EK's first dance recital and 4th birthday

Emery Kate had her first dance recital on her 4th birthday! So special and fun! She was in a studio called Dancing Angels this year. It is a christian dance studio and so the whole recital was like a worship service. Precious. They want to teach the girls that dance can be worship to Jesus.

She did a tap and ballet routine. This was her tap costume. Purple- her favorite color :)

 Felice was in her class! She's so cute and fun!

Her Ballet costume.

 silly face

 be still my heart

 proud daddy giving her flowers afterwards

 burson had quite the crowd around him haha!

 i love this picture of her

 our family of five

After the recital all our family came over for a birthday dinner celebration for EK. Blake smoked two briskets that were amazing! 

EK was in heaven with her family there. She loves her cousins so so much!

 She requested MeeMaw's strawberry cake (which happens to be her dad's favorite too!) and of course it was delicious!

 can't believe she's four!

 she went ahead and blew out the candles in the middle of the song. It was pretty cute!

 Burson was held the entire weekend I believe! Lots of love for the little man!

 caden

build a bear bday fun

This year for Emery Kate's birthday we decided to not do a big party. Her birthday was on the same day as her dance recital so we decided to have a family birthday dinner after it. Since we weren't doing a big party I told her we could take jayden and duncan to do a build a bear. It breaks my heart that this is her last birthday they will all be at for awhile. Tear. Lots of tears.

She was so excited about the night.

We started the night at chick fill of course.

 so happy

EK chose a hello kitty doll, Jayden a bear, Dunc a dog and Molly a monkey

 She was worn out!

Emery Kate is FOUR!

 our traditional birthday breakfast date at Einsten's

Sweet Emery Kate,
I can't believe that four years ago you made me a mom. My life totally changed and for the better in every way. I love being a mom and I especially love that I get to be a mom to you. You are such a sweet little girl. You love your siblings so well, you care for others and you respect people. I love how mature you are getting. We can talk about so many things now and you are just so easy. I love how much you love being with your dad and building things or fixing things with him. I love how you dress up into your ballerina clothes all the time. I love listening to you playing and singing during your room time. I love when you and molly go into the room and play by yourselves. It blesses my heart to see y'all love each other. I know you really do love her so much.
Thank you for being so helpful with Burson. You are always willing to go and get something for me and you love to hold him.
It was fun to see you mature over the year. For example, you took dance this whole year and at the beginning you often didn't want to go and would cry about it. By the second semester you never complained and were really enjoying it. I could see you mature in that way.
You love school and are learning a lot. You have the best memory. Blake and I are blown away by everything you remember. You won't let us forget something we told you, ha!
I love that you fall asleep every night to Blake playing guitar and singing worship songs. You are one lucky girl. You have a daddy who loves you so much.
My heart is breaking for the changes coming this next year with friends and cousins moving- but I know God is good and will provide new friends for you. Who wouldn't want to be your friend?
I love you and am so proud to call you my daughter.