School Pictures

A photographer comes to Emerson's preschool once a year to take pictures. This was the first year they turned out, so we bought the entire package of pictures and the digital prints as well. Enjoy!

Birthday

Well, yesterday was my (Elizabeth's) birthday. We woke up to snow on the ground and more snow falling. Then we went and had brunch at Brent's parents' house. It was wonderful! We had lasagna, salad, bread, ham, and potato casserole. It was all so good and I'm afraid that I ate too much. After brunch, we went home and took a very long nap since Emerson had been up since 2 am. He didn't pick the best day to be a pill, but oh well. Such is life with a 2 year old. When we all woke up from our nap, Brent went to the store and bought some t-bone steak, ceasar salad, and bread. He made me a most fabulous dinner. Even though Emerson had made it a tiresome day, we ate very well and that made it all worth it.

Thank you so much for everyone calling, emailing, and texting to wish me a happy birthday. It meant so me!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Ornament Exchange

We had an ornament exchange on Sunday at Mom and Dad Butterfield's house with the people from their gourmet dinner club. The rules were that of a white elephant party where you open a gift from under the tree and someone can steal it from you if it is their turn and they so desire. Well I got the coolest ornament you've ever seen... Santa doing the can-can with a reindeer. It is awesome!!! Because it is so awesome, it was stolen from me and I was quite upset, but I stole it back when Emerson's ornament was stolen. We had a rule that each ornament could only be stolen twice so when I stole it back, I got to keep it!!! Yeah!!! We worked as a family and walked away with three beautiful ornaments. Here is a picture of everyone who came to the party. We had a most fabulous time!

Family Pictures

We took some family pictures yesterday. Can you tell how tired and mad Emerson was?

Better game pictures

So here are some better pictures from the game on Friday taken with an actual camera instead of Brent's cell phone.

Brent and Elizabeth

The season ticket holder gang, minus Bob who was wandering and Dick who was taking the picture

BSU vs. Fresno State

On Friday, November 28, BSU had their final regular season game against Fresno State at home on the blue turf. The game started out a little scary as Fresno scored first, but we soon overtook them and whooped Fresno 61-10. The game was a total blast and a great way to end the season. We were cold at first but miraculously didn't feel much cold once we started jumping up and down with each score. At the end of the game BSU let fans rush the field, which they've never done before so we were so excited. The first picture is of the initial rush and the second is of Brent and I on the big blue turf. It is "foggy" because they let off fireworks to signify the undefeated season and BSU winning the WAC title. GO BRONCOS!!!

Thanksgiving!!!

We had a most wonderful Thanksgiving last Thursday complete with a giant turkey, all the trimmings and a room full of 20 people. The best part was that everyone brought something so the food preparation wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been for our gracious hosts. We can't wait to do it again next year, maybe just a smaller group...

Mike and Cindy, the fabulous hosts

The entire gang pigging out

Emerson and his daddy eating dessert

Emerson and his auntie Charlotte engulfed in "Kung Fu Panda", the after dinner movie

AAARRR!!!

Here are some pictures of the littlest pirate (he wouldn't wear the hat, scarf, or boots) trick-or-treating at mommy and daddy's work. Starting at 3:00 on Halloween, people can invite their kids to go from cubicle to cubicle to trick-or-treat. It's fun and safe and you don't have to go freeze yourself outside. At first Emerson looked at me wondering why he has to wear this stupid outfit and go around to different desks. Once he go the hange of it, after around 5 or 6 times, he was running up to all the bowls of candy searching for his favorite one. All in all, I think he had a most fabulous time. His Elmo bucket was quite full when we were done and even though it completely weighed him down, Emerson wouldn't let it go. Next, we went to Mom and Dad Butterfield's house to trick or treat at some of their neighbors who wanted to see the littlest pirate all dressed up. Then we went to a few special friend's houses to trick-or-treat. I guess we are very selective trick-or-treaters. Next, we went to Kathy's house to help celebrate Penny's birthday. We had three wonderful kinds of soup and they were all so delicious! Then we went to Betty Jo and Vic's house for their annual Halloween party. We didn't stay long, but Emerson did eat real food instead of candy so I was happy with that. After our long day, we went home and crashed as soon as we hit the pillow. It was quite the evening, but oh so much fun. Emerson even did the pirate "AAARRR" so well! Next year he'll really have the hang of it!

Fun in the leaves

I think Emerson is having a fabulous time at Granny and Oupa's house today and yes, those are cars in his hands. He doesn't do anything without them, not even jump into leaves. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

I was wrong...

Ok, so the SISL (Southern Idaho Soccer League) messed up on their standings last week and in actuality we were one point ahead of second going into the last game, not four. Well, we tied our last game and the second place team won giving us one more point and them three so we lost first place in the division by one measly point. Can you believe that?! One point! Oh well. This is still the best our team has ever done and I am still thoroughly stoked about it. Yeah Ladies in Red!

In other soccer news, the Ladies in Red have an indoor team. We've had two games and lost 3-9 (ouch) and 3-4. Our second game was last night and it was a hard fought one. We will soon get our rhythm and start winning... hopefully.

We also have a coed indoor team at work and have had one game so far. It was also hard fought and ended in CH2M Hill winning 8-7. Since it is coed, the girls get two points and guys can only score two goals for one point each. Brent scored his maximum two goals.

MK Nature Center

Emerson went to the MK Nature Center with Granny and Oupa today. I'm sure he had a good time looking at all the fish. The Nature Center has an event every Halloween called Creatures of the Night and we're hoping to take him there tomorrow night and show him all the cool creapy crawly bugs.

We Won!

With one game left to go, the Ladies in Red have clenched the division title! Yeah! I am so excited because this has never happened before. If the team directly below us wins their last game and we lose, they will get three more points, we will get none, but we'll still be ahead of them by a single point. Wow! I'm just so happy!

"Skipping Rocks"

Granny and Emerson

Ready, set, throw!

Emerson spends Fridays with Granny and Oupa. We live in such a great place for lots of walks and adventure so Emerson gets to go see many new and different things. Today he tried his hand at "skipping" rocks. I don't think as much skipping was involved as tossing was. It is also a BSU game day, hence the blue and orange pants Emerson is sporting. Go big blue!

Soccer

Elizabeth's soccer team is in first place and if they win their next two games they will win the division, which hasn't happened in so very long. Check out the Ladies in Red standings in the Womens D2 division! Brent isn't playing soccer this season for the first time since he was probably five or six, but Rob is. His team is called Pita Pit in the Mens D1 division. They are in the middle of the pack with three games left. Go Elizabeth! Go Rob!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Jerry!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Jerry! We love you!

Grandpa Jerry, Charlotte, Dad

No more binky

Emerson turned 2 on September 16th so we decided it was time to rid ourselves of the binky for good. We had his 2 year check-up on the 23rd and his doctor gave us some good advice on how to take it away to never been seen or heard from again. All in all, she said that whatever works, do it. I guess some parents even tell their kids the dogs ate it! I wasn't about to do that. He had already been restricted to only using it for sleeping and maybe when he's nervous or tired and never at preschool. We just told him that big boys don't use binkys anymore and took it away... cold turkey a week ago today. He has done remarkably well and we are very proud of him. Its amazing that without the plug he actually speaks!

Emerson in his suit

Here are some more pictures showing how cute Emerson looked in his pinstriped suit at the wedding.

Wedding in the rain

Our lovely and beautiful friends Kristin and Dan were married on Saturday. Elizabeth was the maid of honor (I don't like the phrase "matron of honor") and Emerson was a very ruluctant ring bearer. He looked so dapper in his pinstriped suit and Elizabeth was all dolled up in a stunning brown strapless gown. We scrambled Saturday morning to procure a tent because of the rain and when we were setting all the tables and chairs up before the ceremony it was beautiful outside and we were thinking we might not even need the tent we had just received from the rental company. Alas, when we were taking pictures it started sprinkling and soon turned into a thunder and lightning storm complete with a very big downpour. Even though it rained on their parade, Kristin and Dan looked wonderful and the evening went on. Kristin was absolutely gorgeous in her gown and big princess hair. She even made all the jewelry the bridesmaids wore. Everyone was so pretty and the flowers were so fabulous. We love you Kristin and Dan!

Elizabeth and her escort

Emerson and Brent

Kristin and her parents

The beautiful couple, Kristin and Dan

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Happy Birthday Emerson! We love you!

Too Much Birthday...

Emerson's 2nd birthday isn't until tomorrow (September 16th), but we had a party for him yesterday at our house. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and we had about 25 people over at the house to celebrate. We were a little cozy, but it really wasn't that bad. We could have fit even more people into our small backyard!

I got a little ambitious and made him a Lightning McQueen cake. I bought a mold for the cake and put it on top of a sheet cake decorated like a road. It took me over an hour to frost it, but I was quite proud of myself when I finished. I know it isn't as fancy as one you can buy, but I was so happy to make it for Emerson. I've never met a kid that young so obsessed with a character before.



Emerson's favorite food is spaghetti so I made a ginormous batch. It was very yummy and as you can probably tell by these pictures, I think Emerson enjoyed it as well.



Emerson was excited to open his presents and sat down in his BSU chair to open them. Once he opened the first present, that was all he wanted to see. He wanted the box opened right away so he could start playing with it immediately. Mommy ended up opening the rest of the presents. Funny little guy...

Of course, he was way excited to get a big Lightning car from his daddy and once he saw that one, it was bye bye to toy number one and hello to Lightning. He and Kylie had a lot of fun playing with all his new loot.

By the time everyone had gone, Emerson needed to have a bath and get into bed, but all he wanted to do was play. We had quite the adventure getting him in the tub. He was so tired that once his head hit the pillow, he was out. I think he had a most fabulous birthday party! Thank you so much to everyone for helping us celebrate!

By the way, soccer has started and Elizabeth's team has won two games in a row, both 4-0. It is so exciting because this is the first winning season we have had in a very long time.

We also finished our patio of slate that we've been working on. It was quite the full weekend with a BSU game, party preparations, soccer games and then the party, but well worth it all!!!

Just like Oupa

Emerson wants to be just like his Oupa (Brent's dad). Oupa's favorite band is the Rolling Stones so when Brent saw this shirt last week at Target we just had to buy it. Emerson spends Fridays at Granny and Oupa's house so he wore it today in honor of his Oupa.