Bapa and Nana

My parents came down a couple weekends ago to participate in Emma's soccer practice and play at the park with us. To say that Emma loves my parents is an understatement. I'm not sure there is a word to express her feelings for them, love isn't adequate. It obviously goes both ways and I love that they have such an awesome relationship. I wasn't lucky enough to be raised in close proximity to my grandparents and I appreciate that Emma has such a special relationship with hers.

This might be Emma's favorite spot in the world - and yes, if Nana is an option, she doesn't want me.

I'm a soccer mom

It's hard to believe that Emma is old enough to play soccer. The funny thing is that she's been old enough for a year!! In our neighborhood they start at 18months, which is scary considering how crazy the 2.5 year old *team* is.

Emma LOVES it. The first week was difficult because there were 15 people on her team, then add in 2 parents per child and it was out of control. That is WAY too many 2 year olds for a coach to control and it was a mess. You could definitely tell which kids had been practicing in the backyard... Emma was NOT one of them.

This week was much better. They split the team in 2 and it's a much more manageable size. Emma is actually able to hear the coach and she really tries to follow along with the drills (until she gets bored and tries to run off).

Besides being fun for her, it's super cute. She actually has a uniform that fits her and she is so adorable running around the field!!

FAST!!!

Seriously, is that uniform not adorable???

suckers!!

Trying to get two 2 year olds to pose for a picture isn't easy :)

The beach

Oh how I love the beach. We just got back from a week in the Outer Banks and it was fantastic! We rented a house with 4 other families (that Jamie knows from college) and spent an entire week swimming, relaxing and playing. It was amazing. It was our first vacation as a family that didn't involve work or visiting family and Emma had the time of her life. Vacation takes on a whole new meaning with kids and it was so wonderful to watch her experience these firsts. We have so many wonderful memories and Emma made many new friends and can't stop talking about "the beach house!"

Our entire group

The Schwaberow family (us + Chad and Heather)

We each cooked one night and this was our clam bake! Delicious!!!

6 of 8 of the kids

Yeah, Emma wasn't too fond of the sand on her feet at first, so this is her adorable outfit (disclaimer: I DID put a swimsuit on her but she took it off)

Emma, Sophia, Sydney, Lexi, Cole, Izzy and Tessy

Emma and her Uncle Chad (It's REALLY hard to get a *normal* pic of her anymore)

One night the boys left the house and crashed a wedding. I'm so proud.

Emma and Lexi

Daddy and Emma

Another group shot

"Wild" horse in the area just north of our town. (Supposedly they are wild, but I have my doubts)

Are you noticing a trend?

Our beach

Emma and her new friend Sophia... she LOVED playing with all the big kids!

Starting early

Emma is very serious about her swimming lessons ;)

Out of the mouth of babes

Some Emma-isms for you;

The other day we were pulling out of the garage and she asked where her "house and home" were going. I explained the house was staying there and told her that "home is where your heart is. Where is your heart?" Her reply - "at Bapa's house!" (Bapa is my dad)
Which is true, it's her favorite place.

This morning I was sitting on the floor getting her dressed and when she stood up she turned around, gave ms a giant hug and said "I HAPPY!"
melted my heart :)

The other day she was talking about boys and she said "my favorite boy is William."
Trouble!

Right now if you ask her what an owl does her response is "poop!" evidently she's become a little jaded after helping Nana clean the patio at their house :)




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Her father's daughter

She is!




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June

I know, I know... it's been a while. Things have been a little crazy around here. The good news is that I got a new job... a permanent, full-time job!! That means BENEFITS!!! So I'm pretty happy about that, but the learning curve is extremely steep (it's in gas, I'm an electrical engineer).

Emma is fantastic. I mean she's 2, so we definitely have some not so awesome moments, but overall she is just amazing. Her speech has improved by leaps and bounds. She speaks in full sentences all the time and you (and I mean people other than me) can actually understand what she's saying. She is bursting with life and personality and she really is a joy. As Jamie pointed out tonight, when she smiles she has a sparkle in her eye and we love her for it :)

Jamie's parents just left and we had a wonderful visit with them. Before that we were in Chicago for the wedding of the century... my brother Paul and my new sister Sam got married and it was ah-mazing. I mean there aren't really words for how freaking amazing it was. Hopefully I'll have some pictures soon and when I do I'll share more.

For now I'll leave you with a month's worth of pictures.

Emma put this hat on and ran around Targe.t singing her ABC's in a very loud voice

New shades

Working

Her first full ponytail

Her first frappucino (hey, we were traveling and needed a bribe ;))

Quite possibly the cutest picture ever taken. This is Em and her bestest friend William

Cheese!

More best friends :)

ETA - wow, I didn't realize that I posted pictures I'd already posted before. My mind is obviously not all there. Sorry!