Here's the cake that Laura made for her this morning. Emily asked for a parrot on it a couple weeks ago so Laura made this by drawing it, cutting the paper into sections, and then cutting the different colored frosting (or icing) to match... then adding little number 3's all over it. I thought she did a pretty good job.
~dale

She opened her presents from grandma last night, and one was a "soft baby" like Kristin had gotten when she was small. Emily loved it! Here she was this morning when I walked into the room, sitting in a chair holding her new baby. I had to snap a shot of it just because she looked so grown up.
~dale

Now these were a fluke... it was late evening and I was getting things around to wash the back deck to get it ready for the season. The furninture had all been moved off it and placed in the grass in the back yard. After being at it for a few minutes, I looked up to see what the kids were doing. Daniel was sitting on one of the lounges, blowing bubbles for Emily with one of those large wands, while she was running around trying to pop them. The sun was setting and the lighting was perfect so I grabbed the camera and snapped a couple pics. I just love action shots.
~dale

#2...

Here's a shot of us on the wood pile last night. We had enough time to quickly cut another load of wood yesterday before getting back her to take Kristin to her 4:30 softball practice (yes I was about 5 mins late again ). We then got the truck unloaded afterwards yesterday evening.
~dale

The GTR Special was the knife of choice for carry yesterday. Here's a close up of it laying on an old vice that I have in the bed of the old work truck. I thought it made for a nice pic in B&W.
~dale

When we had finished I came up to the door to go in the house when I saw a kitten napping inside an very old metal toolbox. This tool box is rusty, the bottom is almost non-existent-ha. We can't throw it away because Andrew loves it! When he was quite small I used to play a game with him using this old rusted box (that he found in the shop one day and took a liking to). We pretended it was "treasure", and would take turns hiding it outside so the other could hunt for it. This used to go on (and on) until I finally had to stop it because it was time to get something done. We have played this game ever since he was about 3 or 4 years old so the box is really special to him (and me if the truth be known ) so we keep the old box around for this very reason. Anyway, one of the kittens was sleeping and I had the camera still in hand from taking the shots outside so snapped a few to share. I thought everyone may like to see them too, but I know Ron (BoBlade) likes cat pics, so here they are...
~dale

Then lastly, when I did get inside I saw a small cup of dandelions... (flowers, as Emily calls them) with a tulip on display. She had picked them for mommy and put them in a snoppy cup as the vase.-ha! ... just thought the whole idea of it was cute.
~dale

GREAT photos Dale! Looks like you guys have been quite busy lately. Happy Birthday to Emily. Keep them coming.

Best,
Warren