Kyle turns 31!

We were in Raleigh for Kyle's actual birthday, but once we got home Emery and I tried to make up for it and cook his favorite meal (monkey bread + bacon) the next morning.


We also really surprised him with a new dresser!  Not only did I purchase it from Ikea one day with both kids (thankful for random men helping me get it from the warehouse up to the register and into my car), but I unloaded the boxes (took me about 9 trips to take everything upstairs) and Emery and I built the whole thing ourselves.  We then took out his old dresser from the closet, loaded his clothes into the new one and put it in the closet.  Needless to say he was shocked we did all that work!

It's definitely nice to have a dresser big enough to hold all his clothes now... Nick's one from growing up was just not cutting it anymore for Kyle :)

Happy Birthday, Ky!  We love you!

Baker Cousin Wedding & Family Time!

My cousin, Eric, got married in Raleigh at the end of September so we had a great time seeing all of our family and some extended family for the weekend.  Friday morning, Tara and I took the girls out flower girl dress shopping at Davids Bridal for Nick & Anne's wedding in December.  The girls had the best time dancing around in pretty dresses... can you tell how excited Emery is?!

Friday was Kyle's 31st birthday so I picked him up at the airport (he was in NY on business) and thanks to my family we had a little good berry's date without kiddos!  

The rest of the day we hung out with my extended family that had come in town. 

Aunt Sherry won all the kiddos over with her puzzles!

Sweet time with my Grammy:

Grammy got to meet Will for the first time, too.  She has pretty bad dementia but is happy as a clam and did a great job keeping up with the busy schedule of the wedding.

Friday night we were invited to a dessert reception following the rehearsal dinner so it was fun to hang out with family for a couple hours!  

Blue man group:

Soon to be sisters!

Saturday, was Eric & Suzanne's wedding in a chapel on the campus of Meredith College.  

Bride and Groom:

Will started in the service with us (as he was sleeping) but as soon as he woke up he began to cry and Kyle rushed out with him :)

Then a couple seconds later I got this adorable picture... they were having a blast outside :)

Before leaving town on Sunday, we met Kyle's family at a nearby park to hang out with everyone one last time before Rachel & Mike had their baby!  

Busy weekend but fun time with family!

Georgia Trip!

We made a trip down to Georgia in September and had the best time hanging out with all our friends!  The drive down Friday night took FOREVER (I think around 7 hrs including a stop for dinner) as Will started hating the carseat that day so we were very happy when we finally arrived.  We stayed in a hotel with Kyle's Marriott points which worked out perfectly! 

Saturday morning, we met the Arnolds for breakfast in Marietta, a hike near the battlefield, and then hit up a festival & lunch on the square.  Just like old times... love this family so much!

We finally got to meet Wesley, and they got to meet Will!  They are about 2 months apart, and both happy boys!

Fun at the festival!

Saturday afternoon, we scooted over to Lacey's apartment to see her before she moved back to Alabama!  It's so hard to think of Atlanta and Lacey not being there, but I guess I moved away first ;( Loved catching up with this girl and congratulate her in person on her engagement to Adam!  She also got to meet Will for the first time!

We then drove back over to the Arnolds for dinner with them and the Craigs. Man do we miss these amazing couples.  So much fun catching up, laughing about how chaotic all of our lives are, and relaxing while the kiddos played. 

Saturday night around 2 am, we woke up to Will wheezing :(  We immediately got in the car (Emery too!) and drove to Kennestone.  Will and I went inside, while Kyle and Emery stayed in the car sleeping.  Will was quickly diagnosed with Croup, and after an oral steroid and breathing treatment was able to rest for a couple hours while they watched him.  We were released around 6 am, and thankful the medicine worked and that we didn't have to be admitted.  Not as scary as with Emery, as this time we knew what we were dealing with and knew the correct steps to take!

Sunday, Kyle headed over to the Cosby's house to help them with some projects around their house and the kids and I hung out at the hotel pool for the day (didn't want to spread any germs to friends!). Sunday night though Jeneane came over and ate La Parilla with us so we could catch up for a little.

We headed home Monday morning around 4 am and the kiddos slept almost all the way home (best way to travel ever!).  The croup threw us for a loop but we really did have a wonderful time catching up with best friends!

California Wedding!

Kyle was able to make it out to California this year for his cousin Drew & Giovanna's wedding back in September.  We love the west coast Bayly family and it's always so much fun hanging out... I was sad the kids and I missed it!  

Last summer pool days!

Since all pools and splash parks close around Labor Day, we made sure to get in a few more "water" days before packing up our swim gear!  We tried the Aquatic Center near our house and Emery and Merrin had a blast!

The boys did too!

The next week, we met Nora and her family there to play as well!

And again with the Borders crew!  I think this day we spent close to 7 hours there.  The girls both fell asleep before we even left the parking lot on the way home!

Emery has made such huge leaps in the pool this year... one of which is having her head go completely under water.  The girls loved this area where they could jump in with no floaties on and touch the bottom to swim back to the side.  They are certainly getting big!

Labor Day Weekend, Cory & Mada lent us their pool pass so that Kyle could enjoy the pool with us one last time.  We're all a little sad that summer is coming to an end!

Already looking forward to next summer!

Castle Steps!

About a month ago, Emery started collecting all the stools we had around the house and putting them in ascending height order to her bed.  She called them her "castle steps" and insisted on walking up each one to her bed every day.  Considering we needed those stools around the house for hand washing, we needed to come up with another solution... Dad to the rescue!  I called him with our idea of "castle steps" and the next time we came into town he had all the pieces cut and ready to assemble.  He sure does spoil us!

Gluing the pieces together!

The castle steps WITH a secret door.. couldn't be more up her alley!

One happy girl!

Thank you again, Grandpa, she LOVES THEM!

The following week, we got busy painting her castle steps.  Emery wanted them to be pink and white with some polka dots on them, so that's what we did.

The castle steps are permanently in front of her bed and she uses them constantly.  The secret door is always opening to hide more things inside... she loves it.  Thank you again, Dad... We all love having stuff around our house that is hand made with love from you!