tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120550713653719572024-03-13T10:19:57.375-05:00Life with Emma*CakesJust Another Day in our Lives~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-38580164401615273252009-02-23T22:56:00.003-06:002009-02-23T23:04:05.458-06:00Changes on the Blog!I have been envious of the pretty blogs but not willing (or able!) to put any money into mine. I tried to add the picture header to my blog right after I started blogging (anyone remember that??) and the attempt at HTML background ended in failure. So I was content to just look at all the pretty blogs out there in bloggyland while mine stayed, well, plain. I figured it didn't really matter as I only have about 3 faithful readers. :)<br /><br />My sister-in-law, <a href="http://herlittleboys.blogspot.com">Courtney</a>, just started a family blog and fancified hers up with a little help from <a href="http://thecutestblogontheblock.com">thecutestblogontheblock.com </a>and <a href="http://scrapblog.com">scrapblog.com </a>so I decided to try it too. Thanks for the inspiration, Court! :)<br /><br />I hope you enjoy the welcome changes to my blog.~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-88833696550667943392009-02-22T21:12:00.006-06:002009-02-22T22:16:03.811-06:00An update...a little bit of everything!Wow, I hadn't posted in awhile. I will just update on all fronts in one post. <br /><br />I am still looking for a job, it has now been 10 weeks since I was laid off. I have been on two interviews out of the tons of applications I have filled out. Nothing has panned out yet so thank goodness for UI benefits. I am just trying to stay optimistic and enjoying the time home with Emma instead of stressing myself out! Some days are harder than others though.<br /><br />I am down to 194 so I am losing but I really need to work at it more. So far I have only cut down on Coke - no more than 2 a week - also we are cooking a good bit from the Biggest Loser Cookbook. The recipes are healthy versions of the food we all love and so far everything we have tried has been amazing. I highly recommend it! Now I just need to get motivated to work out to my 30 Day Shred DVD and jog around the block with Emma...<br /><br />Emma <em>had</em> been doing awesome with the potty training for about 3 weeks but she has had a rough week. The accidents keep happening and she refuses to "try" and potty when we nudge her to do it. She has been peeing in her pants (and on the floor) with a silly smile on her face so these are not <em>accidents</em>. We have been having some talks with her and are going to try to focus on it hard again this week. The ironic thing is that she is still doing well when we are NOT home (just two poopy accidents - sorry if TMI!) So if you have any advice to offer on the thinking it is "funny" to pee on the floor or on the poopy pants front then please comment. :)<br /><br />We had a great Valentine's Day weekend with Emma. We spent the Friday at Granny & Diggie's house and joined GeeGee & Grandad for dinner that evening. We took her to Julia's Bakery and let her pick out a cookie on Saturday before going to Barnes & Noble to see Curious George. She really enjoyed singing and listening to the story but was getting impatient waiting to meet George. There were so many kids! It was finally her turn and she gave George a hug and smiled for a pic. <br /><br />I think that is about all we've been up to lately so now I'll share a few new pics.<br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0513-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0513-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0563.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0563.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0571-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0571-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0364-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0364-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0090-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0090-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0031-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0031-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Granny & I made Emma this dress. I love it on Emma! Oh yeah - I joined Face Book. :)~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-73756363467743692112009-01-29T21:12:00.002-06:002009-01-29T21:21:10.950-06:00Better me.I have been struggling with my weight for awhile now and I finally decided I want to look better and feel better. I have a few work out DVD's but I've yet to really get into them. I try to walk whenever possible. I have cut out Coke...I did have a slip up last night though. I am not going to beat myself up about it - I figure if can at least cut down to once a month or even once a week I am so much better off. I also joined the Biggest Loser Club online last week and have lost 2 pounds so far. <br /><br />The website offers a ton of recipes, grocery list ideas, exercises and member forums where you can challenge each other. You weigh in once a week. I've yet to really dive in but I can't wait to see the results when I do. The site offered three free books when you joined and one is the tips/secrets from the cast throughout the seasons. I think that will be good for me. The other one is the cook book. We sooooo need this - healthier cooking coming straightaway! I think we only own one other healthy cookbook which is Rachael Ray. <br /><br />So I am putting myself out there...accountability. I weighed in last Wednesday at 199 and weighed in yesterday at 197. Here's hoping it is only down from here!~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-65584678224275500082009-01-29T20:47:00.002-06:002009-01-29T20:50:42.463-06:00Quick picI am amazed at how much older she looks in this pic. Is it the hair, the dress, her expression? I love that she is letting me play with her hair again - even if she does rip it out about an hour later! :) I don't want to jinx us but she is pretty much potty trained - no accidents at all today.<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0139-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0139-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-4087752871897945692009-01-23T20:39:00.003-06:002009-01-23T20:44:59.444-06:00Outside!It was warm enough the past two days to go outside for a few minutes without a coat for a quick fashion show or three. lol <br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0011-3-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0011-3-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0172.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0172.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0157-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0157-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We need to try the Daddy's Sweetheart again for her Valentine's Day card. :)<br /><br />Update: The potty training is going so well. She is down to almost no accidents and lets us know when she has to go even when we are travelling and out at places too. :)~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-4394618534470816892009-01-14T10:37:00.003-06:002009-01-14T11:09:42.964-06:00Potty training (Hopefully not TMI!)Emma received a little potty for her 1st birthday and shortly after we started sitting her on it before bathtime. She would look at us strangely but she went on it a handful of times then she decided she was over it. We started pushing the issue right before she turned 2 and she was absolutely not interested! She had a spell where she was anti-big girl anything - she wanted to be held like a baby, called a baby, etc. So we let it be. We kept pushing the potty dvds and books on her and she liked to listen to them. Since I have been home with her the past few weeks, after the Christmas craziness passed, we have been trying again. She wore her big girl panties a few mornings last week and woul sit on the potty every 30-40 minutes but she wouldn't go on the potty. She would wear them from around 8:30 AM to around noon when we would go back to the diaper for naptime. She would then pee in the diaper every. single. time. It was a little frustrating but I kept telling her she needed to pee in the potty to get the M&M and that only babies peed in their diapers and it was a good thing to become a big girl who peed on the potty.<br /><br />We were having a lazy day at home this past Saturday so we tried again. I kept on to her, "Emma, need to go potty?" and "Emma, are you sure you don't need to potty?" I was starting to annoy myself. lol She had accidents in her panties twice while playing but then started to realize it and would run to the potty. Progress! She had more successes than accidents by Monday. We are working on the rewards plan of 1 M&M for a pee, 2 M&M's for a poo. She repeats this to us while she is on the potty so I know she completely gets it. Papa also talked to her on the phone Sunday and told her he would give her a $1 for each time she pottied this week...I think that was a motivator! She had a poo on the potty on Tuesday and immediately asked "Mommy two M&Ms and $2 monies from Papa?" I told her she would have to discuss the details with Papa if that was part of his deal. Girl is all about the monies - she is up to $10 "monies" now - it is so cute how she has turned dollars into monies! So far today we have had two successes and no accidents - knock on wood! Here's hoping that the potty training only goes UP from here.<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0269-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0269-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We welcome any advice too so feel free to share any tips...especially night time training and also travelling with a potty training toddler!~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-74177450288251525182009-01-09T15:17:00.006-06:002009-01-09T15:48:49.710-06:00Another picture post!It has still been a little crazy around here after the holidays...Great Aunt Becky and Uncle Billy came to visit and so did Nana and Papa. This is another quick pictures share for everybody we don't see all the time. Enjoy!<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0060-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0060-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Nana, Papa and Emma have gone fishin'...<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0035-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0035-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Emma wants Papa to rock it like Hannah Montana...<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0003-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0003-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Settling in for a nap with Magenta, Boo, Periwinkle and Blue...<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0006-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0006-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Emma's adorable "fake sleeping" face...<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5638.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5638.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Little stinker at the mall with Daddy...<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0099-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0099-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Hangin' out with her Nana last weekend...<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0140-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0140-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Just a swingin' and looking back at Papa...<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5464.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5464.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Oh deer! It is goofy eyes Emma...<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5465.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5465.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Goofy eyes Papa...<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5467.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5467.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Goofy eyes Daddy and Emma's mondo sundae at the Mayberry Cafe!<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5469.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5469.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Nana, papa and Emma in the lobby at the Mayberry Cafe...<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5474.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5474.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Jon and the old sheriff's car in front of Mayberry Cafe...<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5480.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5480.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Emma waiting somewhat patiently to meet Santa on 12/23...<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5489.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5489.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Walking up to Santa...<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5491.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5491.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Why didn't I think to bring the Nikon?<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5498.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5498.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Showing GeeGee that Wubbzy has mad skills...lol<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5501.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5501.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Grandad singing with Emma...<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5533.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5533.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />An attempt at a picture with Great Aunt Becky...<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5558.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5558.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Papa, Emma and Boo rocking on the Jack Daniel's Distillery tour...<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5576.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5576.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Emma did not like how the barrel rooms smelled...lol<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5583.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5583.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Playing checkers at the barrel shop in downtown Lynchburg...<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0218.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0218.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Modeling her new Matilda Jane dress for us...she has everything for 60% off this month! It is my weakness, lol, especially at 60% off so Jon let me have a little after Christmas splurge. Thanks honey! <br /><br />Go check it out - she even has a limited boys line! <a href=" http://www.matildajaneclothing.com">http://www.matildajaneclothing.com</a>~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-59955612185809180262008-12-30T09:37:00.003-06:002008-12-30T10:17:24.482-06:00Christmas time!We spent Christmas with my family while we were in Indiana the weekend of 12/19. Bennett, Peytonn & Emma were all spoiled by Nana & Papa. A work bench with tools for P and Emma received a kitchen with plenty of pots & pans. Clothes, clothes, clothes too. Nana loved the plate Emma had handpainted for her and Emma loved showing Nana how she did her handprints. We didn't manage to do our annual Christmas photo in front of the fireplace at their house. Maybe next year? We also took Emma through the Christmas lights at the park...she loved it! <br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0040-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0040-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0096-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0096-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0033-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0033-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0062-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0062-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0085-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0085-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0084-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0084-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We gave Nate one of his favorite presents, a MAJOR award. lol If you've seen A Christmas Story then you understand what I am talking about...that movie has been a staple in our family for as long as I can remember. I had to introduce Jon to it about 5 years ago - his family had never heard of it!<br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0026.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0026.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0042-6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0042-6.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We went to our 4:00 PM church service on Christmas Eve and Emma was enthralled when the lights dimmed and the sanctuary was lit by candlelight. She kept making Daddy raise his arm higher and higher. We then had Jon's dad, sister and grandparents over for Christmas Eve dinner...unfortunately his mom had to work that night. Gee Gee & Grandad had the Wubbzy that Emma had asked Santa for so she was crazy for awhile! She had seen him in stores and wanted him so much but I don't think she realized he stood on his head!<br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0249-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0249-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0193-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0193-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0202-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0202-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0178.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0178.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />After they headed home, we headed outside to toss the reindeer some food out on our porch so they would know to stop here. Emma loved tossing it all around!<br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0226-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0226-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0231.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0231.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0236-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0236-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Emma was so into Christmas this year...we read her board book, <em>Christmas in the Manger</em> about 5 times on Christmas Eve and she kept telling us to Shhhhh! for Baby Jesus. She loved the star in the book too. She loved keeping up with our elf Isaac. She loved decorating our Christmas tree and looking at it every day. She asked to go see Santa at the mall and actually walked up to him, sat on his lap and talked to him without a single tear. She loved handing out presents. We were in a little rush Christmas morning but she opened her presents and stocking before we headed out to Aunt Sally's house for brunch. She loved her camera and the pictures aren't too bad!<br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0139.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0139.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0165-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0165-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0002-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0002-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0288.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0288.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />These are from her VTech camera:<br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DC00049.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DC00049.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DC00081.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DC00081.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DC00087.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DC00087.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br /><br />We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and I hope you all did too! Happy New Year!~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-57457415586263757072008-12-23T23:24:00.004-06:002008-12-30T10:22:53.094-06:00Emma and Santa Claus<a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=emmasanta.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/emmasanta.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We were planning on seeing Santa while we were back home visiting Nana & Papa but we ran out of time with Aunt Debbie's funeral and trying to visit everyone like we usually do when we're back home. Plan B was the Santa at the mall here that we met a few weeks ago during the hot air balloon fiasco. Emma decided she wanted to see Santa on Tuesday and she did so well - walked right up to him and let him sit her on his lap. She told him she wanted a Wubbzy and Christmas feet. lol We're not sure what Christmas feet are because she said no when we asked if she meant shoes or a Christmas tree. She also told us she wants a "quick-amera like Daddy's" which means camera, by the way - we think she picked up "Click" from Go Diego Go!<br /><br />**Ugh...I apologize for the picture being so wonky - it is the picture we bought and our scanner doesn't do well with glossy photos.~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-92079025043558946032008-12-15T20:47:00.003-06:002008-12-15T21:07:22.297-06:00Carriage rides and Christmas gifts!Our local mall does complimentary carriage rides every Sunday afternoon until Christmas and we knew about it this year! Emma loved the ride around the mall with Jackson (the horse) leading the way.<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0105-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0105-5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0108.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0108.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0114.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0114.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />She wasn't much into posing in front of the big ornaments...or maybe she was upset because they had drained the fountains. <br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0116-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0116-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0121-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0121-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Emma received a letter from Santa Claus and read it with Daddy.<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0018-2-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0018-2-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0029-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0029-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0025-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0025-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I was trying to get some good pictures of the lights on our tree. I want to learn more of taking pictures in the manual setting of our camera. I need to practice! <br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0038.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0038.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0061-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0061-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Shhh! We were making some Christmas presents at our local pottery place after church the last two Sundays. I think that they will be a HIT! Just a glimpse in case they happen upon the blog before Christmas. <br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0084-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0084-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0091-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0091-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Oh yeah...we had our first taste of winter this past Thursday...snow!<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0050-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0050-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-46130864983844824262008-12-07T22:26:00.003-06:002008-12-07T22:35:54.495-06:00It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...<a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0001-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0001-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0049-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0049-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0042-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0042-5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0051.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0051.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5411.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5411.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We watched Christmas Vacation with Nana & Papa last weekend. We now have our tree up and decorated. Snow globes are playing Christmas music. Emma is admiring the lights and ornaments. Isaac is watching over us to report back to Santa. We were at Grandad's kantata this evening with GeeGee, Diggie and Granny. Emma was dancing and having a grand ol' time to the wonderful music.~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-12138085605121858862008-12-07T21:54:00.002-06:002008-12-07T22:03:38.053-06:00Meet our scout elf...Isaac!I follow the blog, <a href="http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com">Bring the Rain</a>. Angie had posted about her family's tradition with their elf, Scout. The elf reports back to Santa each evening about the children's behaviors and shows up in a new spot in your house each morning. <br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0057-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0057-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I thought it sounded like a great tradition to start with Emma this year so we went out and bought the set at Barnes & Noble this afternoon. We read the book and named our little elf Isaac since he is acting as Santa's "eyes" and Emma liked the name. :) She was not listening very well this evening and we reminded her that Isaac was watching her and did she want to be on the naughty list to which she said "no, me nice" so I think it will be helpful too. I can't wait until she wakes up in the morning and we look for Isaac! He's sitting on the microwave right now...<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0061-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0061-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-22697647831220362532008-12-07T21:04:00.002-06:002008-12-07T22:25:21.185-06:00Thanksgiving.We spent Thanksgiving in Indiana at my brother & sister-in-law's home. We enjoyed a wonderful meal, yummy pies, watched the cousins play and snuggled with the sleeping nearly 3 week old Bennett. He was so sweet. :)<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0044-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0044-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0086-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0086-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0077-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0077-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0105-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0105-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />On Saturday we all packed up and headed to Build-A-Bear in Indianapolis for our annual tradition with Nana & Papa. Papa was still in a cast from his surgery so he had a wheelchair. Emma loved riding on the leg prop. It was not very busy which was good but it still ended with Emma & Peytonn in meltdowns!<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0246-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0246-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0248-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0248-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0262-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0262-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0272-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0272-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0281.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0281.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0282-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0282-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Den decided to name Peytonn's turtle Tantrum since Peytonn was not interested in the naming at all. Emma's bears have all started with L's so Papa threw out the name Libby and Emma said Libby yes. We ended up going with Libby Lu. She'll have to wait until Christmas to meet her other friends Lizzie, Lucie and Lola!<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5351.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5351.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5395.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5395.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We woke up to snow on Sunday!<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5396.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5396.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-31133067080949742008-11-22T17:33:00.003-06:002008-11-22T18:38:39.583-06:00Santa arrives via big blue hot air balloon!Our local mall hosts a "Breakfast with Santa" each year. I bought our tickets on Thursday and found out it was also tether rides with Santa in a hot air balloon. A really cool idea but probably not for our 2 year old with a fear of Santa Claus as is! <br /><br />We arrived at the mall this morning and there is a big blue hot air ballon being inflated. We go inside for the Chik-fil-a breakfast and activities. The Elves are creating balloon animals so we get in line. Moments later Emma starts pointing and yelling "Santi Caws" over and over again. We looked behind us and Santa & Mrs. Claus were in the air in front of the mall. <br /><br />We were in Group B so we finish our breakfast and attempt to take Emma's picture with Rudolph. She gives him several high-fives and danced all around him but was not into a posed photo. We went to the reindeer food station and the ornament station...then it was time for our group to get in line outside. It was so cold - like 40 degrees out! Emma was having fun dancing around to the Christmas music and watching Santa go up in the big balloon with other kids...until they call for us to step up to the balloon. She freaked and started screaming. We got her calmed down and told her she did not have to sit in the balloon - just tell Santa hi with Mommy. We get up there and she is clinging to me and teary eyed but she does say "Hi Santi Caws" and gives him a wave and a high-five.<br /><br />We ran a few errands around town this evening and the same hot air balloon was in the air. Emma kept asking "Why Santi Caws?" and we kept telling her he must be lost on his way back to the North Pole. We have a feeling that hot air balloons will be forever tied to "Santi Caws" after this morning!<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0084.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0084.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0086.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0086.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0089-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0089-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0069-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0069-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0082.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0082.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0055.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0055.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0052-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0052-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0042-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0042-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-63514543175635416872008-11-13T08:49:00.004-06:002008-11-15T08:08:15.656-06:00Emma's random two year oldness.I love how Emma is right now - stringing words together, new words everyday, giggling, putting together crazy outfits, snuggling with Mommy, loving on her Boo bunny, wanting to watch Wiggles and Dora all. the. time. I am trying to enjoy every moment - even the stubborn ones - because time is moving way too fast!<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0266.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0266.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0137.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0137.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0132.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0132.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5284.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5284.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN4780.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN4780.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN4869.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN4869.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN4916.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN4916.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0617.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0617.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-54909623264157754732008-11-08T10:56:00.003-06:002008-11-13T08:48:59.966-06:00Trick or TreatingThis year we decided to take Emma up to the Square for actual Trick or Treating. We have just taken her up to Granny & Diggie and GeeGee & Grandad's houses before. She totally got the idea and would say "tick or teat - two teats pease" when she approached the candy givers. She is totally into two lately. It has to be two toys, two books, two cookies, two pieces of cheese, you get the idea. She will be please to know that she has two cousins now. Peytonn welcomed a baby brother named Bennett this morning!<br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5250.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5250.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5261.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5261.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN5252.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN5252.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0102-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0102-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0024-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0024-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0034.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0034.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-42453147223228184722008-10-19T20:18:00.003-05:002008-11-08T10:53:05.770-06:00Pumpkin Patch...one visit, two.I am so behind in sharing pictures! Our computer crashed on us but we just got a new one and thankfully, we had all our pictures on a back up drive. So here are a few of my favorites from our pumpkin patch visits. The first visit was with Jon's parents to our local Walden Farm and the second was with my family to the Pumpkin Festival in Westfield, IN. It was HOT out for both trips but it is finally feeling like fall weather now!<br /><br />Pictures from Walden Farm here in Smyrna, TN:<br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0162.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0162.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0119.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0119.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0064.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0064.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Pictures from the Pumpkin Festival:<br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0881.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0881.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0829.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0829.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0811.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0811.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0688.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0688.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0660.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0660.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-72296360407815321112008-09-09T14:56:00.002-05:002008-09-09T15:34:32.354-05:00Emma's Big Girl Room...We started this project about this time last year. lol My parents bought her a toddler bed because she was attempting to climb out of her crib at 16 months. She hasn't really slept in her room though - she cries and climbs out of her bed. She tends to fall sleep with me in our bed and Jon will move her to her bed after she's already asleep. Lately, she hasn't even been getting carried to her bed at all. <br /><br />I came up with the idea to paint the lower part of her room green and add a pink stripe along the middle last November. We painted the green part back in like February! We finished the project this past weekend while my parents were in town for Labor Day. My parents bought her a pink Dora bedding set and we hung up a pink curtain too. She is calling it her "Emma pink go-go room." So far the Dora element of her room seems to be working - we're on night 5 of her sleeping in her room. <br /><br />I found a seller on Etsy that sells cute fabric lined hanging frames and I'd love to get one in hot pink/baby pink fabrics for her room. Maybe a Dora print to go in the frame where the Pooh print is now too. I'm hoping to find some small blossom, butterfly, dragonfly and bee throw pillows to line the shelves to complete the look. <br /><br />Here are a few pictures: <br /><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0186-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0186-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0200.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0200.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0184.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0184.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0202-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0202-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0201.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0201.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0043-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0043-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-30935085512653336582008-07-26T18:17:00.004-05:002008-07-26T18:33:09.848-05:00Hello, We're the Wiggles...<a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0027-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0027-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />We saw the big red car, all four Wiggles and their Wiggly friends, Dorothy, Wags, Henry and Captain Feathersword. It was kind of surreal since we watch them on DVD all the time. lol It was such a fun evening and Emma loved it! <br /><br />Emma has been a bit Wiggles crazy for a year now so it was nice to actually "see" them in concert this year. I think Jon & I had as much fun as she did! We had been telling her about going to see the Wiggles for weeks now but she would just go grab a DVD. She definitely "got it" last night! I am sad that it has already came and went...<br /><br /><em>Hey Jon, wanna go again if they add Indy to their fall schedule??</em><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0004-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0004-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0043.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0043.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0142.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0142.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0099.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0099.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSC_0056.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSC_0056.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We have the new DVD coming out on Tuesday to look forward to! :)~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-37344331759511972482008-07-02T22:03:00.007-05:002008-07-02T22:38:21.451-05:00Birthday Build-A-Bear!Finally - I can post pictures without the error messages! :)<br /><br />This post is especially for Great Aunt Sally, Great Uncle Kel, Great Aunt Becky and Great Uncle Billy...Emma says "sanks fo Wowa!"<br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN3880.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN3880.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> Meet Lola...Emma's new buddy from Build-A-Bear.<br /><br />Please excuse the pictures, my camera is still a little fuzzy from the bubbles incident. Here is a recap of our visit. Enjoy!<br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN3848.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN3848.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> This is Emma checking out the buddy options.<br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN3850.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN3850.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> Her doggy getting fluffed with love & stuff.<br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN3855.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN3855.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> Picking her heart...<br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN3856.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN3856.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> ...and warming it up with her love!<br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN3863.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN3863.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> Fluffing her up! <br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN3860.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN3860.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> Shopping for "Wowa" accessories. Seems to be her favorite part each time! <br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN3869.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN3869.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> So happy to be stopping by Granny & Diggie's house to show off Lola the puppy! (Excuse the strap in the picture, lol, she moves fast!)<br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN3873.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN3873.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> Loving on Lola.<br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN3878.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN3878.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> Introducing Lola to her other Build-A-Bear buddies, Lizzie and Lucie.<br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN3891.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN3891.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> She fell asleep with her last night. "Ni-ni Wowa!"~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-47695208702504343192008-07-01T17:26:00.002-05:002008-07-01T17:31:08.127-05:00So much to blog about...and Blogger & Photobucket are not getting along with me lately! I have edited my last post several times and cannot get the slideshow or pictures to load. I have created a whole new post and it won't show up on my blog. Grrr!<br /><br />I have pictures from our Indiana trip, Emma's 2nd birthday party, riding her new trike, baking with Mommy, birthday Build-A-Bear outing where she created a puppy named Lola, and a trip to the Zoo just sitting here. Unblogged about. I am hoping this simple little post without any pictures will load.<br /><br />Any ideas for a better uploading site for pictures that gets along with Blogger? Any ideas on how to deal with a horrible case of the "terrible twos"?~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-24879451311331343622008-06-11T22:47:00.005-05:002008-06-11T23:54:02.116-05:00Crazy, birthday fun!The month of June started out as a whirlwind! My birthday was June 4th and Emma's is June 15th. We headed to Indiana on June 3rd around 9:00 PM and right into a tornado warning storm about an hour south of Indianapolis. We saw lightning strike a transformer as we drove along the interstate. Not cool! We were going to head out the next morning since I wanted to go to Gary Allan's Fan Club Party that afternoon. He rocked, by the way. We got home, had dinner, and Jon said he'd rather drive at night so off we went. <br /><br />We spent the rest of the week visiting with family and took Emma to Columbian Park. I wish we would have planned ahead and brought beach gear to enjoy the water park. Next time! There was a horrible storm come up on us as we left Lafayette on Friday. It knocked the power out from around 5 PM until about 5 AM the next morning! Nana & Papa threw Emma a little birthday party on Saturday...Emma really enjoyed her Elmo balloon, cupcakes and presents. She also enjoyed the "lake" that showed up at their house after it rained 3.6" in about two hours before her party!<br /><br />We came home Sunday afternoon and I had a job interview on Tuesday. It seemed to go well so I guess we'll see come Friday. Emma & I have been cleaning up the house and playing outside with her new sprinkler and bubble blower this week. We are gearing up for her birthday party on Saturday! The Elmo pops are on their way here. We have all kinds of red/white and Elmo party decorations. I am baking her cake Friday...she started out wanting strawberry but now wants white. Good thing I have both cake mixes in the house. She helped me make the trial cake and she was so upset at me when I put it in the oven. She got over it pretty quickly once the cake was baked though. We have pictures.<br /><br />Lots of pictures to catch up on. Enjoy the slideshow!~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-11777493089664324562008-05-24T15:56:00.003-05:002008-05-24T16:14:34.401-05:00Countdown to TWO!Emma's birthday is coming up fast and I can't believe I haven't really planned much yet. I bought fabric to create her birthday party outfit yesterday. Jon is working on the invitations and they are awesome. I ordered the cake pan on Monday. <br /><br />I need to do a trial run of the 3-D Wilton cake next week so I'll be ready for the real thing on June 14th. We are doing a giant cupcake decorated with red & white sprinkles topped with an Elmo pop and two crayon candles. I am thinking of using red, white and pink Necco candies as the sprinkles or Hot Tamales and white Neccos. To go along with the red & white gingham tablecloths and the Elmo theme we are going with. Emma picked him. She is a BIG fan of the red monster. <br /><br />I am planning on using a fish bowl full of gold fish and her Elmo TMX as table decorations. A fellow Gymbofriend has offered her extra Elmo decorations to me for the cost of shipping and she has an inflated 4' tall Elmo! I am excited for that as I was hoping to maybe rent an Elmo costume and have someone dress up at her party but it is like $90 to rent one and the closest place is an hour away. Oh well - I think it is going to be a cute and fun party for Miss Emma*Cakes! I can't believe my baby is going to be TWO!<br /><br />Here are a few samples of the giant cupcake that I've found online:<br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=cupcake1.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/cupcake1.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=cupacke2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/cupacke2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-40196727251873272812008-05-21T16:28:00.003-05:002008-05-21T16:46:58.890-05:00LaundryI admit that laundry is not my favorite thing. I am very good at the gathering dirty clothes, loading the washing machine and then the dryer. Jon is supposed to be the one that folds and puts the clothing away. I love to smell the detergents and fabric softener in the grocery aisle. I am such a clean smell girl. We are usually a Tide Free and Bounce Free family because of Emma's sensitive skin. It is mostly just during the winter months though, I switched back to Gain last summer and she was fine. As I posted the other day, I found <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11876420">Crunchy Clean Detergent</a> that is good for sensitive skin and she adds custom scents to it. The best of both worlds! <br /><br />I have now done about five loads of laundry, uh, we were a little <span style="font-style:italic;">behind</span>. lol Anyways, Emma has not broken out or acted itchy at all with this detergent. It leaves a faint, airy scent behind on the clothing and in the laundry room. I love it! I have tried the lemon, vanilla and lavender chamomile. The lavender chamomile is my favorite. We were using the Downy Simple Pleasures fabric softener in the same scent before Emma's sensitive skin issues and it was heavenly too. I haven't been putting Emma in the Happy Heiny trainers lately so I haven't been able to try the Cloth Diaper detergent yet. I did use a little bit of it to make a paste on Emma's white tee to get out a spaghetti stain and it worked great! Jon came home to his shirts hanging in the laundry room neatly and said he'd buy more of this detergent if it meant this would happen more often. lol I don't know if it's the lovely detergent or the fact I am a temporary SAHM. <br /><br />Anyways, I am looking forward to ordering a full size of the Lavender Chamomile and a sample of the Baby Bee soon. I found a container that looks similar to the jar she sells on her Etsy site at Target so I need to get one of those first. :)~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312055071365371957.post-72717774526511737592008-05-19T14:45:00.008-05:002008-05-21T16:27:21.550-05:00GREEN...I have been trying to slowly do things that are more "green" around our house. I know it is better for the environment and now Emma too. She has diaper rash quite often even though we use the "sensitive" wipes, lotions, detergent, everything. I recently bought some cloth wipes, all natural wipes solution and a wetbag to use on her. The wipes are by <a href="http://hyenacart.com/smallwonderswipes/">Small Wonders</a> and they are so soft! Emma loves them and we also got her the bigger size to use as washcloths in the bathtub too. I have also changed to the <a href="http://www.methodhome.com/products/detail/?upc=817939000595">Method</a> cleaning products and I no longer have my wrists breaking out after I scrub the tub and toilets. The eucalyptus mint scent smells great too! Oh yeah, the wipes solution I went with was <a href="http://www.mommysclosets.com/">Punkin Booty Bits</a>. It was a sampler pack of baby powder, unscented, monkey farts and snuggles. They smell so good, especially snuggles but I am a BIG time clean smell girl! We have only used the cloth wipes solution a handful of times so far but I'll let you know how it goes. The wetbag was from <a href="http://lemonsqueezyshop.blogspot.com/">Lemon Squeezy</a> and I love the fabric. <br /><br />My most recent find arrived today, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5760585">Crunchy Clean Detergent</a>. I have a load of laundry in the washer now and there is a hint of lavender chamomile in the air. I love it. I ordered a sample pack of cloth diaper clean, vanilla, lemon and lavender chamomile about a week and a half ago. I think I am definitely going to order more of this detergent as it is all natural and $8 (plus shipping) for 68 loads. I am usually a <span style="font-style:italic;">liquid</span> Tide or Gain girl but this powder dissolved great and it smells so good! I definitely want to try her new Baby Bee scent and I like that I am supporting WAHM's too.<br /><br />We ordered some reusable grocery bags on a co-op through <a href="http://www.diaperswappers.com/forum/">Diaper Swappers</a> a few weeks ago so we are making the switch. I get so tired of bringing home the groceries in 10 plastic bags with like two items in each one. It just seems like such a waste. These bags, <a href="http://store.chicobag.com/">Chicobags</a>, are made like the plastic bags but are nylon. I have heard good things about them and they can be balled up into one bag and thrown in your purse of the trunk of the car. It seems like a great idea and Jon went along with me.<br /><br />Here's one of Emma in the shopping cart on Mother's Day. By the way, I love her <a href="http://www.kozypalcartcovers.com/">Kozy Pal</a> cart cover. I am getting good at links! lol<br /><a href="http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/?action=view¤t=DSCN2618.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q99/ambley79/DSCN2618.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>~amber~http://www.blogger.com/profile/17550724138309322019noreply@blogger.com0