parade and things

My parents' stake made a float for the Days of 47 Pioneer day parade. It was pretty awesome. And even more awesome... my mom, Heather and I all got to walk in the parade as the pacers for the float. We woke up early and went downtown early to get all our info and get ready. Then because we were dead last in the parade we spent a lot of time waiting and playing cards. It was perfect weather-overcast, but still a little muggy. And we got super awesome t-shirts! Now I can check that off my bucket list.

Abbie is a squirmy, very active baby with a very short attention span

Example A: about ready to roll off the changing table-which can make changing her diaper a challenge :)

Example B: she completely squirmed over the edge of the little seat in her bathtub

Example C: she rolls and moves a lot when on the floor 

oh and check out her cute mohawk :)

She scares me a little and I don't feel like I can take my eyes off her. Yeah, can't wait still she can crawl and walk. That will be fun! (sarcasm, in case you didn't get that)

So, 

we got her this. I LOVE it because it keeps her entertained and I know she is safe if I walk out of the room.

She LOVES it too! She loves playing with the toys, and being able to stand. 

And even though she is constantly moving (which means she doesn't like to cuddle with me), she is still a very good sleeper at night and good during the day, unless I throw off her routine. Also, just recently we have noticed that she likes to sleep on her side and cuddle her blanket.

Isn't she a cutie?

Cherry Hill

Last week (Wed-Sat) we went to Cherry Hill for a few days with Brandon's extended family- Nielsen side. We of course had a lot fun. I feel like I slacked a little in taking pictures, but here's what I got:

We got these really cool fun passes that included several activities. So, Thursday we went to the Water Park. We loved the 3 waterslides!

Hanging out at the campsite.

Swimming Pool. All the younger kids loved when Brandon and Eli threw them in the water. Brandon wore a shirt because he got burned really bad at the water park.

In our tent getting ready for bed.

Haha. Kennedy had a cute little chair that was perfect for Abbie. So cute!

Rock wall climbing. They had to talk me into it. Amber and I didn't make it very far. Brandon and Eli raced to the top a couple of times.

We also went mini golfing, played lots of games, and Brandon and I even went over to Lagoon one night for about an hour.  It was really hot, so Abbie didn't sleep very well during the day. Thankfully she slept great at nights. I think my favorite part was just hanging out with everyone and playing games.

See ya next year Cherry Hill :)

Birthday weekend

The fun began Thursday when we went to Lagoon.
We went right when it opened hoping to get a prize because Lagoon celebrated their 125th birthday. It was awesome because it wasn't very crowded.

Having fun watching them on the water rides. 

Haha, Abbie put down her toy when she noticed the Powerade bottle. She knows what the good stuff is.

Lagoon-A-Beach. It was so fun, a radio station was there and was hosting a bunch of fun competitions. We entered the rubber duck race and the Icee eating contest- which gave us cool, free cups. Lots of fun!

 Brandon and I left Lagoon early to go see Harry Potter. He won two free tickets on the radio for a double feature of Harry Potter 7- parts 1&2. The theater was giving out free popcorn and drinks, and boy did we take advantage of that! We loved the movie and we even got to see it in 3D (our first time watching a movie in 3D)

Friday was my actual birthday. I got up and hung out with Abbie, Brandon had to finish his paper.

My family took us to La Cocina for lunch. Then the girls went and got manicures.

Abbie and my mom watched us.

Abbie giving me loves for my birthday :) I also got a new skirt, a primary children's piano song book, movie tickets, computer speakers, some money and Amanda gave me an awesome pedicure.  And we ate cheesecake- my very favorite!

Saturday we went to our ward party. Swimming for the kids, and J-Dawgs. The water was so cold, but Abbie still had a blast.

The rest of the day we hung out and I got some cleaning done while Abbie entertained herself.

This girl sure loves food and is such a messy eater :)

Today, of course, we went to church. Then the Crowthers came over and we had a party for me. We ate yummy pizza and breadsticks and chocolate cake.

 

Abbie wanted some too, so she had some bananas.

Playing games

 

I had a great birthday and feel so blessed! 

Hopefully my next 23 years will be just as great!

Oh, and just because...

Abbie's new trick- standing and leaning against something without support.

What a chunk!

Yesterday we went to Abbie's 4 month check-up. She is one BIG girl with a little head.

Weight: 15 lbs 14 oz  (90th percentile)

Length: 26.5 inches (98th percentile)

Head circumference: 41 cm (45th percentile)

Seriously. Look at those thighs! Not to mention there are plenty of extra rolls everywhere else :)

And we love it!!!

Abbie can now eat 'solid' foods. We are starting with rice cereal.

She loved it!  I'm not surprised at all. Remember when I said she always wants to eat when and whatever we eat.

 Love this face!

Brandon's dad celebrated his 50th birthday! We played Pin the tail on the Donkey. It has become a tradition and its always funny to watch. 

My two cuties sporting their BYU Law shirts. I guess I am not cool enough to have one :(

I have had a lot of people recently tell me that Abbie looks just like Brandon. What do you think? Personally I can't tell.

I walked in this morning and this is what I found. I tell you, she really loves her bear. And other toys too. And yes, she does sleep in just a diaper now because our apartment is hot! Fans have become our best friends.

See, she does love all toys. Or pretty much anything she can get her hands on :)

My sisters came down and we made bows! Here are the ones I made and I am quite proud of them :)

I also got to see my high school besties. Crazy how long ago that was. We had fun eating pizza and chatting. And they got to meet Abbie :)

Park City

Last Saturday we went up to Park City for our annual vacation with my family. We had a great time!
Here are some of the highlights.

We spent a lot of time hanging out

Reading, chatting, playing card games, and video games

Swimming

Watching the Park City 4th of July parade

Oakley Rodeo

One of our favorite traditions. Unfortunately Abbie didn't like the really loud atmosphere.

The activity center had lots of fun activities. Here are a few pictures from the photo scavenger hunt (mimicking a statue, handstands, doing the Bunny Hop, flashlights in the dark-except that I forgot to turn the flash off-love their faces). We won! There was also a balloon toss and Brandon and I won.

Mountainside Resort/ Alpine slide

We rode the bus over. Syd, Ness, Jake, and Halle went on the Alpine slide. The rest of us hung out and had Snowies.

Olympic Park

Heather, Amanda, Brandon and I all got passes for the slide and 2 ziplines.The big zipline is supposedly the steepest zipline in the world.

I was scared to death but ended up loving the ziplines. 

In fact they were so fun that everyone else tried it and loved it.

Unfortunately we had to come home Thursday, a couple days early, because I signed up to take a Children's Lit class at BYU for recertification credit. Which also meant that I read two books while up there.

  We had so much fun. Abbie's routine was messed up but she handled it pretty well.

Now we are back to life :)

122 days

Abbie is 4 months old

She's growing so fast!

*Loves food. Especially our food. Anytime we eat she thinks she ought to have some :)

*Rolls over all the time. Yep, she has finally rolled from tummy to back, though it's a rare occasion.

*Has recently found her feet. Loves to grab them, but can't quite reach them to her mouth without help :)

*Smiling queen. and loves to giggle. So cute!!

We sure love this girl!!!

Another week bites the dust

After a week of not blogging the pictures have piled up. 

Monday we went to Discovery Gateway- the children's museum. We had a lot of fun :)

Tuesday Brandon and I both got sick :(   Neither of us felt up to doing much so we didn't even have dinner. I felt bad for Abbie. Though I am so glad that she did not get sick.

The rolling girl :)

She LOVES her toys!

Oh, precious! She even loves to sleep with her toys. She usually goes to bed with Mr. Bear.

Friday we went to an awards assembly for Breanna and Jayden so Abbie got to hang out with grandma and grandpa Crowther.

She is already a BYU fan!

I love this girl, but I sure wish she would take longer naps. The last few days she has only been taking cat naps, meaning 20-50 minutes.

We also packed up and went home yesterday from Draper. That was quite the job and Abbie was not making it any easier. Thanks to my mom for taking her so that I could get everything done.

This morning while I was unpacking from our Draper stay and packing for our Park City vacation, Abbie played on the floor with her toys for awhile...

... Then she got bored of the floor and moved to the swing. And, yes she still likes her swing!  Especially when there are toys on it for her to grab :)

On the way here to Park City, we stopped at Walmart. Genius! All stores should have baby seats like this.

So, now we are here in Park City and already having a great time. Pictures will come soon! (hopefully)