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.

Temperment, Teeth, and Tumbling Two

Today I wanted to rip my hair out. I don't know if Abby is onry because she is FINALLY getting her Eye-teeth or if I am just raising a spoiled brat. Yes the teeth are coming in. Now the fun part. Mike and I decided we would let her keep her pacifier until her teeth came in. She will be two in September, so it is none to soon. I have noticed lately that her temper tantrums are very involved. She hits, throws, and screams everytime she doesn't get her way. I have always thought those kinds of fits were learned behaviors. Since I know she hasn't seen Mike or me act that way, it must not be learned, who knew!

This evening she wanted juice (crystal light), but she already had LOTS. So I gave her plain water instead. She started yelling and throwing the magnets off the fridge to the floor. I had to laugh. What a little nightmare. She was then sent to timeout. CRAZY!

Since today was so horrible for both of us, I was glad gymnastics were today. She needed an outlet. Well, I took some pictures before we left. Do you think I could get some cute ones??? Nope, she then was angry that I was taking so long. She wanted to go! I tried to take pictures at the gym, but my batteries went dead. Go figure. I completely believe in Murphy's Law...

Back to Abbs, not to give you the wrong idea, but yesterday she was so sweet. Everytime I asked for a hug or a kiss, she would come over and give me what we asked for. She was also really helpful putting things away.

Well, I am going to say its the teeth.

My Cukoo Clock

I have a cukoo clock that makes me smile because of three reasons: one it reminds me of my Grandma Stoker. My Grandma had one in her dining room on the wall with the built-in buffet/mirror. The second reason is because she didn't have a Cukoo Clock.

Just recently when I was visiting with my mom and the subject of my clock came up, she informed me that Grandma's clock wasn't a Cukoo Clock, just an imitation. My Grandma was a very frugal woman. She loved nice things, but rarely paid for them and would settle for the knock-off because of her modesty, personal and financial. She passed away when I was 13, just a couple days before my birthday. I have many wonderful memories of her; as I grow older, I am beginning to understand her and appreciate her for who she was. She is someone I have strived to be like.

Life has a way of coming full circle, as a child, family was most important. As I left for college and moved away from home, my focus was on separating myself from who I was to become what I thought was a better person. As I have matured, I notice I embrass anything that reminds me of good memories from home.

The third reason is that I don't particularly like Cukoo Clocks! My clock still reminds me of my Grandma and her clock, but now the memory is accompanied with a laugh to myself.

Abby's Tuesday Friend

I took some pictures of Abby and Alex Tuesday. I think they are both pretty cute kids. Abby thinks so too. She LOVES him.

She has started mimicking what he does; you know, since he is the "older" one. :) I think Abby drives him crazy. At times, I can see the frustration on his face because Abby has to be right there with him.

I don't know if me watching him on Tuesdays is good for him or a death sentence!

In a Nut Shell

I haven't posted in quite a while, so I thought I would update everyone on how we are doing...

Abby is doing very well; she tries to say new words every day. I have realized that she knows more words than I thought she did, she just doesn't enunciate her words enough for me to figure them out. I think we will be in speech therapy for a long while. She tends to say the word initially well, and then shortens the word to one syllable. I guess it is a good think we like our therapist! We still use sign language, but putting the emphasis on speech.

Abby is also trying to find her limits (I know she has found mine!!!) Lately the battle has been for her to stay in bed. She continually is getting out of bed and wanting to sleep by the door. If I check on her in the night and she has moved to the floor, I have to put my shoulder into it and scoot her until I can get in. While picking her up, I am usually praying that she stays asleep; otherwise the cycle continues.

She is definitely a girly, girl. She loves jewelry, hats, and shoes. She will stop whatever she is doing to accessorize. When I am downstairs, she up and I hear her screaming, I go up to see what it is about; she is most likely trying to put on her outgrown clothes and can’t figure it out.

Mike is doing really well. He started school in May. He is going to the University of Colorado (online) majoring in Criminal Justice. We want to start our own business after he has graduated. Right now, he has finished one term and found out he is on both the Chancellor and Dean’s list with a 4.0. Mike has also done some updating to our condo, putting in new faucets and paint on the walls. It looks very nice. His job is also going well. He has become a lead/foremen on the jobs he is assigned. He is back into the sound business, only this time it is residential. Most days he is working in Park City. Mike is a perfectionist and it shows through all the things he attempts.

Gymboree has turned out to be a fun job. I am in training right now to be a shift manager. They have been really great working with me and my limited schedule. All the other women are very nice and I think I am fitting in well. Abby and I are traveling to New York (as soon as I book my flight) this summer to visit some friends. I am very excited about that! My coding job has been very intermitted lately, but since it is summer and days are warm I don’t mind one bit. It has been a really great job. I can get hairy, but usually isn’t.

Well, that is us in a nut shell!