Emma Turns 4

Emma Marie turned 4 years old on Sunday. My baby is no longer a baby anymore =/ However, she's turning into a lovely little girl. We had her Little Mermaid party at the house and invited friends and family. Sorry for the blurry photos, for some reason the camera wasn't working. Note to self: Need to check on that before Christmas!!!

Grammy (April) made Emma's Ariel cake and did a great job! It was a strawberry cake with chocolate swirled seashells and was very yummy! 

Emma - making her big wish!!

Matthew, Mom, and Evan

Mason, Connor, and Ryan playing with Emma and her new Little Mermaid vanity set. Emma had a great time making all the boys look pretty =) 

Emma loved this gorgeous quilt that I bought from Natalie as a birthday gift. We plan to hang it on the wall over her bed - I think it will look great in there for years to come 

Miss Emma Sue - not cooperating when we asked her to pose for us in her new cowboy boots. In the background you can see the other pair she got too. She loves her new boots! I have to admit, I'm a bit jealous!

One last trip to florida

In February, I decided to take Ryan on a last minute trip to Florida to visit my grandparents at the their place in La Belle. Ryan was 2 the last time we were in Florida to visit them, so I really wanted to get down there one last time, since we were not sure if my grandparents would be able to go back at the end of this year. 

Mom, Bill, Loretta, John, Dodie, and George were going to be there visiting as well, so I thought it would be a great time to go. I wanted it to be a surprise, so I made sure everyone didn't say anything to Grandma or Grandpa. I asked Matthew if he wanted to come with us and fortunately he was able to come as well. 

The downside of planning a trip on short notice was that we had to fly into Tampa, but the silver lining was I had a chance to spend a couple of hours in the car with my brother. It's not very often I get to sit down and talk to him for very long =) I really enjoyed our car rides to and from the airport. 

I called my grandma right before we pulled into the drive way to tell her how much we missed her and really wished there was a way we could come and visit. As I hung up the phone, Matthew, Ryan, and I walked through the door. I will never forget the look of surprise on her face. Nor, will I forget her looking around for "that little booger". Unfortunately, Emma was unable to come too. 

Since Ryan was much older this time, he was big enough to ride the three-wheel bikes. 

My aunt Dodie and Uncle George have a pontoon boat down there, so they took us out for an afternoon outing. Unfortunately  the weather was pretty chilly, but we still enjoyed the day and the water

Tuesday night, Dodie fixed a lovely dinner for Valentine's Day. Apparently Bill and Ryan had their fill =) 

The Aqua Isles Boulevard - 

The pool - many fond memories of noodle fights with Matthew in this pool =D 

My grandparents, John and Katie, in front of their winter home for 20+ years. 

We had a wonderful visit. As it turns out that was their last trip to stay in Florida for the winter. I'm so glad that it worked out for Matthew, Ryan, and I to see them. 

Well....she almost has it right

During Thanksgiving weekend we were at my Mom's house for the holiday. Emma was in the bathroom with my mom as she was getting ready for the day. Emma needed to use the potty and as she was doing so, she shared a few thoughts with my mom...

Emma: "Meemaw...I pee from my pirates"

Mom: "Yes, you do"

Emma: "Well, it has two names, pirates and gina"

Mom: "That's right"

Emma: "Boys have pirates"

Mom: "Yes, they do"

Emma: "They don't have ginas though"

Mom: "No, they have a penis"

Emma: "Right, they have peanuts!"