We struggle to express the depth of the joy we felt as we watched Emmaxia interact with many of these amazing people during the holidays, so we thought we'd let the pictures express for us! (Family, We're sorry that we don't have pictures of all of you. We need to be much better at capturing those moments! Please know that, even if you're not pictured in this section, we have images in our minds of the holidays and your time with Emmaxia.) "Raspberries" with Kyle and giggles with Grandma Theresa

Cheering on the Badgers with Aunt Colleen during the Rose Bowl...too bad the game didn't turn out as well as Em's pigtails!

Uncle Don helps Emmaxia drive her new car. (This will not be the last time Uncle Don is called for his automotive expertise!)

Dear Honey and Uncle Chad, Thank you for that super cool sled and path around the yard!

And thank you, Tyler, for hauling us all around...again and again...

and again!

Honey gave snowshoes a try--not quite the way they were supposed to work, unfortunately, but Honey showed me that I should always be willing to have fun and be able to laugh at myself! : )

Auntie R.J. gave my cousin Delaney and me a turn around the yard too!

Hmm...I know I look like I can't move in the snowsuit (actually, I really couldn't move in that snowsuit), but I really had a fun day. I am going to like this snow thing!

Honey and me sledding... I felt snug as a bug in a rug!

Snuggles with Uncle Chad

and Uncle John!

Cousin Tyler, will you teach me to be a Twins fan? And a Vikings fan?!

Thank you for holding onto me, Delaney!

My cousins, Rylee and Delaney. Don't you love their hats?! Me too...I think I might have a chance to wear them someday! : )

Thank you for a wonderful first Christmas, everyone! I love you all!

Kisses and snuggles,

Emmaxia

Here Comes Santa Claus

Santa's coming! SANTA'S COMING!!

Why Santa, why? Why did my parents leave me with you? WWWHHHYYYY??!!

I'd like a Red Rider BB gun.... Scratch that...I'd rather have a Cheerio and my blankie!

(If you cannot name the three movies our post references, it's time to deck the halls, roast the chestnuts, and play reindeer games because, Baby, it's cold outside!)

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Searching for the perfect tree

The holidays are officially underway at the Rockweits! I located a radio station with Christmas music 24/7, and Todd survived another year of stringing lights outside. Next, of course, the quest for the perfect tree! Gruzin led the search with his keen hunting instincts. Oh, that pile of blankets is Emmaxia!It's heavier than it looks! (I only lasted about 20 feet before Todd had to take over.)

Whew--finding the perfect tree is exhausting...

but so worth it!

The Wonderful Thing about TIggers

"Is Tiggers are wonderful things.""Their tops are made out of rubber."

"Their bottoms are made out of springs."

"They're bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy/Fun, fun, fun, fun, FUN! But the most wonderful thing about Tiggers is" she's the cutest one!

-from "Tigger's Song"...let me know if you want the full citation...I'm not on the clock yet! : )

My First Birthday Party

Since I'm now in the "single digits," Mommy and Daddy said I could write my own blog post! I thought I'd share a few moments from my first birthday party. Mommy put a special party dress on me; it was so pretty--full of flowers just like my cake. Then, I took a really good nap before my family and friends arrived. We played and "opened gifts"--that's what everyone called this funny thing they were asking me to do. Usually, Daddy and Mommy don't like it when I tear up stuff; maybe I wasn't doing it right because today they were showing me how to do just that! (I think I started to understand when my cousin, Delaney, and my friend, Mia, showed me. Mia's first birthday party was last week, so she knew all about tearing paper the right way.) Well, after I started tearing paper, I found the coolest things inside! Daddy and Mommy told me that people gave me these things because they wanted me to know I'm special and loved and giving gifts is one way to say that. They also told me that the best gifts were all of the hugs, kisses and joy everyone shared. I agree, especially now that I can blow kisses back! I wish I knew how to say or sign, "You are very special and I love you very much!" because that is what I would tell everyone who celebrated with me that day--those who could be here in person and those who were sending hugs across the miles. Here are some other things I learned that day.... This is called a birthday cake. People buy or make these for someone celebrating a birthday.

This is a candle. People get candles on their cakes to match how many fingers they are. Daddy said some people stop putting the right number of candles on their cake when it becomes hazardous, whatever that means. I hope I don't have to worry about a "habbardish" for a long time because I liked when we all thought really hard about something and pretended we had Kleenexes at the same time.

I stuck my finger in my pretty flower cake; I just had to touch it! Nobody cared that I messed up the pretty flower. In fact, they saw I liked touching it so much that they gave me this one to play with! I'm not sure why, but, when I put the funny white lotion on my legs, everyone started laughing (but only my cousin, Kyle, wanted to touch me). Everybody even helped me taste it. So confusing...Mommy and Daddy never let me taste the lotion they put on me after bath time.

I guess birthdays are not only about celebrating with family and friends, but also about having a day off from the rules. I've decided I like birthdays very much!!

Reminiscing

Five years ago, today, we decided to pursue adoption. While the decision felt right immediately, we could not have imagined the profound impact this choice--this child--would have on our lives. We are humbled by the gift of parenthood and are grateful for the constant reminder of this truth with every discovery, every touch, every giggle. Here are a few glimpses from yesterday, playing in Door County, and today, exploring at Octoberfest.

A blustery day, Pooh! Still, a terrific day together... and a chance for Emmaxia to discover slides!

If only Kelty made these packs in adult sizes! : )

A New Fan

Go Badgers!! (Thank you for the super cool cheerleader outfit, Uncle Don and Aunt Colleen! Sorry about the Gophers, Auntie RJ, but Mommy said I'm going to be a Vikings fan. Shh...don't tell Daddy.)

Quite the nail-biter but the Badgers won 20-19...whew!

Celebrating the Autumn Chill

We were so excited to feel autumn in the air (especially because it promised an end to this summer's wicked mosquitoes)! The cool air caught us a bit off guard, though, so we were scrambling to find something suitable for Emmaxia. Here are a few pictures from our quest for cool weather garb. Option One: Clearly, I was overreacting to the chill in the air when I went for this tundra-ready "bundler". Todd assured me that she'd be just fine in something suited for 45F or higher. I know...many of you are thinking of poor Ralphie unable to get himself up after falling in the snow. (No idea what I'm referencing? Watch A Christmas Story!)

Option Two: I was so excited to try this hand-me-d0wn from cousins Rylee and Delaney. Unfortunately, as the picture reveals, our little peanut is even too tall for this adorable fleece suit.

Option Three: We finally settled on this little number. Again, thanks to cousins Rylee and Delaney, Emmaxia will be stylin' and toasty! Enjoy the joys of autumn, everyone. (We're off to search for Honey Crisps!)

Recent Photos

On your mark, get set, goooooooo...no need to warn us; everyone has already done that.

A new, special friend...Thank you, London, for hanging with us.....

A Preview of Emmaxia's First Photo Shoot

A special thank you to our friend, the very talented Jennifer of JK Photography!

Concert in the Park

Best friendsListening to music under nature's canopy...a beautiful thing...

Family Visit

Eagerly anticipated "girl time"!

"Honey" (Grandma Carol) and Emmaxia

Auntie R.J., Rylee and Delaney with Emmaxia

Playing with Honey...

Emmaxia had so much fun playing "patty cake" and "so big" and loved showing off her impressive gymnastic skills to her guests. (Child proofing is just around the corner!)

Thank you, Honey, Auntie R.J., Rylee and Delaney (and Rascal), for a fantastic visit! We can't wait to see you next week!

Fun In the Sun

Here comes the sun...do-do-do-do Winneconne pool with the Spalding clan......Not her best smile but still cute

Fun Stuff

The Great Protector....

A special relationship...

Italianfest - Milwaukee...

Concert in the park - Neenah...................