hayride

Emma Jane had a ball at the Saluda River Club Fall Fest yesterday. She took her very first hayride (and it was a LONG one!). She enjoyed climbing all over the pumpkins again. I guess they do make perfect "seats" for her little tushy. This time last year I took Emma Jane on her first plane ride to see Paul in Columbia. She was only 3 months old. We took her to a pumpkin patch during our visit. I have included a picture so you can see what a difference a year makes!

just like daddy

Paul was mowing the lawn this morning while Emma Jane sat and watched intently from the playroom window. Yes, this was a very exciting thing for her to see since Paul hasn't had time to mow the lawn in quite awhile. For those of you who have spent a lot of time with Emma Jane, you know that she is not one to "sit intently" to do anything, but boy was she interested in watching her daddy! I got out the bubble blower mower that she got as a birthday gift (thanks Addie!) and took her outside to "mow the yard" right along with daddy. She loved it (and I'm pretty sure her daddy did, too!). Don't worry, the pictures with the real mower were staged, but she didn't know the difference!

another day of smiles

Emma Jane is full of smiles all day, everyday. Here are just a few I captured today.

birthday blessings

Yesterday was my 35th birthday. It was a wonderful day filled with family fun and lots of sweet cards and phone calls. This was my first birthday away from my family and friends in Panama City, but Paul and Emma Jane made sure I had a great day. We spent the afternoon at Congaree National Park. Emma Jane enjoyed walking down the boardwalk picking up leaves and either "giving" them to her mama or trying to eat them. We had a little "picnic" on a bench along the boardwalk. Emma Jane liked dipping her crackers in the homemade pimento cheese spread that Paul made. When we got home, Paul cooked a delicious dinner and baked cupcakes for me. Of course, Emma Jane devoured hers, but not before having fun sticking her finger in the hole left by the candle. After a day like this, who could help but feel very special (even though I was told by a dear friend that 35 is halfway to 70!).

our lil' pumpkin

Emma Jane met her friend Kaitlyn at the pumpkin patch this past weekend. I'm sure this will be the first of many pumpkin patch trips this month. Our lil' pumpkin loved checking out the BIG pumpkins and tried to climb them and use them as seats! She "accidently" broke a stem off a pumpkin (or two!) but she tried really hard to put the stems back on! It was a nice afternoon of family fun.

picnic chicks

The weather has been so nice that we decided to have a picnic with the girls this week. We met at Saluda River Club (thanks, Sara!) for playtime and lunch. Paul and Walker were even able to join us for a little while. Addie, Kaitlyn, Lily, and Emma Jane had a big time running in the grass chasing bubbles. These girls know how to have fun! My sweet friends also surprised me with an early birthday treat...Krispy Kreme donuts...yum! Emma Jane had her first taste of glazed paradise and couldn't get enough!

think pink

Emma Jane and I joined our friends for the First Ladies' Walk for Life today. It was a beautiful day and the walk took us along some of the scenic (and hilly!) streets of downtown Columbia. It was really cool to see how many people showed up to support a cause that is very important to our family and the families of countless others. I walked in honor of my special survivors...Grandma Walker, Mom, and Aunt Linda. Emma Jane was very proud to wear pink (including the handmade hairclip I made her!) and she was a trooper on the walk. She even got to meet Spiderman!

2 parks in 1 day

Emma Jane is one lucky girl. We usually go on two outings everyday. One in the morning and one in the late afternoon after her nap. Today we spent the morning in library class and then met our friends at Virginia Hylton Park. The girls love the slides and swings there. As you can see from one of the pictures, Emma Jane has already picked up one of her mama's bad habits....coffee! Don't worry, the cup was empty, but she was trying really hard to get at least a drop out. Later this afternoon we went to another walking park with Paul and Walker. Emma Jane only enjoys sitting in the stroller for a short time these days, so our walks always end with some run around playtime. Today we brought the ball!

movie magic

Okay, I don't think I've ever seen a movie that has gotten me THIS excited! Emma Jane loves her Baby Einstein movies. Since she was just 3 months old, she has giggled hysterically or stared in awe while watching her favorites. I took some pictures of her today as she watched "Neighborhood Animals" in our playroom. Even though she has seen it countless times, she never seems to tire of it. It's so much fun to watch her enjoy something so whole-heartedly.