The Big Moment...

Singing, "Happy Birthday to You". ...

Giving the birthday cupcake a chance...

Liking the cupcake...

Wearing the cupcake...

Drunk on cupcake...

Party Highlights

I'm not sure who had more fun opening presents....

This princess castle tent was a huge it. So glad we have a play room or Brent and I would be moving to the garage. Thanks, Melissa Calhoun!

I went to a local shop called Mexicandy to order the pinata. I asked for a small, purple, pink, and white cupcake filled with the shop candy. As you can see we were given a huge, three-tiered, hot-pink and white wedding cake with no candy, but Brent filled it with really nice candy that will be seen again at Halloween- you are warned not to trick or treat here.

Emory's Inner Circle

Here are some of Emory's party guests. There were lots of grown-ups, 2 kids, and 1 other baby. But I hear that happens at the first party. The rest will be mini-people.

William and Mollie O'Brien.

The famous Matt Turner.

Here is Ryan Calhoun with Major, Emory's best dog friend. Yes, Major prefers to be held like a baby.
Here is Miss Char, our neighbor, and favorite babysitter. She helps Brent and I have dates. They are big buddies.

Party Prep

We have had a really fun weekend with Dad getting ready for the party and enjoying the nice weather. Here is a picture of the birthday girl in her outfit. She kept the tiara on the entire party, wore a tutu outfit from Rich and Jenny Petru, and had sparkly shoes from Brenda (the fashion report). Next is a picture of Brent with Emory in the car. I think they just look cute in their glasses.


Some of you know I have decided to try cupcake decorating. I had BIG plans for a variety of cupcakes, but ran short on time. Here is my "flower bouquet cupcake". ;) More practice is needed, but it's fun.

Present time

We got home to a fun package on the doorstep. Emory was fine with playing with the box, but I got impatient and had to open one of the presents inside. I put it together. And I think it's worth noting that baby toy assembly could be considered an art form. I'm glad that I am not opposed to reading the instructions. Emory helped by taking whatever part I was working on and licking it, and throwing it. She was just testing the durability.

Anyway, she loved the baby stroller/walker from Brenda and Larry, and started walking it around instinctively. Too fun.

Getting ready for the Big 1!

I still love swings. Emory's not quite as into them as I am yet, but I'm trying. We're on one in this picture.

Chick File is the best! It's gourmet fast food. I love how they help you there. Emory likes saying, "Hi. Hi. Hi," to all the little kids that walk by, too. She tried to hug a 3 year old. My friend Kristen and I met there with our girls Monday. We played in the little indoor play area with them. We especially like the wall with the buttons that you press to make animal noises and bug noises. And then there is the one button that you press, and a nice, deep, southern female voice (which I'm pretty sure belongs to Truett Cathy's secretary) appears that has life lessons like, "Be kind." "Don't worry, be happy." And our personal favorite, "Tell the truth. It's easier to remember." We were cracking up with the 3 year olds over that button.

Emory LOVES books. Nanny (teacher for 46 years) would have been so proud. She crawls into her little chair and looks through them everyday.

We went to Party City to stock up on birthday decor. Emory's party and big day are on Saturday. She wore the paper tiara through the whole store. I chose this one over the sparkly ones because she seems to tolerate it.

A right of passage

Emory just discovered the joy of pot-pan music this morning. She loved it.

This is our sweet Texas friend, Melissa Calhoun, who babysat Emory at the lodge on Keystone mountain while we skied. A woman actually walked up to her and said, "Wooowww. Your baby looks JUST like you." She took it as a compliment. :)

Here's another shot of Emory on her first gondola ride.

Stealing cars...

Our friend, Lauren McMonagle, has loaned us so many important baby things that have saved us hundreds of dollars. We were waiting on her for our lunch date with her two adorable sons when we decided to go for a joy ride in Will and Johnny's little car. Lauren took pity on us when she saw how much fun Emory was having in it and sent it home with us. Emory thinks her daddy's sunglasses are the coolest.