Look Who's 2!!

In her dress from the UK from Uncle David and Aunt Ann and birthday hat from Aunt Andra

Yes, that's right on January 25 our little Emma turned an exciting 2 years old! It's so wonderful to know that we have been parents for 2 years and Emma is happy and very much loved little girl! We started out the day having breakfast at the Bread & Cie in Hillcrest (one of our most favorite places to eat), and then headed for the Zoo. Emma really enjoyed the children's zoo and petting the goats (even though I did have to rescue her big pink bow before a goat ate it up). But I think her highlight was riding the little meri-go-round at the entrance. Two other girls jumped on to join her and that made Emma feel really special.



Having her picture taken with Grandma.

Emma and I having a bit of fun too!
After a morning at the Zoo we headed home for a bit of a nap which consisted of snuggling mommy and daddy in bed and reading her books Then it was off to Grandma and Grandpa's house to decorate, eat, and open gifts.

Emma admiring and using all self control not to open her gifts just yet.

We had a wonderful filet mignon roast with potatoes and veggies. It was really good thanks to Grandma's fantastic culinary skills. I did a store cake as I didn't think I would have the time to make one, and I was right. Emma helped me pick this cake out as she just loves strawberries, she still doesn't watch TV or movies so she has no idea who Strawberry Shortcake is but I am sure in time she will.

Getting ready to blow out the candles, and loving being sung too!!

She did it in one blow all by herself!

Just loved this picture of her big brown eyes.

Opening her new beautifully handcrafted chair made especially for her by our good friend Gene.

Giving Gene a big hug for such a wonderful and special gift!

Putting on her Fancy Nancy glasses.

Opening up some beautiful new clothes from Grandma and Grandpa, which being my little girl wanted to put them on straight away!

Her new "chav" outfit that says gorgeous on it from Uncle Mike of course. Which is perfect because while Aunt Linda was visiting she taught Emma to say "simply gorgeous" with a posh British accent.

Opening up Fancy Nancy Doll

So excited to finally have her own bike!!

Being the cautious parents we are, we also went to a bike shop and had her properly fitted for a helmet.


Final birthday cuddles from two of her favorite people, Uncle Kevin and Aunt Andra!!

I LOVE my iPhone

There have been so many moments that I haven't been able to capture and share because I don't always remember to take my camera or it just doesn't make sense to lug my giant 20D around all the time. But since I always have my phone on me I can now take pictures with ease. They aren't the same quality and I will still lug my camera around when ever I can. But for those quick moments like this one, I now get to share just a bit more of Emma joy. Emma taking a break from our afternoon walk with her baby Amy.

Carrillo Ranch

On mornings that Emma and I just want to take it easy and go for a walk we head over to Carrillo Ranch in Carlsbad. It's open to the public and it is a lovely easy walk. The problem is that I never really plan on going it just sort of seems like the thing to do, so I never have my camera on me. Now that I have figured out the picture taking on my iPhone I can share a bit more when I am without my trusty Canon 20D.

We of course had bitty baby with us that we now call Amy.
Emma for some reason is really fond of rocks right now. I'm sure all children go through this stage, Emma just seems to be going through it right now.
For all my fashion blog readers, yes this is an entire Puma outfit Emma is wearing. From shirt, pants, to shoes. I just love dressing her :)
One really neat thing about the ranch is that it is home to over 100 peacocks so Emma and I spend our walk counting as many as we can. Some are bold and might give chase, some will fan their feathers others just want to be left alone, and there is even an all white male peacock but I have been told a few times that he is not an albino.
I can't wait to add a peacock to one of my drawings. I think they are magical and Emma really enjoys them.

Balboa Park and New iPhones

Working in London was great! Every time there was a sniff of a holiday Donald got the day off, but that wasn't so since we got back. But with Donald's new job he is back to getting more holidays off, like Martin Luther King Day. So we drove down to the Hob Nob in Bankers Hill for breakfast then jetted over to Balboa Park for some playground fun. We also both got new iPhones over the weekend so since I forgot my camera at home I used my iPhone to take the pictures below. They aren't the same quality but it was really handy and easy to use.

Ridding the purple dinosaur with daddy.

Daddy playing around with his new phone as we took a break at the fountain.
Emma just loves fountains, and was completely mesmerized by this one.
On the way home I gave her my iPod (not my iPhone) to watch some of her favorite music videos (the Killers, Bob Sinclar, Eric Prydz, Cold Pay, Feist, and Noah and the Whale to name a few). We are so happy she likes the same music as us for the most part. I don't think I could handle one more Old McDonald song.

First Trip to the Wild Animal Park

I know it seems odd that after working for the Zoological Society of San Diego for 14 years that it took us so long to finally take Emma to the magical place that Mommy and Daddy met and fell in love. But I thought it was time, she knows her animals and I knew she would really enjoy it. And I was right. We had a lovely Sunday morning just the three of us walking the trails. It seemed so odd to be there as a member not an employee. Donald and I know our way around the Park like any good employee would, but so much has changed since we left for London, that is was really fun seeing all that is new and experiencing it through Emma's eyes.

Donald and I couldn't stop laughing because this has to be the longest straw ever.
Emma getting rained on at the research outpost
Walking through the log like a lady of course
Gently making new friends

New Years Day

My Funny Faced Little Girl

All the family and friends were still in town on New Years Day so we made our way back to Grandma and Grandpa's house for more fun.

Reading with Meghan
Reading with Uncle Kevin
Helping Kyle with homework (ya right :)
Two happy cousins
mom and daughter moment (I hope I have this with Emma as she grows)
Sitting in Ron's new truck with Grandpa
Playing Skinny Mirink with Meghan in Grandma's kitchen
Talking things over with Uncle Stewart
A very sleepy girl from 2 weeks of fun, sometimes only mommy will do

After Christmas

I almost forgot...A few days after Christmas we met up with Aunt Andra, Uncle Kevin, Julie Anne, Kyle, and Meghan for a day downtown. We played the tourist bit and it was fun. We ate at a really fabulous Australian restaurant called Bondi and walked along the bay. It was a bit cold and windy, but lots of sunshine and fun.

Sitting at our really cool table!

Kyle with his mustache. Our lunch was fantastic. Everyone laughed at me when I said that my fish and chips were the best I had ever had, especially after living in London for a year. But when they all tasted my fish they couldn't believe how really good it was!

A stroll down the bay enjoying the art trees.

Warming up with Kyle at Aunt Andra's house after a cold afternoon.
And you can never go wrong with a snuggle from Uncle Kevin

New Years Eve

Another fun night out for Emma and loads of family and friends to bring in the New Year. We all had so much fun playing, laughing, and talking. We spent the evening at Grandma and Grandpa's house, but took off about 10 (yes that's really late for our little girl). Emma did wonderful despite the long hours. She was the little breath of sunshine and love running around being super sociable and kind.


Playing with her Kyle and her Meghan before her wardrobe change.

Stealing a bit of Daddy's chocolate (now we know how she was able to make it through the night so happily)
Getting kisses and loves from one of Emma's absolute favorite people our cousin Julie Anne

A very happy daddy and mommy
Emma took time out and sat for quite some time chatting with the boys (Kyle and Keith). She has decided that Kyle is her boy and Kieth is her Uncle both of which are great cousins.
Singing and dancing for Judith a good friend visiting from England.

Emma's first pony, she got a rocking giraffe last year so this year it was a pony that made real pony noises and wagged it's tale. It was a thoughtful gift from the neighbors, but is currently living at Grandma and Grandpa's to save mommy sanity, what little is left.