Emerson Turns Three!

Although we had been celebrating all weekend, Emerson's actual birthday was on Monday. I took her for a special birthday breakfast at Panera before going to school. That afternoon, I brought cupcakes to school for her to share with her friends and teachers. We wrapped up the day with swim lessons and a trip to Chick-fil-A for dinner. We officially have a three year old now!

Emerson cooking in her new kitchen from Nana and Poppy!

From Emerson's 3rd Birthday!

Birthday presents from Mommy, Daddy and Sydney!

From Emerson's 3rd Birthday!

Enjoying her blueberry scone at Panera!

From Emerson's 3rd Birthday!

Emerson with Ms. Rosser and Ms. Hopes!

From Emerson's 3rd Birthday!

Cupcakes with her class!

From Emerson's 3rd Birthday!

Birthday Weekend!

Saturday afternoon was spent napping and lounging around the house. Emerson enjoyed playing with her new basketball goal from Auntie E and playing on the swing set Will put in the backyard last week. That night we had a yummy dinner at Carabba's.

Swinging!

From Emerson's 3rd Birthday!

Practicing pumping those legs!

From Emerson's 3rd Birthday!

Sydney loves to swing!

From Emerson's 3rd Birthday!

Emerson's one request - make my slide faster!

From Emerson's 3rd Birthday!

Two points!

From Emerson's 3rd Birthday!

The crew at Carabba's!

From Emerson's 3rd Birthday!

Emerson's birthday dessert!

From Emerson's 3rd Birthday!

Monkey Joe's

This past Saturday we had a friends' birthday party for Emerson's 3rd birthday at Monkey Joe's. She was so excited when she woke up Saturday morning! From the minute we got to Monkey Joe's she did not stop talking or moving. She barely sat still long enough to blow out her candles and eat her "E" cupcake. It was fun seeing her interact with all of her school, playgroup and church friends. Thanks to everyone who was able to come help celebrate!

Emerson was all smiles after coming down the BIG slide!

From Emerson's 3rd Birthday!

Sydney had fun playing in the toddler bouncy area!

From Emerson's 3rd Birthday!

Jackson bouncing around!

From Emerson's 3rd Birthday!

Finley, Emerson and Sarah having fun!

From Emerson's 3rd Birthday!

Knox, Lawrence and Carter - family fun!

From Emerson's 3rd Birthday!

Yummy cupcakes from the Sweet Life!

From Emerson's 3rd Birthday!

Keaton loving on Sydney!

From Emerson's 3rd Birthday!

Sydney and Lawrence checking each other out!

From Emerson's 3rd Birthday!

Will's Birthday!

Will spent his birthday fishing, playing golf and eating oysters! He left the house early, early Friday morning and had two peaceful hours on the lake fishing. He then played in the Monarch golf tournament in Albemarle. Finally, we enjoyed a night out with Matt and Melanie at the Boy Scouts Oyster Roast here in Concord. I didn't have a chance to take any pictures, but he said it was a great birthday!

1st Bath Together

Tonight we put Emerson and Sydney in the bath together for the first time and they thought it was hilarious! Will got soaked in the process, but the girls had a blast!

Swim Lessons

Emerson started swim lessons at the YMCA on Monday. And these are real swim lessons, where I don't have to get in the pool with her. I can't believe she's old enough for that! The session is six weeks long, every Monday and Wednesday for 30 minutes. I'm taking her on Monday nights and Will is taking her on Wednesdays. Here are some pictures from her first lesson on Monday night. She did great!

From Family Fun

From Family Fun

From Family Fun

From Family Fun

Sydney Brooks Turns One!!!

Sydney turned one yesterday! The entire family came in from Raleigh in the morning. Poppy Joe, Ya-ya, Auntie E, Nouna and Aunt B all arrived together and kind of overwelmed poor little Syd. She didn't seem to know Auntie E, but was intrigued that Emerson was playing with her and knew her. She warmed up to Nouna right away and loved playing "clap hands" with her. Later that afternoon we had a small party for her and she really enjoying digging into her cake!

"YAY! I'm ONE!"

From Sydney's 1st Birthday!

Sweet birthday girl with mommy!

From Sydney's 1st Birthday!

Sydney and Poppy Joe.

From Sydney's 1st Birthday!

Birthday hat and Sydney's smash cake!

From Sydney's 1st Birthday!

Yummy!

From Sydney's 1st Birthday!

Auntie E and Emerson.

From Sydney's 1st Birthday!

Emerson pushing Henry on the truck.

From Sydney's 1st Birthday!

Garrison Annual Reunion - GAR

We had this Garrison Annual Reunion this past weekend! This year it was Tom Garrison's childrens' turn to host so we were in Badin at their house. It was wonderful to see everyone, especially since we missed it last year because I went into labor an hour before the reunion started! The food was great, the kids had a blast running around and it was fun catching up with everyone. I didn't have a chance to take too many pictures, but here are a few below. We look forward to the 10th annual GAR next year!

Sydney enjoying her first GAR!

From GAR

Graham, Henry and Sydney getting to know each other!

From GAR

Exchange of the NCAA Tournament Bracket trophy from Kevin (2008 winner) to Chris, this year's winner.

From GAR

Ben, Roger, Will and Emerson watching the trophy exchange.

From GAR

Easter 2009!

We had a wonderful Easter this past weekend! Jane and Roger joined us for the Flowered Cross service at our church. This is a kids service where they walk up to the front of the church and put flowers onto the cross. Emerson had three dark purple tulips from our yard and walked right up there and put them on there by herself. After church, we enjoyed brunch at Max's Ally. It was yummy! We then came home and had an Easter egg hunt in the yard. Emerson was so excited and even gave Sydney a few of the eggs that she found!

From Easter 2009

From Easter 2009

From Easter 2009

From Easter 2009

From Easter 2009

From Easter 2009