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

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!

Emerson Maxwell Barr here reminding you that Tuesday,November 4th is Election Day so don't forget to vote!

I'm only 7 1/2 months old so of course I can't vote (tell that to the Obama folks though.... I keep getting calls from the "On the Move" campaign team). That's why I'm counting on you to do exactly what my shirt below says "Vote for my better tomorrow". This presidential election is not only a historic one but has definitely struck some (we'll call them light hearted) debates in the Rahm-Barr household. It's no secret that my parents are for different candidates. I often wonder how they ever ended up together with such different political views. Hey, it works for Mary Matalin and James Carville whom coincidentally also have a child named Emerson too (hmm) then it must be cool.

O.K. so remember, DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!

Love,
Emerson



"I'm so excited about this election that I wet my pants." "Just kidding, it's only water from my sippy cup". "Sippy Cups are hard".

"O.K. so, Senator McCain was like "really"...... and then Senator Obama was like "no you can't be serious"........ I got tired of them arguing so I just left. "

"High five to those of you that vote."

"So, I guess you're wondering why I called you all to my office."

"Boy,whomever said that campaigning was easy lied..... I'm off for a nap!"

Shenandoah National Park

On Saturday afternoon, my parents decided that we should all take a drive to admire the beautiful fall foliage. My Dad is always boasting about the wonderful four seasons that Northern VA has and thus one of his common rebuttals for not wanting to move back to Texas.

After breakfast, Mom packed my essentials (food, diapers, and of course Cookie Monster... he's my new favorite..shh, don't tell Elmo or Big Bird) and off we went to Shenandoah National Park. The Shenandoah Mountains aren't very far from the D.C. Metro area (about an hour and a half away) so, we decided to go there. Plus, my Dad has a parks pass and wanted to make use of it since he says that he hasn't been able to use it much since March. Hmmmm..... I wonder if that's because of me, nah... it couldn't be :-). Anywho, Skyline Drive is the name of the road that runs through the part of the National Park that we drove through and it was a great time! I overheard Dad tell Mom that he'd like a vacation home their. Here's some photos of our excursion.

Love,
Emerson




"Really, the hat is too small for me now !"


Shenandoah mountains.....

"Mom, let me down.... I see a deer that I want to chase"

"Dad, it's freezing out here.... get me to the car quick!"

"Mom, Dad..... do I have a surprise waiting for you in my diaper :-)"