Waterfront Park

Since the weather was so nice while visiting my dad we decided we should get outside and enjoy the sunshine.  We headed to the Waterfront Park in Silverdale, which was packed.  Silverdale has done quite a bit with the park and it looks amazing.  Emma played on the slide, the swing, and of course we headed down to the water.  She had lots of fun throwing rocks in the water.  We were very surprised at how warm it actually was down by the water and were wishing we had worn lighter clothing.  Even though it was a little warm it was nice to enjoy the sunshine with the family.

Point Defiance Zoo

While visiting my parents for my dad's 60th birthday my mom and step dad (Alex) took Emma and I to the Point Defiance Zoo.  This was Emma's second time at the zoo, however she seemed to enjoy it a little more since she was much older.  She had lots of fun in the kids zone at the zoo, especially going down the slide.  She also really liked the aquarium and watching all of the fish.  She was a little afraid of the huge sharks swimming by, but it still seemed to be one of her favorite attractions in the zoo.  Emma also really liked the sea otters.  We were lucky enough to watch them eat oysters.  I was amazed at how many oysters these critters can store on their belly's, while they chow down.  We had lots of fun and enjoyed a beautiful day with the grandparents. 

Emma viewing her first zoo animal of the day.  She was pretty excited!

Having fun on the slide.  I think she went down 3 or 4 times!

Emma saying "shh" (fish)!

Emma and Grandpa Alex

6 week old baby "itty" (kitty) as Emma put it.

She is not quite as tall as the baby polar bear!  We did not get to see the polar bears since they were hiding behind the rocks.  I was bummed since Emma's favorite stuffed toy is her polar bear.

She had so much fun at the zoo, but was ready to take a nap!

Happy Easter!

We started Easter off going to church and listening to an amazing sermon about God's love for us.  It was a great reminder of what happened so long ago on this very special day.  In celebration of the Easter holiday Kent and I hosted Easter dinner.  I cooked my very first ham ever and it turned out amazing.  It was extremely easy compared to cooking a turkey.  We had our friends Eric, Molly and Micah over along with Kylan, Kristen and their new little one Lainey!  Since we were unable to go home for Easter this year we were really excited to spend it with our friends.  God has definitely blessed our lives with such amazing friends. 

Happy Easter!!!

Admiring the beautiful Easter lilies!

Thank you Gramma 'K' and Grannpa Alex for the Easter basket! 
I love the Easter bunny!

Thank you Papa and Grandma 'G' for the Easter basket! 
The chalk is so much fun to color with since it is so messy!

Emma's new friend Lainey!  She has the cutest cheeks I have ever seen!

Since the Easter egg hunt at Kruegel Park was so large we thought it would be nice for Micah and Emma to have their own mini Easter egg hunt.  Emma definitely seemed to be more focused on finding eggs and putting them in her basket this time around.  I am sure it helped that there were not 100s of children around her. 

Getting ready for their second Easter egg hunt!

If I remember correctly this must go in here!

Catching her balance while she sets her sights on another egg!

I got it!

All done hunting eggs!

Emma's 1st Easter Egg Hunt

Last year Emma was too little to participate in an Easter egg hunt, so this year I was really excited that she was walking and ready to hunt for some eggs.  Kent and I took Emma to Kruegel Park for their annual Easter egg hunt.  I was not sure how it would go since there would be so many children at the park, but when we arrived the park was divided into sections based on the children's age.  I thought this would make things easier for Emma, however there are a lot of 1 year old children in Pullman.  There are even more 1 year old children with competitive parents in Pullman.  Kent and I were kind of shocked at how many parents and older siblings were grabbing eggs for their 1 year old.  Even though there were a lot of children Emma managed to pick up four eggs.  Emma picked up her first two eggs and was pretty content with carrying them around.  We finally convinced her to put the eggs in the basket.  At first Emma was not sure what to do, but she seemed to get the hang of it by her fourth egg. 

Getting warmed up for the Easter egg hunt!

Letting daddy know she is ready to go hunting!

OOOhhhhhh! How do I pick that one up when my hands are full?

I'll just put this one in here for later!

Checkin out the goodies inside her eggs!

Coloring Easter Eggs

Since Emma was so young last year Emma and I did not color Easter eggs, so I was really excited to try it this year with Emma.  I have always enjoyed coloring and decorating the eggs in different colors and designs and of course watching your 1 year old do it makes it even better.  Emma needed some guidance, but she seemed to enjoy watching the eggs drop into the different colors.  We colored a few eggs and Emma even designed her very own egg.  I look forward to many more years of coloring Easter eggs. 

Emma helping Mommy color her Easter egg!

Mommy let me do it!

Cheeeeesse!!!

Look at those colors!

Emma's first Easter egg!

Sunnyside Park

During one of our play dates with Molly and Micah we decided to take advantage of the nice weather and head to Sunnyside Park.  I did not have the stroller so, I was not sure how well Emma would do walking to the park.  On the way to the park Emma started off walking, but then fell and wanted to be held the rest of the way.  We stopped at the ponds to look for fish and birds.  The ducks spent most of the time hiding and were not very active.  We did get to watch a turtle sun bath on the log.  Not sure if Emma could really see it since it did not move at all.  After the pond we headed to visit the barn animals.  As soon as we approached the fence, the sheep immediately headed our direction.  Micah seemed a little hesitant when the sheep approached the fence, but Emma had no fear and wanted to touch the sheep.  Our last stop before heading back to the hosue was of course the playground.  I was not sure how Emma would feel about swinging since the last two times we have put her in a swing she has cried.  However, no tears! She was all smiles and giggles!  We even went on the slide.  My favorite part of our walk to the park was on the walk back Emma was very adament about doing what Micah was doing.  If he picked up a stick, she would pick up a stick.  If he wasn't holding his mommy's hand she wasn't holding her mommy's hand.  It was very cute to watch her follow him around.  Emma even walked the entire way back to the house from the park.  It is not a very long walk, however it is uphill at times.  I was very impressed at how well she did.  We look forward to our next adventure to the park!

On our way to the park Micah tried to help Emma keep up with him!

Our turtle friend sun bathing!



Visiting the farm animals!

All smiles on the swing!



One of my favorite pictures!  They are too cute together!

Friends

At her young age Emma does not have many friends yet, but she does have one very special friend that she absolutely loves.  I know if she could talk she would talk about her buddy Micah all the time.  When I mention his name she lights up with a huge smile.  Micah seems to like Emma too since I have been told he talks about "mema" quite a bit.  Micah and Emma seem to have fun together even though sometimes they take each other's toys or push each other down.  Emma has learned so much from Micah and I know she will miss him very much when they move. 

Lots of HUGS!!!! They also gave each other a kiss, but the camera missed it!

That's right, he is following her! (though usually she follows him)

Best Friends