Month: November 2011

Blog Issues

Leave a comment

Greetings One and All!

I have all these wonderful posts just waiting to share with all of you, but I am having some issues with the blog. At first it was just posts with pictures and video but now it seems to be anything I have worked on before today, which includes all of my Giving Thanks posts. The issue is being worked on and I should have everything resolved and posted within the next few days. Until then, take a trip down memory lane by using the archive links in the side tool bar. You can even go back to when this blog started! Hope you enjoy and I should have new items up soon!

Thanksgiving 2011

Leave a comment

There isn’t much I can say about Thanksgiving that cant be told by our pictures. We had a wonderful relaxed day. This year we decided to do the traditional feast instead of the BBQ we did last year. Shaun’s turkey came out amazing! It was extremely tasty and very moist. No dry turkey in our house! Grandma Zoe came over and spent a few days with us, hanging out and watching the girls. After dinner we decided to brave the crowds and do a little Black Friday shopping at midnight. Don’t worry, it wasn’t us involved in the crazy pepper spraying at the Wal-Mart just down the street from us. Our patience and casual approach to our Black Friday shopping paid off. We were able to go out and find some great deals, like my Dirt Devil Stick Vac for only $10! We also have a new LED HD TV downstairs that we love so far. It was a steal too but I will keep the price of that to myself. 🙂 Happy early Christmas to us!







A Little Bit of Dance

1 Comment
After the first day of dance fiasco, Abby returned and is loving every minute of it! Her class is small, with only three other girls in it. Today two of the girls were absent so she had the chance to do a semi private lesson with Bobbie. Today was a great class and Abby had a lot of fun. I just thought I would share a little clip from class today. Too cute if you ask me!

Mommy and Abby Date Day at Disneyland!

Leave a comment

Yesterday was a wonderful day! Abby and I had a date day, just the two of us! Abby was excited just to have some time with mommy, but what excited her the most was the fact that our date day was going to be at… DISNEYLAND! I don’t know a kid in the world who would pass up a day all about them at Disneyland.

Disneyland was not open as late as it usually is, seeing as it was the middle of the week but Abby and I accomplished a lot in our time there. Just after walking through the gates and on to Main Street, we ran into Pluto and Goofy! Abby had the chance to meet both of them and snag a few pictures as well.


From there we made our way up Main Street and headed to Fantasyland. The last few trips we made to Disneyland, Abby begged us to see Rapunzel but we always ran out of time. So, I promised her that we would stand in line to see her, even if it was the only thing we did that day. On our way we found Sleeping Beauty hiding out on one of the sides of the castle. Abby was so excited to meet her!

After our little meet and greet with Sleeping Beauty we hopped in line to see Rapunzel. Lucky for us the wait was less then 20 minutes, which was the fastest wait we have seen so far. When it came time to walk inside and meet Rapunzel and Flynn, Abby all of a sudden became scared of them and wanted to hide. She hid behind my legs and would not get near Flynn or Rapunzel. As we started to leave, Flynn started to talk with Abby at her level and before I knew it she was out from behind me and giving Rapunzel a hug. Then, without prompting, she gave Flynn a hug too! Luckily, what could have been 20 minutes spent in line for nothing, became a picture with a big smile. Honestly, I think it was a little overwhelming at first for Abby to meet her most favorite princess.
After we said goodbye to Rapunzel and Flynn, we headed out for a bit of lunch and then we hopped on to some rides. Dumbo for Auntie Kenzie, Alice in Wonderland for Auntie Jillian and so much more! Within a few hours we had gone on almost every single ride in Fantasyland! I think it was a record if you ask me. Abby had a few firsts that day, one being the King Arthur Carousel and the other being Mr. Toads WIld Ride. She had a blast on both and has said she cannot wait to go back on them.


As the sun went down, Abby and I headed for some food and found a small spot for us to stand and see the parade. Abby watched from my shoulders and soaked in every moment, especially when Santa came by. When the parade ended we headed to see Winnie the Pooh and then enjoyed the fireworks and snow in front of Sleep Beauty’s Castle, which is now decorated for the Christmas season.

After fireworks, we headed back to the car and then home. It was a wonderful day and I am so thrilled I had the chance to spend some one on one time with Abby. I cannot wait until Ellie is old enough to do the same and appreciate it. I am sure that time will be here faster then I would like it to be, so I wont rush it. Until then I will cherish the memories I have of spending a day at Disneyland with my little pumpkin Abby.

Bridal Shower and Hockey… Huh?

Leave a comment
Today was a busy day but a fun one! This afternoon I attended a bridal shower for my dear friend Jackie Wessely. Her shower was a wonderful tea party theme and Cameo (another dear friend of mine) did an amazing job as host and planner. She did it all eight months pregnant too! I had a lovely time and it was great to catch up with friends and meet a few new people too!

After the shower I rushed home and got myself and the house ready for the Kings game. Our friends Erika, Byron and Harrison were coming over to watch with us, which really means they came over to talk and have fun while the kids played and the game would be the background. It was! Abby had a special date to the mall with Daddy while I was at the shower which meant she came home with a few new things. Abby was nice and decided Harrison needed something too, so she gave him a cool Lightening McQueen car. They had a blast playing it! Also, lots of credit to Byron for finding the smallest piece on a toy I have ever seen that is crucial to keeping a tire on. How you found it I will never know!

Abby, Harrison and Ellie had a great time playing, having snacks, and occasionally watching the game. Shaun and I had a wonderful time cathing up with our good friends and enjoying the company of other adults. To top it all off the Kings won too! A perfect night and fun was had by all!
Erika’s cupcakes were very yummy… as always!

Taking a small break to watch the game. Chasing a boy around the house is tiring work!

This is what happens when it gets too quiet in the other room. It’s veggies dip art!

Abby’s First Ballet Class!!

Leave a comment

Today was Abby’s first day at dance! She has been asking us for a few months now about taking ballet. I swear I had nothing to do with this! I think its the Angelina Ballerina cartoons she watches. Abby was so excited to get dressed in her leotard and ballet skirt. I couldn’t contain her excitement.




Based on the pictures you would think the day was perfect! But unfortunately during the first five minutes of class, the music came on very loud and it scared Abby. New place, new activity, new people and then the music startling her took all that excited energy and before I knew it she was a bawling mess in my lap. For the rest of class Abby sat in my lap upset and stubborn as a mule. Not sure where she gets that from, but I am sure by next week it will pass. Despite all of that, she sure looked cute in her ballet outfit. Here is to a new week!

Dinner with Fran = Yummy Food and Lots of Fun!

Leave a comment

Tonight we had a lovely dinner with Aunt Fran… or Auntie Auntie Fran to the girls. We have not seen her in a while so it was nice to have to time to spend together. Dinner was very relaxed and extremely yummy. Actually, I am not sure extremely yummy even describes it. It was out of this world!

After dinner and dessert we spent time talking and enjoying each others company. Fran adopted a new dachshund puppy named Lily and for the girls she was the hit of the night. Unfortunately Lily wasn’t as thrilled about all of the company. For a good portion of the night she hid in her little burrow and the rest of the time she sat with Fran, keeping a very sharp eye on the two small people who were capable of making high pitched sounds. Luckily Dexter, who is Fran’s other little Dachshund, was happy to hang out and play with the girls which thrilled Abby to no end. The night was wonderful. Nothing beats family, good food and great memories.










Happy Birthday to My Beautiful Sister!

Leave a comment

Happy Birthday to my beautiful and fantastic sister! We love you so much and I am so proud of all that you have accomplished. I hope that your day is full of nothing but good things and of course family, friends and a few good presents. Twenty three brought you the last days of school, graduation and the close of one big chapter of life. I know that twenty four will bring a wonderful start to a new chapter in life and that teaching job you have worked so hard to get. We love you and once again… HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Giving Thanks: Sisters

Leave a comment

A Sister is…

a best friend
a partner in crime
a keeper of secrets
a cheerleader when you need encouragement
a role model
a generous person and an amazing human being

She…

drives you crazy but you cant live without her
reminds you that even when things are bad you always have each other
is always there when you need her the most
makes you laugh and definitely knows how to make you cry (in a good way)
will always have a very special place in your heart.

I am thankful for my sister and all that has done and all that she will do. She is an amazing aunt and role model to my children. While six and a half years separate us, we only get closer as we get older. She knows how to make me laugh, push my buttons, and what really means the most to me. I am so proud of all that she has accomplished and I feel so blessed to call her my sister. I can only hope that our girls can have the same relationship that we do. But I have a feeling that if we set the right example, they will. Thank you Jillian for being the best sister a girl could ever have!

Giving Thanks: My Parents

Leave a comment
“We never know the love of our parents for us until we have become parents”
~Henry Ward Beecher~

Our relationships with our parents change through out life. As young children they are our world, our protectors and friends. As teens and young adults they are a nuisance, someone to butt into your “private life” and embarrass you at every turn. By your mid twenties things change again and by the time you are married and have children of your own, you really start to understand. You begin to see why they did what they did.

Now that I am older and have a family of my own, I am even more thankful for my parents. Thankful for all of the love and guidance they gave me. Thankful they were able to show me how to be a kind person and generous human being. Thankful that they gave me the knowledge to be the best parent possible but also allowing me to learn plenty on my own. Thankful that they are still a part of my life and the lives of our children. I am thankful and blessed to have the parents that I do.

Giving Thanks: My Cupcake Eleanor

Leave a comment

Ellie, our happy-go-lucky baby, I am so thankful for you and everything about you. There is a lot we still have to learn about you but over the last few months your personality has really begun to show. You are our tester and our curious one who cannot let a single button go unpressed or a drawer or cabinet unopened. You love your sister and watch her every move, trying to to do whatever she does. At the same time you are independent and strong. At six weeks old we found ourselves in a tough spot as parents, worrying that we might lose you. What I am most thankful for is that 15 months later, we are watching you grow. I am so thankful that we have been able to enjoy so many milestones with so many more to come. You reminded us to be thankful for every moment we have and we are.

Giving Thanks: My Pumpkin Abigail

Leave a comment

Even though you are screaming at daddy from your room about how you don’t want to go to bed, I am thankful and love everything about you my little Abby. From the first day I held you in my arms I knew my life was about to change. I knew that you would give me a run for my money but would bring so much joy to my life. I am thankful for your smiles, your tears, your drama, and your laughs. I am thankful for your brave and tough exterior and your sensitive and loving interior. I am thankful for the small moments in life, like driving along in the car listening to you sing in the back seat and the joy that comes across your face when you see your favorite Disney characters. No matter what I will always be thankful for the blessing that is you. I love you pumpkin.