Tolmachoff Farms: pumpkin patch, petting zoo and corn maze

On Friday the 23rd we went to Tolmachoff Farms, what fun the girls had. We were able to see baby chicks, piglets, cows, goats, horses, ostrich, and bunnies. They played on the playground and in the corn, rode jumbo trikes and went through the corn maze that was shaped like a rooster. It was fun just to spend the time as a family.

The girls



Ava petting a goat

Playing in the corn

Doing the Monster Mash

Corn maze


sunset over the corn


Silly girl

Time to start posting again...

Well we are finally settled into our permanent temporary residence, which means that things should be settled down enough for me to start posting again. The only problem is all of our June, July and most of August photos are on our home computer which we are not hooking up at the Higgins' house, so I just have what's on my camera and laptop.

Brent officially graduated on August 28 and therefore we had to move out of student housing we took up temporary residence in an extended stay hotel for 2 weeks ( it was actually kind of fun and relaxing) other than cooking dinner, dishes and making beds there was not much more that I could actually do other than keep our bodies clean, do homework and play. On September 12, we moved into some friends of ours place while they are on a rotation back east and staying with Family. It is nice to actually be in a home with room to move and a full size oven, and a washer and dryer and a dishwasher... Yes my life as SAHM definitely perked up.

So that's where we are at and we are happily awaiting news of a job for Brent, he is taking the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam today. He has studied really hard and should know his results with in the next week.

I will post good posts with photos as soon as I find the camera cord. And someday I will catch up on our summer posts after all there were some big events in there like A's first birthday and my little sister's wedding, A and T's first trip to Disneyland and A's first trip to the beach.

Love to all ,
Me

First Day of School (Aug 17th, 2009)

Katrena started 3rd grade on August 17th, it is so hard for me to believe I have a kid in Elementary School, let alone 3rd grade. She is such a beautiful, smart girl. She really loves to draw and create things with her hands.

Her first day of school outfit was a gift from her Grammy Ann, I think she looks so sassy and cute. She informed me the other day that last year she wanted to be a tomboy, but this year she is all about being the girly girl and this is so true, Katrena begs to wear a dress or skirt almost every day.

Last year she took the bus on the first day of school, but asked if I would take her this year since she didn't get to go to back to school night and didn't know where her class was. The kids lined up with their classes waiting for their teachers to walk them in. As the kids walked through the gates by grade their were teachers, staff and parents lined up on both sides applauding them on as they started their first day. There was a banner that the students walked by that said welcome future college graduates, I love how this school really tries to motivate the kids to see there potential.

I hope that Katrena always realizes she has the ability to do or be anything she sets her mind too.


First day of school photo



The FUTURE COLLEGE GRAD being applauded as she entered campus.

Hope you have a great year my beautiful baby girl!

Ava's Official First Birthday (July 24, 2009)

Our beautiful little miracle officially turned one on July 24th. Its so hard to believe that it has already been a year, it feels like it was just a few months ago we were bringing her home from the hospital. As of her first birthday she still can't walk, but will take a few steps, and she loves to cruise. She also says about 10 words and makes animal sounds. She says what a duck, rooster, and cow says. She is one smart turkey.

Everyday is a new adventure where she is constantly learning new things.

In the last month she has started blowing kisses (6/24), said "duck" (7/3), rode a four wheeler and saw fire works for the first time (7/4), turned and came down the stairs on her own (7/7), took two steps on her own (7/9), Says "moo" when asked what a cow says (7/9), said "bear" (7/11), had first bloody nose when fell out of bed (7/12), says what rooster and duck says (7/13), started pointing at what she wants (7/21), started saying "more" (7/22).

For her big day we went to the pond to feed and chase the ducks, one of her favorite things to do. We went to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory (we had a gift card and they give her her own little plate of bread and banana's), and later that night we went swimming where she learned how to say ball for the first time and then came home and had a cupcake. She must not like the feel of it on her hands, because she sure wanted to shake it off. We sure wish Sissy had been here to spend the day with us.


Chasing the ducks



Big Birthday Grin

Ava and Mom

Ava and Dad

Birthday Cupcake


HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL, WE LOVE YOU!!!

I know, I know, she's slacking again...

Thank you to those of you who faithfully check for updates. I know that I am really behind again. I promise to start updating again the week of the 3rd. Whats to come...

Katrena graduates 2nd grade

California, the beach and disney land.

Kayleigh's wedding

Wheeler Farm

4th of July

Ava's first birthday party

Utah rundown (friends, family, rotations, surgery, you know all the fun stuff)

Utah

We were able to spend 6 weeks in UT this summer while Brent did a dermatology rotation.

We had a great time with all of our family.

The highlights of our trip were my little sisters wedding (our camera had gone bye bye and our new one had not yet arrived, so I have no pictures, I will post some if my family ever emails me any), wheeler farm with Ava, fourth of July in the Mountains with Brent's family, Oquirrh Hills Temple open house with both of our girls, getting my galbladder out, lunch, the park and dinner out with old friends and Ava's first birthday party.

Like I said previously because of the camera situation I don't really have any photos other than those below. There were a few taken on the old camera, but they are on our main computer and I don't have access, so I will post them when I do. In the meantime here are some photos from July...

Ava chasing Ducks, definitely one of her favorite things to do.



Mama duck and her babies

Ava and her little cousin Preston, she looks so tiny to me here and it was only the begining of July.

Ava's First Birthday Party (July 17th, 2009)

We celebrated Ava's first birthday a week early so that she could celebrate with all of her family and not just boring mom and dad. Grandma and Grandpa Watts were there (it was at their house), Grandma and Grandpa North, Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Watts, Great Grandma Hansen, Uncle Tyler, Uncle Taylor and Aunt Kayleigh, Jordan, Maria and Hannah, as well as Trena's best friends from UT Charlotte and Caroline and Uncle Wade and Aunt Traci stopped by on their way to the Alan Jackson concert.

We had grilled chicken and lots of salads and rolls. She had her own first birthday cake white with white frosting and pink trim, the adults had chocolate zucchini cake (at Katrena's request). She got lots of fun presents toys and clothes, gift cards and money. She had fun and as always enjoyed being the center of attention.

Here she is with her presents and cakes.



Blowing out her candle with big sisters help.

She seemed to enjoy squishing the cake more than eating it, sister actually had to show her that it was okay to eat it.

Grandpa was actively taking tons of photos the whole evening and he got a lot of good ones, but they are on the other computer. You can see one to the right though.

She finally got the hang of unwrapping or at least pulling the tissue paper from the bag on the last present.

Ava's first "bike/car" it's musical ride with Mickey. The Mickey ears light up and it has a little piano she can play. Quite adorable, mom and dad couldn't pass it up.



Our Family


Ava with Grandpa Watts and Uncle Tyler


Ava with Grandpa and Grandma North (somehow we missed a photo with her and Great Grandma Hansen)


Ava with Uncle Taylor and Aunt Kayleigh


The Girls: Caroline, Charlotte, Katrena and Hannah


Great Grandma and Grandpa Watts


Uncle Wade and Aunt Traci


Jordan, Maria and Hannah North


Ava with Grandma Watts doing what she loves to do most, get the girls sugar toes.