Celebrating Christmas

Happy Birthday Jesus!

We have a tradition in our home to celebrate our Savior's birth with a cake and a party. We do this as our dessert after our Christmas dinner. We sing Happy Birthday to Baby Jesus. This year Emma thought we were singing to her. Hopeully next Christmas, Emma will understand a bit more. Below is our cake for this year. Emma and I spent some precious time baking this. She also helped bake some cookies for Santa too. (Apparently, Santa likes peanut butter and chocolate cookies)

Mixing the cookie dough...

Pressing the cookies with a fork...

Adding the Chocolate...MMMM delicious!

Our finished product...Santa ate them up.

On Christmas Eve, We went to Alissa's parent's house to celebrate with them. We had such a great time being together as family. Emma had tons of fun with her new ball tent. We enjoyed watching her play and create enough static electricity that her hair stood up.
Check out Emma's Hair...She's Electrifying!!!


Playing in the ball pit is so much fun.

Alissa's side... Alissa, Mark, Grandma Julie, Emma, Uncle Braden, Auntie Kelly, & Grandpa Jack

Kickin' back with Daddy

I'm gonna get'cha

Christmas morning we woke up and had a quiet morning together. We opened presents and ate delicious sweet rolls that Grandma Julie made for us. Emma really enjoyed opening her gifts and tried to open Mommy and Daddy's gifts too. After our quiet festivities we went to Nana & Papa's house to celebrate with them.

Emma and her new "Tigger & Friends" buddies.

Emma opened a set of cars from the Disney movie CARS. In this picture she is signing cars with pure excitment and joy.

Mark's side...Back row: Great Uncle Terry, Mark, Uncle Eddie, Auntie Katy, Papa, Auntie Karen, Uncle David, Jeannie, Glen, & Dee.

Front row: Alissa, Great Aunt Jan, GG, Nana, & Emma.

PRE-CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES

The Christmas season brings such wonderful opportunities to make memories with loved ones. My brother Chris came from Wyoming for a surprise visit. It has been quite a while since we have all been together. Is was such a treat to see him again. We missed his wife Lisa, who couldn't come out, because she is expecting a cousin for Emma.

We met up with Nana, Papa, and GG at Fashion Island to see the 200 foot Christmas tree and to take Emma on the train ride. Emma is now obsessed with trains and wants us to take her all the time. She loved riding on the train so much.

Alissa's family, Kelly(top), Mark, Emma, Braden (rt of Mark), Mom, & Chris (front row)

Bundled up for a walk to see the neighborhood lights

Look Mom its a giant snowglobe

Gigglin' on the CHOO-CHOO

All aboard the Choo Choo Train

Daddy with his Nana

Emma with Mommy, GG, and Nana

Emma with Nana and Papa in front of 200 foot Christmas Tree

Visiting Santa

On Friday Mark took a half day so we could take Emma to see Santa. We went to the Irvine Spectrum because it is outdoors. At Santa's house each family gets to go inside when it is their turn. This worked out great because we were able to avoid the crowds and shield Emma from any possible germs. After the picture was taken we quickly changes Emma's clothes and washed her hands with Purell. Emma really enjoyed seeing Santa. She was all smiles and much to our surprise she; was not afraid. Now she wants to see Santa all the time. She signs and points at pictures of him regularly to let us know. Her face lights up when ever she sees is picture. We can't wait for Christmas, as she is more aware of the festivities than last year.

Elijah's Birthday

Last weekend we were able to make the drive to Temecula to celebrate Elijah's first birthday. It was the first time we got to visit our Cousins at their new house. We had so much fun visiting with them before the party actually started.

(We had to leave before the guests arrived to keep Emma from getting sick.)

We were just thankful to be able to see them and make some great memories.

Happy Birthday Big Boy!!!

We Love You.

Alissa, Emma, Elijah (the Birthday boy), & Heidi

A group picture with the cousins...

Emma with Great Auntie Pris & Great Uncle Bob


Riding a bike for the 1st time, oh what fun...

Mark with Elijah & Emma

Emma with the Anderson girls


Sitting at the big kid picnic table...

Elijah and Emma banging on the table, What a fun noise!!

2007 CHOC Fundraiser Letter

The 2007 CHOC Holiday Fundraiser letter came out this week with Emma's story. Here is a copy of the letter. Click here to read the letter in PDF.

Happy Thanksgiving 2007

This Thanksgiving, we reflected on just how much we have to be thankful for.

We have the love and support from our gracious God who gave us life.

We have an amazing little girl who is happy and inquisitive.

Her infectious smile overflows our hearts with the joy she brings the world.

Our families are a tremendous gift and we are truly blessed with their love and friendship.

We are surrounded by wonderful friends that continue to make life full of fun.

The following pictures are from our Thanksgiving celebration...

Mommy's little helper...

Emma helped me crunch up the cereal topping for the yams.

Hey, I think they're done.

By the way, What's inside anyway?

(Don't Worry, Mommy was watching very carefully for Emma's safety)

MMM, This pretend play is so fun

Playing with Uncle David...He is so much fun.

Auntie Karen is funny, she makes Emma laugh

Playing the piano with Uncle Eddie...What pretty music.

Taking time to pose for a picture with Uncle David

Smiling with Dee

One Thankful Family

Last Week

Emma had 2 exciting happenings this week. First, She went to a routine doctor's visit to the GI Specialist, Dr. Katz. He is the one who has been monitoring Emma's weight and nutrition. Well the good news Emma is growing and has put on a little bit of weight. After a change of formula, which she is actually tolerating, she has gained a little under 1.5 pounds in six weeks. We are so happy for her progress, and Dr. Katz is a bit happier with the progress too.

Second, Emma was fit and measured for a walker. It was so exciting to see her upright and proud of herself. Now we have to wait for the walker to be approved, made and arrive on our doorstep. So we will wait and pray for a speedy approval and delivery. We can't wait for Emma to experience the world from a new view.

Koi Fish and Horses

Yesterday, we broke our hibernation for a quick trip outside to Fashion Island.

Now that the air quality is better we just wanted to be outside, so we walked around looking at the koi pond and then after Purelling the heck out of the carousel horse Emma got to take her first carousel ride.

Mommy are those really fish? They are GIANT!

Holding on tight & here we go!!!

Daddy took Emma on the Carousel. They had such a great time.

It was special to see Emma have such a great time.

Daddy & Emma stopping for one more picture before going home.

They are so adorable...two peas in a pod.

We have our own little JoJo...

We hit the after Halloween Sale and this is what we found...

When Emma saw it she was so excited that she wouldn't stop smiling.

She has now become that child that always wants to wear her hero's costume.

Isn't she so cute...

Halloween 2007

Happy Halloween

We celebrated Halloween by going to Nana & Papa's for trick-or-treating fun. It was so fun seeing our little candy corn knock on the doors and then dig in to get candy. She very generously shared with her Daddy since she doesn't eat candy. We all had fun enjoying family time together...

The Ford Clan

KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK

TRICK-OR-TREAT

MMM what's this? It's red and makes great crinkling noises..

Hey!! Look what Nana & Papa gave me...

Sitting with Papa, Notice the kit-kat still in her hand..

Emma and her Uncle Eddie

MMM More Candy...

The Trick-or-treating crew...

Eddie, Alissa, Emma, Mark, & Katy

What a Sweet Pumpkin Smile!!

Happy Halloween 2007