Twas the night before christmas.......

and for the first time in twelve years, my parents spent the holiday at home and not traveling. So here at the Rahm-Barr house, we started the beginnings of our Christmas traditions. Nana and Pappy came in town as well. After a hard day of eating, napping and relaxing we got dressed in our Sunday best and headed for Christmas Eve church services. Afterwards, we went into the District to check out the National Christmas tree (Pappy's idea). It was awesome and Mom and Dad liked it so much that they've decided to make that a yearly tradition as well. The tree was magnificent and although you can't tell from the photo below, there are trains that go around it where children (o.k. adults too:-) can toss coins into the train cars as they pass by. Also, there are individual Christmas trees for each state that are placed on the outskirts of the National Christmas tree.

Love,
Emerson




"Dad, quick look.... there's like a million lights on that tree... WHOA!"

"Pappy, help me out... Daddy has me trapped"

"hurry take the picture.... we're freezing out here"

"Daddy... let me outta here... there's so much to play with"

I surrived Guys Week!

This past week Mommy went out of town for business. Daddy and I had what I call Guys Week. In preparation for Guys Week, Mommy typed up a schedule for my food and sleep, laid out my clothes and reviewed the daycare routine with Daddy. Mommy worries too much I think. Daddy made sure that I was well fed, got enough sleep, clean, dressed appropriately for the weather and of course we had lots of fun playing. While Guys Week was a blast I sure was happy to see Mommy yesterday night and I think so was Daddy! Daddy just kept saying to Mommy " I don't ever want to be a single parent".

Here are some photos of Daddy and I during Guys Week, enjoy :-).

Love,
Emerson







" Now that I'm almost walking, I really am doing all my own stunts!"

"Daddy doesn't care if I play with the presents that Nana banana sent". "They have prettier paper than the ones Mommy wrapped."

" Do you think Nana will notice if this one is opened before Christmas?"

"Daddy thinks that I'm not smart enough to figure out how to get out." "He must be new :-)"

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree....

Today was my very 1st cutting down of the Christmas tree day! Mom and Dad went by and picked up Aunties Michelle and Susan and we headed off to Butler's Orchard. We also planned on meeting Seneca and Caleb (friends of Mom and Dad). If you remember from my pumpkin patch outing, this is the same place up in Germantown, MD.

It was the perfect day to pick out our tree. The weather man called for 30 degree weather and a chance of snow. Mom made sure that I had on long johns underneath my clothes and winter coat. I also got to wear my new winter hat, mittens, and UGG boots! After surveying many trees, negotiating with Mom, and lots of crawling, Dad picked out the perfect tree for our home. Aunties Michelle and Susan also found a good tree that is twice as big as ours and will look wonderful in their big window.

Dad loosely tied both trees to the roof of the SUV, we then piled back in and headed down to the main store for our trees to get bundled and ready to go home with us. Mom and Auntie Michelle have a favorite tree guy named Tyler. Tyler's really nice and has been Mom's tree guy every year. Mom says that Tyler is a tree expert. Tyler trims the trunk with a chainsaw, shakes any loose pine needles off, bundles the tree and then ties the tree to the roof of the SUV for a safe ride back to VA. Seneca and Caleb said that they wished they had gotten Tyler because their tree guy was not so much of a tree expert. The good news is that there is always next year :-).

We said our goodbyes to Seneca and Caleb, dropped Aunties Michelle, Susan and their new tree off at their home, and headed home for some Christmas music, tree decorating and a late lunch. After eating we looked out the window and to our surprise.... yes, my friends, YES..... IT STARTED TO SNOW! The first snow of the season and my very first snow ever. Daddy later took me outside once there was some accumulation and it was really cool. I can't wait until we get more so that I can make these snow angels that my parents keep talking about.

So, that's all for today folks. Tomorrow brings more excitement with cookie baking day at the Rahm-Barr household. Dad and I are banished to the basement while Mom and her friends make 9 different kinds of cookies. I'm thinking that I'm OK with the basement though.... I won't have to do any work and I might get cookies... it's a win, win!

Happy Holidays everyone!

Love,
Emerson





"Dad, just a second, let me get that saw for you"

"Dad, a little to the left and then you got it"

"My Daddy the hero!"

"Mom, I can't even believe all of the trees here......hurry up, let's go find a good one!"

"Auntie Susan, be careful I'm not so sure that is dirt you're about to step on"

Aaauuugh!

For months my Mom and Dad have been saying that I look like I have a Charlie Brown head. Who is this Charlie Brown guy anyway? From what I can tell so far is that he likes Pumpkins, has his own Thanksgiving special and a Christmas show on top of that! He sure sounds like he is a popular guy. So perhaps I should be flattered :-). Anyways, Mom came across this shirt that I'm wearing in the below photos (Mom got a little camera happy. ... Aaauuugh).

Tell me what you think, do I really look like this Charlie Brown kid or not?

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone... Gobble, Gobble :-).

Love,

Emerson






" Does this shirt make my head look big?"

" Dad, come sit... right here.... I promise I won't grab for your newspaper this time"

" If I could just figure out a way to get that remote control away from Dad"

" Woo Hoo.... sweet freedom, I'm almost walking!"

Grape Ape is that you?

If so, where's Beegley Beagley?

Lions, Tigers, and Bears OH MY!

Last Saturday the weather was beautiful (not too hot and not too cold). Daddy decided that we should all go to the National Zoo for the day. So after my mid-morning nap I awoke to find my Mommy packing the car and my Daddy helping me get my shoes on.

When we arrived at the zoo I was well rested and ready to see some animals. I was very excited but, I think that my Daddy might have been the most excited. Daddy had it all mapped out which is a switch since Mommy's the planner of our family. First we went to see the lions, then the apes, pandas and of course a zoo trip wouldn't be complete without seeing the elephants. It was a toss up between the apes and the pandas on which I liked the best. I have a video of Daddy, the apes and myself that I'll post later.

Did you know that the pandas came all the way from Wolong, China just to hang out at our zoo? Well, me either until my recent trip to the zoo. We saw Tian Tian (pronounced "t-YEN t-YEN" which means "more and more") that day but did not get a chance to see his female friend, Mei Xiang (pronounced "may SHONG" which means "beautiful fragrance").

Here's some photos from our adventure:

"Mom, you tricked me... there's no cheerios in your hand!"

"Simba is that you?"

Lions, Tigers, and Bears OH MY! (continued)

"Elephant's are cool" "Ask Grandpa about the time Daddy taunted one"

Tian Tian hanging out having some lunch

"Mom, check out how big this frog's peepers are!"

"And so it's time to say farewell for now." "Have a good week everyone"

Love,

Emerson