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. 

Matt

I knew when I met him that he was a pretty great guy. When we were dating he would drive over to my high school to drop off letters, flowers, and treats at my car before he went to work. He would help me clean out stalls and groom my horses (this is definitely love, since he's such a city boy) He has always been supportive of me and my crazy ways. He's patient to my impatience, reasonable to my big ideas, fiscally responsible to my impulsive splurges, calm and centered to my exuberance. I'm so happy and blessed that he fell in love with me too and became my other half. 

For my 30th birthday, he went above and beyond to make this year special. I told him I had big expectations to celebrate my birthday (I love birthdays!). So, the poor guy was under pressure. He told me the week before that everyday for the next week I would have a lunch date with a friend. I wouldn't know where I was going until right before and I wouldn't know who I was meeting for lunch until I got there. I had a blast going to different lunch locations and meeting with all my friends. I meant the world to me that he arranged such a unique and thoughtful gift. Thanks babe...I love you lots and lots <3

Attack of the Flying Monkeys

November 5th, Ryan and his 3rd grade class performed the Wizard of Oz. It was based off of the original book, so the story line was a little bit different than the movie. Ryan didn't want to audition for a speaking part, so he was a crow and a flying monkey. The flying monkeys had a step routine and Ryan worked hard to be sure to have all the steps memorized. It was fun watching him practice (even Emma memorized some of the steps, we got a kick out of watching her mimick Ryan's moves). He makes a really cute flying monkey!!

McConnell Fall Cookout

Late October we went out to Aunt Trudy and Uncle Keith's farm for a cookout/bonfire/hayride. It was great to see everyone, including Kurt and Karissa; Angie, Grady, and Jon; Wendy; Mike and Judy; and Ty and Katie. Matthew came a little late, but just in time for the hayride. 

When we arrived there was a beautiful half rainbow in the sky....

Trudy mentioned that Grady was coming dressed up for Halloween, so the kids decided to dress up as well - Ariel and a Tampa Bay Rays player

Uncle Keith had a massive fire going for all of us. Which was a good thing b/c it was quite chilly outside. 

The sky was still really pretty late into the evening...

The hayride was a lot of fun! We reminisced about hayrides and bonfires we shared at our farm growing up. Glad to see the tradition is still going, even if it's changed a bit =) Looking forward to next year! 

Fall Camping Trips

This year we went camping twice with Mom and Bill in their new RV. 

Camping Trip #1: Tippecanoe State Park 

We took a short hike around the campgrounds with the kids and stopped off at the playground. 

I love this shot that Matt took of Ryan climbing the tower

Matt and I watching the kids play...

Mom and Bill spending time with the the kids...

Ryan had a blast playing in the woods. He found an old log to explore

Camping Trip #2: Brown County State Park

The trees were spectacular this year! Mom and Bill stayed int he park through two weekends and it was amazing to see the trees change from mostly green to the colors displayed below. 

Ryan and Emma - Mom tried to get the kids (mostly, Emma) to cooperate for a photo...this one turned out pretty well. 

Unfortunately, I'm not much of a photographer, so this was it for this year's Brown county trip. We still had a nice time! 

Nutcracker Ballet

I remember going to see the Nutcracker when I was around 7 or 8 years old. My mom and dad took Matthew and me. I remember we went to Burger King for a bite to eat before the show and I was not thrilled about going to the ballet. I remember my mom being frustrated with my attitude and threatening to leave me in the car. I'm pretty sure I ended up enjoying the show. I reminded my mom of this story and she remembered taking us to see the Nutcracker, but not my response. I'm sure she just blocked it out! Matt overheard me sharing this with her and he said "Imagine that" =)

This year for my birthday my friends, Natalie and Evelyn, bought me tickets to go see the Nutcracker at the IU Musical Arts Center. I've been wanting to go see it for the past couple of years, but haven't had the chance. Unfortunately Evelyn couldn't attend so, Jen Pearl went instead.

We had dinner at Max's Place (great pizza and they usually have Sun King on tap). Natalie and Jen had never been before, so it was fun to introduce them to another place in town.

We had awesome seats, the center of the 4th row! We were so close you could see "everything"!

The sets were absolutely gorgeous! I wanted to take photos, but we were told no cameras allowed, so I'll just have to go back next year to see it again! My favorite scene was the Russian dance. The male dancer looked like he was having a blast and he was very muscular! I really enjoyed watching all of the young ballet dancers - one looked like he/she was only 5 or 6.

Ryan mentioned that they were watching some of the ballet at school and he'd like to see it live. I'm pretty sure I've talked Matt in to going with the family to see it next year. Can't wait!!!

Purcell Christmas

Last Saturday (Dec 1), we had our annual Purcell Christmas gathering. We had a great turnout this year, it was wonderful vising with everyone. I now I can relate to my aunts and uncles who always commented on how much we've grown b/c when I only see my cousins once/twice a year, I realize how crazy it is that time goes by so quickly. It's just hard to believe that my cousin, Nicole, turned 21 this year! Unfortunately she was unable to attend (only via Facetime on Brandon's iPhone). 

The kids were really looking forward to going to Aunt Loretta and Uncle John's house. Mom and I made sure to talk up Santa to Emma, in hopes that she wouldn't start screaming as soon as he walked through the door. 

I'm glad she had mom to help give her courage. Ryan on the other hand was really happy to see Santa! 

When it was time for Emma to sit on Santa's lap, she started crying, but she found the courage to walk up by herself and sit on his lap.....

She even manged a Thank you for the gift he gave her. Maybe next year will be even better. 

Ryan asked Santa for a Super Mario Cart DS game, we'll see what Santa brings =)

Matthew, Leighla, and Evan were there as well, for Evan's first Christmas with the Purcells.

Grandma and Grandpa with Santa. We're so very blessed to still have them in our lives. My grandpa is 92 and my grandma is 91. 

We had lots of great laughs and I really enjoyed catching up with everyone. For one of the first times, I'm feeling comfortable enough with my self to join conversations and visit. Seems like in previous years I've always stayed next to Matt or mom b/c I wasn't sure how to start/join conversations with family. So weird to think that around family I'd be too shy and awkward. Perhaps it's something most people struggle with. 

I know it's so very cliche`, but it's hard to believe yet another year has come and gone. I always feel like next year is a long way off, but in reality it'll feel like yesterday I just wrote this post for 2012.