December 2006

**UPDATED 1/24/2007 – substituted 3 higher resolution scanned photos in place of lowrez digital ones.** 

These were a gift of Nana & Papaw Oran at the JCPenney photo studio in Knoxville a few days after Christmas. Emma Kate with cousins Jake and Megan:

On Christmas Day after lunch we drove to Lenoir City, outside of Knoxville, to celebrate Christmas with Alison’s side of the family. Emma Kate slept almost the entire way!  

Jake opening a gift:

Megan opening one of her’s:

Emma Kate and Aunt Kaye playing on the ottoman:

Papaw and Uncle Tracy lounging on the couch:

Nana loves B&W photos, so this is for you:

Nana opening her digital picture frame and Jake explaining what it is:

Fun times with Papaw Oran:

Jake and Emma Kate:

Emma Kate, Megan, and Jake:

Aunt Kaye, Jake, and Emma Kate:

 

Emma Kate’s first long road trip was the 4 hour drive to Grandma and Grandpa Kirkland’s house for Christmas. We had planned to leave on Friday afternoon. At about 9PM, when the car was almost packed, we decided it would be better just to go ahead and sleep one more night in Georgia and drive Saturday morning. Emma Kate slept for about 3 hours of the trip. She was the perfect little rider. I knew how long the trip could be if she wasn’t asleep or happy for most of it, so I was extremely grateful when we arrived without any crying at all!

After we got there, we opened gifts with my sister (Dee), her husband (J.), their son (Addison), their daughter (Madeline), my brother (Jay), his wife (Donette), and their son (Jadon). Here’s a pictorial account of the 2 days in South Carolina.

J., Addison, Madeline, and Jadon:

Donette holding Emma Kate:

Donette, EK, and J.:

Jadon watching Emma Kate:

Jadon’s funny look:

Madeline:

Addison:

The Angel (with her shirt opened to cool off!):

Dee, Grandma, and Donette:

A very difficult “cousin” shot:

Emma Kate with her Aunt Dee:

Emma Kate’s very own Christmas tree:

Grandma just can’t get enough of her:

Jadon loves his Superman laptop we gave him:

Emma Kate’s first Christmas present:

An adorable photo of Emma Kate and Jadon taken on Christmas Eve (or the day before):

Isn’t she gorgeous?:

My cousin Kelly holding EK:

Granny (my dad’s mother):

Jadon, Grandpa, Granny, Emma Kate, and Uncle Junior (my dad’s brother)

Right before Christmas in South Carolina, Emma Kate and Jadon (my nephew) spent an hour at the Picture People in Columbiana Mall. She was determined not to smile, no matter how silly the photographer, her parents, or her Aunt Donette and Uncle Jay were. However, Jadon was able to make her smile one time for their picture together.

 

December 9th – watching TV and snoozing:

December 10th – posing for the camera: 

Kisses from Tobi:

December 20th at church – riding double-decker w/ Brittain:

Emma Kate had her 4-month checkup today. She suffered through another round of shots and didn’t cry too much. The big news was that she nows weighs 15 pounds and 5 ounces! She’s over 50th percentile for her weight and only 10-15th percentile for her height! However, the doctor doesn’t think she will be short or fat. Whew! But we’d love her even if she was short and stout! No more shots until 6-month checkup.

December 10th was a very special day. Emma Kate’s good friend Robert was baptized. Emma Kate and her parents lit the Advent candle. And the choir performed the cantata.

Kate, Robert, and Justin:

Kate, Leah, and Justin:

Pastor Dan and Roberto:

Lighting the Advent candle:

Brittain and Emma Kate sneaking a nap at Robert’s reception:

The ladies vying for Robert’s attention:

Steve entertaining the kids:

Bradley and Brittain:

Mommies playing with the babies:

On December 8, Emma Kate was the gracious hostess of her 1st Christmas Party. She spent all day in the kitchen supervising her mommy in cooking a lot of scrumptious food. Several of friends from church, including Emma Kate’s good friends Robert and Brittain.

Seth, Erin, and Steve around the bar:

Emma Kate, Kate, and Valerie:

The hostess entertaining her guests:

Brittain waiting for her 2nd wind:

Leah teaching Justin and Erin and thing or two:

Naughty or Nice?

Leah stealing the spotlight:

Emma Kate being “checked out” by Robert. Hey, watch where you’re staring!:

Dan, Kate, Alison making all three babies happy (and chubbier):

The whole dysfunctional gang:

Brittain being spoiled by her mommy:

Emma Kate thinks her mom is the most comfortable person ever:

Leah:

Robert is determined to get a photo with all of the ladies:

Erin getting some bonding time with Brittain…awaiting her own baby girl:

Thanks for taking this photo with my mouth full:

Emma Kate after being fed by Alison:

Justin and Robert:

Emma Kate and daddy:

Erin getting loving from Robert (the player):

Girl talk, “Don’t listen, dad!”:

Daddy time: