EMBRIE

Embrie Hila Callahan turned 2 on February 5th 2011.

The older kids get the more they blossom into who they are. Their personalities and talents take a little bit more shape as time goes on. It is so fun to watch them grow.

I call Embrie my little turkey, but she could also be referred to as a ham.

1

Anytime there is music playing you'll be sure to catch her bouncing around. She has also taught herself a pretty good twirl, although no dress is required.

2

If there is music playing in a public place such as a store, she always makes sure to point it out to me by saying "songs mommy!"

3

Not long ago she begin asking me to sing songs to her at bedtime. I don't know where this came from. I've never had requests for singing from my older child.
Her usual requests go in this order:
Twinkle Little Star
I am a Child of God
(the first two she is learning pretty well herself) and sometimes,
You are My Sunshine
(one that Garrett is now willing to share the rights too)

4

A few other favorites you might catch her singing:"I've got the magic in me", "Ghost Riders in the Sky", "Bibbety Bobbety Boo" and any song found on the sound track to "Princes and the Frog."

I love that she has a love for music, singing and dancing.

5

She is happy most of the time But we are seeing a few more temper tantrums lately. I am not sure if that is attributed to turning 2 or becoming a little bit more emotional.
But much of the time she is such a goof ball!

6

But just like any woman that is only one hat that she wears. She also has her serious side.
She is not too easily provoked. She usually has the "shrug your shoulders and move onto something else" attitude, but she knows how to defend herself when it comes down to it.

7

She used to be a little bit shy of strangers. But lately she is pretty much up for meeting anyone. She shows it by saying something, showing them something, or flat out hugging them.

8

She is a lovey girl. She loves to give hugs and kisses and say I love you. Funny enough, so do her toys, meaning that they like to give each other and the rest of the family kisses too!

9

She has collected a few baby dolls and accessories since her birthday and Christmas. And she is enjoying playing with those more often.

10

She loves a chance to use diapers and wipes on someone besides herself.

11

Embrie likes to clean, mostly wiping all kinds of surfaces with wipes.
However, this is not to say that she hasn't made her fair share of messes.

12

She also likes to be clean. She asks for a napkin at dinner time and becomes a bit concerned with her sticky or dirty hands. This is also new to me, maybe it's a girl thing. But my mom tells me that I used to be very worried about keeping my hands clean at that age, so maybe it runs in the family.

13

It may be time to get out the "dress ups". I found her in her room the other day with her hat on, and trying on several pairs of socks and shoes.

14

It is also not uncommon for her, coming upon a pair of her paints, to try to put them on, even if she is already wearing pants.

15

That brings me to another difference between boys and girls. She seems to be much more interested in doing things for herself.

She has learned to put her own shoes on much faster and she wants to buckle herself the key being that she actually wants to do it herself :)

16

She may even have a bit of a shoe fetish, yikes!

17

She seems to have a good amount of self confidence so far. Good! I hope she keeps it! If you ask her who is cute, she says "me". Of course she is not too self absorbed, she'll then quickly name each person in the family, "and mommy cute, and Garrett cute, and daddy cute."
She is quick to share the love!

18

She seems to have daddy wrapped around her finger. She got that routine down pretty fast, but I have to say it didn't take much!

19

She is smart, funny, beautiful. She is absolutely precious in every way. We adore her. I can't believe how quickly these last two years have gone! I am learning why they say enjoys these years while you can!
We love you Embrie-doo!

These pictures were taken by my friend Nickie, I couldn't be happier with them and you will all be shocked to know that I did not post all of them even though I wanted to!
Check out a link to her blog on the right side :)

A few steps closer to over the hill . . .

HAPPY 34TH BIRTHDAY BRAD!

Happy love day

I have the 3 sweetest Valentines in the world!



Hope everyone had a romantic, loving, funny, happy Valentine's Day.

Havin' her cake and eatin' it too!

Roses are Red

Violets are Blue

Our little Valentine

Is turning

2!

Embrie turned 2 years old on February 5th. We had a great family party to celebrate!

(I must take this small opportunity to toot my own horn by saying I actually had everything ready before the guest arrived! ha! that never happens for me. Although it's not like I go above and beyond in the decorating scene I always seem to be running behind.)

Make a wish!

all the little (and big) kids getting excited for the opening of gifts!

I can't believe that my little girl is growing up so fast!

We have an announcement . . .

Our parents and grandparents received one of these in the mail a little while ago . . .

special friends

I think there are 13 of these friends.

For a long time Garrett has always loved his animals, but lately they've taken up even more of a role for him. They are like his best friends. He plays with them most often. Sometimes it is even their idea when he does something he is not supposed to. There is something so cute about this. He comes up with all kinds of pretend scenarios for these characters. They pick out books to read they've even taken to being his (or mine or dad's) partner when playing Mario Kart. And today he informed me as one animal was picking out a book that, he (said animal) did pick it out despite the fact that he hadn't talked (only pointed) and that he only talks when he is alone with Garrett and the other animals. This makes me smile!
and might I add that although Lightning McQueen is not an animal per say he is included in the group and still quite the favorite. But I tell you if the poor thing gets thrown up on and washed a few more times he may soon become even more unrecognizable. Garrett already told me a long time ago that Lightning's eye's used to be opened but are now closed, this because they've just worn off.

:)

Moments captured

And thus memories captured.
In recent months Garrett and Embrie have grown more tolerant of one another, ok well Garrett has grown more tolerant of Embrie, she has always been content to follow him around. In fact they may even be friends. They are getting along better all the time. Embrie now better able to understand what Garrett wants and Garrett now more able to be patient with her. They giggle together and hug each other often. They are both growing up so fast.

The other day I came down the stairs to this. They were watching a movie and I am pretty sure Embrie just copied her brother and it wouldn't be uncommon that if she didn't do it herself, he told her to.

Here are my little cleaners! Embrie got a cleaning cart for Christmas and as I was cleaning the bathrooms they were cleaning every other part of the house imaginable.

Having another tea party, this time just Embrie and mom while Garrett was at school.

a few strays

I snagged a few extra pictures from the girls weekend that I couldn't pass up.

Yes I am feeling pretty brave posting this, but really what do I have to loose? my modeling career? ha ha ha soooo . . . . Here I am miming, it's a talent that requires a lot of practice you know! not just anyone can pick this up! ;)

This was an great 2 hours that we spent sitting outside (yes it was warm enough for that) talking and relaxing in the sun. Awesomeness!

Here are those of us that ran/or walked the 5k (as opposed to those who chose to go out to breakfast instead :P)


And this picture pretty much sums up the whole weekend. A picture is worth a thousand words!