Adam's 30th Birthday!

Adam is an old man now. We will be buying him hearing aids and a walker soon! He turned the big 3-0 on Friday, which was nice because Adam doesn't work on Fridays. We started out the day with doughnuts for breakfast and ended up running some errands because our computer broke down and we had to take it in to get repaired (hopefully!). After lunch Adam went to get a massage at Massage Envy using a gift card I got him for Father's Day. Can you believe that this was his first professional massage ever?! He is a true believer now!

That night we got a babysitter for the kids and met some family up at Claim Jumper's near Southcenter Mall. We met Nana and Papa, Celeste and Bryan, and Kory and Ana Lee. It was a lot of fun to get together and the food at Claim Jumper's is always yummy! Expensive, but yummy. And I'm always too full to actually get dessert, so one time I need to go there for only dessert like the chocolate motherlode cake or the berry pie. We did end up getting the Parmesan Zucchini because they are the best fried zucchini ever!

Adam and I at Claim Jumper's. See his special red velvet cupcake? After this picture he actually stuffed the entire thing in his mouth. See why I can't take him in public?Mom, Dad, Celeste and Bryan. Adam, me, Ana Lee and Kory.

We had a little cake and ice cream party on Sunday too. Some family came over and sang a rousing (as in terrible) rendition of Happy Birthday and the kids ate way too much frosting. Adam opened a few presents and that was it. It was simple and fun and I am so glad I did not have to make a Princess cake again!

Bringing Adam's giant cupcake to him. It was like an inferno. It was so hot!Jack was so excited to sit by Adam and help blow out his candles. He actually blew out an entire half for Adam, little stinker! Adam and his cake. I love my awesome Wilton Giant Cupcake pan!My nephew Cole LOVED the frosting on his cupcake. Can you tell? It was too cute!Princess Olivia obviously loved her cupcake too.Adam gets to expand his dentist wardrobe with some more shirts and ties. Yeah!LOVE this shirt. In case you can't read it, it says: She says I don't listen... or something like that.

He also got a game called Wits and Wagers and an iTunes gift card for his iTouch from the kids and I. He was very spoiled!

Belated Birthday!

Olivia turned 5 on August 4! I can't believe I have a kindergartener in the house! She is such a big girl now and so independent. I am proud of her every day for all the things she learns and does. She surprises me all the time!

We started her birthday celebrations a couple weeks early at Chuck E Cheese's. We combined a family party for her and her cousin Rix. They had a lot of fun and still talk about the games and rides they went on. Jack insists that his birthday be at Chuck E Cheese's as well, although he asks me every day if it is his birthday! Nana and Papa came as well as Rix's family (the Pearsons) and us. We got some pizza and root beer and each kid got some tokens. We let them go on rides and then they played games to get tickets to buy *coughCRAPcough* at the counter.

I had to take a picture of this- Do you see what Jack is holding? Yup, it's a purse. He calls it his "bear bag" since it's a bear head with a zipper and a handle. I call it a purse.Olivia and Jack enjoying the rides. I love that every game and ride is only one token.Jack and Olivia eating their pizza. They LOVE Chuck E Cheese's. I'm not a huge fan since it's pricey, but I'm willing to deal with it for the sake of birthdays (or potty training... Jack).Olivia held onto Madelynn so she could go on a ride. Don't you love her party skirt?!

On Olivia's actual birthday she got to go to McDonald's for lunch. We met Adam there since it is across the street from his dental practice and Celeste and her kids met us there too. She got to play computer games and puzzles for quiet time (although this was the day after our trip home from Utah and she was in desperate need for a nap!) and then she got to choose the dinner menu. She wanted pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream on top (like IHOP). We made cupcakes and had them for dessert. I let her open one present, which was from her aunt Kelli and she loved it. It is a Thumbelina purse with earrings and a necklace. She seriously wore them all for a week straight, even in public!We then went to Red Robin for her free meal that weekend. Kory and Ana Lee were in town so they met us there with Celeste and her family and Nana and Papa. She got to sit by Nana and was super excited for the workers to sing to her. She was so nervous that they were going to forget! She had to wear a mask and got a balloon and a sundae, which she shared (so nice!).

Olivia showing off her necklace and earrings. I still can't convince her to pierce her ears though!
Love this face! Madelynn is so super cute and loved being in a high chair so she could see everyone.Kory and my Dad were on Cole patrol since Celeste had all three of her boys there by herself.Olivia being sung to. She was so happy! Nana, Rix, Ana Lee and Adam (and Jack's bum- seriously, he was being that kind of kid)
Celeste with Cole and Bryce. Thanks for coming everyone!

On Sunday we had a family dinner at my house and then Olivia got her cake and ice cream, along with the rest of her presents. She really wanted a Belle cake, and it didn't turn out like it was supposed to in my head, but she loved it. It was a lot of work and I am not sure I'll be making any spectacular cakes for a while! Olivia got lots of awesome presents like a coloring book and crayons, a Barbie car, some books, Barbie furniture, a Cinderella doll and Snow White dress up. Thanks to every one who remembered Olivia on her birthday. Can you see how she was confused about when her actual birthday was and when she actually turned 5? I definitely confused the poor girl!

The Belle cake. Someone mentioned that it looked like Belle was wearing a big dress and then sat down in the middle of it. I think that about sums up why it didn't turn out the way I wanted it to, but it was stressful and I am just glad it came together at all!Olivia opening her presents. She and Jack love this book- the pages are cut into thirds, so you can switch heads and dresses and bodies of the different princesses. They think it's silly.

Olivia loves her Barbie car. She and Jack fight about it a lot. I can't wait until Jack is old enough to know that Barbie cars are not the coolest thing for him.Olivia loves her Barbie furniture, mostly because she's hoping that they will go into the Barbie house that Papa promised her one of these days.Olivia also loves to color for quiet time and for church. She is a big princess fan too.Here she is with her new Cinderella doll. Can you see the dress Olivia has on in all these pictures? This is the pillowcase dress I made for her. Cute, huh?Showing off her new Snow White dress. I already know what she is going to be for Halloween!

Here are some things about Olivia:

LOVES:

Disney princesses and Barbies

Wearing dresses every day

Playing at the park

Playing Disney or Noggin online, she also loves Ben 10 and Scooby Doo

Macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets, PB & honey, pancakes, broccoli, vanilla ice cream and milk

Helping me cook and bake

Sleeping in Mommy's room, although she loves to share rooms with Madelynn too

Reading and doing puzzles and coloring and drawing

Taking pictures with my camera

HATES:

Getting shots or taking medicine

Getting hurt

Taking naps

Sharing (although she does share, she just doesn't like it)

When Mommy leaves somewhere without her

Having her hair combed

OLIVIA'S PERFECT DAY:

Waking up and having pancakes for breakfast, preferably with strawberries and whipped cream on top. Going to the park to play and then going to McDonald's for lunch where she can play on the playland and eat chicken nuggets. Afterwards, while Jack and Madelynn napped, she would go to the movies with Mommy or Daddy and eat popcorn. For dinner she would have macaroni and cheese and get ice cream for dessert. She would get to stay up late doing puzzles with Mommy and Daddy and fall asleep in our room.

We love you so much Olivia! You are such a precious girl. You help Mommy and Daddy all day and are such a wonderful big sister. You are sensitive to others feelings and I love that you think every one you meet is your "best friend". You are so excited to learn new things and I know you will be so happy in kindergarten!

Road Trippin'

I'll warn you, there are a ridiculous amount of pictures in this post and I won't judge you (openly) if you skip the narrative or some of the pictures. You'll just miss out on my wit and cute family. Like I said, I'm not judging you (openly), unless your name is Kelli and you happened to call me out on Facebook for not updating my blog and called me a slacker. If that isn't you, then disregard this disclaimer. If that is you (ahem, Kelli) then I expect you to read all of this since you technically asked for it.

We drove to Utah and Colorado a week ago for a family reunion. As much as I love my cute little family, I don't think we'll be making any road trips any time soon. Spending all day in the car with the three kids had me brainstorming how I can afford to buy us all plane tickets for our next vacation, or, better yet, how I can go on a vacation by myself (Well, maybe with Adam. Maybe).

We drove to Riverton, Utah first to spend a night with Adam's sister Becky and her family. My kids love her house, not her dog. I think the dog is bigger than Olivia! They put on helmets and drove razors around the culdesac. We didn't get to stay as long as we wanted, but are very appreciative of Hotel Becky!

After Riverton we drove to Provo to run into the BYU bookstore really fast. All I wanted was a BYU hat for Jack, chocolate covered cinnamon bears, and a salad wrap. Got them! We then drove to Grand Junction, Colorado to see my Grandma Betty and Grandpa Doug. We met Celeste and her family there and introduced Madelynn to my grandparents. The kids swam outside, we had a little BBQ and then the kids went to the park with us while we gave my grandparents a break from the chaos that surrounds 6 little kids. That night, while my family slept at a hotel, I drove to Target to get binkys and ran into Stacey and Emme Chipman (for those of you who know them from Cleveland!). It was random and lots of fun at the same time, since they moved to Grand Junction to start a job.

The next day we drove to Moab (are you sensing a theme here?) and stayed at the Red Cliff Lodges. They were awesome. We shared a cabin with Celeste and her family, where we each had our own bedroom (per family) and a shared bathroom, with a large living space for a kitchen, desk and TV. Our view included the red walls of Moab and the Colorado River, which I panicked about because I could imagine one of the kids walking into it and drowning in the undercurrent. We went to Arches National Park for a little while, but the heat comined with naptime made the kids sleepy and ornery so we went home and let them nap. Afterwards we swam for a little while in the pool and then went to a catered dinner at the main lodge where we met up with all of my mother's father's side, the crazy Abercrombies. The whole family is so fun and welcoming, and it was nice to see my Grandpa Jim, my aunt Cathy and her two girls, my Uncle Rickie Jo, and all my other family. We also planned our next family reunion, which is done every two years, and it will be at Glacier National Park in Montana. There is a water park, white water rafting, tons of golf courses and hiking to do. We are so excited!

The next morning, after we ate at the delicious breakfast buffet, Adam and I drove (again) up to Salt Lake City so he could catch his flight back to Seattle since he had to work the next day. Of course, we stopped by my SuperTarget (yeah, it's mine) and I remembered why I missed it so much. I know, I'm weird, but I love that store! I cried when I left Adam at the airport. I always cry when he leaves me, but I was especially sad since I knew the next day I would be driving back to Lakewood by myself, with Celeste and Bryan caravaning in front of me.

The kids and I met my mom, Celeste and her kids, my brother Kory and his wife Ana Lee, and my Uncle Lorrin and Aunt Wendy and their family at Scera Park in Orem for a KFC picnic. My sister Kelli and her family moved to Utah that weekend and met us straight from the Penske truck. It was so fun to see Kelli again, since her family lived in Toledo while we lived in Cleveland so we saw them pretty often. Her kids were so excited to see their cousins and we let them play for while and even got a grandkid picture done. It was tough to leave them again when I had to follow Celeste back up to Heber where I was staying the night. I cried and cried when I left Kelli and her family. I won't see them again for a while. I also miss Utah a lot so it was hard to be there for such a short time and then leave again. Every time we go to Utah we are there for such a whirlwind trip. Next time Adam and I promised ourselves we would relax and enjoy ourselves more, like go to Temple Square and BYU (and Cafe Rio!).

I stayed the night with the kids in Heber at Celeste's in-laws house (thanks Pearsons!). We left the next morning for Lakewood. I put Olivia right next to Madelynn so she could feed her and play with her. It was a lot better than I thought it was going to be. Celeste drove for me in between lunch and dinner, which was a life saver. Our caravan broke up in Yakima when Celeste and Bryan pulled off to help Cole, their one year old, who was having a hard time in the car (I don't blame you buddy!) so I drove by myself from Yakima on, about three hours or so. I was so proud of myself for making it on my own (with Celeste's help), although my pride will not get in the way of NOT going on another road trip for a while! I did not take any pictures of the drive back home, though, mainly because I was more focused on surviving the trip than documenting it, but I took lots of other pictures, so enjoy!

My kids on their cousin's razors. They did pretty good and I thought Jack was so cute on his.Jack was so afraid of Becky's dog, until the dog seriously flopped onto her back begging for him to scratch him. He is a big softy! Jack finally got over the "he's bigger than me" thing and went for it and loved it.The kids at Grandma Betty's house. She wouldn't let me take pictures of her because she hurt her back and hadn't done much with herself. She promised I could take pictures of her and the kids when she visits next. I will be like a paprazzi maniac when she comes!

One guess what this face means she's doing.My mom's stepdad, Grandpa Doug, and my kids (and me). No Madelynn is not smiling, she's crying. She has major "stranger danger". And I know I am towering over every one. In my defense, I'm standing while no one else is, and I wasn't supposed to be in the picture, just Madelynn. Although I'm smiling like I knew I would be in it anyway. Jack showing off his new BYU hat. It's a little big so he'll have to grow into it.The first rock formation we saw at Arches, "Balancing Rock." Olivia and Rix climbing some rocks.

Adam built his own "balancing rock" and then Cole came by right after this and knocked it over.The best picture I could get of us at "Delicate Arch" monument. It's a little ways away from the lookout point. It is the arch a little above and to the right of Adam's head. You have to hike a ways to get a better view, and hike some more to actually get to the arch. It was hot and humid and I was wearing flip flops, so Adam and Jack hiked up there with Bryan and some of his boys. Olivia is a Mommy's girl and stayed with me in the van with A/C. I don't blame her.Adam and Jack up at the closer view area. It's a pretty cool arch, I think it's the one on the Utah license plates. Jack, as you can see, is very hot and tired. I am so glad that hike knocked him out the minute he got back in the car.On the way out of Arches, I got a picture of the petrified sand dunes. They are much more awesome in real life. They are sand dunes that are hard as rock, although they still look like sand. It's weird.

Trying our hand at being cowboys/girls. I think they look cute. I don't think they'd last long as cowboys/girls. My kids have issues with big animals (like dogs... and horses) if they aren't behind glass windows or cages at the zoo.Adam and Jack at the dinner party. Jack was pretty good for us, considering he didn't want anything but the pasta and to run around like a banshee on the stage.Madelynn and I hanging out. Adam and I had to take turns eating because Maddie had massive stranger danger on the trip (and still does) and wouldn't let us put her down. She did let some relatives hold her as long as she couldn't tell it was them holding her. Celeste, Cole, Bryce (attacking his food) and Bryan at dinner. See all my crazy relatives in the back? I don't know a lot of them, but the ones I do know, I love! And I even love the ones I don't know all that well.

Olivia got to sit at Nana's table with Rix (not pictured). She insisted on sitting by Ana Lee, my sister in law. Both my kids are fascinated by Ana Lee (or Ana Wee, as Jack would call her). Rix and Olivia also got to spend the night in Nana's cabin. They were super excited about a sleep over and I was thankful to have two less people in our cabin!
My mother and her siblings and father: Ricky Jo, my mother Lynda, Grandpa Jim, Ron and Cathy. Sorry for the blurry picture. Olivia had been playing with my camera and must have touched the lens. All the grandkids at Scera Park. Cole, Rix, Bryce, Roman, Aubrey, Hayden, Olivia, Madelynn and Jack. Aren't they all the cutest?!