August 25th, 2009

We had a surprise on our front porch this morning! My dear friend Amanda sent the girls an early birthday present! She got them the Rose Petal Cottage! They have had so much fun playing with it today. I had to force them to eat their lunch and take a bath. They didn't want to stop playing with the cottage! Thank you Auntie Amanda for the fabulous gift! We love it!

As soon as they got out of the bath they were right back in the cottage!

Emerson has taken ownership of the door!

Emerson kept taking her bitty baby and putting it outside the door. She would say, "Bye Bye, Baby!"

Stella has taken ownership of the stove!

Emerson mistreating her bitty baby some more!

Emerson left the door for a second to check out the stove. Stella ran to the door as fast as she could!

Stella checking out the door.

Cooking together.

Emerson was trying to find new ways to use the door.

Stella was cooking a spoon!

James had his first softball game last night. I tried to take the girls to a few games last year, but it was extremely difficult because they were so small and were barely crawling. It was so much easier this time around! The girls loved being able to play with their friends and run around. They also like harassing their daddy when he walks out to be the first base coach!

Brittni, Sharlla, and Dennis all came to the softball game to help out last night. This is Brittni and Sharlla messing with Emerson.

Emerson and Stella harassing James!

They would both yell, "DADDY!" when he would walk out onto the field!

Emerson being silly.

Stella watching the big girls.

Emerson looks like she is about to get into trouble!

Stella wore pigtails in her hair last night!

Brittni taking the girls away from the fence.

Watching the game.

August 24th, 2009

I know it has been a while since I have posted any pictures. We have been pretty busy the last few weeks. Here are all of the pictures that I haven't posted (In order from newest to oldest):

James went back to work this morning. His school started a week late because of an electrical fire. Brittni came over to help out with the girls. Stella was cuddling with her!

Uncle Al and Aunt Cindy came up for the weekend. They bought the girls Radio Flyer tricycles for their birthday! This is Mamaw Ruth helping Stella ride her new trike!

Aunt Cindy helping Stella!

Uncle Al helping Stella. Emerson didn't need help! (She thinks she is a big girl!)

The girls love their new trikes! Thanks Uncle Al and Aunt Cindy for the awesome gifts!

She may be a big girl, but she still needs her blanket!

Stell thought she was hot stuff!

They did really well on their big girls trikes. They are even getting the hang of pedaling...geniuses!

Brianne came home from Wyoming for a few weeks, and we got to spend some time with her. She (and Brittni) helped me out a lot when the girls first came home. We have missed her!

Brianne gave the girls their birthday presents early since she won't be here for their birthday. Thanks Bri!

We got the girls a "ball pit!"

They seem to be enjoying it!

We had physical therapy at Jump 4 Fun last week. Emerson loved the inflatables, but it took Stella a while to try them out.

Stella was clinging to the side for dear life!

Emerson had a blast!

We went to Indiana for a few days to visit with James' family and have an early birthday party for the girls. I didn't get many pictures during the party because the girls weren't in very good moods. This is the girls enjoying their cake.

They didn't quite get the hang of blowing out their candles, so we helped!

Emerson and Stella playing basketball with their daddy, cousin Matt, and cousin Michael.

The girls opening their gifts from Aunt Sarah, Uncle John, and cousin Ellie. We stayed with John, Sarah, and Ellie during our visit. They just bought a house, and we had a lot of fun with them!

While we were in Indiana, we were able to go back to Marion to visit with dear friends and family. I forgot to take pictures when we were with my friend Kim and her kids. This is Stella playing with her Great Aunt Pat. Pat and ODell took care of James and I when we lived in Marion. We miss them so much!

Great Uncle ODell playing with Emerson and Payne. The girls have only met Pat and ODell a few times, but they went right to them!

August 10th, 2009

Stella made a huge mess at lunch. We decided just to put them both in the bathtub, but Emerson didn't want to take a bath. She chose to sit on her potty and read a book while Stella took a bath.

Stella taking her bath. She has started putting food in her hair at mealtime.

More Emerson.

Stella loves to sit in the recliner by herself. She woke up with a runny nose this morning. We are hoping that it is just allergies.

August 4th, 2009

We spent the last few days in Branson. It was a great trip, and was very relaxing. Here are some pictures from our trip:

Emerson, James, Stella, and Papaw looking at snakes at Bass Pro Shops

Emerson and James chilling with the sweet little bear!

Papaw and Stella with the bear

Big girls!

Emerson, Mommy, Daddy, and Stella at The Landing in Branson.

Daddy and Emerson watching the fish

Papaw showing Stella the fish

The girls after swimming in the pool at our condo.

How cute is Stella?!

How cute is Emerson?!

Lounging

Silly Stella!

Crazy Emerson!

Stella calls sunglasses "EYES!"

Emerson has officially started asking her first question! She says, "Did you poopy?" She must hear that a lot!

July 27th, 2009

On Saturday night, the girls went to our church nursery, and stayed for the entire service! Taking them to the nursery has been a battle. They aren't used to being left with strangers and have had some attachment issues in the past. James and I had become extremely discouraged and had all but given up. To our surprise, they did very well this week. We are so proud of our big girls!

After church, we went into St. Louis to celebrate my Uncle Bart and Aunt Charlotte's 50th Anniversary! The girls enjoyed spending time with our extended family, and playing with Kent and Sue's dog, Velvet. Right before we left, Stella was being silly and fell off of a chair onto the patio. Her face hit the patio first, and she busted her lip and scraped up her nose. It could have been a lot worse. She is a tough kid!

Aunt Karen and Uncle Larry sent the girls some new toys and super cute clothes last week. The girls are wearing their outfits in the pictures below. Thanks Aunt Karen and Uncle Larry!

Nanny and Stella.

Stella and Velvet. Emerson actually enjoyed playing with Velvet more than Stella, but I didn't get any pictures of Emerson with Velvet. Velvet was very sweet and did very well with the girls.
Emerson sitting like a big girl! She looked so cute in her new outfit!
Stella was also trying to sit like a big girl in her new outfit. This picture was taken seconds before she fell. It broke my heart.

Stella's first busted lip. I think Mamaw Ruth might have been more upset than Stella.