Emerson Family: Finding Joy In Our Journey

So far a wonderful Christmastime...

2009-12-21T21:00:00.001-08:00

December has been full of lots so far...

Trevor's performance as a mouse in Clara Barton's "Nutcracker" was critically acclaimed..especially since he reluctantly styed in character after the performance. (And hated every second of the costume, which was a relief to his Dad).

Thanks to his biggest fans, his family, Mayra and her daughter, and Gramma for being in the audience...without you he wouldn't be a mouse.

The annual Emerson Family Balboa Christmas/Boat Parade is one of our FAVES!

Snow in the OC was a Christmas miracle!

Kamryn was in awe of all the lights!! Soo cute.

Little Miss Independent insisted on balancing on the wall as we walked the island.

The gang in our usual spot, hot cocoas in hand, for the parade...the weather was perfect!

Garrett is a huge hot chocolate fan...takes after mommy!!

The boat parade is so amazing, and Kamryn even yelled "Merry Christmas" to the boaters.

We loved getting to see JayJay, too!!

Then back to Aunt Lori's and Uncle Andy's for presents and dessert...YUMMY cupcakes for my birthday!

Disneyland on my birthday for a few hours!! The boys LOVED the Matterhorn...I was a little nervous about it, but they had a blast (although Garrett shut his eyes the whole time).

The kids were THRILLED to see Santa at the ward christmas party...??

And the kids gave us quite a performance!! Good singing!

And Baama got to join us!

2009-12-21T19:59:00.000-08:00

http://portablenorthpole.tv/watch/93b475d1d37c0653a9de1f7928bc6cb4

http://portablenorthpole.tv/watch/3f2d9cc956da1e6d21d033ae57f406b4

http://portablenorthpole.tv/watch/89e9d8af8dd960bba60968a5660aed7c

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!!

2009-09-02T12:29:00.000-07:00

My kids are blessed not only to have awesome grandparents, but they also have some way cool aunts and uncles. A whole other set of people to spoil them! My kids are the only little kids on either side of the family. My brothers, none of whom have kids of their own (yet), love to borrow mine.

Still not sure who has more fun on these uncle-nephew outings...??

Uncle Brent called and asked to take Trevor to his first major league baseball game. So, Uncle Brent and Uncle Rob got to borrow Trev, with a friendly reminder from their sister to be responsible caretakers (which they were) as they headed to a Cubs-Padres game, followed by a sleepover at Uncle Brent's in San Diego.

Although Trev's mommy, and Uncle Brent and Rob's sister, would not have supported the consumption of all the junk at the game. ; ) They defended themselves by saying it is part of the "first baseball game with your uncles initiation", which includes eat whatever your little young, still healthy heart desires!

There were slurpees...

Cotton Candy...

Popcorn...

Hot Dogs and Nachos...

Wait...is there a baseball game going on?? They are lucky he didn't puke! ick.

They also treated him to breakfast the next morning and a video game session.

Thanks again, guys. You are awesome.

May Days!! (Finally blogging again!)

2009-08-25T15:56:00.000-07:00

Emerson Havasu Trip

We took a trip with Kevin's parents, his sister, Tammy, and our brother-in-law, Butch. We had a blast!

Kami loves getting in her "swim soup" and riding in the boat! But...unlike the boys who always fall asleep during long boat rides, this girl wants to take in every moment!

Nana, Papa, and the kiddos hanging in the boat.

Love this pic: Kami looking glam, and Garrett shooting water at me. This is so true to life.

We are so lucky that my Dad lives near the lake and gets to spend time with us when we are there! He and Christie came for dinner!! And brought dessert! Yum!

It would not be a trip to the lake without a run on the tube!

Trev and Gare ove to swim out to where the boat is anchored and get a break from us!

Tee Ball Comes to an End

Trev was a super fast runner! And we saw great progress from the beginning of the season to the end! He had a great team and coach, made lots of new friends, and had fun with somefriends that he already knew!

Peanut Gallery

He had a few great hits, without the tee!! Hooray!

Garrett and Mom's Date, I mean, Dinner Night Together

Kevin and Trev went to a Father-Son activity at Trev's school, so Mom took Garrett to Chuck E. Cheese. But...he got mad when I called it a "date night", because I'm "only s'posed to go on dates with Daddy". Everytime I said we were going on a date, he would almost cry. I hope he still feels upset about dating when he is 16.

The kid dominated on Foos Ball, tho.

Where a kid can be a kid!

He has mad basketball skills like mom, too!

Father and Son Outing

This was the boys first father and son outing! Our church has these annually, so my boys were so excited to get to go this year! They also got to do a little rock climbing on Saturday with some of their homies! Kevin made an attempt!! He said it is waaay harder than it looks!

Did Trev get higher than Dad?!

Garrett likes to "hang" out.

The boys had soooo much fun repelling!

They got a chance to swing dangerously close to the rocks. Thank goodness for trips with dads, becuase moms would not have supported this!

These guys love each other!! Good brothers!!

Exploring Big Bear with their buddies!

Trev's Bowling Bday Party

We had friends from Eastvale and Chino Hills come bowling to celebrate Trev's 6th birthday! We had a blast!

April Was Very EGG-citing!!

2009-05-03T20:19:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Kami!!

Can't believe she is two!! We celebrated with a luau, complete with virgin pina coladas, a flip flop pinata and Kevin's famous pineapple salsa that he learned how to make during our recent Maui trip! Kami could have cared less about all the hoopla, but she did enjoy her cupcake.

And, she loved her presents! Thanks to all of our friends and family for the great gifts...even to those of you who weren't there to watch her open them!

Chillin on the trampoline with some of her best girlfriends.

My Love-Hate Relationship with Easter Egg Dying

I don't love dying eggs, but I feel like a bad mom if we don' do it. Plus, what's Easter without dye spilled all over the table and floor? And...without a 2-year-old crying becuase she wants to throw all of the eggs in the pink dye, and her mean parents won't let her. Good times.

Trevor and Garrett did a great job, though!!

I am trying to keep her from grabbing the egg and throwing it in the dye.

Easter Sunday

All dressed in our Easter best ready for church! I know, gag that we are coordinated.

Say "Easter Bunny!"!

The Easter Bunny brought sand buckets instead of Easter baskets. That Easter Bunny sure is practical. How boring!

After church, the kids got to look for the Easter eggs that the Easter Bunny had hid outside. This was their second Easter egg hunt of this year.

We had a yummy Easter dinner at Nana and Papa this year. For dessert, Kev's cousin and his wife brought a GORGEOUS cake...but the orange frosting dyed everything it came in contact with. Our tongues were orange for hours, even after brushing.

And, the kids had their THIRD Easter egg hunt at Nana and Papas. Thanks to Aunt Tammy for hiding the eggs!

Always fun to get together on holidays!

Date Night

Since I have been working part-time, I have missed my kiddos so much. So, one night when Kevin and Trevor were attending a father-son activity at Trev's school, I decided to get a babysitter for Kami and take Garrett on a "date". When I announced to him we'd be going on a "date", he started to cry and said, "I'm just a little kid, I can't date!!". He really hated it anytime I said that we were going to have a "date", so I changed it to "going out". When we left Chuck E. Cheese, I said, "Was that a fun date?", and he asked, "We were just pretending, right?" And then he continued, "Don't tell Daddy". Don't worry Gare, my lips are sealed.

Garrett took no prisoners during fuzeball. He even desimated a 5-year-old, and exclaimed, "Rock and Roll!"

Where a kid can be a kid!!

Life "Marches" On...

2009-03-16T21:53:00.000-07:00

First: Our trip to Maui was amazing. HUGE thanks to Bill, Joanne, Lori, Andy, Rob, Brent, Linda, and Mayra for caring for our children so we could take this trip.

When I was in Miss Draper's sixth grade class, we took a whale watching trip off the coast of California...we saw no whales, and my best friend was puking over the side of the boat the whole trip. Kevin made fun of my new found fascination for the hundreds of humpback whales that we saw...I like to think I was making up for traumatic sixth grade field trip.

They would jump out of the water, although it was hard to catch these moments on camera!! Here one is breeching.

Trevor and Garrett LOVE taking a bath in our bath, and love even more the bubbles that are generated by the "Kuckuzzi".

NO MORE TRAINING WHEELS FOR GARRETT!! On Sunday he suddenly took off on two wheels. He whispered in my ear, as he went to bed the night that he learned, that he wanted to ride his bike first thing the next morning, but that it was a "seekwit".

And this little speed racer gets on her bike at the top of the driveway, lifts up her legs, and flies down. She crashed today in the street and it didn't phase her. Scary. Not one whimper.

Winter Training?!

Brrr!! First tee ball game was freezing and entertaining. Trevor ran straight from 3rd base to the dugout, instead of crossing home plate, so we cheered for him to get back out and cross home plate. So...he scored a run! ; ) Luckily, he wasn't the only player to make a mistake...they were all so cute as they learned sooo much at their very first game!

Seventh Inning Stretch

We Love Our Nana and Papa

2009-01-07T23:24:00.000-08:00

Why our nana and papa are so cool:

1. They are always up for watching us for mom and dad's (many) date nights, or trips...and we love staying at their house, too. Mom and dad are very grateful, too ; )

2. They take us for rides on the golf cart - well, we took it for a joyride once - and Papa is teaching us how to golf. We think he's hoping to be our sports agent someday.

3. Whenever we go over to their house, they have YUMMY treats: they introduced us to one of our favorites: DONUTS! Garrett loves chocolate (just like Papa), and Trevor loves powdered (just like Nana)

And Kami loved the ranch dressing that was set out at Christmas...while she described the array to Papa.

4. We love Nana and Papa because they raised our daddy. They are the people who gave him his devestatingly good looks and chraming sense of humor.

Thanks for ALL you do for us...including Rockband!!

Let It Snow...in Corona!

2009-01-04T20:20:00.000-08:00

While Kevin and I were in Vegas (thanks to both sets of parents for watching the kiddos), my mom and brothers helped watched the kids for a couple of days. It had snowed at my mom's, and since they were coming down to take care of the kid's, my brother, Rob, shoveled snow into his truck and brought it down to my kids. The kids LOVED it!!!! Trevor still thinks it was a "Christmas miracle", although he's not sure who wished for snow, because he didn't, he doesn't think Garrett did, and Kami obviously can't talk (his logic), so it's a mystery!!

What a cool uncle.

2009-01-04T16:36:00.000-08:00

DECEMBER 2008: Is it January yet?
I'll try to keep the commenting to a minimum this month - the pictures speak louder than words, and between Kevin and I both celebrating birthdays, taking a Vegas vacation, and seeing EVERYONE in our families from Christmas Eve and Christmas, we are breathing a sigh of relief.

Christmas isn't Christmas until you've licked cookie dough from a beater, and Kami got her very first lick of a beater ever (I usually bake when she's napping, for obviuos reasons) - she was addicted at first lick.

Good job Trevor!! We were happy to stop the hustle and bustle to go to Trevor's award ceremony at school!! Good job getting your award, Trev!!

I think the metal chairs and gym floor are a dead give away about where we are.

Quick trip to Vegas with the Startups...we've taken a vacation with them in December for the last 4 years...the guys went off to watch the BYU Cougars lose. My heart was not broken. Go PAC 10!!

Since before I was born, it is Ewers Family tradition to go out for Mexican food on Christmas Eve...

Then we headed back to my house for the traditional White Elephant. It NEVER disappoints.

This years top white elephants were a toss up between Brent's mug-mug, and the Native American vase...I have a feeling we'll see those next year.

Though some Ewers' may argue that this vase is totally appropriate given our Cherokee heritage. Eek.

Great granny with the kids.

Santa Claus came - and our kids must have been good!!! The cutest thing was when Trevor and Garrett went to bed they saw Santa in the sky...remember those days??

Christmas morning:

Christmas midmorning:

Christmas afternoon at Nana and Papa's:

Christmas night back at our house with my dad:

Brent killed on vocals and Jared rocked the guitar...where's your pic, Brent?

And to all a good night.

November 2008: A is for...

2008-12-01T21:52:00.001-08:00

Annual passes...taking a year off from the Magic Kingdom was necessary for my sanity, but we are now ready for another year. After forgetting about why we began to really dislike the 'Happiest Place on Earth', we plan on falling in love with it all over again.

Aging gracefully...we celebrated Kevin's grandma, Loretta's, 90th birthday with a big bash in Palm Springs!! She has definitely aged beautifully, and is still full of spunk! (I need some pictures of her instead of my kids post-party!! ) At the pool...while in Palm Springs, we got to stay at a great hotel with Kevin's sister, our niece, and her kids (who are the same ages as our kids). The pools at this hotel were unbelievable, with a beach entrance complete with sand...the kids loved it!Axel Rose, eat your heart out. This becomes consistent entertainment in our house, and we like to torture our company, too. Eastvale, let me hear you make some noise!! Rock on!! Another soccer season over!! It was fun and exhausting for everyone involved. Thanks to all of our family who came and cheered! Grandpa even came all the way from Arizona to watch a game!! Am I violating some kind of child labor law now?? I have to say that donuts and OJ at the garage sale were a hit. Action hero costume...Again. I am not exaggerating when I say that Garrett has worn this Spiderman costume everyday this month. Several of my friends are nodding "yes" as they read this. I am asking forgiveness for ever doubting the parenting skills of any parent who let their child wear a funky costume in public. I am choosing my battles.

Applying make-up for the first time...in secret...mascara...on her lips. She is Goth. Kami, I promise I will teach you how to wear make-up someday...when you are 18, and Dad and I are chaperoning your dates.

I'm Thankful for Swords

2008-12-01T20:13:00.000-08:00

This year as we went around the Thanksgiving dinner table telling what we were thankful for, Trevor said he was "thankful for missionaries" and Garrett said he was "thankful for swords". They painted their personalities perfectly with those statements. I couldn't have described their personalities better with pages of text.

After dinner they got into the costumes they had made at school and Trevor told the story of the first Thanksgiving...forget the public school system...Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving was VERY educational.

We had Thanksgiving for the second year in a row at my house...thanks to everyone for battling freeways.

Everyone helped out and brought a dish or two, so it was very stress-free...for me. Seriously guys, I'm sorry about all the traffic you had to endure. I promise we'll travel next year!

I didn't cven have to do the turkey!! Lori and Andy deep fried it in the back yard...cooked PERFECTLY!

Kami napped during dinner (all that tryptophan) and apparently was upset that we ate without her...next year Kam, I promise we'll wake you up so you don't have to eat leftovers!

LET'S DO BUSINESS

2008-11-02T18:11:00.000-08:00

Trevor Discovers Capitalism

October was the month of us learning that - like his father - Trevor loves to spend his down time dreaming up business schemes. I had no idea our children would inherit the "Emerson Entrepreneur Gene", but it manifested during his month off track. If it wasn't business plans sketched out on the Magna Doodle, it was begging pleas to go outside and sell items from the house to the neighbors, specifically to the Coles...thanks for contributing to Trevor's mission fund. The CEO and Executive VP ready for business. I had to talk Trevor down to 25 cents - he wanted to charge "55 cash" for a cup.

I thought I would appease his hunger for the almighty buck after I let him have the koolaid stand, but he was persistent in wanting to organize a fair. He had a plan, including what games and activities there would be, and who would work - Garrett refused to work the bounce house...Trevor got a taste of disgruntled employees.

Dad helped set up the bounce house and games before he went to work.

Party-goers arrived in costume, and Trevor was officially "in-charge". Trevor wanted to charge an entrance fee, and I didn't want to squash his entrepreneurial spirit, so each attendee was given a bag of money to spend...they earned tickets at the games for fabulous prizes.

He even hired Aunt Lori to work the snack bar.

He also had the idea to do a cookie decorating contest, in which he would vote for the best cookie. When I asked him if he thought that might hurt someone's feelings if their's wasn't the best, he said that he would tell everyone that their cookies look great, but that one was really great...so p.c.

...the cookies did not last long enough to be judged, however.

And, no Trevor party is complete without a dance party.

The fair went off without a hitch! Thanks to all of our friends who are able to help make it such a success!!

Balboa Island - End of OctoberI have to say that I have no complaints about it still being warm at the end of October...I love So Cal! The boys got to go to the Harvest Carnival with Aunt Lori and Cousin Jay, then spend the night on Balboa Island with Uncle Andy and Aunt Lori. We joined them for lunch and a bocce ball tourney, along with some of Lo's friends from the island. Garrett and Andy won, thanks to the 'creative refereeing' by Lori .
The Bocce Teams - we are a very competitive family.

Mommy, It's Halloweentime...

The 31st came quick - let's hurry and carve the pumpkins before it gets dark! Thanks grandma for helping!

We like to carve topless around here...I don't know why my boys ended up with no shirts.

Later that night...

Everyone got into character, including the naked Dora on the left.

Grandma stuck around for the Halloween festivities.

So glad the Startups joined the Emersons and Coles for what has become tradition...thanks for leaving the hills for the night! So fun!!

When the bag is draggin, it's time to call it a night.

Congrats on Beating Chaffey!

We feel at home on the bleachers at Citrus.

And now for some Christmas browsing...

September's Gone?

2008-10-06T21:07:00.000-07:00

Was it me, or did September FLY? We were crazy busy, but after yesterdays church conference talks, I have new resolve to "find joy in my journey"!

Trevor has been loving playing soccer!! He has scored a few goals, and has been getting pep talks from Coach Emerson! ; ) So proud of him!

Block Party!! Maren and I organized a block BBQ - it was a great chance to socialize with our wonderful neighbors!! We had a ton of food, and almost everyone from the cul-de-sac came!
The dudes manning the BBQ.
Thanks Aunt Lo for coming to Trev's game and babysitting Kami while we went to Kev's game!!
WE GOT A TRAMPOLINE!!!!...

AND WE"VE BEEN...
JUMPING FOR JOY EVER SINCE!!
...and sitting pretty.
Kami can hold her own with the other jumpers.

I love that as a domestic goddess I am so aware of my kids favorite foods - for the week that it is their favorite. It's one thing that a mom gets to know about her kids more than dad! The past few weeks Kamryn has gone bananas over...bananas. Her favorite sentence (of the few words she can say), is "I want nana", as she points to the fruit bowl.

I once asked my girlfriends, when Trevor and Garrett would only eat grapes, if giving them fruit all the time was bad, if that's all they want. They wisely told me that as long as what they're asking for is fruit, give it to them, becuase one day it will be a fight to get them to eat it...it's just a matter of dealing with yucky diapers! ; )

Trevor ran his first "race"!!

He had a jog-a-thon at school, and he was so excited to be running in a "race" like mom does.

Thanks to all my friends and family who sponsored him!! We love you guys!!

'Tis the Season

2008-09-26T20:18:00.000-07:00

It's the most wonderful time of the year!! Around here, we speak FSL - Football as Second Language. I can define, and use in a sentence (in football context) the following: "option", "screen pass", and "I-team". This time of year we have 'game film' almost constantly being reviewed, and I find little scraps of paper throughout the house wth x's and o's on them...and no, they aren't love letters! Football is not only a game to us, it is a paycheck. And, luckily, I 'heart' football.

I 'heart' that my husband gets to do something he is passionate about for a living. He, and his former team and fellow coaches, were recently honored during halftime at an APU football game. Ten years ago, as he began his career, he was the Offensive Coordinator at APU, and they won the National Championship, so they had a reunion and halftime presentation this year. Seeing the old team ten years later for this reunion brought back a lot of great memories!! Awww...we were just dating back then!!

Here he is waving to the crowd!!

The team...1o year reunion!

I also 'heart' cheering for my teams! I have highly sought after season tickets to Citrus College football games...I've got an in with the head coach! ; ) ...Go Fighting Owls!!...Kevin just loves that mascot!

I 'heart' my Purdue Boilermakers. I went to grad school there, and made some really close friends. When you are with 20 women every day, going through a full-time grad program together for 2 years, it's hard not to make close friendships! We went to many football games together, and had some really fun times!! I was lucky enough to get back to Indianapolis for my friend, Mandy's, wedding in August and reunite with several of those girls! When we get back together, it feels like it did 5 years ago!! I love those kind of friendships, where you pick up where you left off. They are so comfortable!

Purdue Speechies Reunion

Finally, I 'heart' UCLA. I loved going there, loved cheering for them at the Rose Bowl, so I was heartbroken when they lost so badly to BYU. During my period of mourning, the day after that game, I found this on my car window as I walked to my car after church:

At the risk of sounding sacreligious, I REALLY don't 'heart' BYU...they have some really crazy, Mormon fans. In fact, as evidenced above, one of them desecrated my car with this vile sticker...I'm not going to name names, but I have evidence that the perpetrator is a leader in my ward, his wife makes vinyl stickers, and his last name rhymes with "how". I drove home from church with my face shielded, hoping that someone wouldn't mistake me for a Cougar Fan. ; ) Long story, but they got a lot of mileage out of one little sticker.

As much as I don't heart the teams that beat mine, I do 'heart' college rivalries, and getting to watch the drama and excitment that this sport brings!! It makes this time of year fun for me, even though we miss seeing our husband and daddy!!

Sugar and Spice...heavy on the spice

2008-09-11T15:41:00.000-07:00

When we found out a girl would be the tail-end of our family, we envisioned a quiet, docile princess, who would bring peace and tranquility into our already busy, loud, boy-friendly home. However, this princess RUNS full speed everywhere she goes, and HATES being held. She is very loud, in a cute, girl way, of course. She loves climbing and chasing/being chased by her brothers...enter exhibit A... While running in the house, Kami fell on the hardwood floor, hit the banister, and got her first shiner...actually the hugest shiner of any of our kids so far. It was quite alarming to see a goose egg protrude like that from her head, and I was sure that brain matter was oozing from her skull. ICK. Kevin was even taken aback when he got home and insisted on holding her, even though the tears had long been dried. Birth order may contribute to her business...she does have 2 brothers to keep up with and defend herself against. That combined with her strong spirit, makes her one tough cookie!! She is fiesty...but soooo cute. Kevin and I still go peek at our 'peaceful' girl sleeping before we go to bed every night...so, she does have her quiet moments. ; )

Friends Forever

2008-09-05T15:17:00.000-07:00

Timaree Startup (5), Quincey Coles (4), Berlyn Startup (3), Presley Coles (2), Kamryn Emerson (1)...little girls all in a row. Plus Madison, then add a dash of testosterone.

The Startups were one of the very first, very friendly families who Kevin and I met when we first moved to Chino Hills, back when we were childless (was there ever a time when we had no kids?!...hard to remember!). Now the Starups have a million kids, and we have 3...ok, we give, you guys win! The Starups introduced us to the Coles, and the 3 families have grown up together ever since. We had 3 of the Startup girls at our house the other day, and got these great pics of the "buddies".

Busy Summer

2008-08-27T21:49:00.000-07:00

Ok...thanks for the pressure, Maren. I have reluctantly entered the world of blogging. Apparently it is THE thing to do in Eastvale. And I ALWAYS follow the crowd. I doubt that anyone will want to read/see so many details about me and my family except my mom, Kevin's mom, and my grandma...so this is for you Grandma, Nana, and Granny! ; )

After a very busy summer, we are finally settling back into a routine. One, or all, of us were on trips for 7 weekends straight! Very fun, but also exhausting. Places we went: Lake Havasu (x2), San Diego, Balboa Island, camping in San Elijo, Kevin went on his annual coaches' golf trip in San Diego, I went to my friend Mandy's wedding in Indianapolis, and I went to exotic Diamond Bar (in lieu of a flooded condo in San Clemente) for my Bunco trip. Phew!! But we did get great tans, Kev and I learned to surf, Trevor learned to swim, Garrett nearly drowned AGAIN, and Kami developed a strong, independent spirit. Overall we made many memories together as a family!!