Fun With the Abbotts

We are sooooo sad that are friends the Abbotts are moving, but so excited for their new adventure in Virginia. We've been friends since before we had kids, and Tate has been friends with their daughter Hailey from the begining. Hailey has always loved giving him hugs even though Tate was a bit shy about it. But I guess Tate finally decided hugging girls was ok, because before we went to the zoo he told me, "Mom, I'm going to hug Hailey today. It's ok to hug boys and girls". Funny kid.





We took the kids to Amazing Jakes for a final goodbye to the Abbotts. Tate and Hailey had a blast together, as they always do, and gave each other several hugs before saying goodbye.


John was a good sport and went on the rides with Jack. I did go on a couple too, I just didn't let him take my picture while doing it.





Good luck with everything Abbotts - We'll miss you!!!

Easter

We had a great Easter weekend. The boys had lots of fun collecting eggs at both the ward and neighborhood egg hunt - but I did not bring the camera along to document it. Jack was so tired after both hunts that he fell asleep while eating his lunch. I got a movie of it, but can't figure out how to post it. Sunday morning the boys checked out their baskets and were more excited about the new tooth brushes than any of the candy. We ended the day with a BBQ and egg hunt at McDowells - all in all a great weekend.

Alma and the Chipmunks

Let me preface this post by saying that Tate has been seeing the commercials for the new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie and really wants to see it. So last night Tate and John read scriptures together while I was in the shower. When I got out I asked Tate what they had read about. His response was, "Nephi, and Alma - Alma and the Chipmunks!" He knew he was being funny. I will have to admit that it was pretty creative!

Happy Heart Day

I just have to say that I have a wonderful and thoughtful husband. He worked really hard to make me a Valentine gift that was extremely heartfelt and it is something I will always treasure. He got together some of my Marathon pictures and memorabilia from three years ago, and put them into a shadow box. It is something I've said I needed to do but never did. I think the thing about it that meant the most though, was the letter he wrote on the back. I'm so glad I have a guy who will support me in all my crazy endeavors and is proud of me in the end! He also gets props for the beautiful flowers, but not too much credit, considering that I told him before we were even married that he was required to buy me flowers for Valentines Day every year. (My mom taught me that if you want a guy to know what you want - you have to spell it out for them.) He's done great, and I've gotten my flowers every year for seven years now.

London's Run

Saturday I had the awesome opportunity of participating in a charity event benefitting kids with cancer. To get more info on the event check out www.londonsrun.org. Part of the event included a 1/2 marathon. I ran this with two fabulous women, my sister-in-law Rachel, and Donnie Flaherty who I have the pleasure of working with in YW. Before the race started, London's mother encouraged all the runners and said that when the race got difficult or when our bodies started to tire and hurt, we should think of the pain and difficulties the kids face on a day to day basis. There were also reminder signs placed throuout the course of beautiful bald headed kids with the biggest smiles on their faces. It was just what I needed to remind me that if they can smile through the pain so can I. I really enjoyed the run and am so glad I had Donnie and Rachel with me. I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends. I'm also so blessed to have such a wonderful family. It was so awesome to come around the corner to the last stretch and see John, Tate, Jack, David, Rachel & Carsyn all cheering me on. The best part was having Tate come grab my hand and cross the finish line with me. This was such a neat event to be involved in. It really made me appreciate my healthy body and the fact that it can run 13 miles without totally falling apart (it did fall apart a little bit). Call me crazy, but I'm thinking I might make this run an annual tradition.

The O says Ahh

Tate is learning to read which is very exciting! It is so fun to have him sounding out words all the time. At this point he only knows his short vowel sounds so E says eh, O says ahh, U says, uh, etc. So yesterday we are at my brothers house for a reverent superbowl Sunday dinner when Tate comes up to me very concerned and tells me he needs to tell me a secret. I'm thinking maybe he's going to tell me that he wet his pants or something tragic, but no, this is what he whispered in my ear, "Mom, that word over there on the wall says fart." He was obviously confused and concerned as to why anyone would want to decorate their walls with that kind of word. I attempted to explain that sometimes vowels make the sound of their name, I think he kind of understood, but not completely. We sure are glad that the FORT name has always provided us with a bit of humor!!

January's over already?

I cannot believe it's February. Where did January go? I really had great intentions of posting to my blog at least once a week, but after doing all 12 months of 2007 in just a few days, I was burnt out, plus January was not too exciting for us. It was especially unexciting for me considering the dreadful event on the 11th. I used to think it was so funny to call John OLD because he was in his thirties - well it's not so funny anymore! Do I have to tell people I'm thirty if I really don't feel like I'm that OLD? All in all my birthday was pretty noneventful. The highlight of the day was getting a smootie with Ashley Rogers - thanks Ashley for putting a little excitement in my not-so-exciting day. I think I'd much rather be five and have balloons and pinata's and all the fun stuff - oh well life goes on!!!

We did have a great weekend up in Flagstaff at the condo. I stayed inside by the fire the whole weekend. When Tate wanted to play in the snow I volunteered John to play with him. I gladly took pictures from the porch and absolutely did not touch the snow - it was too cold, and I DO NOT LIKE TO BE COLD!!! The boys liked the snow, but liked the warm hot tub even more!









Jack found my mascarra. At least he knows it goes on your face. I was so glad it was on his face and not on my walls or carpet.