Swimming

Emma went to the pool today for the first time. It was bittersweet, as I remembered last year...not only were we with our neighbors, Martha, Keith and Guen, but Steven and I were looking forward to taking our own baby (who was in my belly at the time) to the pool this summer. (We didn't find out about his deployment until later.) It's a good thing Emma has so many aunts to help us forget what we are missing...and they all came along for the ride.

Ugh..not the hat, Mom!

Emma had a good time. She did NOT like her hat. We ended up putting sunscreen on her head instead. She also seemed to prefer the big pool over the baby pool. I think she had the most fun 'swimming,' aka, kicking while Mom pulled her around.  Here is a short video that Aunt Faith took on her phone....there is no audio, but just imagine me saying, "kick, kick, kick."
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTCgkQagyXI&feature=youtu.be

Emma's walker

While we were in Springfield, my dad and I went to some garage sales. The first one we went to had a walker. I was pretty excited. I keep hoping Emma will be able to strengthen her legs so she will be able to get around some. However, she needs to figure out that she can move. Even if she does get around, she doesn't seem to understand very well that she can do it on purpose to get places. Oh well, less I have to chase her. 

A trip to Springfield

My family went to Springfield, MO, this weekend, and we had a blast. Here are some pictures from our trip.

This is how Emma began and ended our weekend.

My dad with my cousin,  Michael.

Getting ready for church.

Chillin with Aunt Faith.

after church, which was at a convention center

The whole family

The girls

I love my grandpa!

Swinging!

Push-in-air!

Garage Sale Fun

This afternoon Emma, Grandpa Steve and I went to several garage sales. We went to one garage sale that had LOTS of kid toys. I walked around for 20 minutes before I could decide what to buy. But I think we made a good choice:  Emma LOVES her new car/bike thing.

Emma playing

So I haven't posted any videos for a while, and Emma is doing all sorts of new things now. So here is a video of her playing last Friday at my parents house. She isn't crawling...but she is getting closer. She hates being on her tummy, so this is probably how she will figure out crawling.

Playing at the park

Today we went to Gage Park with Aunt Faith, Grandma Connie, Aunt Suzanne and Bekah Wolgast (Faith's friend). First we rode the train, then we rode the carousel. Emma was really tired, so there wasn't much smiling going on...but no crying either. I think if we go back when she is more awake she would really enjoy herself. She just loves to be outside and watch other kids.

Riding the train.

Riding Rudolph!

Checking out Grandma and Aunt Suz!

Dorothy!

Baseball game

On Saturday, we went to a T-Bones game with Uncle Alex and Grandma and Grandpa Bency. Emma did pretty good...she was mostly interested in the kids sitting in front of us. She did get pretty tired, so she and I finished the game in the van. Here we are enjoying ourselves...take note, in the second picture she is sticking her tongue out....I wonder who taught her that, Grandma Joy?