Third tooth is out!

This one fell out while eating chicken noodle soup!

78 degrees on Jan 31 calls for evening paddle boat ride!

The weather has been incredibly warm for January! I remember bringing Emma home from the hospital in the snow five years ago. We have been having temperatures in the 70's and beautiful, sunny days. We have been taking advantage of it and spending a lot of time out back.  We decided to load up and take a family paddle boat ride!  Halfway to visit our friends who live on the other side of the canal we heard Tooter meowing. She was following us along the bank.  She does this a lot when we go for family walks, but she usually stops following after a couple houses down.  This night she wasn't stopping.  When we got to the bridge (where we go under to get to the other side) I started to worry because cars pass by on top of the bridge.  I was worried that she would get hit.  She did not like that we were under the bridge and out of her sight so she was on top of the bridge meowing loudly.  I told Chris that we needed to try to get her on the boat.  So, once we came out of the other side of the bridge we paddled to the side and she came running down.  Chris easily grabbed her and threw her on!  At first she was a little freaked (as was I, I didn't know if cats could swim and I was envisioning Chris having to dive in and save her if she jumped overboard!).  She calmed quickly and curled up and enjoyed the ride.  It was pretty funny!  Our neighbors the Dellers took a picture of us all.  Toot is a very cool cat!  Almost 16 years old and going strong. Next time we will throw Murph on and take the whole Ivie family for a paddle!

Taking off, pre Toot.

Captain Toot 

Family picture on the boat!

Makeup by Emma

Emma asked for "soccer makeup" for her birthday.  I had no idea what that was, but Grandpa did!  He found a soccer makeup kit and Emma has really enjoyed it! A little too much.......

Soccer Buds

These two have had fun playing indoor soccer this winter.
They especially like the after practice ice cream!

Emma's 5th Birthday Party

Another fabulous cake by Aunt Rocks!

my 5 year old!

Pa and Polly

Brad showed off his gymnastics skills!

"Help me. Ryan!"

Emma's 5 Year Old Letters

Dear Emma,

I have really had a hard time with you turning 5!  You are still my baby, yet I know that at five you are no longer little, you are getting big.  You will start kindergarten soon and some of your innocence will be lost (I know this from experience with Ryan). You will be gone five days a week and I will never have you home with me on week days again.  Although I am sad for me, I am excited for you.  You will LOVE elementary school and I know you will have a ton of friends.  You are really getting good at soccer and we can't wait to watch you grow in this sport and any other activities you try.  You are so funny and make us all laugh all of the time, especially Polly.  What an amazing sister you are to both Polly and Ryan.  They are both so lucky to have you and so are mommy and daddy.  You can get away with murder because you are so goofy and funny.  We just can't stay mad at you.  You really have your daddy wrapped around your finger. Thanks for all the smiles, hugs and snuggles.  You are the goofy glue that binds us all together.  Our comic relief.  My sweet Pea.
Love you babe! I am honored to watch you grow and I will "hold you me" forever!

Mommy

Emma Reese, 

Where do I start...... I can't believe you are already 5 yrs old!!!! You are definitely one of a kind! You keep us on our toes, you know how to lighten any mood, and you are the most unique girl I know. I can not imagine life without you. Thank you for being you. I love everything about you. Happy Birthday. 

Love,

Dad

Family birthday dinner

We continued our tradition of having a family dinner to celebrate our birthday girl.  Emma chose "Goose Monkey" AKA Grease Monkey and the weather was so nice that we got to sit on the patio.  Emma loved the attention and was a gracious birthday girl.  Love her to pieces!