Emmy's 9th birthday--12/19/09

Hi everyone--

We had a terrific day today!! We woke up in time to celebrate Emmy's birthday minute (7:59 a.m.), enjoyed hot cinnamon rolls, and praised God that the snow was pretty but not enough to damper plans for our big carnival party :) Twenty-two kids came to the rec center for the carnival party, complete with face-painting (courtesy of Chelsea Meagan), a festive popcorn machine, and lot of fun games and candy.

After the party, we went to Walmart so that Emmy could get her nine year old pictures. (Thanks, Shelly, for another great job!!!) We then popped over to the mall for a sister picture with Santa, and, once again, Ellie-Kate was VERY taken with the jolly old elf :) She even went back for extra high fives and a single picture with him (see below). We then went to Court Street Diner for Emmy's birthday dinner and then home for opening presents. MUCH fun!!!

After a busy week (with Emmy's school and scout parties, Chelsea's symphonic choir tour and friend parties, and Britti's return from Ireland), we're beat, but we're excited about tomorrow. At church tomorrow, I am going to co-narrate the Christmas program in the morning, and Chelsea will take over with the kid's drama group as they perform during Children's Church. (I have been directing them.) The kids will also perform their play again on Sunday evening, and, fortunately, I'll get to see it then :)

After the hustle and bustle of the past few weeks, we're more than ready for some relaxation and family fun in the coming week. We're all ready to put in the videos, heat up the stove for the annual cookie factory, and play Christmas in a Box (a Christmas version of Monopoly). We hope that all of our blog readers enjoy a super pre-Christmas week as well, and we'll post more pictures as we get them (including Emmy's ninth birthday pics from Walmart). In the meantime, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!!!

More soon--

Christie