Visiting Nana B.

 We went to see Nana B. and Granny Gayle while we were down South.  We noticed Daniel was awfully quiet.  We discovered him sound asleep in Nana B.'s bed!

Visiting Nana B.- November 29, 2013

We went to visit Nana B. and Gayle the day after Thanksgiving.  We had a lovely time, and Nana B. really enjoyed the scrapbook we made her of her 100th birthday party!

Nana B.'s 100th Birthday- June 23, 2013

After months of careful planning and prep work, we ended up scrapping Nana B.'s big 100th birthday bash because she had just gotten out of the hospital, and Gayle and Charles were both really sick (they were bringing Nana B. up to North Carolina for the party).  Since Nana B. couldn't come to the party, we brought the party to her!  Yes . . . Debbie, Scott, TJ, Julia, Greg, Kristen, Sarah, Emily, and Daniel all went to her apartment with cake, presents, and even balloons!  We had a great time seeing her on her actual birthday!

Emily & Aunt Debbie

Sarah made Nana B. a beautiful hat

Daniel

Nana B. loved her gifts, but our visit was her favorite part of the day

We have a series of pictures of Daniel in this chair at various ages

November 23, 2012

We had a busy day after Thanksgiving.  Greg and Sarah went to visit Nana B. and Granny Gayle, while the rest of us went to help with the rehearsal dinner for Bradley's wedding!

Sarah & Nana B.

Granny Gayle

At the rehearsal dinner, we had lots and lots of oysters.  There was other food, but really, why?

Nana B. & Granny Gayle- August 17, 2012

Debbie, Julia, Sarah, Emily, Daniel and I went to visit Nana B. and Granny Gayle.  Nana also came up, and the girls went home with Nana for a few days, while Daniel and I went back to Debbie's.  While we were there, the kids put on a great VBS concert for Nana B.

Daniel took a little nap on the floor.

Emily & Nana B.

Sarah, Nana B., Emily & Julia

Julia, Sarah, Granny Gayle & Emily

Nana & Nana B. visit while Daniel snoozes/

Nana B., Sarah, Daniel & Emily

Nana and Daniel snuggle.

VBS concert!

Christmas Eve- December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas!

Columbia
We had a fun-filled Christmas Eve with family from all over the Eastern coast!  Our day started bright and early as we loaded up in our new car for our first road trip.  We headed to Columbia to see Granny Gayle, Grandpa Charles, and Nana B.  While we were there, we exchanged Christmas presents and had pizza. 

Sarah, Daniel, Nana B., Emily & Fritz

Children's Mass
We left Columbia shortly after lunch so we could be home in time for the girls to sing at the Children's Mass.  They also played the piano during Communion.  Emily played "Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella."  Sarah played "O, Holy Night."

Aunt Kathe's House
After Mass, we headed to Aunt Kathe's house to eat lasagna and exchange presents.  Adam and Chuck were down from Delaware, and we had a great time getting to know Chuck.  Adam and Andrea raced to find the pickle, and even after a do-over, Adam was the winner!

Chuck and Daniel

Adam and Daniel

Home Again
After a fun day out and about, we came home to put Baby Jesus in the Manger, put out cookies for Santa (and candy corn out for his reindeer), hang stockings, and watch It's a Wonderful Life.

Nana B., Granny Gayle & Grandpa Charles- May 30, 2010

We headed to see Nana B., Granny Gayle and Grandpa Charles on Sunday, May 30th.  We celebrated Greg's birthday with a delicious ice cream cake!

Happy Birthday, Emily!- December 23, 2009

Emily was eager to wake up on her birthday because she had been waiting forever for one of her birthday presents . . . Julie! Aunt Debbie & Uncle Scott had given Sarah an American Girl doll for her birthday, and they told Emily she could have one for her birthday, too. Emily spent months deciding which doll she wanted. She had a few in mind, but in the end, she went with Julie, a child of the carefree 70s. When it arrived in the mail, I hid it, so she didn't know that she would get it on her actual birthday, but she did! Nana gave her several outfits, so Julie was well-stocked moments after being opened!

This year, Emily finally began to appreciate the yearly letters from Aunt Chris. When she was born, Auntie penned "Advice to the Second Born." Then, each year on her birthday, Emily gets a new letter to add to her notebook. This year, a few weeks after her birthday, she asked where the notebook was, and sat and read each letter. She dashed off to write Aunt Chris back. I'm glad she sees them for the treasures they are!

Sadly, it was not all fun & games for the Emmer's big day. On your birthday at Camp Bowden, you get to pick where we celebrate your birthday dinner. Emily wanted to go to Outback to celebrate. We made plans to go see Nana B, and then we were going to meet Granny Gayle for dinner at Outback since Grandpa had to work. Well, when we arrived at Nana B's house, she showed us a very swollen and bruised forearm. We immediately took her to the emergency room, where Emily celebrated her birthday dinner with a vending machine hamburger! She was a trooper, knowing that Nana B needed to be taken care of first and foremost. In the end, we discovered Nana B had broken a tendon in her arm. It was very painful for her, but she is on the mend! We are just glad we were there to help out!

A few days later, we celebrated at Outback closer to home with Nana and Andrea!

Daniel's Party- November 29, 2009

We had a fun day with family and friends to celebrate Daniel's first birthday. Greg drove to Columbia to pick up Nana B. and Gayle for the day so they could be with us, too. Sarah and Nana B. had a great time catching up.


Daniel and Uncle Jeff always have a good time. Daniel's favorite game involves stealing Uncle Jeff's hat! Kathe and Andrea celebrated with us, as well.




Debbie, Scott, Sean, Travis, Trenton & Julia were here from North Carolina. Sadly, Uncle Scott didn't feel well, so he and his germs stayed at the hotel under the care of Sean and Travis!



Daniel had a great time opening presents!







His favorite thing was the Backyardigans birthday card from Lincoln. He still carries the pieces around! He loved it so much it fell apart on him.




After the presents, we sang "Happy Birthday" and gave Daniel his cake. After a few bites, he decided he loved it!









After mashing all that cake, he grew tired, so Nana helped him out a bit!







Daniel is so blessed to have so many family and friends to wish him a happy first birthday!