IT'S PARTY TIME!

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY, ALEX!!!

Alex and Brooklyn have been talking about it for at least 6 months...but, it has finally happened. Alex turned 3 years old. She has been so excited for her birthday. The morning of her birthday she woke up at 6am calling for "Mommy" so I ran up to her room. She asked, "Mommy, what are you doing"? Well, it's 6am and for those that know me well...know that I have been up for at least an hour cleaning bathrooms and scrubbing floors! :)

But then she asks, "Are you making my cake"? I had to chuckle...when she went to bed I had just pulled the last cake out of the oven to cool. So there were 4 cakes out on the counters at bed time. Poor baby....guess we are lucky she slept at all. After I told her that the cake was made the night before her poor little eyes about popped out of their sockets. She jumped out of bed and headed downstairs as fast as her little legs could carry her. I hope the girls are always so excited for their birthday parties because it makes my heart happy to witness their joy!

That morning the phone calls from Pop and Grandma Abblitt and Grandma and Grandpa Yoder were very exciting for Alex... Now that I'm 3, I get my own phone calls! "Today is my Dora Party"!

At 3pm the party started. Grandma and Grandpa Yoder and our good (ok, Grace...great) friends, The Currens, made the 4 hour trip from Sheldon to help celebrate Alex's birthday party.

Describing her Dora Cake to Pop

Start of the party: Ally, Alex, Brooklyn, Brad (Abby is there, too)

Being a Dora Party, all the kids received a backpack with a map,

compass and telescope to navigate their way to designated areas.



The Birthday Girl trying to find her party

Poor Alex. The first destination was the bench to blow up a

punch balloon. And, only her balloon didn't work. It had a couple

pinholes in it and could not be blown up. So Sad!

Water balloon toss

The Daddys with their little girls...so cute!

Daddy and Grandpa setting up the pinata

Pinata time...Brooklyn must be getting the stick

Silly String at Swiper. Brooklyn aims like her Daddy.

TIME IN SAN DIEGO

Beginning of June: There are a couple things that have not made it on the "Blog" that I want to share...

Abblitt Family Reunion & Uncle Rob's USMC Retirement Ceremony:

On the 6th of June, the Abblitts had a family reunion in San Diego to be followed by a retirement ceremony for my Uncle Rob who retired after almost 30 years in the Marine Corps. Not having any luck in finding good tickets, it was going to be a big party I was going to miss. But, less than a week before the excitement I received a phone call from my Uncle Jim and Aunt Randi. They offered their airline miles for me to get out to San Diego. So, with the airline tickets worked out and my gracious husband taking Friday off and my in-laws willing to have the girls at there house on Thursday afternoon - I was free to head west to California.

Thursday & Friday:
I landed in San Diego late Thursday night and then Friday morning Dad and I were off to run along the cliffs. And, by the way, Uncle Rob was no where to be found...he was taking this whole retirement thing very seriously...sleeping in, taking it easy...you know, that sort of thing! I fly all the way out to San Diego to experience a run with a Marine escort courtesy of my Dad and Uncle....but, geez!!!

Thanks for the solo escort, Dad! :)

Dad and Mandy

The rest of Friday was running around with Mom, Aunt Karen and my cousins - Bethany and Brittany - getting things ready for the retirement ceremony. It was a fun girls day...thank goodness for the Garmin...even if she did get a little sassy every once in a while

Brittany, Mandy, Bethany at the start of the trip


...and at the end of the trip :)

Brittany - I told you that it would be submitted as evidence!

Saturday:

The Abblitt Family Reunion was fantastic. Not sure of the official count but I heard 70. It was so much fun meeting family that I've never met and seeing others that I haven't seen since I was little. And, of course there was also my immediate family and extended family - my uncles, aunts and cousins and my Dad's uncle, aunts and cousins that we have been fortunate enough to live closer to that we could see more often. I always enjoy spending time with family! It was a perfect day and I loved every minute!

I've got to say...San Diego is a fantastic place for a family reunion!

Abblitt Family Reunion

"Kids" (at the reunion) of the original 6 brothers and sisters...one being my grandfather.

Jessica and Mandy - sisters :)

Aunt Randi and Mom

My brother Andrew and cousin Brian

At 3pm it was off to prepare for Rob's retirement ceremony and give Dad and Robert time to get all shiny and fancy in their dress blues. The ceremony was very special. Rob gave flowers to his wife and 4 daughters for all the support and love they gave him through his career in the military. It was very touching.

It made me proud watching my Dad and Uncle Rob go through another ceremony together. The only thing that could have made it even better was if their Dad...my Pop...could have been there dressed with them. Although, in a way he was....Robert wore Pop's dress blues for the ceremony. And, Robert was awarded the Legion of Merit and the medal placed on his uniform was Pop's. It meant so much to have Pop as part of the ceremony even though he is no longer with us. He would have loved being a part of all the festivities that weekend.

To begin the ceremony...Hey, Dad....what's wrong with your shoes???

Colonel RJ Abblitt, BGeneral Spiese, LtCol DL Abblitt

Uncle Rob presenting flowers to his mom, wife and daughters

Dad and Uncle Robert

Dad, Mandy, Uncle Rob

Mandy, Dad, Mom, Andrew, Jessica

Dad and Mom

Dad, Mom, Aunt Karen, Uncle Rob...just look at those kids!!!

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT, UNCLE ROBERT! WE LOVE YOU AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU AGAIN IN OREGON COME JULY!!!

BUILD-A-BEAR DAY

Today, my friend Sara along with her kids - Lauren, Ben & Eli - introduced Brooklyn, Alex and myself to Build-a-Bear Workshop. What the experience this is! I'm sure the rest of the world has been in one of these stores but this was our first time. For those two other people that have not entered the world of "BABW"...you go in and pick out your bear - which there is only 152 different options (maybe a slight exaggeration). Once the bear is chosen...a lady helps "stuff" the bear. Brooklyn and Alex each took turns stepping on the pedal that causes the "fluff" to fill into their bear. A little heart is picked, kissed and placed inside before being closed up. Then off to the bathing area... Alex loved this part. Stepping on a peddle, water noise starts and you scrub your bear clean with a little scrub brush to get it ready to dress. Her bear is VERY, VERY clean! Once that was done...it was off for Brooklyn's favorite part. Picking out the clothes and accessories. You will all be shocked to learn that Brooklyn picked a pink, Sleeping Beauty gown for her bear to wear...along with a crown, a pink bow for each ear, glass slipper shoes, a pink purse and white satin undergarments! Seriously!!! And, Alex went with the pink Cubs baseball hat, white and pink Cubs t-shirt and pink shorts along with Skechers sneakers.

The girls had so much fun and were so proud to show Daddy their new little buddies...which they are both snuggling with right now. Thank you for great day, Sara. The girls LOVE their birthday present!!!

14th bath for Alex's little buddy

Brooklyn at the dressing area for "Aurora". Lauren is making sure everything is being done correctly.

Mandy, Sara, Brooklyn, Ben, Lauren, Alex and Eli

FINALLY, A WARM DAY!

After a day of running errands, the girls and I went to the pool to end the afternoon. This was not our first day at the pool but it was the first day I wanted to be there. It was actually 85 today...pool weather, finally! Brooklyn has really taken to the water this year. She loves to go down the "blue slide" and jump off the side. Alex has been fairly timid so far. But, today was a big day for her. She started jumping off the side to me and "swimming" back. Alex was so excited to tell Daddy about her huge accomplishments today. So much fun! I'm so truly blessed to be at home and share these days with our girls!




The "Blue Slide" at the GC Pool

YEAR IN REVIEW

Ok, so it has almost been a year since the last posting. Man, time flies! It has been suggested...or is being expected by my friend Grace, to have a year in review. Although it seems overwhelming to catch up instead of just starting today....I think I'm going to give it a try. Here is a quick look back from May 2009 through September 2008. Then I will resume with June 2009...which only being half way done has been a busy month.

MAY 2009

Aunt Marge and Uncle Bob's: Scott's Grandma and Grandpa Yoder came to visit from Minnesota. We were invited for a delicious dinner to spend time with family. AND, of course we asked for the tour of Bob and Marge's new home - which is beautiful!

Grandma and Grandpa Yoder from Minnesota

Getting dinner ready - grilled meat, veggies and Grandma's famous noodles. What else could you want?

Spending time with family

Friends Move Away: Our good friends David, Grace, Ally, Brad and Abigail left GC for David to take a year and go to school for a career change (and to show all those 19 year olds how school is done). And, as far as I'm concerned...they will be back in GC after this year...it may be a different house but they will be in GC! Got that, Grace???

Sad Good-Byes: We had to say good-bye to "Red", our Sierra puppy. Scott and I got her as a new little puppy when I moved back to Iowa City after I finished my internship in Delaware and Scott still had a semester of football and school left. She is so missed...by us and the girls.

April 2009

God's Little Princess Tea Party: My friend Grace had an idea to have a party for our little girls and some of their friends. So, as Grace does....and I love her for it....she got me involved in the planning process. We wanted to show these precious little girls that they are loved for who they are and they are special because of the gifts that God has blessed them with. It is not what you wear or what you have that makes you special. You are special because you are God's special child and are completely loved by Him no matter what! We had a couple of our friends help get the point across by portraying a "snotty princess but is dressed fancy" and one as a "very nice princess dressed in jeans". So, you are a princess because you are God's child...not because you wear a gown. It was a great afternoon and my girls loved it!

All of our princesses!

March 2009

Birthday Celebration: Scott and his brother Kevin celebrate their birthdays on the 21st.

Kevin is at a disadvantage with 2 more candles...its getting hard, isn't it boys??

A new cousin - McCoy Ottsen:

At the hospital: Kevin with Anderson, Scott holding McCoy, Brooklyn and Alex lovin' their cousins!

February 2009

Saying Good-bye to Grandma: This was a hard month for our family...my Grandma went to be with Jesus. The girls and I were able to drive down to Florida to spend a little time with her before things got really bad. My mom was already there helping take care of my grandparents and my brother Andrew flew from Oregon. It was an extremely difficult life event but I'm so grateful that I could be there for her to know that we love her and will miss her.

The girls wearing flowers from Great-Grandma house

Great-Grandpa up to his old tricks....not just two hands but three!

Las Vegas: Scott and I went to Las Vegas compliments of Mudd Advertising. My mom came to stay with the girls in GC while we went on our get-away.

We walked all the way to "the sign" from our casino - MGM Grand. What a hike!

January 2009

Another Birthday: I got another year older.

Sushi, anyone?:The girls and I ate a lot of sushi. Aunt Jessica and Uncle Andrew got us hooked during Christmas. It is so fun to watch the girls use chopsticks! They are actually pretty good now.

December 2008

What a month! We had quite the celebration for Jesus' birthday!! It started with the Yoder Christmas and then the Abblitt's invaded Iowa...GC in particular. It took Andrew and Jess a little longer to get here than we would have liked due to the nasty weather (their lugguage arrived even later)...but, they made it! My Mom, Dad, Andrew, Jess, Aric, Archer and Maigan all came to celebrate. Luckily Scott's parents are very gracious and allowed one of their rooms to be used by Andrew and Jess. What a great time we all had!

The girls driving their new "Gator"

We all went sledding at the elementary school and then a game of football broke out. Nothing like a little "snow football"...and yes, it was tackle! Scott normally is forced into a game of soccer at Christmas but being his home turf...it was football for Christmas 2008!

Back: Aric, Archer, Andrew, Jessica, Scott, Kevin (Scott's brother), Dad

Front: Maigan, Mom, Mandy, Alex, Brooklyn

November 2008
Alex started potty training...no more diapers!!!

October 2008

The month of the MARINE CORPS MARATHON! My dad, my brothers - Aric and Archer - and myself all decided to run the marathon together. What a great idea....whose brainchild was that?? Oh...sorry...it was mine! It would have been great but I was battling injuries from my marathon in June, Archer had mono and Aric never had time to train. Dad was feeling good and put all of us to shame. As expected, I'm sure. This marathon was the 30th anniversary from the 1st MCM that Dad ran. After the pain stopped....it really is an event I will treasure. Not too many people can say they ran a marathon with their Dad and brothers. And, I should mention...my other brother Andrew did not join in on the "fun". He thinks we are all crazy and is probably right. But, he loves us anyways. Scott, my Mom, "the girlfriends" - Cindy and Maigan- along with Brooklyn & Alex were our support crew and got us back to the cars at the end. How about going again in 2010?

Archer, Mandy, Aric and Dad

September 2008

Although I do not have a picture to prove it because I left my camera at home...Scott participated in the Sprint Triathlon in Iowa City. It was quite the experience. We had never been to a triathlon before and there were some serious people just waiting for the gun to go.