one word--ABBY

If there is one thing that Abby brings to our family, it is constant entertainment.  Here is why:

*She currently adds girl to the end of everything. A.k.a.--  "Jeana, you got it, girl!"

* She decided she wanted to be a baby for Halloween.  I told her they get to wear their costumes this weekend for a ward trunk-or-treat.  Abby then asked if she could wear her costume from last year, because she didn't want to get her baby outfit dirty--good thing we payed for pajamas!?

*She also stayed home sick almost all of last week.  She was really too drained to do much and watched a lot of PBS.  By Thursday, she informed me that it isn't fair that she doesn't have a sewing set because one of her friends does and said it was her favorite movie too.  It took a minute, but I realized she had been watching 'Sewing with Nancy' and 'America Sews'--several times over.  She claimed they were her knew favorite shows.  wow--didn't see that one coming, but again, only Abby.

Teachable moments

Today we were watching conference and I told my girls I wanted them to stay and listen.  We had halloween candy out and they kept asking for some.  So I told them if they could report back to me one thing they learned, they could have a treat.  President Monson was first, so Jeana was listening intently on Saturday morning.  He said something along the lines of, "We are grateful that there are so many methods in which people all over the world can watch or listen to conference, by TV, internet or radio."  Jeana then turned to me and said, "Mom he is talking about electricity.  Now, can I have a treat?"  Well, She was listening, I guess she just missed the point.  Oh well.  Abby's answer was "about temples."  Though she tried that same one twice without expanding on the subject. 

Officially 29!!!

Wow. It is funny how with every year my perspective on age changes.  I used to think 25 sounded like a perfect age , but as that age came and went all too fast, suddenly even 40 doesn't sound that old!

My mom had hand surgery and saw it as a good opportunity to come visit Nathan and me since she wouldn't be able to do much around the house.  So, my parents braved the 28 hour drive and arrived in time to help me celebrate my birthday.  It was a lot of fun.  Especially b/c any time my girls have a chance to plan a party, they go all out.  So, they shared all their bright ideas with my mom and she helped them make a big cupcake cake for me.  I was not allowed in the kitchen the night before and the morning of my birthday, Dave had to go into work early.  So, I got up to help the girls get ready, and they hurried and stuffed the balloons behind the kitchen bar so I wouldn't see, then hurried into the living room to inform me they weren't doing anything, just eating breakfast and that I needed to go back to my room.  Abby then followed me up and locked my door.  She then ran out into the hall and said, "Don't worry grandma, I locked my mom in her room now she can't get out!"  Little did she realize that the lock was actually on my side of the door and so it did no good, other than gave me a good laugh.  They then hid in the kitchen and finally called me down and jumped out from behind the bar and yelled, "Surprise!" Wow, it has been a long time since I have had a surprise party and I didn't even see it coming!  :)

Jeana did stare at the cake for quite some time and pondered if she should help grandma make more cupcakes so everyone could have some.  So, on the way to drop them off at school I told the girls I was excited to eat my cupcake and but asked them what they were going to eat.  Jeana without hesitation said, "Mom, grandma said the cupcake is a whole cake and that you have to share it with us all!"  Obviously she was concerned.  cute.

It was a very fun day filled with shopping and yummy meals I didn't have to fix.  We went to P.F. Changs for dinner and I think Jeana ate 1/2 of the spicy chicken and extra large serving of fried rice.  I have never seen her with such a big appetite, but she LOVED the chopsticks and tried to speak her own version of chinese the rest of the night!

So, thanks mom and dad for the visit and the great birthday!  There is nothing better than celebrating my birthday with my family and especially my sweet little girls who get excited over everything!  What a great day.

Abby and Lori

The first day Abby started kindergarten, she came home telling me about the great new, best friend she met and that they were going to have a great time together.  Well, a few weeks after school started, her friend had a birthday and got a Royal BFF  friendship necklace that came with the Princess Protection movie.  Her friend could hardly wait to bring the other half of the heart to school for Abby.  Their teacher even had to help them put it on.  It was very cute that she was able to find such a fast, fun friend.  They have already had a handful of playdates and walked to school together (with mom of course ) on many occasions.  They are cute little friends!

Calling All Class of '99 Fellow Centennialians...

Today is a very sad day.  I was so looking forward to meeting up with all my old friends and see what everyone doing now and where they are all living.  I really have been looking forward to the reunion for the past five years...I guess mostly after leaving BYU and wondering where everyone else went.  I think we had a really unique class with lots of great friends and lots of fun times.  I decided a while ago that I would try my hardest to make it back, but I guess Robert Burns said is best with, " The best laid schemes of mice and men Go often askew."  I kinda knew in the end I wouldn't be coming, partly because my husband is still a student, so our budget is small, but partly because with David's parents leaving to be Mission Presidents, we decided to go home in June to say good-bye to them.  So, bottom line, now that the tears are over ( I think) ... anyone who reads this before the reunion...please pass on my blog or my facebook or e-mail...and please tell everyone hi for me.  I sure miss you guys...Hope the evening is fun!  I guess I will just start making plans for the 20th reunion so everybody else plan on coming!!!

My Slacking Abilities

Well, obviously I have been a slacker with the whole blogging thing...not surprising, but for those of you who have been bugging me to update and post pictures...here you go.  I justs spent three days updating 6 months worth of pictures and info. So, if you really want to see what we have been up to, you will have to go all the way back to mid-February... sorry.  I think I enjoy reading other people's blogs than actually keeping mine up.  So anyway, kick back, find a comfortable chair... maybe a coke to keep you awake... and read on...

Ward Campout

Here are the three champs...chuggin' away.  However, in the end, the person with the best skills was my hubby...wow honey, I'm so proud of your hidden marshmallow face stuffing skills.

What would a ward activity around a campfire be without a chubby bunny contest?...

The girls and I got to camp early in the afternoon to map things out.  Within five minutes, the girls caught two small frogs, saw a bunny, found lots of sticks and climbed a tree.  They them told me that camping is the coolest thing ever.  They had a really good time.  I asked them if they wanted to go again and they said yet, but only if another family came because they admitted it would be boring if just our family went...after all it's a party when the ward is there.

My calling is Activities Chair.  I must admit (hopefully the bishop doesn't read this) this is the one calling I had dreaded forever I think b/c I knew it was coming.  Partly, I was sad to leave the primary presidency, but I guess it was time.  Anyhow, we had a slow start trying to get the new committee figured out and approving all our activities.  So, my first activity was a ward campout.  We went in blindly to a campsite, but it turned out better than I could have planned.  It rained all week before and started sprinkle Saturday afternoon when everyone was returning, but while camping, the weather couldn't have been better.  We had a good turn out and enjoyed roasting hotdogs and S'mores.