Date Night :)

Last night Brett and I went on a date. We haven't gone on a REAL date in a long time. I am really bad about asking people to babysit. I think it might be because I work and am always asking people to watch Ems during the day; I think I feel bad asking on top of that. But I need to remember that we have people in our life that LOVE Emersyn and would like to spend time with her.

We were going to see "The BlindSide" but due to a slight change of plans, we decided to wait to see the movie and just do dinner. We had a $50 gift card to McCormick and Schmick's Grill, a swanky place in one of our favorite outdoor shopping malls. We had such a nice dinner. I forget the importance of dates. I always think that we don't really need to go on dates because after Emersyn goes to bed, we have plenty of time to be alone and enjoy each other's company. But there is something to be said for getting out of the house and having someone else make dinner and clean it up. We had a leisurely dinner and then walked around the shopping center, enjoying some of our favorite stores to walk around. (Crate & Barrel, Z Gallerie, Borders, Good Night Room, etc.) We love to window shop! After all the shops closed, we headed back to our friends house that were watching Ems and hung out with them for a short bit and headed home.

When we got home I think we were so refreshed and I am looking forward to trying to regularly schedule more fun dates for us. Whenever we go on dates, we come home appreciating each other more, and then that translates into other areas of our live. It's kind of like our relationship with the Lord....when we draw closer to God, we fall more in love with Him and thus the desire to be with Him and serve Him increases. My desire to serve my husband increases the more I love him and appreciate him.

Thank you to Andrew and Tori for watching Miss Emersyn last night, what a blessing you are to us!!! Ems can't wait to come back another time!!

SlappyCakes

Fridays are my favorite day of the week by far! They are our family day, our only full day off together. Yes, it is tough only having one day off but Brett's other day off is his Daddy/Daughter day with Emersyn and that is really special. :) This is just a season of our life too....someday we will enjoy two days off. Right now, "for such a time is this..."

ANYWAYS......

Yesterday we had one of most fun family days that we have had in a long time! Often times Fridays end up being days to run errands, get together with friends, etc. But yesterday we had no plans. Those are the best kind of days in my opinion!!!

We slept in a little because we were up so late the night before, even Emersyn! Once we got up we all got ready to go and headed to SlappyCakes, a brand spankin' new breakfast joint over in SE Portland. Brett had heard about it from one of his residents at work. (He is a property manager) We love trying new places and going on little adventures so this was right up our alley. We had such a great time there!!! You could buy pancake batter and make the pancakes right at your own table!!

The food was really yummy. Brett and I each got our own buttermilk batter and split a classic breakfast of hashbrowns, eggs, bacon and toast. It was really fresh and natural tasting food and reasonably priced too!

Excited for breakfast! (Side note: got her turtleneck at Gymboree last summer for $2. SCORE! Got her tights at Gymboree too last week, ALSO $2. Skirt is hand-me-down from neighbor/friend. Total for her outfit=$4. Whoo hoo!)

Emersyn: "So are we just gonna sit her or are we gonna order??"

"Can I have one of those E pancakes?"

LOVE this orange booth, such a sassy color!!

Can't wait for more SlappyCake adventures in our future!!

Emersyn's Second Wedding

Emersyn attended her first wedding at the age of 5 days old. She was born on Thursday, we attended the wedding on Monday, Labor Day. People couldn't believe how tiny she was. Half the people there didn't even know that I had already delivered her and were pretty surprised when we showed up with a newborn. She wore the most precious white dress...

And a headband that was clearly too big for her tiny little cranium. :)

On Saturday, we attended Emersyn's second wedding. Brett's cousin Travis married his high school sweetheart, Ali. They seem so happy and in love, we are thrilled for them!!

Lovely weather makes for lovely pictures!

Crazy hair in the wind!

September 1, 2008

July 11th, 2009

She is fearless.

You are not alone if you want to nibble these chubby thighs. :)

A very small portion of Brett's cousins...Brett's dad is one of 7 kids which makes for a lot of cousins and second cousins!

Got this dress at a garage sale, brand new with tags for $6. Score.

Emerysn admiring the handsome groom! :)

It was a lovely family gathering and a new marriage is always something to celebrate!

Almost Wordless Wednesday - My 25th Birthday

I miss them sooooo much!!

P.S. Isn't my mom just too cute in this picture??

4th of July Weekend FUN!!!!!

We had such a wonderful 4th of July weekend, full of friends, freedom, food and FOTOS!!!!! Okay, I know that doesn't technically work but I love me some alliteration. Remember this post? :)

But first, a couple pictures from the days leading up to our exciting weekend! On Wednesday, we met our friends, the Kaushals, at Magnolia Park! This is the park where Emersyn's first birthday party is going to be held! It will be here before we know it.....

Emersyn and Sanjana enjoying the fountain.

Look at her little water "wings"! :)

On Friday we went to Pump It Up Junior in Beaverton! Guess who we went with? Amancia and Sanjana of course! We have had quite a few playdates lately which is very fun!

Emersyn showing off her crawling skills at PIU Jr.

"Awww Mom...more pictures?? I want to go have more fun crawling around"

"Okay seriously Mom. You have a problem. Uncle David may be obsessed with bacon but YOU are obsessed with taking my picture!! That is why I am giving you this look of exasperation." Side note: this picture CRACKS me up. I predict I will see this face a lot more in my future.

This little boy was pretty smitten with Ems. His mom told me that he kept asking if he could kiss her. I told her that Emersyn's Daddy would not approve!! :)

Sanj is skeptical over this boys intentions with Emersyn and keeps a close watch. Or she is pooping. Her mom and I couldn't quite figure it out. Ha!

Emersyn is in awe of how fast and mobile Sanji is. Another side note: see how Emersyn's little pony tail matches her "Cindy Lou Hoo" onesie? SO cute!!!! (Thank you Grammy)

Friday night we had some friends over for dinner! James and Rachelle brought their "baby", Gracie (a weiner dog) and the Bryant's brought Miss Estella Joy. Estella is almost exactly 8 weeks younger then Emersyn. For a long time, their ages seemed so far apart but they are just now starting to really be able to play and enjoy each other.

Checking each other out. It had been while since they played.


I think Emersyn has a question.

Happy girls!!

Part of the excitement of Friday night was knowing that we both had the 4th of July off together!!! Family days are something that we treasure immensely. We decided to kick off the day by heading to the fountain at Magnolia Park.

The fountain was kind of a dud. The water was hardly ever on and when it was, the kids there thought it was funny to block the water from coming out. Plus, it was just too darn hot. But we had fun nonetheless!

Saturday night we went over to our friends James and Rachelle's for dinner and games. It was fun to hang out with them two nights in a row, considering we haven't hung out in MONTHS, mabye not even all year! We took some "official 4th of July pictures" of Emersyn on their deck. The lighting was just beautiful.

My grandma bought this little outfit for her future great grand baby long before Emersyn was even a glimmer in our eyes. :) It is 3-6 months and I thought I could just have Emersyn wear it as a shirt but it totally worked out as a little dress!! Good thing the sizing was off! I love it, so patriotic AND the little stars say "Mommy's Super Star".

Not only was this Emersyn's first 4th...it was her first time wearing TWO piggy tails!!!!! My heart was bursting with joy.

Emersyn's new friend, Gracie.

We decided to go watch fireworks downtown at Brett's work. The fireworks didn't start until 10pm so we had some time to kill! We had a great dinner and then played a game of "Puerto Rico". Don't judge us. It is super fun!!!!!!

Not gonna lie, I totally made Rachelle pose "candidly" for this picture, hee hee.

Emersyn trying to figure out her strategy for the game.

The game was too confusing, she decided to kick back and relax on Daddy instead. I love her little piggys. These toes are just begging for a pedicure, don't you think??

The game was super fun. I think the boys tied...can't remember, all I know is that I was dead last. Oh well!

This was our view of the fireworks from the 21st floor....amazing.

Emersyn really loved watching the fireworks in her jammies. I love snuggling with her while she watched. I got a little emotional.....I remember last year on the 4th, thinking about how this year I would be holding a little baby in my arms while watching fireworks. As I held her, I couldn't help but be amazed at how wonderful God's plans are, so much better then my own. I am so blessed and thankful to God for Emersyn and her health.

The next morning Emersyn slept until almost 10am. I had taken her piggy tails out the night before...however, they lingered.....

I just love her.

I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July holiday weekend, celebrating our nation and it's freedom!

The Grand Lodge

Sunday evening we celebrated Emersyn's 10 month birthday at the Grand Lodge in Forest Grove. It is seriously the COOLEST place. We used to go here often for the cheap movies! You could watch a cheap movie AND eat dinner for $20 easily! Such a fun date. Well, since we now are parents of a "minor", the theater/pub isn't an option for us unless the movie is before a certain time. SO we decided to take advantage of another fun aspect of the campus, the Yardhouse Pub and Frisbee Golf Course!

We each got cheeseburgers and fries, which by the way were phenomenal. McMenamin’s (the owner) has the BEST burgers and fries, by FAR. Yes, even better then Five Guys Tiffany!

Someday when she is walking, Emersyn will very much enjoy running around this place!

While we waited for our food, we played “soccer” with Emersyn.

After dinner, we decided to go play Frisbee and then take some 10 month pictures of our sweet girl. Emersyn was very amused at us playing Frisbee in her stroller. We took her out of her stroller and let her sit on the grass and have a Frisbee of her own.

She promptly inserted the Frisbee into her mouth.

Did I expect anything less? No. :)

I love this hoodie sweater on her...it was getting a little chilly and I thought she needed it. Daddy did not agree. Mommy's know best sometimes though!

Watching Mommy and Daddy play Frisbee!

We got some really cute shots of Emersyn. And by we, I mean Brett. He is SO much more patient with the camera then I am. After seeing some of these pictures though, I am more inspired to learn. None of these pictures are edited which I think is impressive.

My 10 month old sweetheart. :)

On a totally unrelated note, I just wanted to say thank you to all my blog and “in real life” friends that follow my blog and keep up with us and Emersyn. It is such a blessing to have you encourage me with comments and I want you to know that no comment goes unappreciated and I value each of you VERY MUCH!!

Happy Thursday!!