Happy Birthday, Emmitt!

A year ago today, God added sweet Emmitt to our family. 

It was a beautiful day, much warmer than today, and little did we know what was in store for our family!

He has grown by leaps and bounds and has filled our home and hearts with so much joy. 

Emmitt's first year in pictures...

Taken the day that we brought you home... one of your mama's favorites.

At the hospital... you had just had your first bath and were finally calm and warm...

-One month-

This was also your big brother's second birthday... he loved to push you and you didn't seem to mind... He really loves his little brother!

-Two months-

Bright eyes, but still serious.

-Three months-

Your personality was beginning to bloom!

-Four months-

You loved your bouncy seat...

-Five months-

Blowing bubbles with your mouth, laying on your bear mat...

-Six months-

We moved out of our Evansville house on October 28.  You were six months old and were rolling around everywhere!  You were so cute and our movers, Gerald and David, loved talking to you.  You have on one of my favorite outfits... a hand-me-down from your big brother.

-Seven months-

Hanging out with dad at our new house

-Eight months-

You were so proud that you could do "touchdown!"

-Nine months-

Such a happy boy and so curious...

-Ten months-

Emmitt, your mama continually has to dig things out of your mouth... you will eat, or attempt to eat anything you can get your little hands on.  This particular night, you had discovered a Girl Scout cookie left behind by your big brother... you thoroughly enjoyed your first GS cookie!

-Eleven months-

-Twelve months-

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Emmitt!

It's been a fun day!  We awoke early this morning and went to the Cracker Barrel for breakfast before taking Lawson to school.  Emmitt and Lawson shared country ham, hashbrown casserole, and banana slices... Emmitt ate more than Lawson, by far.

Our smaller camera didn't work so well in the morning light at CB...

 Mom and Big Brother Lawson with the Birthday boy!

Dad with Big Brother Lawson and the Birthday boy!

Happy Birthday, Emmitt!

 Russ left ahead of us a little bit and as we were walking back to the van, Lawson noticed our shadow.  A picture was a must!  Isn't it cool?

He is so big!

And we couldn't go without singing Happy Birthday to you!  Lawson blew out the candle and then we all clapped!  :)  You shared a cookie with Lawson and of course, you thought it was yummy!

Emmitt we are so very thankful for you and your birthday... God chose this special day.  He gave you your first breath and we are excited to be celebrating your first birthday!

Happy Birthday, little brother, Emmitt Bragg!

We love you very much!

Happy Easter!

A happy day, indeed! 

As you can see in this picture, the Easter Bunny visited our house and left a few eggs in our yard. 

Lawson awoke at 6:30 this morning exclaiming, "he comed to our house!"  :)

I was in the shower and Russ was still sleeping when he ran into our room full of excitement!  We held him long enough for me to jump out of the shower and wake Emmitt up... it was sooo early!  Lawson usually sleeps until 7:30-7:45... thank goodness the Easter Bunny came before Lawson's mom got into the shower. :)

Here's what the Easter Bunny left for Lawson and Emmitt...

Lawson got a suitcase, foam bath letters, white chocolate covered pretzels, and Reese's pieces.

Emmitt got two new books: a "peek-a-boo book" and a "touch-and-feel book".  He is very into books these days, especially eating them and ripping them... I'm hopeful these will survive for a little while.  He also got a new bottle of berry bubble bath!

His first egg of the morning...

His facial expression shows his excitement!

A Reese's cup... the Easter Bunny must know about his favorite candy!

(As he opened this egg he said with great excitement, "Mom, this is what they have at the store!"  I said, "yeah, do you think the Easter Bunny went to the store?"  In a very matter-of-fact tone, he said, "No, mom, he made it in his workshop, he lives deep in the woods."  Hmmm... sounds good to me. :)

Emmitt was present with his towel-headed mama.  And did I mention that it was cold?! 

Brrr... Russ helped Lawson gather his eggs and then he opened them in the house where it was nice and warm.

Off to pack his suitcase for Martin, Tennessee... as he was pulling his suitcase, he had his hand on his ear talking like he was on a cell phone.

Lawson shared his eggs with Emmitt, but he didn't share his chocolate!

Amidst the Easter Bunny celebration, we were attempting to get everyone dressed.  It was actually pretty stress-free for once.  Everyone was dressed and ready to go with 15 minutes left to spare.  And although we had plenty of time to take pictures, our boys are just not at the photogenic stage... at least not all together at one time!  One minute Lawson is looking and Emmitt is completely looking the other direction or vice-versa... I know many of you understand... exhausting!

These are the best we got and although they aren't perfect, they are perfectly our boys.

Handsome, handsome.

Our service was very nice and encouraging...  He is RISEN and He LIVES... Our hope is in Him! 

Hope you had a Happy Easter and enjoyed time with your family... ours was a special day which began with the Easter Bunny, followed by worship at church, out to eat at The Macaroni Grill, naps and playing, and ending with bubble baths and new foam letters... and now, both boys are sleeping... ultimately, a day of spending time with and enjoying our family.

Happy Easter!

Fun on the Farm plus some

Last weekend we made a last-minute-quick-trip to Martin.

We had three missions to complete while there, which I will mention at the end, but the fun we had was worth our fast trip.

The weather was warm and beautiful.  While at Mrs. Jane and Mr. Richard's we played outside and Lawson enjoyed his first fishing experience.  I am glad I had my camera and took close to 100 pictures... here are a few faves from the afternoon.

Emmitt is big enough for the swing and Lawson is big enough to push him.

Emmitt loved it!

And Lawson loved fishing with his Dad and Uncle Jim.

Emmitt hung out with Grandmother and Granddad while I took a few pictures.

He caught one!

My favorite fisherman... followed by Lawson, and Emmitt to come in the near future, I am sure.  :)

Lawson learned about worms and fishing.  Here he is asking Dad if he needed another worm?

Parker was loving every minute and the boys... not so much... his excitement was not helpful for fishing.

Dad helping him reel it in.

Fisherman Lawson

Fishing with Uncle Jim

Moved to the dock for more fishing...

He was really good at catching fish!

I like this one. :)

Brothers fishing with Parker

And then the "plus some"...

One of our reasons for going to Martin was for me to borrow Granny's sewing machine.  Our new house faces the West in the evenings meaning WARM during late afternoon.  Our windows are tall and the blinds aren't cutting it.  Window treatments are a MUST.  I have not found anything pre-made that I like nor anything that will work given the size of the windows.  I did, however, find fabric that I like.  I had decided to have them made.  Unfortunately, the only lady that I thought I could afford, I couldn't.  And not to mention the fact that she only uses her fabric and lives 40 minutes from Columbia and requires you to come out so that she can "consult" you on her thoughts of what you need.  She is in her 70's and has been sewing for years.  I am sure she is GOOD, but not what I had in mind.  After talking with her for 20 minutes I decided it wasn't right. 

I then called a lady from my hometown and she told me that she wasn't comfortable making them without coming to our house to measure.  Six hours from Martin wasn't going to happen either. :)  She did, however, convince me that I could make them myself.  I hope she is right.

So, I am going to make them.  We will save about $800 (for labor only; not including fabric) if I make them and I am convinced that I can do it.  Will start on the downstairs shower curtain this week.  I decided to begin with a curtain that people rarely see.  I am excited about using Gran's machine and about the (hopefully) satisfaction that goes with completing something all by yourself.  I will keep you posted.

Granny is 95 years old and she helped me learn to use her machine.

(overlook my Saturday appearance - Erin thanks for capturing my sewing lesson from Granny)

I like this picture. :)

Our other missions accomplished were a picture for above our couch from Kirkland's Antiques and new shrubs and trees from Zimm's. 

Russ will be redoing our front landscaping over the upcoming weekend.  Lots of DIY projects going on at our house.  We are excited! Will post pics as it goes.

Thanks for reading!