Emerson is ONE!

I can't believe our baby girl is ONE.  I feel like this past year has flown by.  It seems like just yesterday she was born and now she is so independent and well on her way to running all over the place.  She has been such a joy to everyone and her brother and sister love her more than anything.  We just couldn't imagine life without this sweet and happy girl!

For her birthday, we decided to have a few friends come over for a small birthday party along with Grandpa and Grandma Nielsen.  We had lots of treats, cupcakes and of course a big cake just for the birthday girl.  Here are pictures of the day:

Emerson getting ready to blow out the candle.

 

Emerson didn't need any help digging into her cake.  She knew just what to do.

 

The group.

Emerson and Mommy.

Emerson and Daddy.

Emerson showing off her birthday hat.  (It lasted all of 30 seconds but it sure was cute.)

Opening presents with a LOT of help.

Emerson and Grandma.

She is such a big girl now!

All pooped out from all of the birthday fun.

The kids' table.

The treats.

Emerson's cake.

Cooper lost a tooth

After being whacked in the face by Kamryn with a sword, Cooper had his very first loose tooth.  He wiggled that tooth for days . . . even weeks and it finally came out right as he was getting ready to go to bed.  He was so excited that we had to call all of his Grandparents to share the news.  He was one proud boy.  After finding $5 under his pillow the next day he was eccstatic.  He got right to work on his next loose tooth and after just a couple of days pulled that one out too because he wanted a few more dollars to buy a new toy.  I hope he doesn't start pulling out his teeth for money.  He will have one empty mouth;)

Glen Ivy

My friend Amy and I went to Glen Ivy just before Christmas.  It was cold and a little overcast on the day we had planned to go but Amy talked me into going any way and I am so glad that she did.  It was definitely a cold day but it was totally worth it.  We had so much fun.  We went in the sauna, natural hot springs, hot tub, took a mud bath and had lunch.  It was pretty cold but we ran around from place to place in our towels and had a lovely, peaceful day. Here we are in all of our muddy glory!

New Year's Eve

 

We were so excited when our friends the Gray's invited us over to celebrate New Year's Eve with them and our friend Heather.  We had yummy food, dessert and even a fireworks display.  The kids loved staying up late and had so much fun playing with their friends.  For the first in years Mike and I actually stayed up until midnight.  Unfortunately, none of our kids had the energy to stay up that late.  What a fun way to ring in the new year!

 

Brendan and Kamryn watching the fireworks.  Brendan always protects and takes care of Kamryn.

Carson, Brendan, Kamryn, Cooper and Mitch.

Cooper just couldn't keep his eyes open any longer and passed out on their ottoman.

Skiing

While we were up in Utah the kids were dying to go skiing.  Last year Cooper went with his Daddy and had so much fun.  Ever since, Kamryn has been talking about going as well.  This year Mike started by having them ski down my parent's street.  Once they had that down they took them over to Solitude.  Our friend Kyle came up to go skiing with Mike and his brother Brad and it turned out he was a ski instructor.  In the afternoon they took the kids out and taught them how to ski.  The kids were amazing and picked it up so fast.  I'm sad I didn't get to see them first hand but I am grateful that I got to watch the videos.  They had so much fun and they can't wait to go again next year.

Kamryn and her ski instructor Kyle.

CHRISTMAS

We had a wonderful Christmas this year.  Cooper and Kamryn were finally old enough to understand what was really going on and were so excited to wake up on Christmas morning to open presents.  Before Christmas, when the presents started showing up under the Christmas tree the kids would go through them daily to see what was new and who each one was for.  They were always reorganizing the presents and constantly asking if they could open just one.  So when it was finally Christmas morning the kids were beside themselves with excitement and joy.  This was also Emerson's first Christmas.  It was fun to see her try to open her presents.  She was so excited to get babies of her own.  Cooper was delighted with all of his new Legos and skateboard. Kamryn was so excited for her new razor scooter, Legos and baby stroller.   

A first look.  Santa came!

Cooper was so excited get a puppy to match his Build-a-bear dog.

Emerson finally got her own baby doll.  She had had her eye on Kamryn's baby that looked just like this one for quite some time.

Hugs for an awesome present.

Cooper trying out his new skateboard and helmet.

Snuggling with Grandpa and Grandma before bed.

Christmas Eve

 

 

We had a lovely Christmas Eve.  We had a delicious dinner, the kids opened their Christmas jammies and one other present and we ended the night by reading about the birth of Christ from the Bible.  We are so blessed to have such an amazing family and the gospel in our life.  

 

Cooper getting ready to open his jammies.

So excited to FINALLY open a present.

Emerson even got into it.

Kamryn was so excited to get Legos just like her brother.

Emerson and her new toy.

Grandpa and Emerson checking out her new car.