"How did I grow so fast?"

Today was Emmy's first day of school....and she loved it!! Josh and I knew she was ready for Pre-K, but still, it's all day, every day, and at the elementary school!! Ahhhh!!! How is our baby going to school already?!?! Last night as we were walking home from "Meet the Teacher" night, she looked back at me said, "How did I grow so fast?!" I laughed and then stopped right there on the sidewalk and just hugged her and said, "I don't know hunny, but you sure have!" I couldn't help it, but my tears had officially begun! And then they came again before bed as we read the book her teacher had given her, "The Night Before Preschool" But thankfully this morning as we walked out the door, the Kemerly's happened to be walking by on their way to school too. Emmy was so excited to walk with Ashlynne and can you believe they even had the same outfit on?! Just their shirts were different colors, but the same skirt!! Haha, they looked adorable. Being the first day, we got to walk Emmy all the way to her class. She was such a big girl as she told Luke she loved him, gave me a kiss and sat down in the seat marked especially for her. I was so glad to have Gabbi to walk home with, or I know I would've bawled the whole way! And when Luke and I anxiously met her after school, she ran in to my arms and yelled, "Mommy, I had the best first day of school ever!!!" I was so proud and of course started crying again!! Emmy Jane, Daddy and I are so proud of you as you begin this new chapter in your life, we love you sweet girl and will always remember this special day!!

Emmy right after school today!!! Yay for a GREAT first day!!!!!

Daddy and his girl :)

Can you see how red my face was? Josh and I both were trying to hide our tears!

For the first time ever in his life, Luke didn't want to eat his breakfast this morning...almost like he knew something was going on!!!

Ready for her first big day!

So stinkin' cute, and we totally didn't plan it!

Could her smile be any bigger?? So precious!!

Happy Birthday Papa!!

Over the weekend we got to surprise my dad for his birthday. It was GREAT to see how surprised he was and to see how excited Emmy was to pull off the surprise! By the way, the necklace my dad is wearing in the picture was made especially for him by Emmy :) Happy Birthday Papa, we love you!!!

Grandma Baker

Today we said goodbye to Grandma Baker. She went to be with the Lord on Aug 1, at 96 years of age. Josh did a wonderful job honoring his grandma at her funeral. The speech he gave was simply beautiful, we were all so proud. And Grandma would've been too :)

Below is a picture taken of Josh, Emmy, Sue and Grandma on her 92nd birthday and then a few family pics from today.

June 2013, Emmy was 8 months old

The Baker Clan :)

Strange Summer :)

This summer has gone so fast and has been so much fun!! It's hard to believe that in just 2 short weeks Josh (and now Emmy!) will start school. But we have been able to do so much! Here are some of the fun things we were up to this summer!

-Day trip to New Buffalo, Michigan with Grace, Mary and the Atkinson family to play at the beach and eat cheeseburgers at Redamaks, yum!

-My cousin Melody's wedding in Minneapolis, and getting to vist w/ family we rarely get to see

-Celebrating Josh's 40th birthday on our 1st trip to Wisconsin Dells with the Kemerley family

-Play dates with Ashlynne and swimming in their pool

-Sleepovers with Colt at Grammy & Gramps' house

-Having a special "date day" with Emmy where just the three of us went to lunch and then out to a movie

-Visiting Papa & Grandma at the farm   

-Weekends at the Lake fishing, tubing, etc

-Numerous trips to the park, zoo, children's museum, and splash pad

-Outside fun in the backyard/neighborhood, running in the sprinkler, playing in the playhouse, swinging on the swingset, riding bikes and going for walks

And last but not least, the days Emmy & Luke got to spend with Daddy while I was at work, playing dress up in the playroom, going to ice cream plus for a treat and just spending time together.....priceless. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haha, can you tell how impossible it was to get all 6 of the kids to look?

 

 

 

Emmy absolutely loves water slides so she couldn't wait to try all the ones she was tall enough for (even the scary ones!) Josh and I were so proud of her!!

  

  

  

  

  

Luke's 1 yr check-up

We had Luke's 1yr check-up with the Dr this week and our sweet boy is doing great! He's been following along the same growth curve since he was born and is still above the 90% mark in almost every category! Here are his stats and a few fun things he's been up too (or should I say IN too!) this past month. ;)

Weight: 24 lbs 6.4 oz---88%
Height: 31.5 inches---94%
Head circumference: 49 cm--->95%

Teeth: 8!! 4 top front & 4 bottom front
Favorite foods: steak(he loves it!) strawberries, cheese, peas....but we honestly haven't found anything yet this boy doesn't like!
Crawling/Walking: He took his 1st steps not long after his birthday, right into Josh's arms :) but he still prefers crawling (fast) everywhere. He thinks he's pretty big stuff that he can go up the stairs now! And Big Sis is always watching to make sure he's safe. She's such a big helper and so proud of her little brother!
Talking: Just a few words but mainly sounds like Ma, Da, Ba, and even one that sounds like Em :) He also loves shaking his head no and when he's caught doing something he shouldn't be he gets the most mischievous grin and says Uh uh uh, (which translates to no no no) such a little stinker, haha!
Favorite toys: his big tractor, fire truck, Little People barn and zoo, any type of ball he can throw or chase, and anything he can stand behind and push, like our kitchen chairs :) He also loves the soother in his crib, every night he falls asleep to its lights and music and in the morning he wakes up and pushes its buttons right away.
Personality: Luke is definitely all boy and in to everything, all the time. He loves to play and to "attack" you when we get on the floor with him. He adores Emmy and gets so excited when Josh gets home. He loves to watch Josh mow and will sit or stand at the back door and wave at him until he sees him. He has the most infectious laugh and eyes that dance when he smiles....just like his daddy. And he loves his mommy....and I love you too my sweet boy. ❤

Luke's 1 yr pictures

Just like we did for Emmy when she turned 1, we had Shannon take pictures of Luke and our now family of four. And once again, Shannon has captured our family so perfectly! These pics are some of our absolute favorites....