San Jose California- August 15- 19th (Part I)

Maureen & Gabby cutting Sierra's Cake


Abbey hitting the 'Hanna Montana' Pinata "Yata"


Everyone collecting their "goods"


Sierra, Emile, Hans, McKinley, Connor & Abbey


Gabby, Sierra, Emile & Abbey


3 Generations- Grandma Dorothy, Lynette & Abbey


Abbey & Hans petting Christina's dog =)


Abbey & Sierra filling the pinata


Connor, Emile, Jeff & Hans


Sierra's 5th Birthday Party at Maureen's


We flew to San Francisco on August 15th with Dave & Lynette and then drove to San Jose in a rental car. We spent the 1st couple days hanging out at Jeff's aunt and uncle's house (Mike & Maureen). Abbey & I got to meet Jeff's cousin Laurie & her husband Bernhard from Portland. They have 3 childre, Gabby, Emile & Hans. We also spent time with Jeff's other cousin, Debbie and her husband John (they also have 3 kids, Danae, Christina & Scott. Laurie & Debbie are Mike & Maureen's daughters..... and Maureen is Lynette's sister...... The family History so nobody gets confused.

On Saturday we spent the late morning with Jeff's grandmother, Dorothy. She and her caretaker "Vossy" came over for lunch. Abbey often refers to her as "bossy". After lunch and visiting Jeff and I headed to the swap meet where we picked up a few "cool finds", including the giant Hannah Montana Pinata. Later that night we had dinner and celebrated Sierra's 5th birthday. Jeff and I also took a ride around San Jose so he could again show me his old stomping grounds (it seems like I get this tour every time we go there, but it's all good.

Thanks Mike & Maureen for letting us invade your home and making us feel so welcome!! Also we hope Charlie has recoverd from all the srangers. Charlie is Maureen's baby dog- whom is treated better than a baby!!

Zach's 3rd Birthday- Hogle Zoo

At the Zoo Playground


Having a good time on the slides


Abbey & Zachary looking at the Elephants


Abbey giving a donation to the Bird Fund


Zach enjoying his ice crem cone by the giraffes


We saw 3 monkeys while we where there


Andrea, Abbey, Zach & Tiffany


Zach on the ride home


They both fell asleep at about the same time


Thanks Tiffany & Zachary, we had a great time celebrating your birthday! Abbey loves spending time playing with Zachary our "across the street neighbor". We are so glad that they are our friends!!!

THE MOMMY "TAG"

What time do your kid(s) wake up? Abbey wakes up around 8:30 or 9 a.m . Unless I wake her up early if I have to work, but she goes right back to sleep in the car.
On a good night what time do your kids go to sleep? 9 pm
When in the earliest soemcon expect you up? On my days off, 7:30 or 8, on a work day 5:10 a.m.
When is too late? After 10 p.m.
How long have you been a mom? 3 years and 6 days.
How old were you when you became a mom? 33
What is your favorite kids station? Nickelodeon & Disney
What is your favorite kid show? Dora & Diego
Least favorite kid TV show? Barney
Favorite chore? Sweeping my wood floors
Favorite meal to cook? Chicken Cordon Bleu
What's the meal cooked most often? Tacos & Black Beans
What is the kid(s) favorite meal? Dora Chicken Noodle Soup
What are you favorite things that Jeff does with Abbey? Takes her outside to jump on the trampoline or when he sets up her pool and slide.
What are 5 things that make you smile while being a mom? 1) Having Abbey give me a kiss before she sits down at Little Gym and waving goodbye to me when I leave 2) When Abbey asks me "Are you happy mommy?' 3) Watching her play in the toy room especially when she pretend plays with her dolls. 4) When I get home from work she jumps in my arms and says "mommy I love you", mommy I missed you" 5) Watching her sleep.
Where do you want to take your kid(s) someday? Europe
When was the last time you and Jeff went out without the kids? About 3 weeks ago we went and saw Batman and we had Lexi babysit for us.
One thing you said you'd never do as a mom? Drive a mini van!! (sorry Pat & Julie)
Favorite past time with your kids? Going to the park and playing & singing really loud in the car to Abbey's CD.
Advice for a new mom: Spend lots of time with them, they grow up so fast!!
What's a scary or heartbreaking moment you've had? Watching Abbey have tests run last month at Primary Children's for her UTI infections. Both Jeff and I got emotional knowing there was nothing we could do to get her to stop crying.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABBEY!!!!!!!

Today was my BABY'S 3rd Birthday!!! I can't believe how fast she has grown. She had dance class this morning. She recently started taking ballet/creatvie dance at Artistic Dance in Draper and she LOVES it. Her teacher, "Miss Jamie" is really cute with the girls and Abbey love dressing up in her leotards and skirt!!

After dance we headed to Harmon's to pick up some last minute party supplies and then we headed to McDonalds for some play time. I let her pick where she wanted to go!! We than went to Costco to pick up the food for her birthday party and we also stopped at Party Land to pick up some ballons of her choice. It is so cute to watch her choose her own stuff now!! I also let her help decorate. Before her party Amaya stopped by and gave her a gift since she will be out of town for her "friend Party" on Saturday. Thanks Amaya for Dora Candyland, we can't wait to play it.

At 6pm both of our familes came over. We had my parents, my brother Clark, Corrie, Jeremy and the kids, Grandma & Grandpa Eliason, Kelly and her kids, Tiffany & Zach, Lily & Chance & Kimberly Carroll. We had some yummy dinner and we then had ever famous "Kathy Fisher" Cake. She made an adorable Dora cake for Abbey and she oooohhhed and aaaahhhed when she saw it. Thanks Kathy, your cakes are awesome and my family is 'sold' on them. We ended the night with present and Abbey got lots of neat new toys!!! Thanks everyone for the gifts that you gave to her, she loves them and will put them to good use. We also hung an awesome Dora Pinata and Abbey even put all the candy in by herself!! McKinley broke the pinata this year!!

I can't believe my baby is 3 today, it seems just yesterday I was holding her for the very first time. I can't imagine my life without her, she melts my heart when she says to me "Mommy, are you happy? or "Mommy will you just play with me". Even though it seems life is on the fast track, I have to savor the precious time that we play together, snuggle or hang out and read books. I know this phase won't last forever. Thanks Abbey for the best 3 years of my life and I know the next 3 will be even better. I love you, Happy Birthday!!

September 2, 2005

Summer BBQ with Shrek ( AKA- Jamel)

Shrek (Jamel) flew to Utah for business and we had him over on July 26th for dinner and some pool. We BBQ'd some steaks and while we were eating a gigantic windstorm blew in and Abbey started to cry (the wind evidently scared her). We took the party to the garage and we all engaged in darts and pool. We had lots of fun and enjoyed seeing Jamel. He invited us to Florida so Jeff, Abbey and I are going to take him up on the offer and we are planning to visit Orlando the 1st week of March. I have Kelly and my mom n law talked into a spring trip to Disneyworld with the kids. Corrie and Jeremy have also bought tickets to the pan handle and are planning a trip in October!!

Blog Update- From July.....Opps

LIBERTY LAND IN LEHI

Abbey & Connor
Connor, McKinley, Abbey & Sierra
Liberty Land- July 24th
Connor & Abbey
Riding with the cousins & Aunt Kelly on the Merry Go Round

I got back late on the night of the 23rd from Vegas and had to work early on the 24th so Jeff took Abbey and met Kelly at Liberty Land with the kids. They spent the day there and came home for a late lunch and swimming in the back yard. Later in the evening we BBQ'd and Connor was in charge of the fireworks show. The kids all wanted to have a sleepover, so we gave Kelly & Juan the night off and the kids slept over. We had fun lighting fireworks, watching a movie and eating popcorn. At the end of the night we were all exhasted.

Abbey & Sierra---- I read them both to sleep!!!!

McKinley was the 1st one to crash

Connor beat them all but was close behind Abbey & Sierra

Abbey loves her cousins so much and we are so glad that we get to spend lots of time hanging out with them. We can't wait for the next sleepover!!

Salmon Supper

Last night Jeff, Abbey and I went with Clark & my dad to the Payson Salmon Supper. The food was delicious and the "entertainmnet" was even better!! We all enjoyed watching the people of Payson (Such a nice town to be from, no offense dad & mom- I still love you). I swear, some of the people I went to high school with are still living in the 80's and seeing their kids is like a Deja Vu of Def Leppard & 1990.

Corrie, Jeremy & the girls met up with us just after we got our food and after we finished eating we went over to the playground for a while. Abbey saw "Belle" in the park and was so exited that she talked to her. I think I have Kelly talked into taking the girls to the PCT production of 'Beauty & the Beast'. Abbey & Sierra both have a thing right now for Belle, so I'm pretty sure they would both like the play.

After our night in Payson (we stayed a bit to watch the fire) we headed to American Fork to attend Cami's wedding. She looked so cute and the ampitheatre was decorated really pretty. Cami was the first trainee that I got to train in dispatch and I believe after next week she will be on her own. Congratulations Cami & Travis!!!

On Saturday Abbey had her 1st (non-relative) babysitter. Lexi Taggart came over at 0630 on saturday morning and watched Abbey until 1130. When Lexi knocked on the door she told me it took her a long time to fall asleep because she was so excited. Her family also took Abbey to a breakfast in Highland and they also attended the parade for the "Highaland Fling". When I got home she told me "my Lexi" played with me today while you at work and I also clapped and got candy at the parade"!! Lexi did an awesome job, and we can't wait to have her come back!!