Are you ready for some FOOTBALL!

After our hike earlier today, Daddy and I retired to the basement for serious football watching. In case you haven't heard, the Superbowl was on tonight. All and all, our family is routing for the Steelers even though the Cardinals won the coin toss. I think that the Steelers will get the job done..... they know what they have to do and they will get it done. Boy, that sounded just like something that John Madden would say, huh :-) BTW... Mommy can't stand John Madden... she says he just talks in circles and is probably the most overpaid sports newscaster in the history of sports. Anyways, Mommy went shopping with Auntie Sarita yesterday and bought me this cool chair pictured in the photo below. I love it especially since it's just like Daddy's chair. Mommy made us some snacks and stocked Daddy's beer fridge in the basement. I keep trying to convince Daddy for a sip of his beer but, Daddy told me that he can't or else Mommy will kill him. Oh well, you can't blame a guy for trying! Well, I gotta run but I'll catch ya in another week.

GO STEELERS!!!!

Love,
Emerson

"Get em!"

My First Hike!

The weather has been rather chilly here in the metro D.C. area. The most that I've seen of outside is to and from the house to the car. So when the temperature warmed up to 50 degrees today, Mommy and Daddy said that we're getting out of the house for sure! Auntie Kristin in Memphis,TN sent us a really cool hike pack that Jude had outgrown and wasn't using anymore. Mommy and Daddy were so appreciative and excited when it came since this meant for an easier time with me on their hiking trips that they liked so much in the past.

Today we went to Great Falls and took the old goldmine trail. There was still snow on the ground and some slush from the muddy trails but, it was really cool. We hiked for about 1 1/2 hours and my Daddy calculated about 4 miles or so. I'm looking forward to more hikes and for the spring weather most of all. Here's some pictures of our adventure.

Love,
Emerson



The frozen canal at Great Falls. "Boy, I'm sure that the water must be really cold!"

"Mommy, what kind of snacks did you say that you brought?"

"Mommy, stop with the pictures already.... we've got bears and deers to find"

"Daddy, really.... it's how much longer?"

SNOW DAY PART II....

After our fun in the snow, Mommy made me some lunch and we spent a good portion of the afternoon playing. Well actually Mommy spent a good portion of the afternoon chasing me, while I was playing. I'm not sure if you knew or not but, I love paper! I love the newspaper (especially when my Daddy reads it to me), I love wrapping paper, toilet paper, paper bags really anything paper. Mommy always seems to try to keep me away from it. I'm not sure why but I think that it has to do with the fact that I like to eat it. So, this afternoon Mommy spent most of her time trying to keep me away from paper.... geez! Here's some photos from our time together today. I hope you enjoy :-)

Love,
Emerson

" mmmmm, PAPER" " I'm hiding it my mouth in a place that Mommy will have a very hard time finding it!"

"ohhh, this one looks good"

"Hey, how you doin?"

"I promise Mom, no more paper in my mouth"

"All is great in the world... I got my first snow day, I got to play a lot today, and hang out with Mommy!"

SNOW DAY!

Today Mommy dropped me off at PaSa's only to turn around and pick me up an hour later. You see, today our area had it's first official "SNOW DAY" of the winter season! I had only seen snow once before and there wasn't enough to really stick around. Well this time it did and my Mommy let me play in it for awhile. I think I'm going to like these Snow days.... they sure are fun!

Love,
Emerson

"Mom, where did you put my sleigh... my bottom is starting to get cold"

This is what are neighborhood looked like earlier today with the snow falling

I tried to make a snow angel but no such luck.... practice makes perfect :-)

"Hey Mommy, guess what I have behind my back.... that's right, a big fat snowball!" "That will teach to wipe my nose again "

Look who's walking now!

On January 5th I decided that this crawling stuff was getting me nowhere. I knew that I needed a plan. A plan to be able to get around the house faster and quick enough to catch Bob our cat... it was that day (Jan. 5th) that I took my first step. Daddy was so excited as he witnessed it while Mommy was in the kitchen cooking dinner. My PaSai was oh say happy too since she's been telling Mommy for months now that I need to walk soon due to my weight :-). By the way, when we were at the doctors the other day, I weighed in at 23 lbs 4 oz. The doctor says I'm doing good and growing right along.

I'm getting really good and holding Mommy's hand while we walk from room to room too. Last night, I overheard Daddy telling Mommy that he's finally convinced that we need more safety gates for our stairs. Hmmm.... I don't need no stinking safety gates.... I'll humor my parents though and let them put them up for their sake. I was worried about Bob and him not being able to get through the gates but he does just fine. Man can that cat jump! I sure wish that Bob could teach me how to jump that high. Anyway, Mommy took some video footage this morning of me walking so you can see for yourself. The most steps that I've taken so far without falling is 10. My Daddy's friend said that before you know I will be running. Woo Hoo, I can't wait for that because that is when the real fun begins!

Love,

Emerson

I got the Croup!

Last Friday Mommy had to stay home from work because I had a fever and wasn't quite myself. On Saturday, Mommy and Daddy took me to the doctor and as it turns out, I had what they call the croup! The doctor said that my "bark" like cough was a dead give-a-way for this croup thing. Mommy just thought that I had watched too many dogs on Animal Planet...hahaha!

Mommy had to leave for Chicago this past Monday so Daddy and I were left to fend for ourselves. It's a good thing that I have a great Daddy who not only knows my routine and food regimen, but is also a fan of them :-).

All is well now. I am croup free and everyone is home enjoying the warmth of our fireplace.

Love,
Emerson




"Let me see... is there any candy on this thermometer?"

"You want me to stick this where?"

"Oh, I'm definitely going to need some TLC"

What a Great Day!

My Aunt Meredith, Uncle Brad and their daughter Ashlynn came all the way from Buda, TX to stay with us for five days. OHHH the fun that we have had playing games, eating lots of food and going on exciting adventures. The O'bannions have been here a couple of times before (once for my parents wedding and another time in March a few years back). Aunt Meredith,Uncle Brad, and Mommy all went to college together and spent this last trip trying to convince my Daddy that Texas is way better than the east coast. Needless-to-say, Daddy is not biting but I think Mommy would like to believe that she's making progress :-). Also, I think I overheard my Uncle Brad with his concerns of me not being Texas born.... so is it bad that I was born in a place that isn't really considered a state???? Heck, I don't care just as long as l get to eat my tasty snacks and play with my cool toys.

On one of our adventures, we got to go to Great Falls and the Zoo. Since you've seen some of my zoo outings before, I thought I'd share our photos from Great Falls.

Love,
Emerson




Great Falls (Maryland side).... Great Falls is positioned between Virginia and Maryland

"Where we going next?"

Uncle Brad, Aunt Meredith, and Ashlynn

"So, do you have any food Dad?"

"Hurry take the picture, it's freezing out here!"