Chapter 11 Blogruptcy

For a long time now, several of my blog readers (not that there are many of you) have asked the question "when are you going to post another blog?" This is a very valid question because as some of you may recall I started this blog with all intentions of updating it on a regular basis and really making this a vehicle for people to stay up-to-date with the Devers (those of you that wanted to). Well, that hasn't really happened, hence, the last blog was on March 2nd and before that it was November 3rd. As you can imagine jobs, a one year old, friends, family, charity, and pretty much life got in the way. But, I shouldn't use that as an excuse...so I am officially starting over (new blog look and all). I am officially filing for and declaring Chapter 11 blogruptcy. I am wiping the slate clean. Emerson just turned two on 7/9/09 and now is as good of time as any to start blogging and really keep it up since there will be so many fun stories to tell. So I am not stressing myself out about trying to update you on the last 8 months. The months that I missed are a wash (for you guys, at least) and those stories and events will be etched into my brain as a memory. I will however, post pictures (a request from several readers; again, not many of you) of the months everyone has missed. But I am making a promise to myself, to my friends, family and to my 5 followers (ha!) that I will update this blog on a more regular basis. So let this be my official declaration of CHAPTER 11 BLOGRUPTCY...and let's hope this is the only Chapter 11 I ever have to file. So, get ready to be blogundated with fun stories and adventures of the Devers with their crazy two year old. Birthdays blogs are around the corner along with picture updates. Stayed tuned for Flashback Fridays (name taken from a friend's blog) when I start flooding you with pictures from the past 8 months. Thanks to those loyal blog followers and sorry to have let you down. I am hoping this attempt won't be as febel. More to come.....

Do you see the snow?

This morning, as most of us were rising, we were greeted by several inches of snow on the ground. As adults, we knew this was coming and had heard about it pretty much all day from one media outlet or another. But for a toddler, it is a different experience to go to bed with no white stuff on the ground and to wake up to a winter wonderland....... After getting Emerson out of her crib this morning, I opened her bedroom blinds and said, "Let's look outside." Still half-asleep, she obliged and took a look outside. I said, "Emerson, do you see the snow?" Her response, with eyes now bright and wide open, "Mommy, look No (aka: snow)!!!" I said, "Do you remember playing in the snow?" Her response, now kicking her feet and wailing her arms in excitement, "No, No, No!!!! (again toddler lingo for snow)" After getting her dressed, we still had socks and shoes to put on until we were ready to leave for school. Emerson was cuddled up with her puppy(stuffed animal she carries everywhere), waiting patiently for me to get her shoes. I told her, while she waited, to show puppy the snow.....(She picked up her puppy and pointed his head to the window, as if to show him the snow.) Emerson: "Puppy," she says in a very inquisitive and high pitched voice, "..see 'da No?" When he didn't answer, she asked again in a very firm voice..... "PUPPY, SEE 'DA NO!!" Guess it goes to show, she does remember her first snow fall from last month and she wants everyone, including puppy, to enjoy it as much as she did.

The Dever Dish is updated!!!

The Dever Dish has been updated, you can scroll down to see the posts or just click on the posts below: Smile for the Camera - this has a link to the video montage of Emerson's first photo shoot....not to be missed!!! AMEN!! Emerson's a Rockstar Happy Halloween, Ya'll August and September.... - this includes a link to August and September pictures Clown-O-Ween

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CLOWN-O-WEEN

Like most of America, we celebrated Halloween this past Friday night. As was the case last year, Emerson didn't quite grasp the whole concept of Halloween or trick-or-treating. So, really this year's festivities were merely a picture taking opportunity for us; and as you can imagine, there were LOTS of pictures. Last year we took pictures of Emerson with our neighbor and her friend Ivie...this year was no different; tradition maybe? Take a look at how much both girls have changed in a year. Last Year- This year- What a cute clown!!!! As you can tell from the pictures....Emerson was fortunate enough to borrow Ivie's costume from last year. (Thank you to the Hermans for letting us borrow the costume and Amy's mom for making such a cute costume.) As you can see both girls made very adorable clowns. After pictures, Ivie and Emerson visited another neighbor for some trick or treating....... Then the Hermans were off for some real trick-or-treating and we were off to Mimi and Birdie's for pizza with Grammy and Papa. Emerson visited the Hamricks for another official trick-or- treat. Emerson had a great time this year, but we are sure next year will be even better since she will finally understand what Halloween is all about....Trick-or-Treating and Candy!!! Emerson was so pooped from the whole experience, she fell asleep on the way home. Until next year.....

August and September….

Here is my attempt to try to catch you up on the Dever happenings in August and September…. (picture link is below). August August for the Devers was fairly tame. Danny didn't do any traveling except for a one day trip to Chicago. We attended the Brazile Bash (as in Kyle Brazile)…a party at our friends and one of Brooke's co-workers homes….we literally had another party across the street to attend so it worked out well. After socializing at the Brazile Bash we headed to Avana Pittman's birthday party. Emerson was in awe of all the girls getting their fingernails and toenails painted and making their own lip balm. Everyone looked like a princess!!! I was pretty busy at work the first week in August because we had a huge conference in town for NCAC, a new organization in our office. I got the privilege of helping plan the events with a co-worker and the first week of August was all about executing them. I must say most of the events went off without a hitch and I think they were pretty pleased with the success of the conference. I hope I get to work on it again next year…it was a nice change of pace. We were also very fortunate to be invited to the Holbrook's going away party. We are so sad to see them go but we know they will be very happy in South Carolina. The funniest event of this party was that Emerson actually told Roy Williams "NO" (she was in a No phase at this point, wait a minute, she still is). We were outside on the porch and he said come see me baby girl and she looked right at him and said NO! Too funny!!! Although she didn't know what she was saying No to or even WHO she was saying No to, it was still hilarious. The biggest event in August was Emerson's move from the infant classroom to the toddler classroom. She had outgrown the room months before then but they just didn't have the space for her to move up. She was certainly a big fish in a small pond and just itching to get into her new class. Emerson has seemingly adjusted well to life in the toddler classroom…she is certainly the small fish in a large pond as she is the smallest kid in the class. Her vocabulary has skyrocketed since joining the class and she is trying to sing songs all the time. We get bits and pieces of the ABC's and Ring Around the Posey.

September

September was another relatively quiet month for us. Emerson got to experience yet another attempt at water fun and used the pool her Grammy and Papa got her for her birthday. As you will see from the pictures, she loved it and we couldn't get her out of it….she stayed in until all the water was drained out and even then, didn't want to get out. We will surely bring it out next summer for what will be many adventures. The Wisconsin Devers came to visit but more importantly moved their son, Corey, down as he started culinary school at Johnson and Wales in Charlotte, NC…it was good to see them though and we are glad one more Dever is in NC. September also brought Emerson a new playmate in Macie Herman. Our dear friends and neighbors welcomed the second baby girl Macie into the world on September 10^th. As you have seen in several pictures Ivie, their older daughter, is also a playmate of Emerson's. There is a lot of estrogen on or block now!!! Danny also had a birthday in September, pretty mild one this year; doesn't that suck that the older you get, the less hoopla is made over your birthday. We still love ya though Dan!!! At least you got to play golf in September, Danny had two golf tournaments to play in; the first was for one of his customers in Charlotte, and the second was the 6^th annual NYK Logistics golf tournament. Danny and his office have hosted this golf tournament since its inception and it is really fun. It was a good time for me to get away as well, meet some of his staff, and a have a great dinner (thanks again to the Marchicas). Another great event for us this September was attending the opening night premiere of The Biggest Loser. As many of you know one of my oldest friends, Heba, is appearing on the show with her husband Ed. We were honored to have been invited to the opening night celebration at The Franklin Hotel. We are watching every week and cheering them both on until the finals!!! Check them out at the Biggest Loser website. Emerson and I also ventured to the NC Museum of Life and Science with Monica, my dear friend, and her boys and my godchildren, Carter and Cameron; and with Ann, another dear friend, and her boys Connor and Will. Yes, Emerson was the only girl amongst all boys; but I think she held her own. The last big event for us in September, really October 4^th, was Cameron Malboeuf's Carnival themed birthday. Emerson had a blast at the party.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy hearing and catching up on the Dever's escapades…hopefully when I get more caught up on blogging…stories will become a more regular feature.

Enjoy the pictures below (click on link)….

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=l05z5pu.3xx4ieme&x=0&y=28620k&localeid=en_US