off the camcorder, she said bye. Maybe next time I will get it on video. I guess that I should mention that Emerson woke up about 10 minutes before this video was taken. Hope that it explains her very tired look.

Crazy Children Videos from May

I am terribly behind at posting videos of my crazy children and wonderful nieces. Here are a couple of videos from our trip to San Antonio in May. The last video was taken in June when Amy and I took Emerson shopping at Target. She had the best time playing with a Hello Kitty & piggy pillow.

Emerson plays with Cameron July 4th

I wanted to share a few pictures from July 4th at Katie's house of Emerson & Cameron. They had a great time playing and spending time together. Emerson tried to help Cameron with her crawling with a demonstration.