Alumni Homecoming Party, September 9, 2011

John and I graduated Ten years ago from Taylorsville High School.  We weren't going to be able to attend the reunion due to a family reunion, but the reunion was canceled due to what seemed to be a lack of interest. After it was canceled many of our former classmates showed interest on Facebook, the Class student body officers asked who would be interested in helping to plan. I had some ideas as I had been helping with my family reunion so John and I attended a meeting to brainstorm ideas. Here is the out come we would have a small get together before this years homecoming game and then next summer we will have a 10 + 1 Reunion.  John and I attended the get together, many stayed for the game and others showed up for the game but we decided not to. 

Our class get together was held in the commons area at the High School (Originally it was going to be on the Tennis courts but it was rainy so we moved inside.)

Here are some pictures from the evening. 

The upper commons

Abi running around on the lower commons, (where the pit used to be)

The vending machines were the kids favorite place to play.

Katie and the Nicoll kids

People catching up

Katie starts preschool, September 6, 2011

Katie has started school! Pre-school that is, she is attending Early Scholars with a couple other kids from our ward. The teachers are two sisters and Katie loves it! It's two days a week two hours a day, she is always so proud of the things she does.

Here are pictures of her first day.

She got sick of pictures fast and this is her ignoring me.

We had ordered her a backpack but it had yet to come
 so she borrowed one of my bags.

Abi had to come to drop her sister off.

At the home school is held at, giving me her fake smile.

This is after school with her name tag.

Her backpack came before her second day of school

It's a cute owl backpack, she loves it and so do I.

Abi misses her sister while she's gone and loves it when I will take her with to drop off or pick up Katie. The first day after we dropped Katie off we got in the car and right away Abi said, "I miss Cake-y" and then when we got home she said, "I miss Cake-y again" it was so sweet and sad.  (Yes Abi call Katie Cake-y sounds just that way. We all call her that at times now.) Everyday when Katie comes home Abi gives her a big hug. It's very sweet!

Abi turns two! September 3, 2011

My little one is two! That just seems crazy! It has been a wonderful two years getting to know Abi's personality. She can be the sweetest little thing, and gives the nicest little kisses. But she is also a two year old. If you have ever wanted to see a kid in their terrible two stage come on over, you wont have to stay long before Abi has a fit of some sort. I love listening to my girls play together and have conversations, they crack me up.  The two of them can really truly play together now and that is wonderful, I hope they become each others best friends. One of the girls new favorite games they call dress up, they get in Abi's tent she got for her birthday (picture of it to follow) and then use puzzle pieces as money to "buy" the dresses the princesses pictured on the tent are wearing.  Abi is a talker she can say anything we ask her and is good at expressing herself. She tells me she loves me often and loves to be with her mom. When she wants to be held she'll say "I want to hold you", I can't often resist her request. Abi loves books and I will hear her "reading" to herself often. I love this little girl and look forward to watching her grow and learn.

We had a party for her at our house and had a pinata and cake. We invited our families and a few friends and ended up with quite the group. It was fun to celebrate together!

Good morning birthday girl!

Birthday girl napping.

Pinata, made from a Costco Goldfish box.

Abi having a terrible two moment and the pinata.

Abi's cake!

The Mayfields and The Lee's

My mom talking with John's parents.

John and his brothers, Tommy and Bobby

Grandpa Hughes letting Abi take pictures with his phone

Grandpa Nolan and Jack

Katie, Abi and Issac.

Abi's presents she was a bit spoiled!

Abi getting ready to hit the pinata

Hit it Abi!!!

Jacks turn.

Issac knew right what to do.

Liam gave it a try

Katie giving it a go.
This was her first time being blind folded for a pinata,
She did pretty good!

Now for the older kids

Luc

Ella

Becca had some aggression to get out!

We finally let Becca take off the blind fold and beat the tar out of the pinata.
It was a hard one to break!

Want some!

John and his siblings

I made Abi this cute yellow dress out of a dress shirt for her birthday.
Thanks Grandpa Hughes for the shirt!

Front view. Abi showing her muscles!

All of Abi's gifts. Thanks everyone she loves them!

Para-cord bracelets for gifts

I found THIS tutorial to make para-cord bracelets and then many of my friends and family received one for their birthdays. I think they can be both cool and cute (especially when using purple handy hundred). They are meant to be survival-ish type bracelets with nearing 10 feet of rope that can be used in a tight situation.