It's catch-up time

While I'm on the computer, I'd better catch up on some of our past activities.

This picture was taken when Jeff's sister Jacque was visiting from Ventura, CA. In the picture is Jeff's mom: Jeanne, Jeff's dad: Ken, and the cousins: Kalon, Marley, McKenzy holding Bailee, Thomas, Hunter, Hayden, Mason and Madison on G'pa's lap.

Here's a picture of us at The Living Aquarium (I think that's the name). It's a fun place. Pictured left to right is: Jeff holding Bailee, Madison, Jill (my sister) and Jacob ( my brother-in-law). Ah shoot, I'm not in the picture. :)

The same day we went to the aquarium we also went to Kennicot. It's interesting there. Bailee was totally enthralled with looking at the big pit. After we took some pictures we went inside the building to look around. We saw some neat stuff. Especially two bugs, that weren't part of the display. They were kind-a weird. We went back outside to look around some more but it was getting cloudy and breezy. At one point I looked over and saw one of the workers with an orange vest on ducking her head down by a metal bench and covering it with her arms. I took this as a sign that we might should be gettin' the heck out of there. It got pretty dusty with the wind blowing so it was hard to keep your eyes open. Anyways, it was fun.

One morning I was showering while Bailee was still awake before her nap. I kept the bathroom door open incase the girls needed me and so I could hear what was going on. This was the scene when I got out of the shower. I must have forgotten what a mess toddlers can make. I tried to put things up on the counter beforehand, but I forgot about the tp and Madison forgot to close the closet door.

We went to the zoo on Labor Day weekend. I like the Hogle Zoo. Believe me it's much better than the Phoenix Zoo. The only animals we saw there were foxes and cats. And it was dang hot and crowded. On this day that we went, something was up with all the cats, I think they were hungry and all of us humans were lookin' pretty tasty. They were sure wound up. I would have been totally freaked if one of them had gotten out of their cage. This is a picture of Bailee and Jeff looking at the bears.

Here's Madison and I on the choo-choo at the zoo. (My what big sunglasses you have).

Here's dare-devil standing on her school bus. Kids are so funny.

My uncle and aunt Tom and Diane came from Iowa to visit us. We were all sad to see them go. My mom and dad are in the picture too, sitting on the ends. Oh, darn I'm not in the picture again. I hope my Uncle Tom doesn't have a cabin.

Space-Savers

So, it's been a little while since I posted. I'd like to post things more often, but it's a bit difficult since the computer is in Bailee's room. When she's awake I try not to spend much time on the computer and I can't be on the computer when she's asleep or I'll wake her up with my tapping of the keys and clicking of the mouse. I found a computer desk from Ikea that I think I'd like to eventually get and put in our kitchen. It's kind a cool, 'cause it has a roll top front, so we can close it up and lock it if needed. Sometimes I don't enjoy looking at the computer so that would be a nice option to have. It'd be great to have the computer out in the open so we can quickly hop on it if we need to look something up and also to be a part of what's going on with the family. Plus, Bailee can completely have her own room. Here's a picture.

Walk this way

Bailee just started walking. Here's a clip of the big milestone. Good job Bailee!!

Inside our house...

Nothing too exciting goin' on, which is nice for a change. Madison, Bailee and I have been adjusting pretty well to Madison being away at school all day. Madison really hasn't had any problems, so that's a relief. The house is a bit quieter and I'm able to accomplish more tasks. I have started to work on the big chore that I keep putting off, organizing the paperwork that has piled up on the computer desk. Blah! I've also completed 20 pages of pictures in the family photo album, so now I'm only a year behind. I hope to get all caught up soon.

I've also been trying to build up my physical strength and endurance. I heard on Oprah (which I don't usually watch, but did because Dr. Oz was on) that a woman of about 40 years old should be able to do 11 push-ups. So, I tried and was able to do 7. I wasn't too excited about that, so I've been trying to do them more often, and am now up to 15. I do girl push-ups by the way. How many can you do? Bailee and I have been walking the neighborhood a lot. We enjoy getting out.

I finished reading The Host, by Stephenie Meyer. I liked it once I finally got into it, it took a few chapters. It was a pretty serious book. On one page towards the end, I was totally crying with tears running down my face. I was sitting on one end of the couch reading and Jeff was on the other end reading, but I was so quiet he didn't even know I was crying. It's a good thing the girls were in bed or they would have been wondering what was wrong with mom.

I took this picture of Bailee watching Madison out the bay window. She loves her big sissy and gets so excited just watching her.

First Day of School

Madison's first day of

First Grade.

Madison and her friend Faith, at the bus stop.

Bye Madison. I'm so glad she enjoys riding the bus. She's growing up so fast, I can't believe it.

Redford Look-alike Meter

I thought it was interesting that both Bailee and Madison look equally like Jeff and I. That was a fun website, thanks Melanie.

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Family tree software - Family history

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

http://www.myheritage.com/collage

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Family photo sharing - Family name origins

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

http://www.myheritage.com/collage

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Free genealogy websites - Genealogy search

Redford Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celeb - Collage - Morph

Just stuff

Madison was taking funny pictures of Jeff and I. I guess I'm in the mood to embarrass myself and let you see this one. The face goes well with the dishwasher story.

Stuff #1

My house is messy right now and I should be cleaning, but instead I'm blogging. I finished Breaking Dawn yesterday. I liked it, I laughed out loud quite a bit. I'm kind of sad to be finished with it, but I have more time to tend to other things now.

Stuff #2

Sometimes I'm too efficient for my own good. Yesterday evening I was frying bacon for dinner. So, I thought, while the bacon is frying I'll make good use of the time and unload the dishwasher. Am I the only one that gets tired of unloading the dishwasher, I know it doesn't take too long, but it gets old, ya know? Anyways, I started to unload the dishwasher, and I noticed there was a film on some of the bowls, so I thought, "I better try a new kind of detergent soon." When I was almost completely finished putting the dishes away it dawned on me that the dish-washing cycle had not ran all the way through because I'd stopped it for some reason and couldn't even remember why or when. So, all of the dishes I'd put away were dirty. Oh, what fun that was pulling all of the dishes back out and putting them in the dishwasher. Later I remembered I'd forgotten to put the dirty silverware back in. So, I still need to wash that by hand. Ahhhh!

I'd like to write some more but Bailee needs to take a nap and I'm in her room.