Week 49- Birthday Weekend

The hectic, yet looked forward to, tradition filled days of the Christmas season seemed to fill our calendar quite rapidly this year. Although we had many fun ideas and potential party plans for Miss Em's second birthday, this is what we decided on for this year:

A family retreat to Salt Lake City!

Complete with a visit to SLC LDS Temple Square Christmas Lights,

The great quality of pics you get from asking some random passerby to snap your photo with the temple and lights in the background...

a walk around City Creek; window shopping and enjoying holiday decor and fountains,

The fountains were a hit! And the adorable candy penguin ornament was our favorite.

out to eat, and swimming at our hotel,

a family movie night when we got home, and just lots and lots of attention and lovin' on our sweet Emelia. We can tell how much she loves family time when she smiles up at each of us and says, "Mommy, daddy, Emi!" Usually followed by hugs. I don't think she (or we) could have asked for a better birthday weekend celebration! Even if it was a couple of weeks early.

When we got home, we surprised her with her birthday gift all set up in her room. Dad made sure many of her 'friends' were there to greet her and join in on the surprise ;).

She's pretty in love with her rock-a-bye!

Happy Birthday our Emelia Noelle. How we love you!

Week 32- A Camping Reunion Birthday

The Long Reunion fell the same weekend as my birthday this year.

I've been wanting to give camping a shot with Em all summer, so this became the perfect opportunity.

Happy camping birthday morning. Em was a rockstar and was completely in her element, but of course we woke up early :).

My mom and her sisters filled the day with activities of course. It was fun to catch up with cousins and watch Em explore new terrain.

 Some of the photo booth results. You can tell my mom and her sisters spend a little bit of time together.

Can you didgeridoo? (I can't.)

A nice, cool (albeit ghetto) place for an afternoon nap.

Enjoyable, overcast hike to Bridal Veil Falls:

The kids all loved feeding the fish at the foot of the falls. Have I mentioned recently that Emelia is OBSESSED with Aunt KiKi? Well, this trip sealed the deal.

A typical group shot...we couldn't find our whole group and we still don't all fit, not everyone is smiling/looking/etc.

Thank you mom and dad for snagging a birthday cake for me :). I tried to teach Em how to help me blow out the candles...although she is an excellent "blower" she wasn't so sure about blowing out fire.

My friend had a cute idea to think of 27 things she wanted to accomplish while she was 27..so I'm stealing it. Haven't thought of them all, but I'm excited to get to work.

A Tony's Grove Birthday

A Tony's Grove Birthday.

The perfect get away.

{Jenni & Kaleena pretending they're at a mermaid lagoon}

{Sky helping Summer and me turn a 30 minute hike into a 2 hour hike.}

{butterflies just never get old!}

{LOVE the vibrant colors! I think that's probably what color I would be if I were a bug.}

{this little guy is helping pollinate so that the next couple pictures were possible}

{such a cool plant! wish I knew what kind of flowers these were!}

{the indian paint brush was one of my favorites}

{it was seriously breathtaking! what a great time of year to head up to Tony's Grove in Logan canyon!}

{I seriously just couldn't get enough of the wildflowers! it was endless}

{"You belong, among the wild flowers..." --Tom Petty. Yes, yes we do.}

{thanks for the thoughtful birthday treats sisters!! Jenni made one of my absolute FAVES, peanut butter bars. And Summer out-did herself with a turbo log birthday cake!! :) Don't worry this is the second time I've had a turbo log to celebrate my birthday. This one probably had a little less meat poisoning than the one in Guatemala though.....

For those of you who aren't familiar "turbo log" is the term my family uses when referring to "no-bake cookies" I'll let you use your imagination.}

{Silly sisters and niece laughing about turbo cake #2}

{who wouldn't love these faces? So glad you guys could join us!!}

{I wanted to make my own birthday dinner dutch oven style, Jen was a great assistant. Dinner turned out quite delish if I do say so myself.}

{Couper had a blast using his "man ax." So glad you were able to keep our fire going ALL day long coup!}

Thanks to all who helped me have a very special birthday!