Emma's Swing

Sometime towards the end of June, Granddad and Grandma Patty brought up a new shiny swing for Emma.  Due to the heat, a little bit of procrastinating and no available limbs, we didn't get around to putting up the swing until just recently.  BIG MISTAKE.

We had to get a swing up with no horizontal limbs to hang it from.  Thanks to the snow storms of years past, many of our ideal limbs were no longer available.  Leave it to two engineers to solve this dilemma.  We had stress diagrams drawn up over this swing people, no joke.  No way our little baby is going to fall or feel any sort of out of phase double pendulum motion from our design!   Now or until she's heavier than Daddy for that matter!  Billy came up with a great idea that only required cable, cable clamps and some tubing. He tested it with his own weight and end result; Emma absolutely loves it.  It's only been up for a week but I already see her totally comfortable in the swing and getting a little daring too.  (see video)  So much time will be spent playing with this swing.  Fun times!

Can't you tell she doesn't like it?!? HAHA!

Splash Park

At the end of August one of our friend's daughters celebrated her third birthday party at a local splash park.  It was a perfect idea considering the temps we've been having here.  Emma had never experienced any sort of splash outside her bathtub or pool.  We wondered how she'd do....

Hey... what comes out of here Daddy??

I'm so glad Sydney is here with me!

This place is AWESOME!!

Emma got her first tattoo.  The birthday party had a froggy theme.

As you can see... she fit right in!  It will be much more fun for all once she can walk herself thru every sprinkle and spray though! :-)  Just kidding.  The park was lots of fun and I definitely see more trip there in the future.

Trip to ATX

A few weeks ago, we got to take a little road trip. We headed down to Austin to see family and friends and, most importantly, to shower my sister (Meredith) and her son with all the things necessary when baby arrives. And a few more un-neccesary things too! :-)  I had a wonderful time planning Meredith's festivities and I wanted to take on a few craft projects for the event to help decorate the venue.  I wasn't sure how it would all come together since I had never seen the place we were going to have the shower.  But I was happy with the outcome.  It was a great event and even though the ladies came from all walks of Meredith's life... they got along wonderfully.  I can't take all the credit because numerous people helped bring together the pieces of this shower.  Here's some of the projects that were completed for the shower;

1. Diaper Cake (me)
2. Bud vases for the tables (me)
3. welcome banner for Austin (me but got the idea from Kelli Bruce)
4. cookie favors for the guests (made by the super-talented Sandy Bruce)
5. Picture montage and video (made by Mer's hubby, Ryan, via Afghanistan. Tissues not included)
6. Guess The Gunthorp Game (created by Rebecca Reyes)

Here's some photos I snapped of the fun event!

We had a great time visiting with family too.  Emma does such a great job in new surroundings. We are so blessed to have so many family members live so close.  And its just fun to see grandparents with their grandkids. Those little ones just bring out the 'mush' in them. :-)

Here's a cute photo I snapped of Emma and Daddy swinging together.