Baby's 1st December!

The first day of December brought with it Emma's first snow! It was one of those beautiful snowfalls with large snowflakes.  Emma was intrigued by the snow but unfortunately it cleared up quickly and we have not seen any since.  

New to Boston this year is a fascinating light show set to music at Faneuil Hall.  When we had a nice evening Emma and I grabbed Patrick from his office and strolled over for the show and some dinner.  Emma was mesmerized by the lights! 

Kimberly and Chad had Suzanne, Dave, and us over for a holiday get together.  

Grace was a little upset- Emma and William were quick to consul! 

Emma didn't get the pj memo. 

Another fun night was the Beacon Hill Holiday Stroll where they shut down Charles Street for buggy rides, caroling, and late night shopping.  Santa was available for pictures.  Emma was not having any of it on Santa's lap and we got the classic screaming infant on Santa's lap picture :(  I suppose every baby book needs one! 

After seeing Santa we went to Suzanne and Dave's frame shop on Charles Street so we wouldn't miss any of the action.  

The horns were lovely!

We ended the night by watching the lighting of the Beacon Hill tree. 

Emma and Grace also braved a very cold night and watched a tree lighting in the Boston Common.  We've been certainly getting in the holiday spirit!

A Thankful Thanksgiving!

This Thanksgiving was (no surprise) extra special this year.  Patrick and I are immensely thankful for our daughter!  I think we pinch ourselves every day that she is really ours :)  

But for this blog post Emma wanted to share some of the things she is thankful for!  Please note, these are not in order of importance!!!

Thankful for special occasions to wear party dresses! 

Thankful for Sophie and wooden caterpillars to chew on, shakers to shake, and books to read!

Thankful for family! Including aunts, uncles, and cousins!

And Grandparents, of course!!!

Thankful for food!  Mmmm, turkey!

Thankful for family meals!

Thankful for Great-Grandmas!  

I love trips to Jefferson!

Thankful for playtime!

Thankful for days my dad gets to stay home from work and play with me!

Thankful for girl cousins to be girly with!

These three could be trouble!!

Thankful for friends! 

It was so nice to meet Laura Wilson in person! Her choice of Halloween costumes sets the bar very high for years to come!

Thankful for meeting new baby friends! 

Here is Loic Wandling (Chip Wandling's son) who is two months younger than Emma.  

Can you see baby Chip and baby Patrick?! 

Thankful for animals! 

This deer came right up to a basement window at the Finns.  What a brave deer!

Grandma and Papa Swanson dog sat for Uncle Rob and Aunt Jessica's Boxer named Buddy for the weekend.  I really love dogs so much and Buddy was so good to me!  He has grown up with my cousins Reagan and Simone so he didn't seem phased by me or my size at all! I loved watching his tricks- he can sit, shake, lay down, roll over, and play dead!  

Thankful for good weather!

Any day I can play outside on the swings and take long walks is a great day in my book!

Thankful for beautiful Iowa!

Need I say more?!

Thankful for trying new restaurants!  

I went to the Cafe for breakfast (twice!) and Hickory Park for dinner.  I must say Hickory Park makes some mean BBQ pork ribs and cinnamon applesauce.  I cannot wait till I am old enough to make some awkward moments for my parents in this spot below! 

Thankful for good teeth!  

I've been taking care of my two sparkly teeth and love using them to eat! But my daddy needed a filling so we went to see Uncle Rob.  My dad was a bit dramatic about the procedure if you ask me :)

Thankful for fun finds! 

My mom and I stayed an extra day longer than my dad and I helped my mom do a little cleaning in her childhood room.  We found some fun treasures that I am going to love playing with when I am older!  Doesn't this hat just scream Emma?!