Fall Fun!

Today is going to be a double-post day!  We have a lot to share from the last few months, but it's also Emma's birthday, so I'm going to split them into two separate posts.  Hope that's ok :)  It's been pretty crazy for me at work, so I just haven't had a chance to update lately.  But here's what we've been up to...

A few weeks ago, our cousins welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world.  Emma wanted to send them a welcome note.  

Matt is honored to be the proud Godfather.  Kinley is an absolute doll and just the sweetest baby ever!

When we went to visit, Emma got to hang out with Kinley's awesome big sis Ayla, and Ayla gave her some lessons on how to turn your crib into a trampoline.  They had so much fun jumping and playing, and we have no un-blurry pictures to show for it - those girls move quick!  

They eventually tuckered themselves out though.  Briefly, anyway.  

Emma also got her first haircut recently!  We just took in for a little trim to clean up the ends and even things out.  Emma did great!  They had an awesome kid-friendly set-up, as you can see by the Barbie chair and pink cape.  

First cut!

Emma loved checking herself out in the mirrors.  Lookin' good, kiddo! 

All done!  She got a brand new clip...

...and a lollipop, AND a balloon!  Score!  

When we got home, Emma showed off the results of her lollipop.  

We also headed up north a few weeks ago to hang out with Aunt Lindsay, who was home for the weekend from Colorado, and the grandparents.  

Emma helped Memere plant some mums at the barn.

She is a great gardener!  

She even swept up some leaves!  

Later, we went to the local apple orchard.  Lindsay and I have many wonderful childhood memories at the orchard, and it was so great to bring Emma.  She had a blast! 

This is the only way we could get Emma to leave.  This picture cracks me up.  

Emma loves her rocking chair! 

And of course, we got a real pony ride in before we left :) 

It's been getting colder lately, so Emma had a pj-day and we tried some new indoor activities.  I made her some homemade play-doh for her to try out.   

We were off to a good start, but it didn't last long. 

She wanted nothing to do with it!  Oh well, better luck next time.  

  

The next set of pictures is from my phone.  There's always something going on with Emma and I don't always have a camera handy, but I thought I'd share some of my favorites.  

Going for a ride on her trike! 

Jammin' out and eatin' chips with Daddy.

For some reason, we thought we'd try taking her to Chuck E. Cheese.  It was a cold, rainy night and we wanted to get out of the house.  Never again.  That place is like a casino for children and the equivalent of giving them a cup of coffee and all the Halloween candy in the world at the same time.  Lights!  Noises!  Buttons!  Games!  Aaahhh... sensory overload!  She just ran from game to game and pushed every button she could and then ran some more.  Very exhausting.  But she had fun, so that's all that matters :)

We did find the one horse in the place to go for a ride, of course :)  

New fall clothes <3

So on our most recent visit to my parents' house, I was sent home with a bounty of fresh tomatoes.  Emma happens to love fresh tomatoes, and I happened to leave the box on the kitchen table within her reach.  Emma of course got into the box, and took one single bite out of each tomato she could reach.  Just one.  Out of all these tomatoes.  Too cute!  

And now, my proudest achievement as a parent.  We have successfully taught Emma how to dunk an Oreo into a glass of milk.  

Success!  My work is done!  

(Oh, don't mind the messy counters.  And the messy child.  My work is obviously not done, but you know what I mean.)