Catching up to Summer

So I've had a bit of a "slack-attack" (yes, I coined that phrase myself) as of lately, especially when it has come to blogging. That hasn't been the only thing, though. The fridge and cupboards are empty because I haven't been grocery shopping in ages, my house is a mess, plus plenty of other things that I can't think of specifically right this minute. At least I (I should say we, Kevin has helped me out a lot) have the laundry under control as of now. In short, I've been just falling behind. It's okay, it happens to the best of us.

I have started to work at couple of days a week at my "sometimes" job, which has really taken it's toll on me. I sound like a total wimp. I only work 2 days a week, but at the end of those days, I'm exhausted. I forgot how physically draining sitting at a desk behind a computer 8 hours a day can be. Not to mention, for the past two weeks I have been battling this cold-turned-worst sinus infection of my life. Add chasing after a two-year-old in between everything else, it takes a lot out of me.

So, long, self-pitiful story short, I haven't felt much like blogging, so Ive got some catching up to do. Luckily I've been pretty diligent at taking pictures so, here goes (deep breath).

May:

Most of the month of May was focused on Lisa (sis-in-law) and Austin's wedding. I volunteered to help Kevin's mom out because, I had the time and knew that she needed the help since two weeks before the wedding, she was going to Japan to pick up her father.

Some of our bigger undertakings were creating centerpieces for the tables and flower arrangements to decorate throughout.

Here's what we did for centerpieces.



And here's one of the arrangements we made for the backdrop.


I got the topiary idea online and we basically just copied the flowers from the arrangement that my mom did for my backdrop. We also made some smaller flower arrangements is little galvanized buckets, but I didn't get pictures of those.

A few days before the wedding, Kevin's grandpa came to visit from Japan. It took Abi a few hours to warm up to him, but soon she was his best friend.

See how his "best friend" is struggling to get off his lap? No, really, she loved him, she just didn't want her picture taken here.

Then it was time for the wedding, which was fun and beautiful, as weddings are.



At the temple, there's a lot of sitting and waiting, which is understandably hard for little kids. So, my dad took Abi for a stroll around the temple grounds.


And Gigi helped keep Savannah out of trouble.


The reception was really nice as well, though I couldn't get my husband to stop socializing ong enough to get a single picture of the festivities. Nope, not one. Although there were so many people there, her probably wouldn't have been able to get a picture of much anyway. Seriously, there were so many people there. It was crazy.

After the wedding was wrapped up and done with, we could all relax and enjoy some time with Kevin's grandpa, who doesn't speak any English. I understand some Japanese, so that has helped, but there were a couple of times when Gigi would ask me something, or tell me something expecting a response, and I don't have any idea what to say. Here's one example:

Kevin's mom went out to dinner with some friends one night. She had made curry, which was a safe dish since we all like it, and Gigi liked it too (he does not eat American food). I had fixed myself a plate and had set it on the counter while I buckled Abi into her high chair. By then Gigi had was walked over to the stove where we were dishing up plates, pointed to my plate and said something to me. I don't know exactly what he said, but I knew he was asking if the plate I had just fixed was for him. I just didn't know if he was teasing me or not. (He likes to joke around) I didn't know what to say, so I looked at Kevin's dad, who is fluent in Japanese, for some kind of help, but he just stared at me. I said, "you can have it if you want," but, from the look on Gigi's face I guessed I still wasn't getting it. Finally, Kevin's dad pipes up and tells Gigi that he's fixing a plate for him now. It all got straightened out eventually, but not without some embarrassment. I really wasn't a big deal, but I did feel kind of dumb.

Then there was that time last year when he walked in on me while I was in the bathroom, but that's not really a language thing, it's more of a he's-an-old-man-and-is-hard-of-hearing thing.

Anyway, we really enjoyed having him here. Abi was sad to see him go.





Popsicles make everything better.


June:

My youngest sister Sarah graduated from High School this year, so Abi and I went to see her commencement ceremony.






I even got creative and made Sarah a cake. Okay, what really happened was I found this cool, easy recipe for marshmallow fondant and needed an excuse to make a cake to try it.




p.s. This was my first time using fondant. Ever. It's kind of fun.

The weather has got warmer, so Abi has been outside more.




It's even been warm enough for Abi to take a dip in the backyard in her little pool.





And draw with sidewalk chalk.



Whew. Well, I think that about does it for the catching up. Hopefully, I won't be such a slacker in the future, but I won't make any promises.

The Best Things About Being a Mommy

In honor of Mother's day, I thought I would list some of my favorite things about being a mommy.

1. Mommies get lots of hugs and kisses every day.

2. Mommies get super-powers like:
- Super Speed- while changing a diaper
- Super Hearing- when Abi was a newborn, the littlest noises would wake me up
- Super Strength- you try carrying an extra 15-20 pounds around all day; not easy
- Super Patience- very handy
- Super Healing- Mommies kisses always make ow-ies feel better
- And this one power that lets you function during the day on very little sleep; not sure what it's called

3. Kids love their mommies, despite their flaws.

4. Sometimes, mommies get snuggles just because.

5. Mommies get to see their little ones' eyes light up over the smallest things

And my very favorite thing about being a mommy:

I get to love, teach, watch, learn from, tickle, play with and take care of this precious little girl every day.

Easter Greetings 2011

Another Easter has come and gone. It sort of snuck up on me this year. With Abi's birthday just before Easter and Lisa's wedding right around the corner, I didn't even think about it until a couple of days before. Abi got a dress for her birthday, so I counted that as her Easter dress. I was going to make one but, like I said, I ran out of time. Her dress is cute, though.

She just woke up from a nap, so she looks a little sleepy.

Growing up, our biggest Easter tradition was dying and hiding Easter eggs. Occasionally we would get an Easter basket with goodies in it, but my parents never really stressed the Easter Bunny or anything like that because that's not why we celebrate Easter. I have to say that I agree, so this year Abi dyed Easter eggs and had a little eggs hunt (courtesy of her Grandma).

Coloring Eggs

Abi thought it was pretty cool that she was able to dye the eggs all by herself. They turned out pretty cute, as Easter eggs go.

Egg Hunt

The egg hunt was right after a nap, so Abi needed a little coaxing.

Happy 2nd Birthday Abi!

Last Friday Abi had her 2nd birthday. It's hard to believe it's been two years since she was born. Let's do a little reviewing, shall we? Here's Abi when she was a newborn.


And here's Abi now.


It seems a little cliche to say, "It seems like only yesterday..." but really, that's the only way to describe it. Anyway, back to the party.

Abi shares a birthday with her uncle Rory, and this year he invited all of us to go out to dinner last Friday evening. Since Rory's dinner was Friday, we decided to have Abi's birthday celebration on Sunday so as not to conflict and so everyone could be there. We had all of Kevin's and my siblings and their families (and our parents of course) come over to our house for sloppy joes and ice cream sundaes. I don't know about Abi, but I had a blast. I really love having our entire family together. It's so much fun.

After dinner, Abi opened her presents.






Abi got lots of clothes (that's what mommy told everyone to get her), some stuff for swimming, a shopping cart for her baby, and a bubble machine from her soon-to-be-uncle Austin. Austin won the prize for best present. We had to crack it open right away to test it out.

First we fired it up inside...



...but it started to make the carpets all soapy and the wood floor really slick. (All of the little kids slipped and fell on it) You'd think that in a room full of adults, we would have thought about that beforehand.

So, we took it outside and the kids had a ball playing in all the bubbles...


...even the big kids


Kevin faithfully held the bubble machine, for maximum bubble production


while Savannah sneakily took off with the bubble solution.



After the bubbles, it was time for dessert.


I made a cake and we had all the fixings for ice cream sundaes. (Kevin stuck the candle right in the middle before I could get a picture.)




After blowing out the candles, Abi decided she should have the first taste.



I guess that means it's good.


Like I said, I had such a good time, and I'm pretty sure Abi did too.

Happy birthday Abi! We love you!

WARNING: Your Towels are Not Safe!

I have been going to the gym three times a week with a friend of mine for the last few months. It's a lot of fun, and I really look forward to going. We usually go on Saturdays, so today we met and exercised for a few hours. Normally, we spend some time jogging on the treadmills or elliptical machine, then we lap swim. We did our usual routine today and after we were done swimming, I pulled my gym bag out of my locker and set it on the bench (like I always do) and left it there while I took a shower (like I always do). Now, I know what you're thinking, "Hello, you shouldn't leave any of your stuff out and unattended at the gym, even if it's only for a few minutes." Yes, you're right. I guess I have been far too trusting of my fellow man (or women, in this case).

Anyway, before we left for the shower, I distinctly remember seeing my towel sitting on top of my clothes inside my gym bag. I remember because I debated on whether or not I should take it in the shower with me, and I decided against it. After my friend and I were done showering, we walked back to the lockers to dry off and change and my towel was nowhere to be found. At first I thought I did take it in the shower with me. No, not there. Then I thought, maybe it fell out onto the floor. Nope, not there either. Then I knew: someone stole my towel. They had to have. Then I panicked a little and checked my bag again. Wallet, still there; keys, still there; phone; still there (though I have no idea why someone would go through the trouble of stealing my phone; it really wouldn't be worth it). It was so weird. Only my towel was missing.

I decided to walk out to the pool to see if maybe I could see it, but it's Saturday and the pool is busy and my towel wasn't anything special or unique, just a plain old tan colored towel. I saw a couple possibilities, but there's no way to know for sure if any of them were mine. It's just a towel, so it's really no big deal, but I was dumbfounded that someone would just take it. It wasn't like it was even sitting on the bench and someone mistook it for theirs. It was still in my gym bag. I also know for a fact that there wasn't a giant, flashing arrow pointing to my bag that said, "Help Yourself."

I guess I have learned my lesson the hard way, and I hope that person who took my towel enjoys it. (I would have gladly given it to them if only they asked.) I am glad that it was only the towel and nothing else, but I'm still really confused over the whole situation. So weird.

Happy 60th Anniversary!

Yesterday was Kevin's grandparents' (Armitstead) 60th wedding anniversary, so we all went over to their house that evening for dinner. Wait a second... REWIND...

That morning, this is what we woke up to.




You'd have thought it was Christmas or something. Oakley loved it, though.




Okay, back to the anniversary. When Kevin's extended family gets together, we pretty much do the same thing each time. Grandpa cooks a ham and everyone else brings salads and stuff to share. This occasion was not much different. All the food was great (and Abi loved the ham).

Kevin's grandma has been struggling with health problems and memory loss for the past few years, so most of the night she kept asking why everyone was there, which was kind of sad, but I think Grandpa was really happy to see everyone that came.

Grandma and Grandpa enjoying their anniversary cake

Abi had a great time because she got to play with her cousins and there was a huge cake for dessert. Above, you can see her standing at the table sharing a piece with her cousin Savannah. When no one was looking, she decided to scrape the frosting off the side of the rest of the cake and eat that instead. Her uncle Jon caught her and when he tried to stop her, Grandpa said, "No, let her have it. She knows where to find the good stuff." It was cute.



Congratulations Grandma and Grandpa! I can only hope that Kevin and I can make it that long!

It's Springtime!... sort of

The weather has sort of been getting warmer, and by that I mean, the sun will come out for a few days, then,m for the next week, it will be overcast and snowy/rainy and cold. Spring is just being a tease. Oh, well. We live in Utah, and it's like this nearly every year. You'd think we'd be used to it by now, right?

Anyway, since Abi is getting older, she gets bored more quickly and even more so when she has to stay cooped up inside, so on the nice days, she likes to take the opportunity to enjoy the nice weather. A couple of weeks ago, she and her Daddy spent the day together at the park and had a great time. Daddy took pictures and wanted to share them. Enjoy.


First they spent the day playing with Oakley in the front yard (Oakley gets bored inside all day too).

Well, Abi mostly walked up and down the sidewalk...




...while Oakley ran and jumped around the front lawn.



After they had enough of that, it was off to the park.


Abi and Daddy drove out to Copperton Park (because anyone who lives on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley knows that it's the coolest park around).

Abi loves to swing. Even now, if she sees someone swinging on TV or something, she says, "Wheee!"






Then, she went down the slide...


...and sat on the rocking-bird (or at least I think it's a bird).


Then they took a stroll around the playground to see what else the park has to offer, like a giant cement pipe



and giant truck tires from Kennecott.



Then it was back to the swings.


After they'd had enough fun at the park, Abi and Daddy went to visit great-grandma and great-grandpa Armitsteads' house in South Jordan. It's almost as good as being at the petting zoo since the neighbors on all sides have animals.



Abi's cousins Savannah and Karina also live there, so she spent some time visiting with them. Savannah liked Abis' hat so much (thanks to aunt Dorthy for making it) that she wanted to try it on.


By the end of this long day, Abi was pooped (Daddy too), so they said good-bye and came home so Abi could have a nap. Both Abi and Daddy had a lot of fun. I was working that day, so I missed out, but I'm glad she got to spend a day of fun with just her dad and I'm looking forward to the coming months when the weather is nice so we can do it some more as a family.