Weekend with the Emery's

The past week Erin has been suffering with kidney stones. I took her to the doctor and did a CAT scan. The scan didn't show a stone but she has EVERY indication that it is a stone so we have treated it like a stone. She was bedrest for several days. During one of those days, Erin and Brielle hung out in her bed. They slept all morning long. She is still having to deal with the pain this week but is able to move and go to work (big improvement!).

Brielle is getting SO big. I cannot believe it. Things she loves to do: blowing bubbles, smile, hold her head up, eat and sleep. Last week there was a day where she was only awake for an hour or so; she slept good the night before, all day and that night. What a life! She is most comfortable sleeping with someone; either being held or sleeping next to you. As a result, she has slept in my bed more than she should (I have been so tired it's easier to give in then do anything about it). She is talking more and kicking all the time. When she is awake she is very alert and loves looking around at her surroundings. She is such a happy baby.

This past weekend we had my Dad's nephew Lance, his wife Julie, and their son Alexander come and visit (the Emerys). They haven't been to Reno since I was married (6 years ago). We had a great time visiting, sightseeing and playing with the baby.

(Lance and Brielle)

Alexander is so big now, and very smart (he is in the 5th grade now).

(Alexander and Brielle)

We had a great time together.

(Lance and Brielle)

(Brielle, Julie and Alexander)

We visited and stayed up late Friday night. Saturday we had a yummy breakfast at my parents and headed up to Virginia City. Erin was getting ready when Lance had the brilliant idea to curl his eye lashes. He wasn't impressed.

(Lance curling his eyelashes)

(Reflection from Emery's Batmobile on Matt's truck)

(Erin and I hanging out in the truck with Brielle at the outlook)

(Julie, Alexander, Lance at the outlook going to Virginia City)

Dad let Matt have the day off and so the whole family got to go to Virginia City. We had a great time and the weather was sunny and warm (if you stayed in the sun). As soon as we got there we did a bus tour, then walked the main street looking at the stores. Erin was hurting all day but didn't complain and we enjoyed having her around.

(Danielle and Alexander)

(Danielle and Matt)

(Alexander in a candy store up in Virgina City)

(Danielle and Matt thrown in Jail in Virginia City)

(Matt and Danielle at Virginia City)

(Alexander looking at Danielle)

(He finally decided to rescue me! My knight and shining armour)

We had enough energy to go to Scheel's (worlds largest sporting good store).

It wasn't very busy. In fact Matt and I hadn't seen the ferris wheel line so small. Lance, Alexander, Matt and I went on the ferris wheel. That was semi fun. They stopped the ride all the time and I discovered I am becoming a wimp (the highest point on the ride was a little scary).

(Matt and Danielle on the ferris wheel)

We ended the night with the men (Matt, Dad, Lance and Alexander) racing each other.

(Dad, Matt, Alexander and Lance at Scheels racing cars)

This was entertaining: Dad couldn't get off the start line, Lance hit Dad's car and caused both cars to spin out of control and crash (Dad said he almost threw up because of the spinning), Matt was ahead until the end when he crashed and struggled to recover. In the end Lance won.

(Danielle and Brielle at Scheels)

Sunday the Emery's and Taylors and G,pa Hicks went to Lake Tahoe which is only an hour away.

Sand Harbor at Lake Tahoe

Before we even left Lance threw out his neck and could barley move. In order to look at anything required him to turn his whole body (ouch!). It wasn't a fun way to start the day.

At first I was afraid it was going to be really cold because when we stopped at the top of the summit to go sledding, it was freezing.

(Danielle and Brielle at Mt. Rose Summit)

(Matt and Alexander sledding at Mt. Rose summit)

(Brielle dressed in her snowman outfit)

(Video of Alexander sledding on ice at the Mt. Rose summit)

However, we dropped down into Tahoe and the weather was absolutely beautiful. In fact it was hard to believe it was January.

(Alexander at Tahoe)

(Matt at Tahoe)

We walked Sand Harbor and loved being in the great outdoors! Brielle slept the whole time.

(Taylor Family picture at Tahoe)

(Danielle, Brielle, Matt, Alexander, Julie, G.pa Hicks, Lance)

We drove around a little and ate lunch before heading home.

(Julie, Alexander, Brielle at lunch in Tahoe)

(Alexander, Brielle and G.pa Hicks at lunch)

On our way home I called Mom where she informed me that she came home from Church early because she was sick. We were going to have dinner at our house so the Emerys could see our house. Her getting sick changed that. Plan B was we went to the house before dinner and played.

(The Taylor home in Reno)

There Matt and Alexander played the Wii while the rest of us visited.

(Matt and Alexander playing the Wii)

We didn't eat dinner until 8 and by then Mom was feeling better. I think she got food poisoning. We had a great weekend with the Emerys. It's always fun creating memories with family.

(Erin making cookies for the family)

(Erin, Matt, Danielle, Brielle listening to Julie's stories)

(Brielle sacked out in Danielle's arms)

(My parents dog, Taz wearing G.pa Hicks;s eyeglasses)