Note to Self

Next time we decide to go to the Perrine-Coulee Waterfall, remember that it is harder to hike up these rocks:
Then walk straight across this nice little path to the waterfall:

Although the harder hike to the bottom of the waterfall was beautiful-



You can get good pictures and have a good view at the top, too!

Remember those graham crackers Emma loves?

Wednesday morning Emma was gnawing on a graham cracker and let out a scream. It took me a few minutes to settle her down and I wasn't sure what was wrong with her. I assumed she had just bitten down wrong on her sensitive gums where her bottom two teeth are coming in. I was surprised when I put my finger in her mouth to feel her gums and she bit me with her first tooth! It is the bottom left one, which she has only been working on for about a week. The right one has been coming in for 3 months, but we haven't seen it yet. Who knew that a cracker was all we needed to do the trick?

Happy Half-Birthday, Emma!

Today is Emma's "half-birthday"! I can't believe she is already 6 months old! We celebrated with a check-up and her first graham cracker. Emma is now 27 inches tall and 14.5 lbs. Still in the 90th percentile for height and 25th percentile for weight. The Dr. said she is healthy and doing well. Oh, and she LOVED her graham cracker! We love you, baby girl! Thanks for being so patient with us while we figure out this whole parenting thing!

Wonder Bread

I got a recipe for "Wonder Bread" at Enrichment a few weeks ago. It turned out pretty well! Delicious!
(See recipe here)

Manicures

I hate using clippers, so I just file Emma's fingernails. Then I usually put baby lotion on her. We always laugh because she just relaxes and seems to enjoy her "manicure". Lately, though, she likes to particpate. All I am doing in this picture is helping steady her hand a little bit, she moves it back and forth.

Eww.

This morning as I was walking across my front yard in flip flops, I stepped on this little guy. Not a big fan.

Steps in the Right Direction

Yesterday Emma figured out how to move FORWARD in her walker. See that focus? She is going places now!

Back to School Shopping

No, I'm not going back to school... but luckily Kelsi is so my mom and I still have an excuse for all of us to get together and go shopping! We have done this every fall since I can remember and always have fun. Today was Emma's first experience "back to school shopping" and she was a trooper! Here is a picture we took while she was trying on some accessories.

Lately

It seems like this summer has been crazy and we have been staying pretty busy, especially the last little while. We have been doing so much and have enjoyed our share of BBQs, sun, playing in the water and hanging out with family. Here is a quick recap of some of the most recent, bigger things:

Emma's Swimming Lessons. Two weeks of swimming lessons and Emma is floating on her back like a pro(I do have my hand under her back, but she does completely relax) and she doesn't mind me submerging her completely underwater. We didn't ever have tears, so I would call that a success!
Callister Reunion. I haven't been for several years, and it was fun to go! Floated the Groveland Rapids(haven't been down those since I broke my nose and got two black eyes there about 10 years ago), played a couple of intense games of volleyball, ate lots of good food, caught up with lots of family, and finished up the night with the tradition of great music and fun line dancing!
Got a piano! My friend Chantelle and her family were very generous and let us have their piano because they weren't using it anymore. We are loving it and feel like our house is now a home.


Jared's 10 Year Class Reunion. It was fun to meet some of the people Jared went to school with and see them all interact with each other. It was like I got a little taste of what Jared was like as a teenager. :)
Running, running, running! Our race is coming quickly, so Jared and I have both been training as much as possible. I go early in the mornings and Jared goes in the late evenings. Yesterday I did 10 miles and Jared did 18! I can't believe he can run that far! It is amazing!
Walking(in a walker). My parents were nice enough to loan us their walker and Emma loves being so independent and is getting it figured out. Right now she just goes backwards in it.
Growing like a weed. Emma won't stop growing! I have packed up all the newborn/3 month/lots of 6 month stuff & it was kind of sad! She has discovered that she can make noises- loud ones and squeaky ones. She now notices different textures and loves experiencing them. I love watching her face light up when she discovers something new.

Forgot to post these pictures!

My friend Mandy took some pictures of Emma the other day when we got together to do crafts with some friends. This was an impromptu photo shoot that turned out very cute! Don't mind me, we had just gotten done swimming and I was not planning on pictures! : )