Our First Halloween in Dallas

We decided to take Emmy our for real door-to-door trick-or-treating on Halloween night.  Sean had to work late and we picked him up at the Hospital and headed straight out to knock some doors.  Emmy had already learned all about Trick or Treating a few nights before at the Trunk or Treat at church so she was seasoned and ready to get herself some more goodies. 

Sean would escort her to the door, and knock for her.  Without fail Emmy would try to reach for candy out of the bowl or want to grab it out of peoples hands if they tried to put it in her bucket for her.  I think dropping the candy in the bucket herself was most of the fun for her.

A spooky Halloween house with lighted Jack O'Lanterns.

It was such a fun night and I know Sean loved taking his little Tink door to door.

Trunk-or-Treat 2016

I have never been super into Halloween and it hasn't been until Emmy was born that Sean and I have tried to dress up together.  Now that I will have 2 children born around Halloween time I have decided that it would be fun for them if Halloween was a big deal and we really tried to celebrate it every year by dressing up and doing fun activities.  I decided to go with Peter Pan family costumes this year and they turned out so fun.  Sean always loved Peter Pan as a boy and Emmy is really into the Tinkerbell movies on Netflix so she was very excited to dress up and wear her fairy wings around.

Wendy and Tinkerbell in front of the car decorations.  One opening had a bowl of cooked purple rotini and the other had candy.  The parents all thought it was very clever, but a lot of the little kids didn't understand at first.  Some of them were so polite that if they grabbed out a cooked noodle they would just drop it into their bag, say thank you with a confused look and wander off with their head hanging down.  I had to call them back and explain that the treats were in the other opening.

Tinkerbell and her pumpkin ready to hit up all the trunks for her treats! Peter Pan took Emmy around to all the cars and showed her the ropes of trick or treating.  By the end of the night she was a pro and had no shame going in for as much candy as people would let her grab.  It was tons of fun to see her start to realize that people would give her candy if she went up to them.

The whole gang after a fun night of Halloween Festivities.

Emmy and Dad were very excited to go through and sort the candy, a Halloween tradition.  Some of the people were giving out full size candy bars, what a treat!!

Happy Halloween!

Major Surgery for Dad

I got an ingrown toenail removed.  I have been dealing with it for the past 6 months or so, but just periodically have Cory dig it out while I lay back on the bed biting a piece of leather.  I actually had two removed (both big toes) while on my mission in Argentina, and this experience was SO much nicer.  I was telling my podiatrist all about my Argentina experience and he was shocked and appalled by my nail removal experience down there, as well as Cory "helping" me for the past six months.  He had me all fixed up in about 20 minutes, and I didn't feel a thing. 

I forgot, though, how difficult it is to walk after having something like that done. My big toe was still numb for a bit, so it was really hard to balance.  I spent the rest of the night when my foot propped up, but it will be so nice to not accidentally bump my toe into something and have unbearable pain.

Halloween Scavenger Hunt

We got to go to a really cute little Halloween Scavenger Hunt party this weekend.  Emmy was very excited to get to debut her Tinkerbell costume. 

Emmy and her little friend from nursery, Ginny.  Emmy and Ginny were very excited about all the chocolate that was within arms reach.  I guess those are the childhood joys of Halloween.

Emmy and Sean during the scavenger Hunt.  We had a list of different Halloween themed items to look for as we walked along a quarter mile little trail.  They had set up cute little scenes and Halloween tricks.

I was very excited to get my picture with the cutest little Tinkerbell.

Emmy loved her Tinkerbell shoes and they were definitely a hit with everyone.  She made an adorable Tink and it was hard to convince her when it was time to take off her costume.

Emmy Turns Two

Happy Birthday, Emmy!

Our sweet little girl is now two years old!  She is such a blessing in our lives, and definitely brings a spirit of happiness and love into our home.  Her birthday this year is also kind of symbolic as a final celebration of Emmy before her baby brother gets here in about three weeks.  This is her final few weeks of having Mom and Dad's undivided attention.  I think she plans on making the most of it.

Emmy's birthday was on a Sunday this year, so she got to spend some of it with her friends in nursery!  The day before, we had a little party for her at home.  We decided that it probably wasn't the best decision to have Cory climbing up on chairs to hang decorations, so I dutifully took orders executing her festive vision.

It's amazing how a few balloons and some streamers can really make an occasion feel special.  Emmy immediately noticed all the decorations when she woke up in the morning, and was continually asking the play with the balloons.

Cory made an awesome cake for the party.  She is always great at this kind of stuff, and I am glad my kids have a mom who will always make them feel special with loving efforts like this party.

We had lots of family come into town for the party.  Grandma Buzz helped Emmy put on her party hat.  Anyone who knows Emmy, knows she does not do hats.  This one was off her head in less than a minute.  

Anna and Cohen also came into town, and having Cohen there may have been the best birthday present Emmy could ask for.  She loves that little guy.  Grandpa Wayne and Mimi K also came, along with Emmy's three uncles, Davis, Noah, and Logan.  In our little apartment, it was quite the crowd, but it was nice to have so many people there for Emmy.

Emmy wanted to do everything with Cohen.  She was waking up and asking for Cohen first thing in the morning, and it was the last thing she was asking before going to sleep.  They got a lot of good time together.  If Emmy loves her little brother even half as much as she adores Cohen, then our little guy will be pretty lucky.  On another note, Cory scolded me for eating too many of Cohen's snack puffs.  It was humiliating and I will never forgive her.  Anywho, moving on...

Emmy loved blowing out her candles, and we loved singing "Happy Birthday" as Mom brought out the cake.

Like I mentioned, Emmy was pretty content doing any activity that involved her little cousin.  They had some playtime and then a bath, before snuggling up before bed.  Well, Emmy thought they were snuggling.  I'm not sure what Cohen was thinking.

It was fun watching these two babes play and develop their relationship, and it was fun to have family in town to celebrate out little Miss Emmy Rae.  Best. Birthday. Ever.

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!

Baby Boy Baby Shower

After making a move mid-pregnancy, I didn't expect to have a shower this time around.  The ward we moved into has had so many babies born this year and tons of people moving in that we figured everyone was just trying to keep up with all the new faces.

I was really touched when a sweet girl in my ward offered to throw me a shower.  It is so nice when people you hardly know go out of their way to make you feel special and cared for.  My visiting teachers also helped out and I was so glad that they took the time to help shower me as I prepared to welcome my little baby boy into the world.

We played a baby scavenger hunt, with all things having to start with the Letter C for Baby Calvin.

Anna and I posing for a photo op.  She, Cohen, and my mom were all in town for Emmy's birthday that was also this weekend.  I am so glad that they were able to come to both festivities.

Love this picture of everyone sitting around chatting.  The baby shower was at the home of a family in our ward that has a beautiful home.  It was all decked out for Halloween and fall and it was so cute to look at all the neat little touches she had.  Very fun to have it as the backdrop for the sweet shower the ladies threw.

I call this one...pumpkin smuggler.

While Anna, Mom and I enjoyed the shower, Uncle Sean was on baby duty.  He took care of Cohen and Emmy while we were gone and took full advantage of the opportunity to try out our new double stroller. 

Cohen liked it so much he fell asleep!  He was thrilled to head to the mall playground.

Emmy and Cohen enjoying some cousin playtime.

The double stroller in all its glory.  Can't wait to be seen all around Dallas rocking this thing!

Sunday Picnic

A beautiful Sunday afternoon made us feel like getting out of the house and eating lunch by the water.  There is a pretty little lake with a great walking path a short drive from where we live and it has tons of new apartment complexes all around.  We headed over to check it out and see if we could find a good spot for a picnic.

Taking in the view from a well placed bench.

Emmy liked going right up to the edge to see the water, and Mom was scared and panicked the whole time.  You can't tell from the picture but the water is about a 3 foot drop from the edge and is not meant for swimming.  Sean took every opportunity to tease and pretend to fall in, just like any good husband would!

Emmy gave in to Mommy pleading with her to get some pics together.  It's rare that these two get a shot of just the two of them so Mom took advantage of  the opportunity.

Big cheesy grin from Miss Emmy

Emmy posing with her picnic snacks.  She is a big time grape lover and can never resist a PB&J.