Grandpa Emig turns 90!!

I was uploading my pictures to print them and realized I never posted these pictures of Grandpa Emig's 90th birthday on November 28th.  How could I miss such a big event!  I guess with all the holiday madness, it can happen.

We had a gathering at Trenton church hall where family and friends helped celebrate.  It was a great afternoon visiting with everyone.  Addison got to run around the gym chasing her cousins and had a blast. 

Tackling Aaron.



Grandma and Grandpa Emig

The great-grandchildren.



Grandpa Stein 12/20/1914 - 12/23/2011

Doug's paternal Grandpa passed away just before Christmas this past year.  He was able to celebrate his 97th birthday just days before joining Grandma Agnes in heaven, who passed away almost 10 years before on Christmas day.  Grandpa Stein was a man who had lived in only one house his entire life.  He took the ferry across the Kaskaskia river to get to church every week.  He proudly served our country in WWII.  He celebrated 55 years of marriage with his wife and had 4 children, 14 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. 

Grandpa lived in his own house until a month before his passing.  Six months before he was still driving his car during the day!  He was an amazing person and we always say "they just don't make 'em like that anymore".  His memory was sharp as a tac.  He would always give such detail in his stories.  Living his whole life in one town, he knew everything about our area and was the go-to guy for all questions about back then.

He lived a long full life and will be missed dearly by many.  In Grandpa's words of wisdom...."Don't take any wooden nickels!"



Christmas 2011

I'm a little behind on my posting and with it being Christmas I have a LOT of pictures to post.  Addison had a great Christmas.  She really got into it this year - she quickly picked up on how to rip open the presents.  She received some fun gifts and has been playing with all of them constantly.  I would say everyone did a great job picking the right gifts!

We opened gifts with my Mom the weekend before Christmas.  To be honest, with the way Addison acted I was ready to keep her home for all of Christmas.  She was stealing toys, pushing and biting.  It was an absolute disaster.  But to our amazement, all of the Christmas celebrations we went to after that she was an absolute angel!  The good Lord answered our prayers :-)  On Christmas she was even up until 9:30 and was never crabby.

Addison loved seeing all the family and filling everyone in on her stories.  She's definitely a ham and loves the attention.  She feeds off of it.  The more reaction she gets, the more animated she becomes and she starts talking really fast and much louder.  You can't help but laugh.

Here are pictures of our Christmas fun...

We're going to attempt a gingerbread house.

Helping Mommy form the fondant.

And Daddy with the icing.

All done, but I really didn't help much...I lost interest.

Dinner at The Spaghetti Factory

The great-grandkids

Me get on that camel...you must be crazy!

The Way of Lights at The Shrine, so pretty!

My favorite was this ramp that I would run up and down.

Now that's a lot of Legos!

Uncle Nick always gives me what I want, tonight it's cake.

Breakfast with Santa at Eckert's.

Get me away from this man Mommy!

So interesting, this woman is sweeping the carpet.

Trying to shove the whole muffin into my mouth.

I LOVED pushing this shopping cart around.

Wouldn't go near this Santa either so Mommy and Daddy had

to get in the picture with us.

Can we open these presents yet?

Watching Collin open his gift (so I can pounce on it once it's opened).

My very own kitchen. 

I had to call my friends right away to tell them!

Feeding my baby.

All ready for Christmas.

Cheese....

Suckered Uncle Chris into feeding me a snack.

See the key is to not go to him until he offers me food, works everytime!

Uncle Joe and cousin Zoe.

Playing with Jack.

My very own cell phone.

Helping Papa open his gift.

Step stools Papa made for Jack and I.

Aunt Erin, I'm very interested in your diaper changing technique.

Papa is another one that gives me food anytime I want some.

Gift opening at the Stein's.

I nearly wore my arm out using my new vacuum.

Aunt Shelley coloring with me.

Everyone joining in!

Dress off, apron on, sparkly red shoes on.

Winding down with a puzzle and Mama.

Santa came!

And brought this trampoline.

Helping Daddy with gifts.

Hangin with Mommy.

All ready for the second round.

Mama Cheryl and I.

Hugs.

Found some others to give me food!

All set with my snack and drink.

This looks like a good seat for me.

Using my new table to color!