In My Daughter's Eyes

I made this video back in 2006 after my sister Stephanie passed away of melanoma.  My sister Amy called me tonight and asked about getting a copy.  I haven't watched this for a long time...

In fact, I don't think I have watched it since I had Gabbie.

While I have always loved the song, it holds brand new

meaning for me now that I have a daughter of my own.  

Mother / daughter relationships are definitely one of kind and I am not sure there is anything

that quite compares.

I am grateful to have an incredible mother and the most amazing daughter ever!

Lagoon 2013

Some of my greatest memories are spending time at Lagoon with family and friends.  We went there once a year growing up.  I remember taking in a cooler, finding a spot underneath a tree where my mom and dad would sit and read for the day, and me and my sisters would go attack Lagoon!  We usually got there when it opened and always stayed until it closed.

It is a tradition that I and my sisters picked back up about 5 years ago and started taking our kids for the day.  Gabbie got to go for the first time last year and did great.  Even at 3 1/2, she held on until 11 pm when the park closed.

And Lagoon 2013 didn't disappoint!  We started off, as always, eating lunch before hitting Lagoon.

We and try and get there right as it opens.  We take our cooler, find a spot beneath a tree and hit the rides!  One change in the tradition, the cooler is now left alone for the majority of the day!

Gabbie and I went and hit the kiddie rides which she loved.

Lagoon has added a new couple new rides this year for the kids.  Above is a new jeep ride which I enjoyed with Gabbie.  Below is the new Tea Cups ride, which I rode with her once!  Then I quickly informed her if she wanted to go again, she would have to go alone or get her cousins to take her.  All that spinning stuff is too much for this old mom!

 This year my brother and his family came with us!  We have gotten the kids to come in past years, but it was great to have Coray and Krista join us.  It was also great to have Jackson back from his mission and join in the fun!

Luckily for Gabbie, her cousins would do the Tea Cups... thank goodness for cousins!

Gabbie at that whole hot dog!  Not all the "corn" part, but the whole dog!

And here are all the cousins that went!  Tradition includes a stop in the afternoon at Pioneer Village for a treat - and a cousin photo!

This year I talked Gabbie into going on Rattlesnakes Rapids.  I wasn't sure how it would go, but figured it was going to be really bad or really good.  Luckily, it went great!  Rattlesnake Rapids is a ride where a bunch of you get into a round boat and ride the rapids.  Getting soaked is part of the deal, no way around it.  Gabbie was so tired and hitting a wall right before this, but the ride got rejuvenated her energy and kicked her back into gear!  She loved it, insisted on going on it and again, and didn't stop the rest of the day!

Here is the gang waiting in line for our second rapid tour!

Hit the train with Sarah

And a bunch of rides with Tate!

Kelsey also took some time to ride with the smaller rides with Gabbie!

And Gabbie loved Tilt a World.  Rode it about 5 times with Tate.  Good thing Tate was there because 1 trip on Tilt a World about took me out!

And to stay true to the tradition, we closed the park down!  Gabbie was in the kiddie land riding some of the kiddie rides all alone, not another kid in site.  And when they closed them and we had to leave... at 11pm mind you... she was asking me, "Why can't we stay?!?!  Why are they closing?!?"  Such a fun day and such a fun tradition.

Until next year....

Gabbies Spring 2013 Recital

So, yes, I have been missing in action from my blog... sorry!  Life gets a little crazy at times.  I will try and get better, but I offer no guarantees! 

In the time I've been missing, Gabbie has been working hard at her dance class.  She had her recital last night and Kiley and I couldn't be more proud!

She is getting so grown up... definitely bittersweet for me!

Gabbies Winter 2012 Dance Recital

Gabbie had her winter dance recital today.  She has really come a long way from her first day of dance where she sat about 15 feet from everyone else.

This recital was held at the Great Basin College, our local community college in town.  She got to go up on the big stage and everything!  When I left her backstage, she asked where I was going.  I told her I was going to get my seat and that I would be in the audience.  She didn't bat an eye and said, "I'll see you on the stage!"

She did such a great job!  We are so proud of her!

Here she is with her good friend after the show!

When we got home, all she wanted to do was to snuggle with her daddy.  Such a sweet ballerina!

Oh, Liam Loves His Sister!

One of the best parts of having 2 kids is watching them play.  Over the past couple of weeks, Liam and Gabbie have really started to interact and play together.  Liam is now at an age where he can respond and voice an opinion about what is going on.  It warms my heart to watch them together!

Here is Liam demonstrating his new trick on Gabbie... Kisses!  Gabbie is such a good sport!

I know that they won't always get along like they do now and that one day the will fight nonstop!  But I also know, from personal experience, that even though they will fight like crazy for years, they will also realize that they are each others best friend!  

But for now, I am just going to enjoy the love!

Liam's Crawling!

So, Liam has been up and rocking on his knees for the past week or so.  He has been mobile for quite some time by rolling, spinning and pulling himself to where he wants to go.  But today he started to actually crawl.  Here he is in action!

I can't believe he is almost 8 months old!  Knowing Liam is my last baby, his milestones are bittersweet... I love seeing him grow up and develop, but it makes me just a little sad that it is happening so fast!

My Girl Goes to Preschool!

September 11, 2012... Gabbies first day of Preschool!

Gabbie has been so excited to start preschool.  She loved picking out her backpack, princess of course!  She helped buy her supplies and couldn't wait to get to use them.  

We went to the open house a couple of weeks ago and at first she was very shy, like she normally is in new situations.  But it didn't take her long to leave my side and check out the toys.  Within a couple of minutes, she was playing and meeting friends.  She didn't want to leave!  I promised her that she would be able to come back soon.

So, on her first actual day of preschool, I wasn't sure what to expect.  This was also her first adventure without her good friend, Tristyn, by her side.  She was doing this alone and didn't know anyone else at the school.  As we drove to the school, she asked lots of questions... one of which was, "Are you going to stay again with me mom?"  I told her that I wasn't going to stay and that Jodi would be picking her up.  I was a little worried about her reaction, but she was absolutely fine with it!

When we finally got to the school, she jumped out of the car and said, "Bye mom!  I gotta go to school now!"  And if I would have let it, that would have been the start of her school career.

But we had to do pictures, of course!  I also had to walk her in and get her settled, more for me than her.  We were actually about 5 minutes early and so we waited outside with the other kids and parents.  Gabbie started making friends with a little boy in her class and admired all the different backpacks.

Then we went in, found her cubby and her seat and she was set.  She gave me a kiss good-bye and a wave with her sweet little smile on her face.  There she was, my little girl, and I couldn't have been more proud of how confident she approached this new new experience!

  

And although I was incredibly proud of my brave and grown up little girl, there was just a little part of me that was sad that she didn't need me.  Oh, how I love her!

Gabbie, the Swimmer!

We started Gabbie in swim lessons for the first time this year.  When she started about 4 weeks ago, she wouldn't even put her mouth in the water to blow bubbles.  The thought of putting her head in the water terrified her!

We had some interesting days at the pool.  Never has this kid needed to go potty so many times in just a 30 minute timeframe.  One day when Kiley took her, she jumped out of the pool and told him she needed to go potty.  He asked her if she really needed to go or if she was just trying to get out of her class.  She very honestly replied, "I am just trying to get out of my class!"

However, about 2 weeks ago, she got a new instructor named Emily.  She did so great with Gabbie and now Gabbie loves swimming!  She will jump off the side without holding someone's hands, has no issue going under, can go to the bottom of the pool and retrieve a toy, and is great at her kicks and her arms!  

Here she is in action!

We are so proud of Gabbie and how hard she has worked!  She now loves swimming and can't wait to head out to Utah to go with all her cousins!

Our Happy Little Guy!

So Liam is now 4 months old and as cute as can be!  He really is such a happy and easy going little guy!  He smiles and giggles all the time.  He especially loves his big sister!

Here he is in action!

As you can see, he has also started on rice cereal.  He isn't quite sure what to do with it, but is catching on quickly!

We can't take him anywhere without getting comments on how cute he is!  And the one feature everyone comments on is his eyes...  Can you see why?

And I wonder who else has eyes like that??????

Lamoille Fair 2012

Today was the Lamoille Fair.  It is a small fair with lots of craft booths.  For our family, it is lunch, train rides, and seeing lots of work friends.  We just aren't craft people, but an Indian Taco makes it worth the trip!

We first went in 2010 and missed last year since we were out of town.  As Gabbie was sitting in the train, I couldn't help but reminisce of her first trip to the Lamiolle Fair! 

WOW!  What a difference two years makes!  My little girl is growing up so fast!  She isn't even a toddler anymore, she is a full blown little girl!

And while Liam attended this year, I realized when I got home that I didn't take any photos of him!  Poor second child!

Gabbie's 1st Dance Recital

Gabbie has been taking tap/ballet for the last 4 months.  You may remember her fist class where she would not participate at all and only stayed in the room because Kiley made her!

Well, she has come a long way!  She had her fist recital May 19, 2012.  She was so excited!  I even let her wear some make-up... real make-up... mom's make-up!  I think she was more excited about that than anything.

Here she is pre-recital with her best little buddy Tristyn.  She was in such a good mood and happy as can be!  I thought this may actual work without any drama!

Well, as soon as we told her it was time to dance, the drama kicked in.  She got all shy and said she wanted to go home.  With some coaxing and lots of help from Tristyn, she finally did it.

Her final dance was a daddy/daughter dance.  However, Kiley was not able to attend per doctor's orders.  I told Gabbie that Daddy really wanted to dance, but that he couldn't.  She asked me, "Then who is going to dance with me?" I asked her if she would dance with Cory, who is our sitters son who Gabbie knows well.  She said, "Ya!  That will work!"  So Cory stepped in and saved the day!  

She was so proud of herself after the first two dances!  She ran out to me with a grin on her facing, exclaiming, "I did it mom!  I did it!"  Then she absolutely refused to do the last dance.

With even more coaxing, we finally got her to participate.

Here is our girl in action!  This is a little long, but I figured grandparents would want to see it.

Don't know many seniors who would do this, so a big thanks to Cory!

As I was watching her dance, I was so proud of my little girl! 

I have to send a big thanks to our sitter, Jodi.  None of this would have been possible if she wasn't willing to take our Gabbie to dance.  She is so much more than a sitter and is always willing to do so much for our kids.  I don't know who else would be willing to take 5 kids so that the 2 oldest could attend dance and tumbling class.  Thanks Jodi!

Here is our beautiful princess ballerina!

The recital was at 1:00, so by the time we got home I decided it was too late to give Gabbie a nap.  She was snuggled up with me while I was feeding Liam.  I literally got up, put Liam in his crib and came back to find our princess sound asleep.

She really is our Sleeping Beauty!

To My Three Year Old Princess

Dear Gabbie,

You are three years old!  I can’t believe it!  You are growing up so fast and I am so lucky I to be your mom and get to watch you grow up.  

You are such a sweetheart!  I love snuggling with you as you drink your apple juice and do your "trick" with your snugs.  I love laying down each night with you, reading and cuddling as you fall asleep.  The best part is when you ask me if I want a kiss on my check, to which I always answer YES, and then you give me the sweetest kiss.  When I ask you if you want one, you usually answer me with, "Maybe later!"  But quite often, as we snuggle, you will very quitely and sincerely whisper in my ear, "Mom, I just love you!"  Melts my heart every time.

And, oh, how I love you!  I tell you that a lot, but it is because I do!  Usually I get a sweet little reply of, "I love you too, Mom!"  However, the other day I told you as you were playing with your toys.  You replied, in a most aggravated voice, "Mom, I love you too!  But why do you always tell me that?!?!?"  I tell you because I do... love you.... so much!  

You continually amaze me with how much and how fast you learn.  You will see or hear something once and you've got it.  Songs, dances, patterns, games... anything.  You are incredibly observant.  When you watch a movie, you study their facial expressions, their actions, their tone of voice.  When you act out the movies, you have to get it right and ensure everyone else gets it right too!  For example, if we act out the first scene of Beauty and Beast, you have to hold the book just right.  As Gaston, I have to grab the book from you and throw it down just right.  We have to get the lines just right!  You definitely could be an actress or a director when you grow up!

As we drive in the car, you observe if we are on a bridge, what color car we are in, what color the cars around us are.  You observe so many things that most people just never notice.  I hope that is a trait you keep as you grow up!  I hope you always notice and enjoy all the beauty and wonder that is around you   like you do now!

You also make connections that astound me.  Like when we stopped at McDonalds on our way to Utah.  You asked me where the animals where.  I was confused until you stated, "Mom, we are at Old McDonalds!  Where are the animals?!?"  Also, one morning on our way to Jodi's, you pointed out the moon to me.  I asked you if the cow was jumping over the moon.  You looked closely and then replied, "Nope!  He must be at Old McDonalds farm!"  Oh, what a girl!

You are very dramatic.  Your daddy says you get that from me, but who knows!  Sometimes your drama is a little much, like when someone forgets to give you "warmer" apple juice and you totally  breakdown.  But your drama is also quite endearing.  Simple things will put a huge smile on your face and make your entire day, like when I told you I bought more pineapple.  You would have thought you had won the lottery with the way your face lit up and you told me, "Oh, thank you mom!  Thank you for buying me more pineapple at the store!  You're the best!'

You are so excited to be a big sister.  You talk to Liam in my belly all the time.  You tell him that you are his big sister and that you love him.  I can't wait to see you with him and see what a great big sister you will be!  Liam is going to be very lucky to have such a great big sister!

You do not like it at all when I am upset with you.  If I get frustrated or upset, you will ask me, "Mom, are you mad?  Don't be mad!  Just be happy!  Please, mom, please be happy!"

Oh, Gabbie... you do make me happy!  So very happy!  You have added so much to my life.  You have me and your daddy wrapped around your little finger.  You make me laugh.  Your laugh warms my heart and is one of the greatest sounds on earth.  You amaze me.  You make me see things that I didn't see before.  And more than anything, you make me smile... everyday!

I truly am so very lucky to be your mom.  It is such a huge responsibility, but one of the greatest blessings in my life.  I hope I do okay!  You have so much potential and I want to help you realize that potential and achieve all that you want to achieve.  I want you to dream big!  And I want you to always know that you are loved, so very very loved by me, your dad 

and so many other people who love you too!

Happy Birthday Gabbie Grace!

I love you!

Mom

Gabbie at 3 - 

She loves princesses, anything princess

She loves make-up

She can count to 15

She knows her ABC's and how to spell her name

She loves dance and tumbling

Her favorite color is pink - if you tell her your favorite color, she will never forget it

She loved our trip to DisneyWorld in September and always talks about "When we go to DinseyWorld again..."

She is a total Daddy's girl - still

She loves apple juice and would drink or eat nothing else if we let her - we don't let her

She loves loves loves her Snugs - still - and not just her snugs, but the special corner of her snugs.  Yes, she is that picky!

Uses words like frustrated, respect and antagonize.  However, at her 3 year dr's appointment, would only say "Baby---ehhhh"

Loves to have picnics and tea-parties.  She gets them all set up in her kitchen downstairs

Loves to hunt for monsters in the basement, but won't do it alone.  Has to have mom or dad go with her.  She loves to get scared

Loves to be different characters.  She will take on a part and assign you a part, and you better stay in character or she will get quite upset with you!

Has quite the imagination and loves to pretend

Likes to ride her bike down in the basement

She loves to read books

Loves snuggling with mom and dad in bed on the weekends

Likes to make messes, but not so fond of cleaning them up

Likes to help dad fix things with tools

Likes to exercise and lift weights with daddy

Likes to help make dinner

Loves to play with kids - any kids

Could not be sweeter if she tried!!!

Our Princess is 3!

Gabbie turned 3 years old on January 21, 2012.  She was quite opinionated this year about her birthday party - surprise, surprise - she is quite opinionated about most things now!

She wanted a princess party with ALL the princess, not just Ariel like she had when she turned 2! 

She also had very specific friends she wanted to invite.  So with her help, we planned a spectacular princess party for our princess!

 Gabbie's cousins, Jake and Paige, were able to come down from Boise to help celebrate Gabbie's birthday!  She just loves these guys!

Paige is so good to always play with Gabbie!  Jake is so good at teasing Gabbie, to which she tells him, "Stop antagonizing me!"

For her birthday party, the kids played princess dress ups and then we decorated princess cookies with all things sparkly!

Stella played the official role of Birthday Dog - thanks to Kiley and Jake!

After cookies, we had pizza!

And then we opened presents!

And ended with singing Happy Birthday and having cake!  

Gabbie was so tired from staying up late the night before with her cousins, Nana and Papa Charles.  She almost fell asleep with the kids where singing to her.

Gabbie got a special Snow White doll from Nana and Papa Charles.

 Gabbie with her Nana and Papa Charles!

Overall, Gabbie had a great birthday.  I can't believe my girl is 3!