Friday, July 30, 2010

{Abbi-a-Day} Days 204-210

Abbi's first Cheetos. She may never turn back, now...

Playing while camping

She has this obsession with diapers. I'll sometimes find her with one, acting like she is trying to put it on herself. And now she has started pretending to put them on her stuffed animals and toys!

Still a thumb sucker

Before you have children, you always hear about the "terrible twos." What they don't tell you is that it is more like the "terrible toddlers". No such luck waiting until she is 2!

Bath time!

Her first pedicure - courtesy of her cousins. She loved her pink toes!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Book #49 - City of Glass

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

City of Glass
Cassandra Clare

B
lurb: To save her mother’s life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters—never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family’s past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he’s willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City—whatever the cost?

Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the third installment of bestselling series the Mortal Instruments. (from Barnes & Noble)

Length: Long - 541 pages

Notes: This is the third in the Mortal Instruments series. I really didn't love the first two books, but I guess I liked them enough to keep reading. This third book was definitely my favorite of the 3. It was kind of predictable, but it still had me turning the pages. The bad thing was that the second book must have not been that memorable, because I found myself struggling a few times to remember what happened in the second book. But I was able to put the pieces together for the most part, and I really enjoyed this book! There is a fourth book coming out April of next year, and I'm sure I'll want to read it then.

Random quote : "People aren't born good or bad. Maybe they're born with tendencies either way, but its the way you live your life that matters."

Recommend: Yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

18 Months!!

Chubby girl at the doctor's office for her check-up

Happy 18-months to my little girl!! I'll have a full post with 18-month photos one of these days (whenever I can find the time to take the photos!!)

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Timpanooke


The 24th of July is a holiday here in Utah, so of course we needed to do something fun! The plan was to go camping, but when Tami and her family went up earlier in the week to grab some spots, everything was already taken. Thank goodness for her perseverance - I got a call on Thursday night saying that a spot had opened up so camping was on!!

We headed up on Friday afternoon. It was a gorgeous day, and by the time we stopped at the store and headed up into the mountains, evening was already coming. But we got there with plenty of time to set up the tent and to have some dinner.



Abbi was so happy to be out in the dirt and mud. This girl makes me laugh because she is such a girl, but at the same time, she is such a tomboy. The best of both worlds, I guess!

All of the kids were so happy to be there and to be able to play with their cousins. They all love the outdoors!

That night, Abbi was an angel. She went down, although it was late since it gets dark so late, but she slept through the whole night. I was so happy, since I didn't know what I was going to do if she woke up in the middle of the night considering I was just in a sleeping bag!

The next morning, everyone lounged around. Abbi was stylish in her pjs, shoes, and too small jacket!

The kids didn't have a hard time finding something to do!


Of course there was a little spill and a very dirty face. In fact, we were all covered in dirt by the time the weekend was over.

But finding flowers always cheers Abbi up!

The day was spent playing in the dirt, following daddy around, and hanging out.



And running around like a crazy girl!

Some of us adults played a game of Phase 10 - that seriously lasted forever. We finally gave up before it was over. I was in the lead, though!!



It's amazing how entertaining some rocks, dirt, and an empty twizzlers bag can be.

I love it when these kids let me take their pictures! It's a rare thing, so I'm always grateful when I can snap one or two.



Gavin obviously had a good time in the dirt!

And Abbi had a fun time playing with her cousins.

Some of the kids playing together

The mountains are such a beautiful place, and this campground was beautiful. (Although it was pretty hot during the day...)

That night, Josh and I made some dutch oven desserts after dinner. They both turned out delicious!

We spent the evening around the fire, talking a playing games.



Amy brought glow sticks for the kids, which they loved. Thanks Amy!

Unfortunately, Abbi wasn't quite as good that second night. I had the hardest time putting her down, and she woke up part way through the night and I couldn't get her to go back in her bed. So into my sleeping bag she went. She slept fine the rest of the night, although I didn't.

The next morning we packed up to go home. :( It was Gavin's second birthday, so we made sure to sing happy birthday to him!

It was such a fun weekend - I can't wait to do it again!!

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Book #48 - Miss Julia Speaks her Mind

Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind
Ann B. Ross

Listened to the Audio Version

Blurb: When Hazel Marie Puckett and her nine-year-old son, Little Lloyd, show up on Julia Springer's doorstep in Abbotsford, North Carolina, Miss Julia receives the shock of her long and proper life. After 44 years of marriage to pillar-of-church-and-community Wesley Lloyd Springer, she discovers that while she had assumed he was working late at the family bank, he was engaged in other, more carnal, pursuits. For, as Hazel Marie shyly explains, Little Lloyd is Miss Julia's late husband's son. His arrival in Miss Julia's life sets off a chain of events that involves a hypocritical minister, a violent beating, a crooked televangelist, a high-speed car chase, a kidnapping, and a surprising revelation about her late husband's will. Miss Julia not only speaks her mind but also comes to a deeper understanding of the meaning of love, friendship, and trust (from Booklist)

Length: Medium - 228 pages

Notes: Do you know those movies or tv shows where the main character does everything wrong? Where you get so mad, because if they would do the one logical thing, the chain of events would have been completely different and they would have completely avoided all the problems that have been created? That's kind of how I felt about this book. Honestly, I was completely frustrated through the whole thing. I didn't find any of the characters endearing, and I just wanted to shake some sense into Miss Julia. I think that she is supposed to grow into this independent woman by the end of the book, but I still thought that she needed some common sense. This is the first in a series of books, but I think I was frustrated enough that I won't be continuing to read anymore of them!

Random quote : "I don't believe in speaking ill of the dead, even when it's the truth."

Recommend: No

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

Friday, July 23, 2010

{Abbi-a-Day} Days 197-203

This girl is obsessed with buckles. She loves to sit in her stroller just so she can play with the buckle. And she always wants to help when I put her in her carseat.


Playing in her monkey floatie at the Lindon pool


She loves this monkey floatie! But not in the water - for some reason, she only loves it outside of the water!


This is my newest trick after I get her out of the bath or while I'm changing her diaper. She does not like to lay still, but if I put a book in her hands, I have at least 30 seconds to get a diaper back on her!

Look at that chub! At her 18-month doctor's check up

Beware if Abbi ever wants to tell you no! She will shake her head back and forth so fast that you can't even see her face!

Still loves playing in Max's crate!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Book #47 - To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee

Blurb: Lawyer Atticus Finch defends the real mockingbird of Harper Lee's classic, Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, a black man charged with the rape of a white woman. Through the eyes of Atticus's children, Scout and Jem Finch, Harper Lee explores with rich humor and unanswering honesty the irrationality of adult attitudes toward race and class in the Deep South of the 1930s. (from Goodreads)

Length: Medium - 336 pages

Notes: Can you believe this is the first time I've read this book? I don't know where I was in high school, but I was obviously not reading this!

My reading has slowed down considerably since I started working. There are just not enough hours in the day, and by the time I'm in bed, ready to read, I'm so tired that I rarely last more than a chapter these days. But that being said, I was kind of glad this one was a slow read. There are some books that you are totally engrossed in, wanting to keep reading to find out what happens. But this is one of those books that you want to savor slowly. I don't think it would have had quite as much charm if it would have been read in a day or two. If you haven't read this book, I would recommend reading it right away!

Random quote : "Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing."
"People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for."

Recommend: Yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

Friday, July 16, 2010

{Abbi-a-Day} Days 190-196



Josh had out the push mower the other day, and Abbi wanted to help push!

One of her newest favorite things to do. I guess she doesn't want mommy and daddy to watch tv...

I came home from work to this. I love to see my baby and my hubby together!!


I have a bowl full of decorative balls that usually goes on the dining room table, but it is now one of Abbi's toys. Why is it that kids have the most fun with things that aren't actually toys?

Eating a cookie after a hard trip at the grocery store.

The cheesy face! She is too funny. If you ask her to show her cheesy face, this is what you get!