The Grand Finale of 2008

Here it is. What is certain to be the last blog of our year as things are only about to get crazy, insane, nutso wild around our household. So while I still have an ounce of my wits about me, I'll make our final Emert post of the year.

Since October, we've celebrated a fun Halloween with Olivia the lion who, after many scary roooars, had to learn a sweet roar to use around her little friends.

Here she is in full lion garb:




Taking our hayride around the Patterson's neighborhood with all the different characters and creatures of Halloween:




Bombarding this poor person's home with 15 or so trick-or-treaters.




Do I really entrust my teeth to this guy? Our dentist: Dr. Bryan. (a.k.a. Peter Pan)

Pregnant mama on the back of Brandon's John Deere golf cart trailer whatever-it-is.

Then, in November, we did Thanksgiving in Pensacola. Jeremy's Uncle Bill passed away after a long, long battle with cancer and so Thanksgiving was a little different. Jeremy's parents had to end up leaving for Mississippi to attend the funeral, so Olivia, Jeremy and I hung out in Pensacola, had Thanksgiving a day early, and actually spent the real Thanksgiving day at the beach, building sandcastles, picking up big pieces of broken sanddollars, and in the water, swimming. Can you believe it? I mean, it was cold, don't get me wrong. But Olivia can't be thwarted from the ocean by a little chilly water, no way. Here she is doing her thang:

Olivia and pregnant Mama huffing and puffing our way down the Pensacola pier.

Then came December. A completed nursery for the newest Emert addition who'll be making his appearance in only 13 days.

Christmas parties at school:

B-day cake for Jesus!

Celebrating Olivia's third birthday with a bowling BASH.

The other special birthday Girl: Abby!!

Best of friends

Special friends who joined us for the party:

Wes and Walker (not pictured: Sage and Wyatt)

Luke (not pictured: Erika).

Uncle Brook and Nolan (not pictured: Aunt Jayna and Myles)

Carlisle (Not pictured: Brian, Jennie and Sweet Ev)

Big Bro Tallon and Reeves

Sweet Anna (not pictured: Kristin)

Brandon and Lilah (not pictured: Jessica)

Clara Beth and Aron (not pictured: Makgill and Collin)

The birthday families! (Lia, can you remind a girl that when she's pregnant, standing sideways is NOT going to be her best angle!!??)

Preparing to enjoy one of Mrs. Beverly's famous cakes!

Back at home, Myles helps Olivia go through all her fun birthday loot!

Here, Olivia is quick to don her princess dress from Nana and Poppa Don. She now sleeps in it, goes to the grocery store in it, watches her special movies in it...rarely comes off these days!

Yesterday, on Olivia's actual b-day, we decided to go to a special birthday dinner at California Dreaming before heading to the Columbia Zoo for the Lights at Christmas extravaganza! We will do this every year for sure. Olivia loved it...even though we only saw a handful of animals. They really lit up the zoo and though we were were there with half of Columbia, it was a super fun night.

Liv was not at all surprised, embarrassed, phased even, by the waiters and waitresses who delivered a delicious chocolate surprise to her table and serenaded her:




Enjoying the dessert.

and more than delighted to share a bite.

At the zoo:

Daddy and Liv in front of the big tree.

Note Mr. Sleepy Seal

Mommy and her sweet girl:

Feeding the goats is always a hit:

Riding Osty, the Ostrich: (named so originally by Daddy)

Roasting...

and enjoying perfectly toasted marshmallows:






The whole fam. What a day, what a YEAR to celebrate, and what an exciting year to come!



We're really enjoying Christmas this year. Olivia constantly reminds us of what it's all about: Jesus. She is so aware this year, different from past years, as to what is going on and the meaning, purpose, true celebration of this time of year. And we're so grateful for her constant reminders and her joy simply at driving around looking at lights, or plugging in the tree, or walking by the Nativity set up on our living room table. Thank you Lord for such an amazing year, for true and authentic friends, and family that loves us and that we adore!