The Zoo!

The Fall is a great time to go to the St. Louis Zoo. We spent a fun day with Emma's friend Aubree, her mom Heather, and her sister Isabelle (what a good sport)!! ;) 

The first thing the girls had to see were the 5 brand new baby tiger. Now, as we watched this sweet, sweet mama and her babies I totally and 100% knew what she was thinking. Right before I took this picture she was trying to use the bathroom the way tigers do. All of a sudden she was pounced on by all 5 little ones. Everyone up above was saying, "Oh how cute!" Not me. That mama tiger was thinking "Are you serious!! I can't even use the bathroom by myself anymore. What the heck?! And to make it worse all these people saw it. I swear I just want to run and hide and leave these kids..., I mean cubs, so I can have some me time. AAAHHHHH!" We've all been there mama, we know!! 

Mission accomplished!! 

Apple Pickin'

We did such a fun thing the other day. We went with a few of our friends to an apple orchard and picked apples. This family opens up there orchard to the community so everyone can have the experience of picking our own apples! It brought back some great memories of my sister and I climbing our parents apples trees and eating more then we'd pick. There's nothing better to give you the fall tingles like eating an apple right from the tree!

So we hopped on the hay ride to the orchard and picked us a bushel (I'm actually eating one as I type this...yum, yum)! When we got back there was some fun things for the kids (and Matt!!) to do! We'll have to do this again next year!!

"Do we have enough yet... Let's get back to the goats!!!" thought Matt :)

I'm pretty sure Matt bought the goat food for Emma to use (or so he says...), but she got distracted. So Matt made a new friend... "William!" Matt doesn't look to disappointed though, does he?!

The rope maze:

Searching, searching...
Still looking...
Emma found the way!!!
They made it!!

Branson Trip

I just realized that I never posted these pictures about our trip to Branson, MO this summer. Oooppps!! We had such a fun time. Matt's whole family was there: Nate and his cute new wife Jasmine, G-pa and G-ma Coleman, Aunt Dita and us!! We had a crew, but we all had plenty of room in the house that we rented on Table Rock Lake. 

We took the jet skis, and the boat, and Nate and Jasmine were heading back to Utah after our stay so they had a U-Haul. With all of the recreational "fun" we were dragging behind each of our vehicles, we definitely looked like we were up to something (especially when they were all parted out in front of our house before we left...)!

Branson is quite the place. There is something for everybody: shows, shopping, water, amusement parks.... and I'm sure there's more! We spent the first day inside cause is was raining. Plus it was Matt's birthday, so we ate a yummy SMASHED Cardinals cake (not sure I'll tell that story-- but it was still really yummy)!! :) The next day we went into Branson for some shows, shopping, and food!! Day 3 was spent on the boat, jet skis, and pontoon boat (thanks to Dita)! And day 4 we were on our way home. It was such a fun trip and so nice to be with everyone. 

Here are some pics:

There was a great water fountain where we were shopping. Of course Emma couldn't resist putting her feet in. This amazing fountain was designed by the same person who did the one at the Bolagio in Las Vegas. It put on a pretty good show... but a little too loud for Miss Emma!!

Emma sees a snow cone vendor. Grandpa buys Emma a "blue" one. Emma loves it! Emma's blue!!
There are some really talented people in Branson and you can find them on every corner willing to share with you what they can do... like Danny the Clown. Now Danny doesn't have your ordinary every day talent. He can make just about anything with balloons!! I thought 'Oh how cute, he'll make Emma a little dog or something.' Oh no... not a dog for Emma, she asked for Cinderella! And she got it. He really was good. 

I did take a few pictures of Tal on this trip! Yeah for me! There was this crazy bean bag chair in the house were we stayed that Tal loved to lay on (you and see what I mean by crazy...hello red!!). 

(I played around a little with picture and this is what I got)
Oh the bunk-beds. Emma was obsessed with the bunk-beds. And she had to sleep on the top bunk, because she was sure she wouldn't fall out. Well you can see why she didn't... I padded her in there so good she didn't even have a chance!

We made some really great memories this summer!! It was filled with family, friends, and a whole bunch of family bonding in the car! Just wonderful. 

Now on to FALL!!! WAAAHHOOOO!

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.