2 years old!

So, I'm really behind on posting.  Sorry for the delay, but here is Emmy's second birthday party post.  

Caleb requested that Emmy's party be small and after much whining on my part we opted for the family and close friends party this year.  

Since we made the decision to have a small get together, and we moved just the week before, I didn't start planning the party until about seven days before we actually had it and after a lot ideas on themes I decided to go easy cheesy and throw her a Dora party.  

I ordered the cake from a family friend, got a couple of recipes from Pintrest, and Caleb made barbeque.  Simple and fun.  

My mom came over to the new place to help me set up while Emmy was napping.  When she woke up to see Dora everywhere she was thrilled.  Even though we told her "Happy Birthday" about every hour that day, I don't think she really got it until she saw the house decorated for the party. 

Our friends Brandon and Beth came to celebrate with Porter and their newest addition, Lyla.  Emmy loved loving on her and was so sweet with her.  I can't wait to see this little one again!

After everyone arrived and ate, we sang "Happy Birthday" to the birthday girl.

I didn't realize that they candles I got were sparklers and it scared Emmy at first.

But a little pep talk from Granddaddy solved that.

And having your cake and eating it too doesn't hurt either!

Then it was time to open presents.  Emmy was all about it and knew exactly what to do!  Porter helped a little too!

One present wasn't wrapped, but was a big hit - the elephant floor pillow.  Emmy still reads books on it daily.

I think Bopa got a little bored during the presents part of the party and morphed into a gangsta!

After eating cake, opening presents, playing with friends and loving on family, she needed a break to tell Daddy how much fun she had!

We ended our day with just the three of us reminiscing about Emmy's actual birth day and telling her about while looking at photos of her as a baby.  I cried... a little.  It was so amazing to just be with her and think about that day/night.   

Last week our family boarded a jet and headed west.  We ended up in Laramie, Wyoming for a family wedding that I was to photograph, but we also got to do some sight seeing.  The scenery was breathtaking and photos do NOT do it justice!  Here is a little taste of our trip.  I'll be posting more from the wedding later as I edit.  

On our way...

Road markers for winter (kind of glad I don't live here)

On the way to the top of the mountain, we saw large patches of snow and decided to stop and wander around a bit.  Emmy was a little confused about why we were in snow with sandals on and didn't like it much, but Dad and Bopa loved it!

Caleb tried to get into the snowball fight, but I wasn't having it!

 Just a few yards over was a beautiful field of flowers that caught Emmy's eye.

Also, please disregard my child's sagging pants.  We checked the weather for Laramie before we left SC, but didn't take into account the high winds in Wyoming and the high altitude in the mountains so I had to make an emergency trip to Wal-mart to get her some pants and the 12-month size is too big in her waist.  I spent most of this day pulling her pants back up.  

After we picked some flowers, we continued driving to a lookout point where we were meeting other family members to picnic with.  

It took us a while to get to the lookout because the views were so gorgeous that we drove slow to take it all in.  

The lookout was 9000ft above sea level!  It was COLD!

Once we got to the lookout we realized that storm clouds were chasing us.  However, at one point it was raining 360 degrees around us but not on us.  It was pretty cool.

We ended our drive at a lake overlooked by snow capped mountains and stood in awe of God's mighty creation. 

As we were on our way down the mountain to the rehearsal, I spotted this field and had to get a few shots.

She did so good posing for me!  

So, after I work two days this week we are all headed to the beach with my family which means posting might be scarce the next week.  

Happy Birthday Emmy!

Sweet little Emmy, 

Today you turn two years old.  You and I have been through a lot together this past year with your daddy being deployed, but I think we got through it relatively unscathed.  I can honestly say that I've loved every minute of the last two years and I'm only loving each day more with you around.  

You love to help mommy and daddy with anything and everything.  Cleaning, cooking, bathing the dog, fixing things, you name it, you are right in the middle of it.  

You are very polite - saying "please", "thank you", and "bless you" whenever necessary - and even sometimes when they aren't.  

You love the letter "E" and point it out whenever you see it.

Animals are your favorite things!  You read animal books over and over and the amazement never ceases.  

You love to have your finger nails and toe nails painted (so girly!)

You think that no one can go outside unless they have shoes on (it is a very big deal to you!)

You have become quite the picky eater which is my biggest stress at the moment due to how itty bitty you are.  Eat a twinkie kid! 

You love sleep!  And I LOVE that you love sleep!  

You still enjoy your pacifier and ask for it any time you are tired, scared, or hurting.  Dad and I have NO IDEA how we are going to get you over this!

You think NOT using the potty is funny.  You've done it many times, but now you seem to think it is fun to tease us.

You love to drink sweet tea (I try to limit this one to only when Grandmama is around), apple juice, and strawberry milk.

You like to hide and sneak up on people.  It is hilarious.

Dora the Explorer is your favorite TV show and you ask to watch it at least once a day and point out everything with Dora's picture on it.  

You are showing more and more signs of me and your dad every day.  I love seeing little parts of us come out in you. 

I pray for you daily.  I pray that God will take hold of your heart, break it, and show Himself to you and through you.  Emmy, I love you so much and can't even imagine the fun we will have in the next year and how much you are going to grow.  I feel so blessed that God has trusted me to be you mother and will try my best to help you grow into the woman God intends for you to be.  

Happy Birthday Emmy!

One Mega Party

Sorry about the lack of posts lately.  So much has been going on the with the Wilkes!

The big thing is, we moved.  It was a hard move for many reasons.  For one it was upstairs and for two I was leaving my partner in crime and roommate for the past year, Crissy.  But, it is nice to have my own place and have Emmy AND Caleb around when I come home from work.  We are finally getting things organized and are anxiously waiting for our new couches to arrive.  More on that fiasco later.

A few days after we moved, Caleb and I attended a private living room concert by Christian artist, Rachel Lampa and her husband at our friend, Bill's place. There were about 20 people invited.  We ate Hudson's Barbeque before gathering in the living room for a very intimate concert.  It was something I've never experienced before, but it turned out to be a great night!

The photo is Crissy and me with Rachel after the concert.

A few days later most of the Wilkes clan traveled to SC to visit.  The older cousins got together and decided a few months ago that once Uncle Caby was home they would come back to SC and celebrate.  Well, they conviced their mamas to do just that and we even planned a massive birthday party for all of them (I'm pretty sure this is the most genius idea we've had yet!  One party with all 8 cousins once a year!).  We all had a blast!  I love to be with the kids.  I even took the oldest, Lynsey, with me to shop for the big birthday party.  It is nice to spend some one on one time with them when I get the chance since it is few and far between with 8 of them running around now.  Our short time together was very busy...

We watched in awe at the Canadian Geese on the pond 

read lots of books

Decorated cupcakes for the mega-party

Ate the decorated cupcakes at the mega-party

Played with the presents

And made lasting memories.

The big mega-party was Sunday.  Unfortunately, Ama couldn't participate because she had the stomach bug, which was passed on to me, Caleb, and then Emmy. Now, I'm on to finish setting things up for Emmy's 2nd birthday party.  More to come!