Quilt

A very close family friend made quilts out of my dad's clothes for my mom, Emily and I. We absolutely love them. Emily and my mom sleep with their's every night. Emily's reaction to when she got the quilt, "I get to hug papa every night and he gets to hug me." I love that girl!

Weekend Getaway

With both Greg and I going in a hundred different directions with work, Greg opening up his own deli, working on the new house, etc, we decided that we needed a weekend away with the kids before our lives become ever more hectic next month. So, after talking with my GM about taking the weekend off after working almost 40 hours in 3 days over New Year's weekend, he gave me the weekend off with a mutual understanding that I was still on call and could log in remotely if need be. I got off of work at 11 on Friday, picked up Emmy from schoo, swung by and got Greg (who had just gotten off of work at 8 that morning), snagged his kids out of school early and off we went for a fun filled weekend. We stayed at his mom and step dads house in Neskowin Friday night and let the kids run wild! Greg and I both were exhausted and were both running on about 3 hours of sleep and retired early! The next morning we got up and off to Portland we went to explore OMSI. We managed to go on the submarine tour (which was so much fun...if you have the opportunity to go, you need to!) and toured the exhibits. After OMSI, we were Vancouver bound! There, we stayed at his mom and step dad's condo (took total advantage of them being in Hawaii and having total access to both places...with their approval of course!) Greg, Liam and I watched movies all night downstairs while Emily, Fiona and Quinn watched movies and played upstairs.
The next morning, we cleaned up the condo and ventured back to Portland to hit up the famous Voodoo Doughnuts. I have heard they had amazing doughnuts...quite honestly, I thought that they sounded disgusting! VERY happy that I gave them a try. Probably the best doughnut I have ever had!
By this time, the kids are all exhausted and ready to go home...and I must say, I was pretty worn out too. Keeping up with 4 kids is A LOT of work! Took the kids back to their mom's and then headed to Greg's place. We both collapsed! It was a great weekend. Always so much fun to get all of the kids together and worth every moment of insanity!!

HAIRCUT!!!

Yup, I did...I got her hair cut...and I had them cut 16.5 inches!!! It has been on ongoing debate with myself...should I or shouldn't I! The straw that broke the camels back...when I spent over an hour one night brushing out a HUGE knot in her hair from the previous night when she went to bed without having her hair in a ponytail. I was done!! Yes, she had beautiful long blond hair and EVERYONE fell in love with it...however, they are not the ones who has to spend a minimum of 10 minutes on it every day (and that's a good day!) Her uncle still won't talk to me over cutting her hair, but I am sure he will get over it.
We donated her hair to Locks of Love. Emily was not wanting her hair cut at all. As soon as I explained that her beautiful hair would go to someone who was really sick and couldn't grow hair, she settled down quite a bit. And then as soon as they cut her hair and she realized how much better her head felt, she was excited. The next morning when she brushed it and realized how much easier it was to brush, she was THRILLED!! Needless to say, it worked out best in the end :)

Introducing Greg

It has been a relationship in the works, but I guess I should finally write about it! We started dating back in October, but have been official since November. I had honestly given up on relationships and had settled into the idea of just being single and raising Emily. And then Greg came along. Neither one of us saw it coming! We met in June and it just slowly developed...with a lot of resistance from me! He is such a blessing to have in my life. He adores Emily and treats her as one of his own children, which he has 3 amazing children. I am anxious to see where this goes, but enjoying very moment we have together.
These pictures were taken a few weeks ago. Emily and Greg had such a great time together.

Play Day

In the process of having to move at the very last minute a few weekends ago, we had a fun play date with some good friends. Emily had a blast! We went to the pool, had the kids watch the new music video by Toby Keith-Red Solo Cup...(awesome song btw!) and even had a Craps tournament for the kids! Good times!

Day at the Beach

Just a couple of pictures I captured of Emily at the beach the other day. It was beautiful out and I wanted to take advantage of it...who knows when the sun will be out again!

Chicken Pox

Recently discovered that just because you get your child immunized, it does not protect them from the things in which you got them immunizations for! Last week, I noticed a few red spots on Emily. I was thinking she was getting bit by something. Saturday morning last week she woke up COVERED it red spots and itching. SERIOUSLY?! She got to hang out at home all week, but finally was all healed and went back to school yesterday. Poor kid. Had her loaded with Benedryl and Calomine lotion. Luckily it wasn't a bad case.