Houston!

Em and I took a quick trip to Houston to visit my sister and her family before they moved to Saudi Arabia. We flew down on a Monday and came back that Thursday. It was a whirlwind trip but it was great to see Ang, her husband Mike, my step-mother Karyn, and to finally meet my two nephews.

Houston was HOT. Houston was HUMID. Houston had very few coffee shops. Houston was everything I pictured Texas to be like. I'm glad I don't live in Houston.

Em and her two cousins; Owen and Carter

Ang, Owen, Me and Em. Look at Em's face. I think it says, "Houston is for the birds!"

Em and Owen hugging Steiger the coolest boston terrier I've ever met. I had hopes that he would come stay with us if Ang couldn't get him into S.A. but Karyn took him back with her to VA. I'm just glad he's got a good home. Trying to get all three kids to pose is nearly impossible. Here's a "decent" shot.

Owen and Em.

Em and Owen are almost 2 months apart and got along fabulously! Carter giving Em the stare down. I don't know what it is, but every time I look at this picture I laugh hysterically. To me it says "the meeting of the minds".

Swimming in September is unheard of in Seattle.

Not in Houston.

Ang and Owen showed Em the ways of the splash pad. Em's first experience with cheetos.

Three ducks tucked in for the night.

This look says it all. Carter was enamoured with Em the entire trip. It was very endearing.
Em in all her cheesy glory.

Taking a break couch shopping.

A rare quiet moment with Karyn. Em loves having an Aunt that is just as girly as she is.

(hence the giant flower)

Kalaloch 2010

For Labor Day we packed up the Blazer and U Haul trailer for our annual trip to Kalaloch. The weather was absolutely amazing this year and the rain held off until the day we left. This year there was a kid explosion . . .there were at least 10 small ones and 9 different families. Em was a real trooper and continued with her "go with the flow" attitude. She's absolutely amazing.

Blog. . . .

I've been away so long that the task of getting restarted is rather daunting. There is so much that has happened in this last month that I don't even know where to start. This post is to get me motivated to jump back on the blogging wagon. . . . here are a few major Emma milestones over the past month:

Em potty trained herself. We're diaper free, except for sleeping.

Em is speaking in full complex sentences and has mastered the use of the word "mine".

Em now understands that running involves more than just pumping your arms and yelling "go, go, go!"

Em has shown that "hop" and "jump" no longer mean "fall on your butt and giggle". I think she's actually left the ground once or twice.

Em loves her Airplane book and makes me read it over and over and over again.

Em now informs me when she's ready for bed. I usually hear "Emmy sleepy time," as she's walking to her crib.