Dance Class

Here are some videos from Emily's Dance Class this last Saturday. She's having a really good time and warming up to the class; she doesn't require an escort any more. (WooHoo!)

They will be performing The Nutcracker this Christmas and the little kids will have a place in this performance. Most of their curriculum consists of getting the kids familiar with the Nutcracker music and the overall performance.

Here in Kodiak, The Nutcracker performance only happens every three years; so this is a very special event in this town, and a very special thing to be a part of!

Great BIG Spider.

The 3-Year Old 's Birthday

Emily had an AMAZING 3rd Birthday Party today! We were extremely lucky to secure a very large bouncy, we played Pin The Tail on Pluto, we had a Pinata, the kids made foam airplanes, we ate snacks and cupcakes!

Let me start with yesterday...we cleaned and prepared ALL DAMN DAY! We went to bed around 1am after a very long day of trying to find the bouncy for the party; and then trying to figure out how to get this 500 lb MASS of vinyl up our stairs to our backyard. Chris called 3 guys to come over to the house to help. It was INSANE!

This morning we woke up around 10:30am and thought..."CRAP!" ---We had people coming over in a few hours and we still had SO MUCH TO DO! We ran around the house for the next 3-4 hours cleaning and hiding all the extra stuff.

Glad to say that we made it and the house looked festive and amazing! I definitely think this will be a party that Emily will remember forever.

The first kids arrived and the bouncy was inflated...the kids LOVED the bouncy. (It is not too often that our Kodiak kids get to play in a bouncy - this was a TREAT!)

Pin-The-Tail on Pluto was fun and the kids enjoyed it. We have about 10 tails all over the piece of paper with Pluto on it. (Sadly, my camera died about here and I don't have any non-blurry pics of this game.)

The gang loved the pinata and it was Petey who slammed the Mickey pinata releasing all the candy and toys; the kids scrambled to collect everything.

Everyone came inside for cupcakes and we sang Happy Birthday. We then opened gifts; and it was all over after that.

We've been planning this birthday for months...and now it's all over. We still have a lot of clean up to do...but, that can be saved for another day.

Emily had a WONDERFUL 3rd BIRTHDAY!

(thanks to everyone who got to share this with us!)

Emily's 3rd Birthday

It's hard to believe that this wonderful little girl has been a part of our lives for the last 3 years. As most of you know, she is super adorable and just amazing! Three years ago today we were in a hospital in San Diego where we all waited for many hours for Emily to come.

She was an amazing baby from the beginning and had big, wide eyes. Being our first child, Chris and I went through a BIG learning experience on "becoming parents." We still continue to learn to this day, and although we have gotten much better, we hope to do the best we can.

We celebrated Emily's actual birth day here at home where we had hot dogs & mac n' cheese for dinner, and cupcakes with sprinkles for dessert...Emily only eating the frosting, of course!

With today's technology we were lucky enough to be able to celebrate via Skype with Grandma & Papa, Lisa, David, Grandma Lauri and Grandpa John. They all got to see Emily open gifts, and she loved everything!

She got some really nice clothes, toys, and a few gift cards. THANK YOU to everyone!

I know we are far away from our family, and times like these are hard for all of us. But we thank you all so much for going out of your way to make her day as special as you can for her. Her candid gratitude is genuine, and you are all so very special to her. Thank you!

So, here are a few pictures from her birthday at home...we still have a party for her friends coming up this weekend; stay tuned for those pictures.

Our Little Linebacker

Ethan had his 9 month check up this week (yes, we're a little behind...he is 10 months old on the 17th.)

He is growing strong and healthy, and is nearly off the charts with his development! He is in the 98th percentile for his height, and in the 100th percentile for his weight. Considering that the 50th percentile is average, Ethan is topping the scales!

He's simply a big kid...so much so that the doctor jokingly said that he's a shoe-in for the NFL. He's already got his football jersey which he wears as he shares weekend football with daddy...we're raising a future football star...he's just naturally built for the sport. (LOL!!)

(The above picture is one of Ethan after he fell fast asleep in his bouncy-exerciser...he was having such a good time that he just decided to put his head down and take a rest right there in his toy.)

Dance Class

Class #2 went much better than her first dance class. Mommy went through about half the class with Emily, doing the stretches and some of the circle exercises. I tried to "slip" away a few times, but she caught me and brought be back to do the class with her.

About half way through I told her I was tired and I was going to sit with daddy for a few minutes, who was off to the side of the room watching. She said 'ok' and watched me go sit down. She did the rest of the class without me! And, she had a blast!

She was super cute too, and every time the lesson would have her walk toward us - or - when she'd see us...she'd smile really big and give us a BIG WAVE "Hi Mommy!" -"Hi Daddy!"

The night before class I brought out my old dance costumes I wore when I was a little girl, and she insisted on wearing my old blue sparkly outfit with fringe. She was stinking adorable! I had been waiting 25 years to share those costumes with my daughter...and it's finally here. Yes, it was a "moment."

Here are just a few pictures of her class...Chris took a ton!

Big Guy!

Ethan is growing fast! He is 9 1/2 months and about half the size of his big sister. Our next doctor check-up is next week, so I'll fill you in on his height & weight...but, thus far he's outgrown all his 9-month clothes and fits comfortably in his 12 month clothes.

No, he's not a chunky baby (with the exception of his cheeks)...he's just a BIG GUY!

Over the last week he has been moving all over the place. No, he's not walking yet nor making real words, but he's sure trying! He's almost crawling. He can scoot, roll, and army crawl to where he wants to be...and he has a "reach" that can stretch for miles! If he wants it...he'll figure out how to get it!

He also jabbers all the time. "Dadadadada...Mamamamam....Lalalala..." Just like his sister, he's a talker.

The thing he LOVES MOST is standing. He can stand for a long time; he can even stand for a few seconds without support, and isn't afraid to let go of whatever is holding him up. He is a busy little man, and once he figures it all out, he is going to be a maniac to try to contain!

These are pictures of him in his Big Boy PJs; they're a 2-piece PJ set in a size 12 mo.

Dance Class

I took Emily this morning to her first day of Dance Class. Now that she's going to be 3 she can start a class at the local studio. While we were in Anchorage with grandma, grandma bought Emily her first dance outfit; complete with: leotard, skirt, tights, ballet shoes, and a ballet bag to put everything inside.

Emily has been PUMPED about dance class for a month or so, and "the day" is finally here! Sadly, Chris had duty and wasn't able to join us for the first day...but, there will be many more to come! So, Emily, Ethan and I headed to The Little School of Dance which is just down the road.

We walked in the door and Emily was so excited! She switched out her Crocs for her ballet slippers and walked into the studio. Then her good friend, Hayden, walked in and Emily was thrilled! Hayden's dad (Chief) also came to watch, along with Hayden's little brother who is about 5 months old.

It wasn't until the teacher walked in and began to get the class together that Emily clammed up. All of a sudden, Emily turned shy. She refused to be with the group and refused to listen. She still really wanted to be there, but was too shy to participate. I kept trying to get her to go out with the group, but it was difficult while trying to watch Ethan at the same time.

About half way into the class Hayden's mom showed up and she offered to watch Ethan so I could focus on helping Emily. Hayden's dad also helped out. But, for the next 30 minutes, the dance class had another participant...ME! Once I got out there Emily began to warm up and be a part of the class, just like everyone else!

Next week Chris will come along, and I think Emily will make more progress as we keep going.