Emerson Update

 Oh this expression on Miss Emerson says so much about her personality! She is a feisty, independent, cuddle bug (on her terms), load, moody sweet pea. We recently went to the Oregon State tailgater with my parents and she had a blast.

 It was a beautiful day and she got to go into the game with me. She loved the first 10 minutes then passed out in my lap.

 At the tailgater she found an adult drink and was so proud that she got it away from it's owner. Oh help us :)

 Emerson is loving all the parks and slides like her big sister.

 Cheesing it up at breakfast.

 Little Miss On The Go should probably still take a morning nap because she gets up EARLY, but refuses to, so this is how she usually ends up after a couple minutes in the car.

 To say Emerson is into everything is an understatement! Our current living quarters are not very big at all, BUT somehow this girl can disappear and go silent. Recently she's been spotted under the bed and tucked away in the far corner of our closet. Funny girl

And while this spunky one keeps us on our toes and sometimes spikes my blood pressure...I love every minute with her.

She still doesn't say much with words, but her expressions always tell a story. She understands everything we say, so I'm assuming she'll be talking non stop soon in the near future. She still only weighs 22 pounds and has the longest/skinniest little legs. She adores her sister (most of the time) and thinks her daddy hung the moon, I'm pretty sure she likes me, but I'm also the first person she wants to get mad at. We love you sweet Emerson...I can't believe you're already 20 months!

First Sleepover

Stella had her first sleepover!

To say she was excited is a major understatement. My childhood best friend, Courtney, lives nearby and we've been attached at the hip since we moved here. Thankfully Court has a little girl, Piper, and her and Stella are best friends.

 Look at all the princess love and all that PINK. They watched a princess movie before bed, sported their matching princess jammies, shared princess dolls for the night, and cuddled up in their princess sleeping bags and pillows.Do you see a theme? It was cute. They giggled and talked for quite awhile before passing out.

She was so excited to be with Piper. I'm so thankful she's got a close friend here. She misses her friends in Arkansas and talks about them regularly, but I think having Piper around has helped the transition.

I'm sure this is the first of MANY sleepovers in their future.

Hairy Situation

 For a couple months now we've been talking about cutting Stella's hair. One day she's all for it (that's normally after we brush through it after bath time), but then she goes back to wanting Rapunzel hair. Thanks Disney.

 I know it's a bit stringy and definitely needs a trim, but today when she was really ready to cut it...i started to have cold feet.

 I don't want my sweet 4 year old to look too old!

 Besides combing it...I think it's cute and funny that she ALWAYS has food in these long locks.

 And while it drives me crazy that her hair is always in her face, I love that I can throw it in a ponytail and call it good.

 SO after deciding she wanted to keep it long for Halloween (she's going as Sleeping Beauty) I'm relieved.

 But I know after bath tonight, before bed as I I brush her hair I'll want to make an appointment for the minute we're done trick or treating.

Here's where I need some advice...Stella likes her long hair and so do I but I need some tricks on getting it out of her face. i don't know how to french braid...I need to learn. So, any tips for cute dos? Her hair is super straight and fine, but THICK.

I know it's just hair. I'm having fun with this. Stella normally just wants a clip in it, but i would take any tips :)

FYI, if she wants to cut it we're going to go for an inverted bob. I know it'll be cute.

Reporting Live

 To say we're proud of Tom/Daddy would be a huge understatement. It's been an adjustment. It's been a challenge. It's still crazy that he works in Seattle. It's weird watching Fox instead of NBC after 10 years of working with the peacock symbol. BUT all that to say, Tom is doing a great job!

The girls get so excited when he comes on the news. It's crazy. They seriously can be throwing a fit or in terrible moods and when Tom pops on TV...they just stop and start saying hi and waving to him. It's super cute.

I'll admit, as a mama I've had to adjust. I guess you could say I had it good in Fayetteville. Tom was home by 1ish every afternoon, so if I needed a "break" i could take a breather. Now, I have a more "normal" mommy schedule. I love it, but I'd be lying if it hasn't been an adjustment. I'm so thankful Tom lets me sleep in on his days off:)

I'm also extremely thankful for my best friend from high school. Courtney and her family live about 10 minutes away and we kind of do everything together. It's been super fun to do life together again.

Anyway, we're getting into a good groove now. We are so proud of Tom! Love ya, babe!

Quick Update via Washington

 There is SO much I need to catch up on, but here's a quick glimpse. Stella started soccer a few weeks ago at the local community center and for the most part likes it. She's most excited about playing with her best buddy, Piper, and the stamps they get on their hands at the end of practice. She's pretty good, but doesn't like everyone bunching around the ball :)

 When the fair was in town we took advantage of the incredible weather and headed for some fun when daddy was off. It was an incredible fair and the girls had a blast!

 I can't tell you how incredible the weather has been the last couple months. It's abnormal, but we're so thankful. You may call us park hoppers. We are seriously touring the parks throughout Washington!
I'm counting my blessings when it comes to this weather. Our apartment/basement is pretty small so we need to escape often for a little breathing room...so thankful for the parks!

And of course, we're Seahawk fans! Stella is very proud of her shirt and whenever she sees someone wearing team apparel she points out that they're hawk fans too!

So there's a quick update...most via i phone, but I have lots more including Stella's birthday!

I've Never Been Good at Goodbyes

 I know, I know...this is LONG overdue. I didn't have our computer for awhile and since getting back I've either been too busy or too tired to update the blog. But for the one person that keeps up with us I'll do my best to be better. Before we left Arkansas our sweet friends the McCourts let us invite all our fun friends and their kiddos to their house for one last get together.
How cute is the map Joel made for the brownies. So sweet

 Emerson was loving on Josiah big time that night. I guess she wasn't ready to say goodbye

 Stella and her friend Ashlen.

 Stella with Jenna. Jenna was our flower girl in our wedding!
Crazy how fast time flies. I was shocked when I welled up in tears saying goodbye to her. I've been around for most of her life (besides 2 years in Little Rock).

 Cilla, Ashlen and Stella...silly girls

 Silly girls with their daddies. I love that Flint and Tom are good friends because I just love Cilla's mommy, Rebekah! It's always fun for the entire family to get along :)
I'm sad that's all the pictures I took that night, but between chasing after Emerson and chatting...well I just didn't pick up the camera enough.

 And the week before the girls and I left to join Tom I let Stella invite ALL her friends to Boingo Bounce for one last hooray. (I swear we dragged out the goodbyes)!!
Stella was so excited Maye was able to come. Stell was a little overwhelmed because all her worlds were in one room. Church friends, dance friends, playgroup friends, etc...you get the point...this girl was very social!

 I had hoped to chat some with the moms, but this spunky one insisted on going on the big slide. So, lucky me got to climb to the top and slide over and over. Ok, I admit, it was fun.

 This is the best group shot I could get and we're missing some. Cilla, Lilly, Hannah, Stella, Ella, Emerson and Emily.

Stella's best school buds...Evie and Ella.

We sure do miss all these sweet faces and their mommies. It's been a great time in Washington and we're working on finding a routine and settling in. Stella has missed her friends and asks about them often. She has a new best buddy here, but she cherishes her memories with those of you in Arkansas.
So many of you have been sweet to call and even facetime and Stella loves it! And for those who have sent cards and little trinkets in the mail for my big 4 year old...THANK YOU! I know I've got lifelong friends in Arkansas, but it's heartwarming to know Stella does to.
Love y'all! and miss you.
Come visit anytime  :)

Somewhere Over the Rainbow...

...a little girl turned 4!

 Stella girl is 4!!! She requested another princess party, but changed her mind and decided rainbows would be fun. So rainbows it was, but there was one minor hitch in our plans. Originally we were having the party at one of Stella's favorite parks. Well, it was pretty rainy and gloomy (after 80 days of sun) the morning of the party. Usually that would be no big deal...we'd just relocate to the house. Here's the hitch, we live in a basement right now and there's not much room for visitors. So in a last minute effort to salvage my babies party I called the local McDonalds. Mickey D's came through. Off to the play area and get this, rainbow room. PARTY SAVED. Instead of pizza it was fries and nuggets. Stella and her friends LOVED it. Of course, Stella had to wear her "rainbow" dress.

 I made this fruit/veggie tray in hopes of off setting the sugar intake that was sure to take place. And I loved how Stella's cake turned out. She was very pleased too.

 I wasn't great at taking pictures, but here's a look at the table. There were rainbow Care Bear napkins, rainbow balloons, a rainbow (or fiesta) pinata, and the party favors. The favors were little vases with M&M's in them with a bouquet of dum dums tied with a rainbow ribbon. When we have a theme...we stick with it :)

 The family.

 Stella and her BFF, Piper.

 Emerson was on the go the whole time. She thought she could conquer the play area.

 Here's the crew. I'm very thankful for high school friends. Thanks to old friends, Stella had a couple friends at her party. It's weird that I live in an area when I can catch up with old friends and meet their sweet families. Stella loves it too. From left to right...Cooper, Emerson, Stella, Piper, Hudson and Grayson. All the kids were so sweet.

 She loved the rainbow chair!

 Cake time. Stella sang to herself too.

 It was a rainbow theme, but princess stuff is still VERY popular.

 A dream light. This girl loves this present. If you're looking for a Christmas present I definitely recommend this. Stella plays with it everyday and Emerson LOVES it too.

 Time for MORE candy. Grayson got us started.

 Hudson ended up being the winner to get the insides to fall out.

 Ha! I had to include this picture because...well, seriously dad/papa?  :)
So since the party changed locations we had to make do and that meant my dad held the pinata. He was brave (the bat was a bit wild at times) and he thought he was funny wearing Stella's new bike helmet.

CANDY!

Overall it was a great day and I think Stella enjoyed McDonalds more than she would at the park.

Thanks to all who helped us celebrate our BIG 4  YEAR OLD