A Backyard Wonderland

Grandma Lewis transformed her backyard into a magical and enticing adventure land. Abby was pickled pink. She couldn't stop smiling. What a fun and exciting summer day!

This was one happy girl.

Totally adorable.Sailing the high seas.
Ready to slide solo.
Mischievous-I-can't-keep-my-tongue-in-my-mouth excitement.
Debating what to do next.
Drinking from the backyard pool was a must.
Having a time out with mom.
Summer snuggles.
Mom kicked it in her PJs.
Bubble time!
Petting Reese.
Going in for a quick hug.

Send Me Doubles

I as so happy to have attended my cousin Kassandra's bridal shower my first Saturday home. Unfortunately, Abby was feeling sick and was only content either in my arms or hanging off my legs. Therefore I only had the chance to take about five photos and none of them had my cousin in them! Totally disappointing. Good thing tons of other people had cameras and were snapping away! Hopefully they'll send me doubles.

Here are the few shots I got:

These are my beautiful and amazing sisters. We are all so different, yet get along so well.

Kim is the kindest and most thoughtful person I know. She is so accepting of everything and everyone. It has been fun to see her loving and mothering Reese. She never stops teaching. On the flip side, she tells it like it is and isn't afraid to share her opinion or tell you that you're wrong. It's hilarious. Her blunt -- and sometimes hurtful -- honesty is refreshing. Everyone should have a big sister like Kim.

Pam is HYSTERICAL. She cracks me up every single time I'm with her. Her humour is quick and witty. She has no problem telling us that our looks are from the 80s, our hair styles are gross or we've gained some weight. Who says stuff like that? Pam. She is adorable and charming. She can put anyone at ease. She is quick to give thoughtful advice. Although she pretends to be too cool for kids, she is the first to sneak in a quick hug, try something new with Abby or pitch in to help when we are overwhelmed. Everyone should have a little sister like Pam.

However, it should be noted that Pam will never read these pleasant comments about her because she only looks at the pictures on my blog and never reads anything I type. It bores her. She told me herself.

I was so excited to put this outfit on Abby but it was WAY too big. She refused to eat for the first few days we were here and lost a little weight. I spent most of the day pulling up the straps and making sure her lady parts were appropriately covered.

Abby bonded with Pam right away. Everyone loves the Pam.

Pam was the slide master! What a great Aunt.

Reese and Kim

The McQueen family was off to a wedding and Kim and Reese dropped by for a quick photo shoot. My niece is seriously the cutest baby ever. You can't help but want to sqeeze those cheeks.

Here are some of the best ones:

Stare Down

This picture says it all:

But just in case it doesn't, here is what their looks were saying.

Reese: Nice to meet you. Everyone here has been talking about your arrival for weeks. I stayed up all night thinking about you.

Abby: Let's get one thing straight... just because I'm new here doesn't mean I'm on your turf. The toys are mine. Grandma is mine. The pink chairs in the background are mine. This baby gate is mine. You don't even walk yet.

Reese: Sounds good to me. I like sharing.

Abby: I don't.

Reese: That's too bad.

Abby: It will be for you. And FYI, anything you leave lying around I will immediately put in my mouth and contaminate with my multiple infections. I can make squeezing look like hugging. I can also yell 10 times louder. Don't make me break out the mad pipes.

Reese: Okay. Let's play tomorrow.

Druggy Playdates

It is always difficult when you travel with a toddler. No matter how much you plan and prepare, somethings are going to go wrong. You just suck it up and truck along.

Abby ruptured her ear when we flew home at Christmas. Then she ruptured her other ear on the flight home. Somewhere in between we all picked up strep.

A few days into this trip Abby started in with the symptoms: trouble sleeping, excessive whining and clinging, digging in her ear with her finger, slight fever, overall unhappiness, etc. After a trip to the walk-in clinic it was confirmed -- double ear infection and throat infection.

Not to be outdone, Reese, Abby's cousin, decided to come down with a case of the croup. They are still allowed to play together because they are both on antibiotics. How convenient. I thought only people in Anne of Green Gables got croup. Lucky Reese. It's fun to watch our kids on drugs playing together. It's all slow reactions and lots of staring.

I am so thankful for Tylenol/Motrin/Advil. They are truly my best friends, followed closely by my good buddy Benadryl. I am sure Abby and her ever changing medication will have many more play dates to come. Thanks to all.

Blessings

Count your many blessings....

One: Maryl bringing us cinnamon popcorn for the bus ride to the airport.

Two: Nearly empty bus for our ride to Narita Airport.

Three: Quick and painless check in and wait time.

Four: Bulkhead seating, with Kristen beside me, and no one else within reaching grasp of Abby.

Five: The super nice guy who gave up his plush bulkhead seat to squish into a middle row so Abby could have her own seat between Kristen and I.

Six: The baby meal for Abby, including the super cute ham-shaped airplanes.

Seven: The seven hours of the flight Abby slept and we enjoyed sweet silence.

Eight: The nice flight attendant who traded me the magazines I read for new ones she had finished reading.

Nine: The nice man who let Kristen put her dog under his seat for take off and landing since the bulkhead seats have no room under them.

And the list could continue, but I think this picture says it all.....

FYI: The flight back is looking to be the exact opposite -- sitting in the last row of the plane in seats that don't recline, with passengers in the radius of Abby to both grab or throw things at, and an almost zero chance to Abby getting her own seat because the plane is booked to the hilt.

Here's to two more weeks of praying for a repeat performance!

Busted

When Abby is quiet something is wrong. I should have known something was up last week when Abby was silent for almost five minutes. I could hear little tapping noises, which I thought meant she was playing with the phone or one of our remotes. Not ideal, but I'll get over it.

To my shock she arrived in my room a few minutes later with eight of the keys off my NEW laptop. Sure enough, when I counted the missing digits on my keyboard they matched up.
I thought the whole thing was busted for sure and I was not not thrilled about the possibility of electrocuting myself trying to jimmy the snapped-off keys back into place. To my surprise, I was able to snap them back on quickly and without a problem.

I thought it would be funny to show Jeremy how easily she did it when he got home. Unfortunately, when I popped off the first key it pulled the whole base with it and now I no longer have an ALT key. That's right; Abby took off eight keys without a problem and I jacked up my keyboard on my first try.

That girl has mad skills. Must have got them from her dad. Who needs an ALT key anyway? Boo hiss.

Knock and Ditch

The last Sunday we went to church was a very challenging one. It took every ounce of patience I had to make it through Sacrament meeting without screaming, which is basically what Abby was intent on doing for the whole hour.

When it came time for Gospel Doctrine I pulled a knock and ditch. I basically knocked on the nursery door, pushed Abby in when they opened it, and ran as fast as I could towards my class. A seconds later the guilt set in and I went back to get my sweet pea. Thankfully my sweet friend Lisa offered to take her, even though she is still two months away from officially being allowed to be in nursery. She wouldn't take no for an answer. That's why she's the greatest.

Abby LOVED it. Mommy LOVED it. And our new fridge is adorned with nursery goodness. Here are the fruits of her labor:

Noah just needed a little dabble of color to complete the look.

Abby was a little afraid she wouldn't be invited back if she didn't dazzle up the Adam and Eve popsicle craft. Notice the splash of red behind the antlers. She knows a little bit of color goes a long way.

She knew messing this craft up was out of the question. It's good enough as is.

We look forward to September! Nursery = sweet goodness.

Spot On

Abby loves to read. Abby loves dogs. So one would think that Abby would love a book about dogs. Did she? No, not at all. She was less than thrilled to see what Spot found. In fact, she was so unhappy she ripped the flaps off the surprise and ruined it for any future siblings.

What has Spot found? I'm dying to know.

It's a crap bone. How predictable. Let's rip the carrot flap off in anger.

That's more like it.

Now, what has that boring dog Spot found now?

It's a bunny with a lame carrot. Who makes this junk? Time to rip the grass off the page.

Note to Santa: Abby plus books plus dogs = destruction.

Hydrangea Happiness

SHA has the best flowers, especially in hydrangea season. Totally amazing. Blue, pink, white -- we loved them in every color!

If Abby could take in sentences, she would be saying, "What's the big deal?"

Then she would say, "Ponies! Totally more exciting. And, mom, your back fat is nasty. Time to run again!"

Abby picking the pig's nose. Take that Swine Flu.

Question: Could we be any cuter?

Answer: Heck no.

Abby was so excited she wanted to leave us there. Too bad she can't drive.

Instead she'll stay and give photos with dad the infamous stank eye.

A tender moment with dad.

So much fun :)