December fun has begun...

Hello All,

First time on Santa's lap...

December has begun, the fun has started AND Santa has been seen three times already! Three times you say. This past weekend Miss Emily had a blast to say the least.

The adventure into Santaland all began Saturday morning with Mommy, JuJu, and Emily heading off the the Macy's downtown Portland. We weren't sure if Emily was going to actually sit on the big guy's lap, but she surprised us by not only sitting on his lap, but hugging him, talking to him, and more. She loved it! She even wanted to have another turn, but the line was too long! She enjoyed seeing all of Santa's reindeer as well! This got her in the spirit big time! After this fun, we headed to Starbucks in Pioneer Courthouse Square. She got to have a hot cocoa and a yummy cake pop!

After Emily's nap on Saturday, Mommy got her all dolled up to go with Grandpa and Grandma to Grandma's work Christmas party! At first she wasn't too sure about going without mommy, but she had a GREAT time, AND Santa even made an appearance and gave Emily a special gift of a new game!

Sunday was a day Emily will probably never forget. Emily, Mommy, JuJu, and cousin Makena all drove to Hood River to catch the Polar Express train to the North Pole! Yes, you heard me right, the North Pole! As most of you know, Emily loves trains, so now to be boarding a train to go to Santa's house...well...could there be anything better when you are five and are a true believer in Santa, elves, and reindeer????

As we waited in the train station, the anticipation was building. Then, when the conductor said "All aboard," the station erupted with screams of complete and utter joy from children all in their PJ's!

We headed out to our seats in the upper dome at the front end of the train. We enjoyed every bit of the experience. It was just like the movie/book The Polar Express. We were moving along and the conductor came along and punched our tickets, and then the chefs in their outfits came along and delivered our hot cocoa in our special commemorative mugs as well as yummy cookies! As the train chugged, chugged along, we laughed, clapped, and watched outside for Santa and the elves. What do you know, half way to the North Pole a herd of caribou blocked the tracks and the conductor had to find an alternate route to the North Pole. (hee hee hee) The train actually goes up and back twice for a nice hour and half ride! :-)

After the conductor said they had to do an alternate route, the chefs came back to hold the book and walk up and down the aisle to show the pictures while a narrator read the story over the speaker system

Well, when we were pulling up to the North Pole the announcer told us what side of the train to look out to see Santa and the elves waving to us all. And then, as we were watching the workshop lights and all, the elves and Santa boarded the train. As the elves came upstairs one of them picked Emily up and was talking to her and asked if she wanted to see Santa! A few minutes later here came Santa and went right to Emily first!!!! As the train and all the passengers exploded with screams of joy and laughter, Emily was hugging and talking to Santa! As he gave her the first jingle bell of the night, she was beaming from ear to ear! That smile did not leave her face for the rest of the night! As Santa made his way through the train, we all joined in some carols!

Makena, Emily, JuJu, and Mommy all had a grand adventure and the entire trip was made even better seen through the eyes of my child!

Well, now that December is off and running, just one more tidbit for you! Emily had her five year check up today. She is finally on the growth chart! YEAH!! All of this time she has never even been on it. Today she was 39 inches tall and weighed 34 pounds! Quite a change from 20 months ago! WOW!! She is growing up so fast!

Enjoy the pictures! I am sure there will be more to come this weekend!
Love,
Kathy

Visiting with Santa at grandma's work party

Not shy at all

The big guy himself

So happy to see Santa

Emily loved dancing with all the kids

Not afraid of being blindfolded to play a game

Emily and Makena waiting to board train

All Aboard...

Heading to our train car

This says it all!

Miss Emily boarding the train

Waiting for hot cocoa

Is it Santa time yet???

Thank you Auntie Heidi for my new reindeer jammies

Holding her golden ticket

Love you Santa

Thank you Santa for my bell

SO HAPPY!!!

Yummy hot cocoa

Thanksgiving 2011

Happy Thanksgiving

Emily and JuJu

Helping JuJu pour the water

Love you Grandpa

Apple of Grandpa's eye!

Thanksgiving was a nice, quiet, low key day spent with our immediate family and a DELICIOUS dinner created by my stepmom, Sandy!

We just hung out at home until after Emily's nap, and then headed out to grandpa and grandma's house. Joining us as well was my stepsister Sherry. We had such a nice relaxing time visiting and watching Emily have a FUN time on grandpa and grandma's mini trampoline.

The only rough minute was while Emily was jumping downstairs with Aunt Sherry, she jumped a little too far, and landed on her cheek on the coffee table! OUCH!! Emily is such a trooper, she only cried for a few minutes, until grandma gave her a bag of ice. It was red for a while, but didn't have a bruise show up until Sunday. Now she has quite a beauty of a bruise on her cheek...poor baby!

We hope everyone had a relaxing, safe, fun, and fulfilling Thanksgiving holiday!
Love,
Kathy

Pie with grandpa

Ready for dinner

The master chef at work!

Fall Leaf Fun!!

Hello All,

Sweet Girl

Today was a fun day for us, even though Miss Emily has been fighting a cold since Friday evening. We haven't done much all weekend in order for her to start feeling better. When JuJu stopped by after church the sun was shining, and Emily was very anxious to get outside and swing! She had been wanting to swing all week, but it was pouring cats and dogs everyday. She had a blast outside, even though she had to be all bundled up! You will notice the sock over the legging look...according to Emily this was her "soccer" look. She wants to play soccer like her friend Belen when she gets bigger! I just couldn't resist the photo op of her in the "soccer" socks, winter hat, scarf, and coat ready to go swing!

After nap time, we headed over to JuJu's to play in the leaves! Emily remembers doing this last year, and was very excited to do a repeat!  She had a BLAST throwing leaves, kicking leaves, laughing, rolling in leaves, laying in leaves, and playing with mommy and JuJu.

After playing outside, we all went in to warm up with some cider, hot cocoa, and popcorn!

Another highlight from today was Emily got an email message from her teacher Miss Laurel, who is on vacation in Italy! She is going to try and skype the class tomorrow! I hope it works for all of the kids' sake! They all miss her so much, Emily especially!

Enjoy the pictures from today!

Love,

Kathy

Strike a pose

Darling Emily

She fell and this is how she landed...too cute!

Ahhh...that grin!

Such JOY!!

Taking a break

Rolling around in the leaves!! Oh what fun!

If you could hear the giggles...

I'm so fast JuJu

Getting tuckered out and cold!

Cutie

Peek-a-boo

All warm now and enjoying her popcorn

Ella, Teachers, and Christmas...

SURPRISE!!

Miss Ella and Emily

Fun with her teachers

Smile from ear to ear

Emily had a very eventful three day weekend! Just to give you some background, each night when she says her prayers, she includes her teachers from school as well as my aunt Pam's dog Ella. Well, this past Friday, since there was no school due to Veteran's Day, we had a lunch/playdate set up with her two teachers. What Emily didn't know was my aunt Pam and cousin Stephen were also coming down from Mercer Island and bringing Ella!

We were just busy playing when there was a knock at the door, and the look on Emily's face was priceless when she saw it was ELLA!!! Needless to say, the two of them were inseparable all day! My aunt Pam and Stephen went shopping in Portland while leaving Miss Ella here with us, and as they were pulling out of the driveway, Emily's two teachers were pulling up! It was quite the exciting day in this five-year-old's life!

We made grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup and played, chatted, and had a very fun time! It means the world to Emily when Miss Laurel and Miss Crista come to her home. She loves both of them, and they are helping her have a very good year so far in preschool! We love you Laurel and Crista!!

After Pam and Stephen came back from shopping, we all went out to pizza and Emily was even using Pam's name and calling her aunt Pam. It was darling!

Yes, I know it is early and before Thanksgiving, BUT we do have our Christmas decorations up! Emily is so very into the whole holiday season, and was asking daily to put up our stockings and trees. Last year being her first Christmas in America, she really didn't know what was going on. But now she is excited for Santa, reindeer, snow, trees, cookies, trains, gifts, etc.

Enjoy the photos!
Love,
Kathy

Arranging her tree decorations

Just the right touch

YIPPEE!!!

Sweet girl!

Such a Big Girl...

Sweet smile

Just had to post this picture of the darlin'. When I got to her school today to pick her up, I could hear so much laughter from inside the classroom. When I went in the room it was a sight to behold! Miss Laurel had been playing beauty shop with some of the girls and had done their hair. Emily had two cute piggies, one girl had little pony tails all over her head, and so forth...it was hysterical! The kids were all so happy and laughing, and having their pictures taken for their scrapbooks! It was priceless!

I am so HAPPY that Emily LOVES her school, her friends, and most of all her two teachers. By the way we have a playdate with both teachers tomorrow. They are coming for lunch and we are having grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup! Then Emily will get to play with her beloved teachers! I am so blessed to have her in the Kangaroo class this year! Love you Laurel and Crista!

Love,

Kathy

School Picture 2011-2012

Kings Way Christian School
Preschool 2011-2012

Kings Way Christian
Preschool 2010-2011

Here is the little darling's school picture. I got them back today and can't get over how CUTE she looks as well as how much she has changed since last year's school picture, and in the 18 months since we have been a family. I have added some photos to show her growth! WOW...isn't it amazing what LOTS OF LOVE, a good home, a nurturing environment, and good nutrition will do for a wee one! The changes in 18 months are SPECTACULAR!!

Love,
Kathy

First night as a family April 12, 2010

Emily's referral photo December 2009