11 Months

In less than a month, Emmit will be 1 - it's crazy how the last year has flown. At 11 months, Emmit is a chubby bundle of happiness. He is Mama's boy 100%, and his official first word is 'Mama'. He also likes to say 'uh oh' when he drops things (which happens a lot), and he's said 'Dada' a couple times too.

He loves to eat. He doesn't really have favorite foods - he seriously eats everything! He really likes fruits though - banana, grapes, peaches, and watermelon! He shovels the watermelon in really quickly! =) He still drinks his bubba, but not like he used to - he pushes it away a lot. I think that'll be an easy transition for him when it's time to move on.

Like his Daddy, Emmit's a little obsessed with electronics. He's learned to put a cell phone up to his ear and then makes a noise like 'Hello'. Mama's cell phone has entertained him through many road trips now. And he's totally obsessed with the remote control. He now has two of his own remotes (without batteries), but amazingly he knows which remotes are the REAL remotes. He throws a fit if you take it away from him. He frequently tries to get his hands on the phone, and is always trying to turn the computer off too.

In this last month, Emmit has gone from crawling to spider crawling (hands and feet) and even to taking a few brave steps on his own. He's cruising the furniture and all into standing now. He'll walk holding onto something, and can stand up on his own pretty good now too. Just a few times, he's actually taken steps on his own, but as soon as he realizes he's not hanging onto anything, he falls to his butt. It won't be long! I'm actually really excited for him to walk - it'll make things a bit easier playing outside for sure! He also really like climbing up steps or onto things now. We need to watch him at all times!

Emmit is our early, early, early bird in the house. He's usually waking Mama and Daddy up around 5:30 every morning and in bed BY 7:00 most nights. Shifting the schedule just doesn't work; this is his schedule for now. Sometimes morning comes too soon, but when he's all smiles and cuddles what's not to love =)

Big smiles with Auntie Sara



Standing up and on the move!



He loves to sit in this chair now. He climbs up and sits there for a long time, but then eventually gets mad because he can't get down.



Hanging with Uncle Bob on the 4th



The many movements of Emmit...walking will soon be next!

Celebration Weekend

After I got back from New York, Colin and I headed up to the UP again, to get the kids from my parents and also for some fun celebrations! When we got there Friday evening, Ellie was just busting with excitement to sing 'Happy Birthday' to me! I wish I would have had my camera ready...right when we walked in, there was Ellie, Emmit, Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Aunt Debbie all in party hats singing 'Happy Birthday'. It was really cute! The whole week after that Ellie was saying 'Mama, it's your birthday! We sing happy birthday to you!'





Saturday afternoon I went to our old neighbor, Michelle's baby shower. Michelle was our junior bridesmaid in our wedding, and I babysat her when she was a baby so it was really nice to see her and her family. I didn't take pictures, but she was the cutest little Mama-to-be. Congrats to her and Eric! Baby girl got A LOT of really nice things! =)

Saturday evening and night then Colin and I went to another family friends' wedding. Molly and her parents have been family friends of ours for a LONG time, and we've gotten to know Ashley over these past few years too. The wedding was so fun and everyone looked BEAUTIFUL! It was also fun that it was at the same place Colin and I had our wedding reception, and we hadn't been back since then (8 years ago)! =) Ellie and Emmit had a fun night at Kevin and Danielle's while we were at the wedding (Ellie totally idolizes Anna), so it was a fun night for all =)

Beautiful backdrop over Lake Michigan



The new Mr. and Mrs. Booth



Beautiful bride Molly



Mama was matron of honor, so Henry came along for a little while, and then joined the other kids at the LeBoeufs! Kevin and Danielle were champs that night with all the kids =) Thanks again!! =)



The Luehmann family



Sisters



Colin & I



Sara & Matt



Steph & Mike



Colin & I again =)



Sisters again =)



The whole gang minus Ellie & Emmit



Beautiful bridesmaids



Boyer girls and Mom & Dad

New York Take 2

Last week I spent 3 days in New York again for work. Once again it was a busy trip, but I did get a few sight-seeing adventures in! I had intended to do some exploring the evening we got there, but instead we sat in O'Hare for 3 1/2 hours so the spoiled that night! =P The next morning though I got up early and walked around our hotel area before heading to work. We stayed right near Rockefeller Plaza, and there was a lot to see and do right there.

Broadway Avenue



Mamma Mia - Ellie's favorite!



Pretty church which seemed really out of place amongst the skyscrapers



Rockefeller Plaza



Radio City Music Hall



The next morning I got up REALLY early again and walked over to Rockefeller Plaza to see the Today Show. It was pretty cool considering I have watched that show forever =) My coworkers were trying to convince me to make a sign, but being the conservative I am, I didn't! Of course then, I got on TV twice! The first time was during the Ambush makeover segment. It was totally staged, but I happened to be right behind the lady that got picked. And then shortly after that, Al Roker was walking around shaking everyone's hands and then stopped RIGHT in front of me again and did the weather. My phone started ringing at that moment, and it was my Mom calling to say "I see you!!!" =)



The Ambush Makeover team coming to get the lucky winner!



Al doing the weather



Later that night, we went up to the top of 30 Rockefeller Center ("30 Rock") to see the city skyline. It was pretty amazing and pictures don't really do it justice. The tallest, brightest building is the Empire State building. The bright, neon area is Times Square. And that's the pretty church all lit up next to it too.

Vacation Cont'd...

I never have all the pictures from family gatherings because there are usually multiple cameras in action. Here are a few more from the 4th of July celebrations (from Shannon's camera) - thanks Shanny =)

Mama & Henry



Mama & Emmit



The Luehmanns



The Kaukolas (minus Jake) visiting from Minnesota



Little Henry



Molly & Ashley with Henry (2 weeks pre-wedding)



Our Feedmill truck float





Festive boy!



Ellie & Daddy getting candy



Two little boys looking A LOT like their Daddies



Another cute one of Emmit and Grandpa



Ellie with her sucker - her most FAVORITE candy



Ellie showing Henry the ins and outs of the star



Daddy helping Ellie catch candy

Vacation Part 2

After 6 days at the Boyer household, we moved to the Pomeroy household for 5 more days of family fun. It was a little wild with ALL the cousins there for the first time, Brendan (7), Aiden (4), Ellie (2), Max (2), Emmit (10 months), and Matthew (4 months). We did a bunch of stuff all together, and some split into groups, but it was REALLY hot and humid, so in general, we spent lots of time playing in the water! =) We also attempted the first Pomeroy cousin photo shoot (another post) - what an adventure! =) Ellie was wearing her swimsuit (and cover up and headband) all weekend long as you'll see in the pictures =)

The first afternoon we got there Aidan, Ellie, and Max had fun playing on the slip 'n slide with Lindsey and I. Colin took Brendan kayaking, and the little ones napped =)









On Thursday, Colin and I took Brendan, Aiden, and Ellie to the beach in Nahma for some more fun in the water.

On our way to the beach



Sassy pants!



Playing in the water and sand ("like Max and Ruby and Wow Wow Wubzy play in the sand", that's what Ellie kept saying)











For a few hours each on Friday and Saturday, Colin, Ellie, Emmit, and I went and visited our friends the Laginas who were camping not too far away. It is always so nice to catch up, and the kids have a lot of fun!

Playing with bubbles





Swimming



Emmit wasn't too fond of the sand



Carson and Luke



The Lagina brothers, Carson (almost 9), Brent (almost 6), Luke (1)



Carson lookin' good!



On Friday night we lit our fireworks off (it was too windy to do them on the 4th), so the 9th of July celebration it was! We kept all the kids up, which at one point we were seriously questioning! But it all ended well, and everyone just loved the show complete with animal crackers for a snack!

So, how to keep 5 kids (Emmit didn't make it) up (way) past bedtime? It doesn't get dark until like 10:00 this time of year so we had to keep them busy!

Having fun with the sidewalk poppers





Max on his bike



Little Matthew hanging out with Mom



Grandpa giving all the kids (and Colin) a ride =)







Finally, it's dark (enough!)