Abby Turns 2!

Abby's 2nd birthday was low-key, but a lot of fun. We ate a Olive Garden (she loves fettuccine alfredo), made a "Dora The Explorer" cake, watched a movie and opened presents. Abby was completely spoiled this year and she loved EVERY minute of it! She got doll stuff, coloring stuff, a new pink polka-dot suitcase, and a castle pop up thing. Most the pictures didn't turn out well, but here's a few.

Yes, I know Dora's eyes look a little funny.

I didn't realize until Abby tried blowing out her candles that they were trick candles.

Abby created her own door into the castle.

Sometimes I think we should just give kids boxes for their birthdays! They seem to be great entertainment!

Abby LOVES dolls!

This last picture isn't the best, but I love how it shows Mckenzie and Abby to the right and Dan on the left trying to put together the new "girly" toys. Look at all that pink and purple he's surrounded in!

If you want to laugh...

If you are in need of a good laugh, then check out my friend Torrey's recent post on her blog www.markandtorreybishop.blogspot.com. It is HILARIOUS! I have to say that I'm not all that surprised that she did this "act of service" because she such a sweet person as it is. Anyway, enjoy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ABBY!

My baby turns 2 today and she reminds me all the time that she's not a baby, but a big girl. Abby is so special to me and today I've thought a lot about what was going on in our lives just 2 short years ago (if you want to read the story go to November 2007 blog archives). It's amazing how something go from looking like this:

(Sorry the above picture is a little alien-like. They usually take 4-D utrasounds after 32 weeks, not 22 weeks like this one)

To looking like this just over 2 years later:

We absolutely LOVE our little Abby and so does everyone who knows her. She has a way of melting your heart. Abby has EVERYONE wrapped around her little finger. She just puts a smile on her face, bats those beautiful blue eyes and gives a little wave and she's got control over you. She's always has been and continues to be laid back, cuddly and fun-loving. We love you, Abby! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Extra Pictures From When Grandma Whaley Came To Visit

When my Grandma was visiting, we took a drive to a grist mill. It's a beautiful area with all the trees and the leaves falling. I love taking walks there.


Wrinkles and my Grandma don't go together. Finding one on her face is like looking for Waldo in one of those "where is waldo" books.

I was bored and didn't want to clean soooo....

I really should be productive right now, but I'm enjoying the sounds of sleeping children right now and fear that I'll wake them up if I do something like clean (good excuse, huh?)

(x) Shot a gun
(x) Gone on a blind date (The radio station at Ricks College set me up on a blind date. It turned out to be a lot of fun. He was from either Chile or Brazil. Can't remember)
(x) Skipped school (way too often)
( ) Watched someone die
( ) Been to Canada (seen Canada, but stayed on the US side)
( ) Been to Alaska (I had a roommate from Canada, that's close enough right? I've been to Russia and you can see Russia from Alaska HAHA)
(x) Been to New York (many times)
(X) Been to Europe (many times again)
(x) Been to Las Vegas (unfortunantly)
(x) Been to Mexico (oh yeah!)
(x ) Been to Florida (band trip)
(x) Been on a plane (too many to count. I love to travel!)
(X ) Been on a ship (cancun to cozumel)
( ) Served on a jury (no, but I think it'd be interesting)
(x) Been lost (I'll never forget being 13 years old lost in Paris, France. That was an experience!)
(x) Been on the opposite side of the country (uhhh, yea...)
(x) Gone to Washington, DC (yup! look at our blog archives for pictures AND I'm going tomorrow!)
(X) Swam in the ocean (YUP! And I love it!)
(X) Cried yourself to sleep (has anyone not done this?)
( ) Played cops and robbers (not sure)
( x) Played cowboys/girls and Indians (yup)
(X ) Recently colored with crayons ( I do have 2 kids)
( X ) Sang Karaoke (amazingly no one left the building)
( x) Paid for a meal with coins only? (I'm pretty sure I've done this. I know I paid a toll going into Boston many times with coins...they get upset)
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? (hmm...)
(x) Made prank phone calls. (If it weren't for caller id, I'd probably still do it every once in a while ;) )
( ) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose. (gross!)
( x ) Caught a snowflake on your tongue. (yup!)
(X) Danced in the rain. (yes! SO much fun!)
(x ) Written a letter to Santa Claus (of course)
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe (hmm... maybe this year.)
(X ) Watched the sunrise with someone. (I think so)
(X) Blown bubbles (all kinds!)
(X) Gone ice-skating (I love it!)
(X) Gone snow skiing/snowboarding (umm, you are asking me right???)
( ) Camped out under the stars.
(X) Seen something so beautiful that it took your breath away? (yes!!! my kids!)
(X) Are or have been Married? (to the sweetest man ever!)
(X) Children? (2 girls!)
( ) Have a Pet? ( :( )
( ) Been skinny dipping outdoors
(X) Been fishing
(X) Been boating (LOVE IT!)
(X ) Been water skiing /tubing (tubing)
(X) Been hiking
(X) Been camping in a trailer/RV
( ) Flown in a small 4-seater airplane
( ) Flown in a glider
( ) Been flying in a hot air balloon
( ) Been bungee-jumping
(X) Gone to a drive-in movie
(X) Done something that should have killed you (!!!)
( ) Done something that you will probably regret for the rest of your life

1. Any nickname? Jess, Jessica, Bumblebee
2. Mother's name? Melanie
3. Favorite drink? Water
4. Body Piercing? Ears
5. Tattoos? none
6. How much do you love your job? It's good!
8. Favorite vacation spot? Mexico
9. Been to Africa? no
10. Ever eaten just cookies for dinner? I'm sure I have
11. Ever been on TV? Yep
12. Ever steal any traffic signs and cones?
13. Ever been in a car accident? YES
14. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4
15. Favorite number? 7
16. Favorite movie? Dumb and Dumber
17. Favorite holiday? My Birthday, my kids birthdays, Dan's birthday, Thanksgiving and Christmas, and our Anniversary
18. Favorite dessert? canolli from Mike's Pastry in the North End of Boston
19. Where do you see yourself in 10 yrs? thinner???