Happy Mother's Day!

I feel so blessed to be "mama" to this little one.
It's not the most glamorous job, and I know I'm not the best at it.
But she makes it worth it!

I'm blessed to have been raised by my mom. I go to her for everything. Everything I've learned about being a mom I've learned from her. Thank you mom for always being there with your wisdom, testimony and love.

I'm blessed to have a wonderful mother-in-law who loves me as one of her own. I love that we share many common interests. She is always so willing to give of her time and talents for her children and grandchildren. I love her dearly.

Happy Mother's Day

Easter Egg Hunt

As a kid we had an Easter egg hunt every year. Mom and Dad would fill eggs with candy (there was no Easter bunny that came to my house), and Dad would take it all to the backyard and hide it. We'd all have our baskets in hand and wait anxiously by the back door. Dad would say "go" and we'd all race out the back door to find the loot. Since the range in age was quite a lot in my family after all the eggs and candy were found, we'd come back in dump it all on the table and Mom would distribute it fairly among all of us. We didn't care about who got the most, because we knew it would all come out even in the end.

This year my sister Alyson and I decided it would be fun to do a grandkid egg hunt. We got everyone on board to bring eggs filled with toys and treats. It was so fun! The 3 one year olds got to go out first. Jenna was a hoot. She had NO idea what was going on, she was just excited to be able to go outside. She LOVES being outside. She got down the steps to the patio and started raising up her arms with basket in hand saying "Woo hoo! Woo hoo!" It was a crack up!

That is the look of pure joy!
This was at the end of her "Woo hoo's".
I was too slow to get my camera out.

Jenna figured out that there was something in the eggs, so she stopped and started to open one.
I wanted her to get some more eggs before they were gone, so I took it from her, put it back into her basket and got her to go get another egg. Luckily she didn't protest.

Getting some help from Grandma.

I'm so glad she had fun, but the whole time I'm thinking in my head
"Please don't get your shoes dirty!"
Who has their daughter wear white shoes on a rainy day to do an Easter egg hunt?
Apparently me.

Putting some candy in her basket.
Not bad for her first egg hunt!

Getting the last egg.

What a cute little boy!

The haul that Mallory got! That basket is chalk full!

Hooray!

Jenna as happy as can be!
She is so dang cute!

A Change of Scenery

In the middle of March we packed up the car and drove down to St. George. We had spring fever and needed some time in the sun. It was a 3 day weekend for us so we felt it was well worth the drive. It was fun to be able to be outside for the first time this spring. It was ALL Jenna wanted to do. She had a great time outside playing with her cousins. They had fun too! They all wanted a turn going down the slide with her! Thanks girls for entertaining her!

Jorrin helping Jenna down the slide.
Can you see the smile on Jenna's face? She couldn't get enough!




After every time she went down she would say "Again" and try to climb up the slide.

Going down with Jaicelyn

Austin and Jaicelyn
Having SO much fun!

Jenna was having so much fun being able to scream outside (and not get in trouble for it)!

Jenna had a ball going around the yard with the broom.
Make note for her Christmas!

Tasting some delicious peach cobbler.
Jenna liked the whipped cream best.
When she had eaten all whipped cream she begged "more, more".

When we weren't outside playing,
Jenna was in grandma and grandpa's room playing in the
space between the bed and the foot board.
She LOVED going back and forth, back and forth.

The only smile I could get out of her.
I hate this faze of not smiling when we get the camera out!
I hope it doesn't last long!

Having such a good time!

We love having St. George as an escape!
Thanks Mom and Dad Cowley for letting us come!
And thanks to Sheri, the girls, and Terry for helping me cut out all my lamination!

Jenna Mei

It seems like time is speeding up with the days, weeks and months going by faster and faster. I realized today that there are 10 weeks of school left. I look forward to the time I'll be able to spend at home with my little Jenna Mei. And talk about time going by fast. She is growing like a weed and will be 18 months on Apr. 2nd. (Hooray! She'll get to go to Nursery!) She truly is the light of our lives and has become such a fun little person. She talks like no other 17 month old I know. She learns and remembers new words it seems like everyday. Her favorites (or most commonly used) are: "uh-heh" (uh-huh), "uh-oh", "oh no", "go", "are you?" (where are you?), "gen" (again) "appu juice", "sissies" (fishy crackers), "keekee", (cookie), "sues" (shoes), "kees" (keys), "Abby Jane" (her cousin), "bunnya" or "bunny" (her snuggle bunny), "binky", "bankey" (blanket), "bye bye", "grawpa" or "pawgra" (grandpa/grandma), "ome" (home), "a up", "mama", and "daddy". Everyone that is in a picture is "daddy" and anything that daddy has is called "daddy". I was feeling unloved because she went for a time without saying mama. EVERYTHING was "daddy". I am loving that I can tell her something or ask her something and she can understand. It makes it so much easier to figure out what she wants or what she needs. I taught her "pee pees" and "poo poos" so she can tell me when she needs her pants changed. It's great! Here are some pics from the last couple of months...

Lovin' her spaghetti!

That's the cutest messy face I've ever seen!

Going down the stairs!

Dressed for church

Grandma Cowley made Jenna this cute winter hat!

Cheese!

Austin is the one who gets Jenna up every morning.
One morning this is how he found her, stink buggin' it!

Wearing mama's shoes
Jenna love, love, loves to put on mine or Austin's shoes.
She has a harder time with Austin's but tries just the same.

Like father, like daughter!

Our first attempt at putting piggy tails in Jenna's hair.
They were so stinkin' cute!
Unfortunately they only lasted 10 min.
Her hair is still to thin and fine to hold them in.
Hopefully soon she'll have more hair!

Cryin' cause she wants the camera.

There's my happy girl!

Jenna bein' a goof!

Anniversary

It's been 3 wonderful years!

Tub Time

Jenna thoroughly enjoys taking a bath. It is one of her favorite things to do at the end of the day. I have to admit that in our small little apartment giving her a bath was not my favorite thing. It was quite the process.

BEFORE: Get the baby tub out. Fill it up in the shower with warm water. Bathe Jenna in the baby tub sitting in the shower. Get very wet in process. Dump water out of baby tub. Turn over and let dry. Take out before Austin or I shower. Store on the stairs in the hall.

Happy, but cramped.

Rubber ducky, cup, and washcloth
The best and cheapest tub toys!

NOW: Fill bathtub. Bathe Jenna. Drain bathtub. SO MUCH EASIER!!

Jenna's Bathroom
It is amazing how you take a tub for granted until you don't have one!

So much room to play!

One happy girl!
(One happy mama too!)

Christmas Day

I know I'm behind since it is now February and I'm just getting Christmas posted, but life, which is always busy, has been even busier these last few weeks. With school starting back up after the holiday, grades were due, sleep was not happening, and sickness hit. Then we had parent/teacher conferences and more sickness. We are glad to have January over with!

Christmas Morning

Coming out to see what Santa brought.

Jenna checking out her presents.

Santa brought Jenna her own rocking chair.
Now she can "rocka, rocka" anytime she wants!

Rocking her new baby in the "rocka chair".

Jenna LOVED opening the presents.
She knew exactly what to do!

Giving love to her new pillow pet that daddy gave her.

Trying to figure out how to maneuver the stroller.
She had a hard time with turns.

Austin must have been a good boy this year!

Jenna is so happy in the bath!

Visiting Great Grandma Summerhays

"Grandma Great" opening her presents.
Mallory was her little helper.

A nice bed jacket to wear and keep her warm.
Lovin' the shades Grandma!

My Dad and sis Shannon

Jenna and Daddy

Jenna with "Grandma Great".
She will turn 94 in 2011!

It was fun to be able to have Austin's parents and his sister Whitney over for Christmas dinner. We made a ham, cheesy potatoes, rolls, and Christmas Jello. It sure was tasty!

Mom and Dad Cowley opening their Christmas gift.

We were able to go in together and get them a Kindle.
They were so surprised!
What a Merry Christmas it was!