Who said Terrible Two's....

'Cause today we had perfection!

Mourning for infant sizes...

On Sunday Abby will be two. I can't believe it. People said time would move quickly, but I really didn't believe it. I have noticed that she has had a growth spert lately. Which means, when it starts getting cold and shorts are no longer what she needs to wear, size 2T will fit nicely. My feelings are very complicated about it. I am really excited to move forward and to see Abby grow and experience new things, but I really miss my baby (especially when she is throwing a fit).

Tomorrow we are going to get her birthday pictures taken. I found a really pretty dress which makes her hair look almost strawberry blonde, so I will be posting them when I get them. Until then, I am posting some of my favorites of when she was a baby.

One Step Closer to Taking Martha Stuart Down....

My mom visited us these last few days and she taught me how to can peaches. I think she tried to show me 25 years ago; when I helped her can fruit in Washington, but this time I think it took :) I didn't realize it was so easy! As I saw my peaches coming out of the canner, I couldn't help thinking, "That is so beautiful!" She also helped me make Peach-Raspberry freezer jam. Can't wait to spread that on toast! Thanks Mom, I really had fun!

As Martha Stuart says, "It's a good thing!"

Speaking of Art....

I was just reading my cousin's blog,she has posted pictures of her son and his "art". We too have a budding artist in our family. I was meaning to post these last week. This is Abby's first chalk art picture. I don't know if she enjoys drawing more or the fact that she can go in and out of the house at her own discretion.

I'm Tagged!

Thanks Ashley, here goes!

Jobs I've had:
1. Topped corn Othello/Connell area (Really the grossest job I have ever had!)
2. Weeded parts of a 75-acre Bean Field with a hoe.
3. Short-order Cook/Waitress at Restaurant for four years
4. Cashier at Sprouse Ritz

Getaways:
1. Oahu, Hawaii
2. Washington DC/New York City
3. San Carlos, Mexico
4. Denver

Movies I put on Repeat:
1. The Gladiator (Mike laughs at me because I think it's a love story.)
2. Lord of the Rings, Two Towers (I love the Elf Army, they are so pretty!)
3. Bridget Jones Diary (I can relate to her quite a bit, just not all the swearing).
4. Coal Miners’ Daughter (It is always on cable, and I never can say “no” to Dew!)

Guilty Pleasures:
1. The BeeGees (I should be dancing, yeah!)
2. Reality Television (I’m so embarrassed, I won’t even list them!)
3. Chocolate Anything (except Mole Sauce, Yuk!)
4. Historical Romance Novels (again, pretty embarrassing!)

Places I've lived:
1. Parma, Idaho
2. Royal City, Washington
3. Rexburg, Idaho
4. Salt Lake City/Bountiful, Utah

Places I've been on Holidays:
1. Thanksgiving 2002, Mexico
2. Thanksgiving 1997ish, Porterville, California
3. Memorial Day 2003, Denver
4. Where the family is for the rest of them…

Favorite Foods: (I had to put 5 answers)
1. Smothered Burrito with cheese no onion
2. Tiramisu
3. Soup, Salad, Breadsticks at Olive Garden
4. Crème Brule
5. Cheesecake

First Kiss Location:
The backroom of my high school library…

My Friend is Back!

My friend is back this summer. I didn't know if he/she would be. Earlier this summer I was having a problem with bugs in my plants on the patio. Recently, problem had cleared up, but didn't know why. Then yesterday I saw him/her. It kind of creeps me out, but he/she is great at what it does. This will be the fourth year with my Praying Mantis. Years past, I noticed him quite early in the summer. He is always welcome to the patio.

Gardner Village

Yesterday, my SIL (Lee's wife Ashly) and I took our kids to Gardner Village. I LOVE that place! It is so Little House on the Prairie and boutiquey. In the Fall they have activities going on all the time. Their petting zoo was pretty cute. It even had pony rides. Abby's pony is called "Goldie".

Abby did really, really well with all the animals. At one point she was giving a dissertation to the cow. Waiving her hands up and down as she spoke. I guess she had lots to get off her chest. She was so into the animals, that all I got were pictures with her head turned. Just so much to take in! We had a great time. My mom is here this weekend and I think we might head over there again.

Time Reflection

This morning as I was showering, I thought about last week. I reflected on my anniversary. It struck me kinda funny the difference between the first anniversaries and the last couple.

I would say, that Mike and I are now even more committed than ever before, but are we getting complacent in how we express our feelings for one another? Our early anniversaries were very romantic. We focused on lots of personal time together, dinner, and a movie. This year, I painted the unfinished trim (we have recently updated a couple rooms in our house by painting and putting up some chair-rail) I also gave him a card. :))

I would like to think that our relationship has just matured. We do mark the date we became married, but instead of having one special day, we go out often as a family, with the exceptions of the big ones. The first was a weekender in Southern Utah, the forth was Hawaii, and the ninth was Washington DC/New York. Yeah, I know pretty random numbering! :D Maybe I should hold this thought until number 14 rolls around…

I can't believe Mike and I have been married as long as we have. We still have a fun together, and he still makes me laugh like no one else can. I do feel old when I see how big the Ab-ster has become! She definitely makes me notice how time has flown!

I am posting some old pictures of our trip to the WA DC area. These were some of my favorite spots. (Monticello was rainy from a hurricane. The rain made the trip interesting; weird sounding, I know! Our film came out soft and romantic looking.

All in all, it was a nice 12th anniversary. I also think Mike appreciated the painted trim. I did one #@!! of a job! :))

Where did the time go???

It's funny how time flies. I know I have been pretty lax on my blogging, but looking back, I have been busy. You know, doing the usual stuff. What is funny about time is that I can't really remember anything in-particular. It has all mushed together.

This week doesn't seem to bad, though. Yet it could change if I have coding work to do.

Abby is understanding so much more now. I feel like I have a little "helper". She can now get me diapers, throw things in the garbage, and pick up her toys and put them away. Since the weather has cooled a little, we have been able to go for walks in the afternoons. She loves it, so it has been really fun.

PS, Mike and my wedding anniversary is on Thursday. It will be 12 (yes, TWELVE!) years... can't believe it myself.

PSS, I have had a really fun time on www.simpsonizeme.com. I have simpsonized quite a few people... Pretty fun website, when you have some extra time.