Emma turns 8

Emma and her cake

John, balancing a book on his head for one of the party games

at the party...

opening presents on her "royal throne"

Emma decided that she wanted to have a tea party for her 8th birthday. Our grandparents were away, so we hosted the tea party at their house in town. Emma invited some friends and family members (yes, John and Paul did participate in the party) and we put up streamers and set the table with tea cups. Emma had a good time and is such a joy to the family!

November Days

almost walking...

Are you from Outer Space?

watching TV at age 7 months

Emma has really been enjoying her piano lessons.

Dad recently bought a new 8-passenger van to replace our 7-passenger mini van. It is very big, and there is enough trunk space to put another 4-person row of seats in! We are all enjoying our new car that can finally fit us all!! :)

Canning Pickles

Mom ordered a large box of pickling cucumbers last week and we set to work canning them. We washed them, sliced them, put together a sauce and then Mom arranged them in some jars. We made both sweet and dill pickles. Mom has made sweet pickles before, but this is our first try at dill ones. We haven't ate any yet (they are supposed to sit on the shelf for a couple months!) but we are looking forward to tasting our pickles!