Candid Shots

Here's Lauren enjoying a bite of ice cream at DQ!

Emma and Lauren were snuggled up on the chair surrounded by Disney Planes figures while watching the DVD.

One night the girls posed in their Planes PJs.

After bath, Lauren and Scott enjoy an episode of Sesame Street.  The gang likes to join them on the couch for the educational entertainment.

Holiday Photo

We attempted a professional family photo in late December with the intention of making Christmas/New Years cards.  After an instant meltdown at the studio, we threw in the towel and gave it a try at home the next day.  Still not much luck.  Scott even bought me a very nice Canon camera since my other was not functioning well.  (Hence, there are no posted pics of Christmas.)  I loved the dresses!

Football Fans

Finally, a picture with Lauren!  The girls were wearing their Bears attire on a game day and willing to stand together in front of the Christmas tree.  Sweet sisters and football fans!

The Nutcracker Ballet

Emma is in a dance class that meets on Tuesday evenings for 45 minutes.  They held a little Nutcracker recital for the parents, grandparents, and siblings.  There were several costume changes.  This is my only good picture, though.  I think it's time for a new camera.

ISU Christmas Cheer

Yes, another post without pictures of Lauren.  She was home with a fever and had to miss the annual ISU faculty and staff children's holiday party.  Since Papa Mike is an employee, he takes all of us . . . those who are healthy, that is.  Emma did lots of crafts, watched the Gamma Phi Circus performance, jumped in the bouncy house, chatted with Santa and Mrs. Claus,  and took a picture with Reggie Redbird.  We waited too long to enjoy a cookie . . . all of the iced sugar cookies were gone by the time we were ready for a break.  Next year we'll plan for an earlier snack time . . . and we can ALL enjoy the festivities!

Toy and Food Donations

It is a tradition for the Foley girls to give to the less fortunate as Christmas approaches.  This year Emma's school was collecting food in November and and toys in December.  Emma chose one of her favorite art activities, spin art, when we were at the store.  She was very happy that a boy or girl would be getting this fun set for Christmas.

All Smiles

Lauren refuses to smile for most pictures.  So when she said cheese, we were quick to click before her mood switched.  (Lauren, when you are older and reading this blog, please know that we really tried to take more photos of you.  Honest!)

One afternoon Emma was playing with magnetic shavings and designed a portrait of Papa Mike.  She was so proud of her creation.  We took a photo on Scott's phone and e-mailed it to him.

Her First Tooth

Her first tooth fell out while eating "gold doubloon" pancakes on a Saturday morning.  Luckily, her tooth fairy pillow "Too-who-thy" arrived in the mail just days before.  Later that day, we made a tree home for her stuffy during Lauren's nap time.  That night, Daddy read The Night Before the Tooth Fairy and Emma perched her owl pillow in the tree on the edge of her bed.  The next morning, she awoke to find 5 dollars in the pouch along with a Hello Kitty toothbrush, Sparkle Crest toothpaste, and flossers  Wow--what a haul!

To Infinity and Beyond

This year we were team Toy Story for Halloween.  Emma chose to be Jessie, and then we looked for costumes to fit the theme--baby Buzz Lightyear and Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head.  We wore them to the Little Jewels Halloween event and out to trick-or-treat.

Scoopin' Seeds

Emma designed the faces and scooped the seeds, I scraped the insides, and Scott carved.  Oooh . . . spooky!  Oh, and I cleaned up the mess!  Ha!

Grandparents with Girls

At Amelia's first birthday party, we were able to capture all three granddaughters with Papa Mike and Grammy Jill.  This was no small feat!

Trunk or Treat

Emma's school has an annual Trunk or Treat event the weekend before Halloween.  A parent from each classroom decorates their trunk with streamers, student artwork, spider webs, spooky music, etc. and the kids walk from car to car collecting candy donated by various parents.  We sent in 60 packages of Goldfish crackers for Emma's class to give away.  With her allergies to kiwi, red dye, and caramel color, there's virtually no candy she can eat.  But when we reached her class car, the Goldfish were all gone.  No worries.  I always trade her all of her candy for a toy.

Smile for the Camera - Take Two

Lauren is not a fan of the camera . . . hence few pictures of her on our blog  This was our second attempt within a week to take a professional family picture.  Tears and screams sent us home the first time.  It took awhile to warm up on this day, but a couple of pics show her smile.  Emma was a trooper.  She loves to cheese, but I do remember her two-year-old photo session being rough with rare smiles and lots of tears.  It's just a phase that comes with that age, right?  I just adore the first photo of the girls in their white dresses!  It's one I will always treasure!

Singing in the Rain

It was a drizzly day, and Emma was eager to try out her Hello Kitty rain gear -- boots, jacket, and umbrella.  She was twirling and smiling and having the best time!

Cheers for Cheeseburgers

At the ISU Homecoming parade, McDonald's was handing out cheeseburgers.  It was the highlight, according Emma!  She's got team spirit!

Pumpkin Patch Play

It's exciting to see the changes they make each year to Rader Farms.  Emma smiled ear to ear the entire time.  Grammy Jill and Papa Mike enjoyed the activities and spending time with their oldest granddaughter.