Pre-School... sort of!!

Out here in the big MO, at least where we live, the cut off date for school is the first of August. Emma's birthday misses it by about 3 weeks, so she still has 2 years before she can go to Kindergarten. Poor girl was trying to be so patient and happy at home with me while all of her friends were in school. So I was told of a pre-K based program they have at our YMCA here. When I told  Emma she didn't know what to do with herself: "You mean I get to go to school when I'm 4 now, not 5!!!!" To say she was excited doesn't quite describe it. So she goes 3 days a week for an hour and a half and since it's at the YMCA I go exercise... two birds with one stone (I need an incentive to get me to exercise... this works)!!

She's been going for a week and a half now and this is what 'SHE' picked to wear today. It 'matched' because there is a red bow on her shirt and one of the flowers had purple on it! Alrighty then! How do you argue with that?!

Tal's blessing.

(my camera was having a bit of an issue with these two pics... oh well)

Tal had a very special day last Sunday. In his little white shirt and blue tie with white pants he looked very handsome. Matt gave him a beautiful blessing. I'm so thankful to have that priesthood in our home to bless our family. And the way Matt honor's his responsibility makes me so glad that Emma and Tal have him as their example. 

My parents and brother Corbin were also here to join in Tal's special day. Emma had them running all over the place. She invented some "great" games that I'm sure my dad and Corbin will play again and again...!? She loved every minute they were here... and so did we!

We feel very fortunate to have loving family who care for and support us. Having Matt's parents so close to us out here is a blessing. They were also here to participate in Tal's blessing, and we couldn't be more thankful! 

Emma's Big Day

Emma and a very happy birthday! We have wonderful family and friends that made it so special for her!!

Wait I thought she turned 4 not 14....! Emma likes to have her hair straight once in awhile! There are definitely reasons why we don't do it more often (you can probably guess a few of them...), but she looked so darn cute!!

The big girl bike was a hit... even in the kitchen. She rode it 'round, and 'round, and  'round, and... Things finally slowed down and she took it for a really test drive outside! 

Emma has a very special friend named Aubree! Here are the little girlies "doing lunch!" 

Then Grandma and Grandpa Coleman and Aunt Dita came to celebrate. On the menu: grilled cheese sandwiches, grapes, and corn. And to top it off an "E" cake (all the birthday girl's ideas... except the corn). :)

What a great day. Even Tal gave Emma a present. He was extra happy all day long (or maybe that was a gift for mommy so she didn't go nuts-o... nah)!

4 Years Ago...

August 27, 2004 is a day I'll never forget. That is the day we were blessed with a precious gift from heaven. 

Emma, that day you brought the greatest joy and the purest happiness into our lives! We didn't realize we could love someone so much. 

As we have watched you grow, you have shown us the meaning of love, curiosity, forgiveness, kindness, and fun!

You touch the lives of all who meet you, and always give them something to remember!

Yes, Emma you are 4... and absolutely fabulous!!

We love you with all of our heart! Happy Birthday, baby girl. 

4 months...

Tal turned 4 months last week, but just had his appointment! He is a whopping 16 pounds and 26 inches long!! Such a big boy... and cute as pie!

Happy Birthday Matt!!

The most wonderful man in my life just turned 28 years old! Matt you are so many things to this family! Here are just a few of the reasons why we love so:

Because getting rocks for a birthday presents from Emma made your day!

Because you are Tal and Emma's hero.

Because you are our protector and playmate!

Because you are always coming up with something new... and interesting!

Because you are the best snowman builder!!

Because you are really still a kid at heart!

And because you are the keeper of my heart... then and now!!

We love you, babes!! Happy Birthday!

Fair '08!

It's here, our much anticipated trip to the Fair!! Truth be told, it was a lot of fun... Emma loved it all, Tal loved his nap, and I loved the weather. There was actually a cool breeze... that just doesn't happen in Missouri in August! It was lovely. Our friends Emily and baby Steve came along which made the day even better!

Here's the boys doing what they do best: going where ever their crazy moms take them!!

Just a classic "kid-at-the-fair" look. Taking it all in I guess. She was so excited!

Giddy-up... chicken?!?!  

Look at the lips on this car! All that mattered is that it had Pooh Bear on the hood!

I think Emma's favorite was the Circus Train, and she just had to be in the caboose! 

I even braved a ride! The Spinning Dino. Piece of cake you say... I don't know what's happened to me, but spinning around in that thing made me so sick. That NEVER used to happen to me, it only happened to my mom... wait a minute! Oh, boy I'm a true, blue, even-kiddy-rides-make-me-sick Mom!! 

And we couldn't leave without our $5 Fair prize! Well worth it I guess, cause it's the memories, right!

And we finished it off with a little paint job at Agriland! It really was a fun afternoon!

You are so cool Emma!! Flashing the 'I Love You' sign makes you look way awesome!

But it didn't stop there, oh no! That night the daddy's let the girls go out on the town (ok, so we  went back to the fair...) to spend a little time with Terri Clark!! I haven't been to a concert in forever! It was a lot of fun! YEEEEEEHHAAAAA!

Heidi, Cammie, me, and Emily. 

We gotta do that again! There's always next year. Can't wait!!

Picture Time!

Yesterday was actually quite nice outside... a little humid but not enough to get the river running down your back!! So I thought it would be fun to take some pictures of Emma and Tal. Tal wasn't loving the idea, so we had to get some of him inside, and Emma was a good sport to humor mom following her around while she tried to play! They turned out pretty cute I must say!! These are some of my favs:

Gosh we love our kids!!