apple hill

We went to Apple Hill earlier than usual this year since Jens has had to do a lot of travel to China. Emma got to ride her first pony and tractor. Ok, well the tractor wasn't moving, but the pony did!

santa cruz

We had a fun visit with Oma and Opa while they were in California. It was so neat to see Emma recognize them even though she doesn't get to see them often. We try to do a video chat with them every week and apparently it works! She was so excited to see them.

We spent a fun day at the Santa Cruz pier. Emma got to feed the seagulls and pigeons. It was also her first experience with sea lions.

california state fair

Emma's 2nd annual trip to the California State Fair in Sacramento. SO much more fun with her this year! Of course it makes a difference being almost 1 1/2 years old already. My parents went and we also met Sara, Joey and Addison there.

Family picture on the golden bear.

The petting zoo, always a big hit. A goat tried to eat the back of her shirt!

Is your mama a llama?

Checking out the big sturgeon with Daddy.

Must keep clean hands.

Keeping cool and eating delicious food. That's why we go to the State Fair, right?

Seriously wish I had someone pushing me around in a stroller.

Yummy ice cream for Addison.

Emma finally passed out in the air conditioned exhibit halls. Unfortunately that means she missed the carnival area, but there is always next year!

week in roseville

Sorry it's been so long. Really, where does the time go?

In August Emma and I spent a week in Roseville while Jens was in China for work. Emma just loves hanging out with her Grandma and Grandpa everyday. We were lucky enough to even see Steve and meet his new girlfriend.

First, we went to see Great-Grandma Takahashi.


When we came back to Grandma and Grandpa's house, Emma got to play with her new toys from Grandma. She got a fun picnic bench and pull toy puppy dog . . .

. . . a cute tea set . . .

. . . and a baby doll.

Emma swam every night with Grandma.

Went to visit Great-Grandma Kuntz and Great-Aunt Pam. She loved Buddy more than he loved her :)

I know some of you will be wondering about Steve's girlfriend. This is Uncle Steve with Heather. She is really great. Both of them spent two nights with us in Roseville. Lots of fun. Emma really liked her too.


More fun in the pool. It was H-O-T the last part of the week, but actually pretty cool at the beginning. Doesn't matter, the weather, Emma still gets in the water.

Of course we got to spend time with my best friend Sara and her daughter Addison.

Excessive cuteness.

Poking her baby doll's eyes out. It's one of those dolls whose eyelids blink depending on how you hold her. She was quite fascinated.

More to come. State Fair and Santa Cruz visit with Oma and Opa.

mo-tor-cy-cle

Aiden looooves motorcycles. His grandparents got him a fun little baby sized one and he brought it over to take Emma for a ride.

Aiden really is quite the sweetheart to share his mommy's lap with Emma!

ready for school

Grandma and Grandpa bought Emma this backpack for the camping trip and she just loves to wear it around the house. It was kind of scary to see her looking like she was ready to leave for school. Seriously. Kids grow up so fast, thank goodness not THAT fast!

The first time we put it on her we only put about 1 pound of weight it in and she couldn't do anything but walk backwards because it was pulling her back! We need to work on her carrying capacity if we are ever going to take her backpacking! :)

visit with hardy

Emma was so lucky she got to spend an entire day hanging out with Hardy. This is Jens's childhood friend Ricky's little boy. He's just a few weeks younger than Emma and what a cutie! We all wish we could see them more often.