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

Sunday's best...with a Twist

 How cute is Little Miss Arkansas!?! Aunt Becky (my godmother) bought these adorable dresses for the girls so they wont forget their roots :)
They insisted on wearing them to church Sunday and of course thought princess heels were the best shoes for the outfit.

 Emerson's dress says Hog Wild...I think anything wild is appropriate for her

LOVE them. I may have swung by the football stadium on the way to church for some more pictures...I'll share those soon

Thanks Aunt Becky for the precious dresses! Woo Pig.

Signing Off

 Well I guess I haven't officially announced it on the blog, BUT we're MOVING.

 After 4.5 years of waking up the folks in northwest Arkansas Tom is leaving KNWA and headed to Seattle. He'll be reporting full time for KCPQ...known as Q13 to the locals. It's a Fox affiliate and he's super excited about the new adventure. While this move is exciting it's also bittersweet...Tom was born and raised here and I've been here the last 15 years.
It's been an emotional couple weeks as Tom wrapped things up with the Naturals and then saying goodbye to Laine and Clint and of course his loyal viewers.

 At the end of his last show he tried to say goodbye and thanks to the viewers, but emotions took over so a simple waive said it all.
Tom has loved his time with the morning crew. He really is that energetic all the time.

Poor Tom and Laine were a little teary in this picture. We're so thankful for these two that made work fun for Tom.
Now it's onto a new chapter.
If you're in the Seattle area be sure to tune into Q13 and look for Tom's reports. And of course I'll keep everyone updated from Washington.
There's no doubt we'll miss it here..especially our life long friends!

Bye Bye Naturals

 Since the Naturals' first season Tom has been the onfield MC. He gets the crowd involved in the game and it's been a highlight of the last 5 years for Tom. Well, this past Thursday was his last game (tear).
SO we all loaded up and headed out for some fun! The staff got him a cookie cake. I'm pretty sure it was gone within seconds of him cutting it

 Emerson was ready with her bag.

 Doing what he does best...getting the crowd involved

 Yes, he'll pretty much do anything they ask. It was around 95 out when was in the get up

 It was HOT and someone (papa) helped keep the girls cool. Stella was not a fan of the surprise "showers"

 Taking a break to enjoy a hot dog with Julian

 I think they found Tom's replacement

 The staff also had some fun games that featured Tom but duing the 7th inning stretch they showed a fun video the Nats put together. It was played on the big screen. It was very thoughtful and awesome

 Tom also got the chance to sing Take Me Out to the Ballgame with his girls on the dugout.

It was the PERFECT way to end an incredible journey with the Naturals!

Tom was over the top excited when he heard a pro baseball team was coming to NWA but to be part of that team was a dream come true!
So proud of him and there's NO doubt he'll miss his spring/summer gig at the baseball field.

17 Months

 This sweet 17 month old LOVES sweets (and carbs)

 And animals! She LOVES kittys and Grammie and Papa's horses!

 She's into EVERYTHING!

And if she slows down for half a second...she may just pass out!

Happy 17 months Emerson!

stats...
20.9 pounds=10th percentile
I can't remember the weight, but it's 75th percentile.
So she's long and lean.

We love you baby girl!
Thanks for keeping us on our toes..ALL THE TIME