Funny

This conversation just happened...

Andy: What did you learn at school today, Abigail?

Abigail: (made a funny face)

J.T.: You should learn something new everyday.

Sarah: Everyone learns something new everyday. What did you learn today, J.T.?

J.T.: Uh, I forgot....

About me

This is a little survey I got from my friend Lilly via email. I thought I would just post my answers here instead of sending out an email...

1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:15 am

2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? no idea

4. What is your favorite TV show? What Not to Wear, CSI

5. What do you usually have for Breakfast? yogurt and granola lately

6. What is your middle name? Elizabeth

7. What food do you dislike? liver

8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Fergie always picks me up

9. What kind of car do you drive? Dodge 2500 diesel 4x4

10. Favorite sandwich? depends on the day

11. Characteristic you despise? dishonesty

12. Favorite item of clothing? jeans

13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? can't pick just one

14. What is your favorite way to pass the time of day? reading or photography

15. Where would you retire to? no idea, probably here

16. What was your most memorable birthday? 30th

17. Furthest place you are sending this? I don't know who will read it, maybe Arkansas or Alabama.

18. Person you expect to send it back first. Probably no one

19. When is your birthday? March 18

20. Morning person or a night person? depends

21. What is your shoe size? 7 1/2

22. Pets? 4 dogs

23. Anything exciting to share? waiting on my niece or nephew to arrive

24. What did you want to be when you were little? don't remember

25. How are you today? good, glad it's Friday!

26. What is your favorite flower? hydrangea

27. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Feb 15 for the girlfriends cruise

28. What are you listening to right now? nothing, it's quiet!

29. What was the last thing you ate? oatmeal

30. Do you wish on stars? nope

31. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? who knows

32. How is the weather right now? overcast and 55 degrees

33. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Andy

34. What is your favorite soft drink? root beer

35. Favorite restaurant? Tomo Japanese restaurant

36. Hair color? red

37. What was your favorite toy as a child? barbie dolls

38. Summer or winter? summer (actually like fall the best)

39. Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla

41. Do you want your friends to email you back? always

42. When was the last time you cried? couple weeks ago

43. What is under your bed? extra blankets, books

44. What did you do last night? Back to School Night at Abigail's school

45. Are you afraid of death? not my own, others' death- definitely

46. Salty or sweet? sweet

47. How many keys on your key ring? 4 or 5

48. How many years at your current job? mom (8 years); business owner (10 years)

49. Favorite day of the week? depends

50. Do you make friends easily? sometimes

51. How many people will you send this to? anyone who reads my blog

52. How many will respond? who knows...

Abigail's birthday dinner

Last night we had dinner here to celebrate Abigail's birthday. All the grandparents and great-grandparents came over. She got some really neat gifts. The first thing she opened yesterday morning was a mug that says "Now I am 8" on it and a Borders gift card. That was from Ma and Papa.

This is a card that Abigail received from Auntie Mary and Uncle Jeff. When you open it, it plays "Girls Just Wanna Have fun." She said she's heard the song on the radio before, but it was definitely a song more from my era.

She has been interested in all the election stuff, so Grandpa Chet and Granny Karen got her a couple of books about Presidents and Elections.

She was very excited to get this sparkly pink art box from Grandma Pam and Grandpa Charlie.

It's a family tradition to have this singing birthday bear at all the birthdays.

She got all the candles out in the first try...

It felt like we celebrated for days. She had a great birthday! I think she's a little disappointed that it's over though.

Happy 8th Birthday Abigail!

Today is my baby's 8th birthday!! I can't believe how fast time has flown by...

This is right before we brought her home from the hospital. Don't we look young?

Here's Abigail at about a week old...

She's about 3 months old here....

And about 7 months here...

Here's her 1 year old pictures...

She still looks pretty cute in pink!! Can you believe that she's 8 years old already? She's halfway to being old enough to drive... now that's crazy!

Happy 8th Birthday Abigail Joy!

This weekend

It was a busy weekend! We had Abigail's birthday party on Friday night. On Saturday the kids went to Ferndale to have a lemonade stand at the Bargain Lovers Weekend celebration. Thanks to the grandparents for helping out with that.

Abigail has been wanting to do a lemonade stand all summer, but we don't have a good spot near our house. I think it was a good experience for her because she learned about customer service and money. She made over $18. She decided to spend part and save part so that's good.

On Saturday night, the kids stayed with Grandpa Chet and Granny Karen so we could head south to go to a party. The kids had a great time. Thanks Grandpa and Granny!!

We went to a great party at the Egans' place in Redway. They have a beautiful spot (sorry I left my camera at home!) that's nicely shaded. That was a real bonus considering that it was 104 degrees at 5 pm. We met up with Clint and Christina at Dean Creek Resort, which is where the four of us stayed. It was a funky, rustic little place, but it worked out great. We stayed up way too late and had way too much fun!

On Sunday morning, the four of us went to breakfast in Garberville. Then Christina and I came back to Fortuna; Andy and Clint headed south to a Cattlemens field day. Overall, it was a fabulous weekend!

Now, it's Monday again....

Birthday party

Last night we had a birthday party for Abigail. Her birthday isn't until Tuesday but we wanted to have it on a weekend. We had the party at Parasol Arts in Ferndale. The kids each picked a piece of pottery to paint and decorate. The kids all seemed to have a great time!

Abigail chose a princess crown box...

This project kept the kids (and the moms and grandmas) busy for a while...

Evan watched from his stroller...

After they were done, Connor and J.T. went to the coloring table...

After they were done with their creations, it was time for gifts. Here Abigail is very happy because she got a pink princess toss pillow from J.T.

And we had to use the number 8 candle in her cupcake...

I really like taking a group shot at the kids' parties. From left to right, (top) Caleb, Isaac, Emily, Abigail, Nolan, Hannah, and Connor; (bottom) Evan, Caleb, J.T., Amy, Cole and Amanda.

Here's Abigail and two new friends from her class...Emily and Amanda.

Nolan and Abigail...

And friends since birth, Abigail and Hannah.

I think all the kids had a great time. Abigail said it was the best party ever! I liked it a lot too because I didn't have to clean up!

Fall!

I think Fall is upon us. The last couple mornings have been about 40 degrees when I got up. Brrrr! The days warm up to about 70, but it sure is chilly in the mornings. The kids actually wore jackets today, rather than just a sweatshirt, for school. Thanks to Grandpa Chet and Granny Karen for the kids' new school jackets!! Aren't they cute?

She loves it!

Good news.... Abigail LOVES her new room! You should've seen the look on her face when she saw it! I wanted to get a picture of her in her new bed.

And that reminded me of the last time we re-did her room. It was when she went from her crib to a big girl bed in 2003. Check out the hair!!

She wasn't quite sure about being in a big bed at first...

It's hard to believe that was 5 years ago!

Abigail's new room

We finished Abigail's room this evening! Wow, what a project that was. It always ends up being a bigger deal than you expect. Lucky for me I have a very handy husband and he did most of the work!

Here's a before picture...

During....



And after....

We are really happy with how it turned out. Abigail hasn't seen the finished product yet. She should be home any minute from Grandma Pam and Grandpa Charlie's. I hope she likes it!

Saturday night

On Saturday night we went to the Altos for dinner. It had been way too long since we'd seen them so it was great to catch up. The kids had a great time playing outside and didn't want to leave...

For dessert, we made s'mores... Abigail and Hannah are patiently waiting their turn to use the special marshmallow roaster...

Isn't it cool? It does three at a time and spins for even roasting...


The boys loved theirs...

Andy and I said on the way home that we really need to get together more often!