We're Back in the Game!

My laptop is fixed! HOORAY! There's only one small problem--it won't connect to the Internet now. :( Greg is tired of dealing with it and is turning it over to his brother to fix the next time we see them, but I did steal my mom's computer for a bit so I can catch up on my web-surfing/blogging.

As could be expected, this is a long post with lots of pictures. I'm doubting you'll really want to read it all unless you are a close family member in a far-away land, but here goes...

So it's been almost two years since I've reunited with my college roommates/best friends. Pathetic--especially since Jill, Megan, and I only live a few hours apart. After months of planning, we finally made it happen! We met at my house and had a wonderful day!

The boys couldn't get enough of the dirt mound in the backyard. (Okay, that dirt mound is all the "yard" we have right now, so I'm glad they enjoyed it.)

The Gang (minus Megan the photographer)

Jill, Jordan, Jarrett, and Jaycie (The cutest little family of "J's" you will ever meet.)

Megan, Tate, and Corey

Garrett is a typical two-year old boy--and I love it! He's so much fun. Notice he's sitting on a Tonka truck book while building a "hosibo" (hospital) with blocks. (He is still a little obsessed with hospitals/sicknesses/injuries.)

We enjoyed a delightful Labor Day in Wellsville with my sister's family. The highlight of the day would be attending the parade--it was extra great when I turned my head for two seconds and Garrett ran out in the road in front of a float. Awesome. Thank heavens it's a slow-moving parade and I had time to yank him away before he got run over. Proud parent moment.

The G-Man showing off his candy.

Hitching a ride with Pops.

We ventured down to the town square and I told Garrett he could ride one ride. Of course, he chose the train.

My brother, Brian, rode in the LOTOJA bike for the 7th time. I missed the race last year because I was pregnant with the Little Missy and barfing my guts out, so I was glad to be back in attendance this year.

Here's the only picture I got of Brian on his bike. Definitely a keeper.

The house we stayed at in Jackson had a mini hot tub--a huge hit with the little swimmers.

Greg's little sister, Mal Pal, joined us for the weekend and acted as my nanny. She was a LIFESAVER and I will never take another road trip without her. Just a few days after we got home, that crazy girl accepted a job with Micron in Virginia and up and moved across the country. We already miss her so much! (I tried to convince her to just move in with us and be our servant, but no luck. She chose Micron--something about a salary with benefits and retirement. And a new state full of eligible bachelors. Knock 'em dead, girl!)

Garrett has a new, self-proclaimed "trick" that consists of him rolling his eyes in the back of his head while jerking his head around. It's a dandy and he laughs his head off every time. (The first time he showed me his "trick," I seriously thought he was having a seizure and about freaked out.)

Our little Abby is growing up so fast! She is totally over the oatmeal and rice cereal and wants the big girl stuff all the time. Here she is devouring a graham cracker.

Greg had a mid-life crisis and bought himself a new Harley. Okay, I'm just kidding. This little beauty actually belongs to our friend, Lea, but Big and Little G did feel pretty cool sitting on it.

Mal visited us again for a few days before she left and Garrett talked her into doing a little painting. Mal painted the picture, G painted Mal's face.

Garrett has a new love and "Mary Poppins" is her name. We watch her about 50 times a day and you haven't lived until you hear Garrett sing "Let's Go Fly a Kite." Something about the way he says "atmosphere" just gets me every time.

Greg celebrated his birthday in September. We jetted down to St. George for a quick trip and loved the sunshine and change of scenery. Feeding the birds is always a highlight...

...as is playing in the water.

The FUNNIEST thing happened at Mal's going-away party. Abby and I were sitting on the floor and Greg's uncle (who is like the nicest guy EVER) walked in holding a bowl of whipping cream to go along with the delightful dessert his sweet wife had made. To make a long story short, the bowl of cream ended up all over Abby and I...and Greg's poor uncle was mortified. The pictures don't do it justice, but it was hilarious. Abby thought the whole thing was great and shoveled in as much whipped cream as possible before she was cleaned up.

Another one of my college roommates, Christy, was visiting from Minnesota, so we assembled the crew again and spent a delightful day reminiscing in Provo.

Here's the one-shoe-wonder enjoying her very first ice cream cone from the BYU Creamery.

How I love these folks! We thought it was a little rude that Sarah didn't fly in from Japan to join us, but oh well. We'll forgive her just this one time.

Abby is becoming quite the little daddy's girl as of late. (I'm still numero uno in her book, but daddy is coming in at a very close second.) Here's the two of them watching a hunting show on TV. (Abby's a bit more interested in the remote, but Greg's working on her.)

The little pumpkin has hit a major milestone--CRAWLING--and she is everywhere. Normally, babies become much more difficult to care for once they are mobile, but with Abby, it has been the complete opposite. As previously mentioned, she is quite the momma's girl and wanted me to be holding her CONSTANTLY, which meant that I either did everything one-handed (or just didn't do it), or listened to her whine. Since she has learned to crawl, she is very content to just play on the floor and explore. Cleaning up her messes is a cakewalk compared to entertaining her every second!

Here she is caught in Garrett's airplane track...

...and in the saucer...

...and emptying out a whole container of wipes. Cute little stinker!

Greg went hunting for a few days, so we packed up and stayed at Grandma's house while he was gone. Garrett curled right up to Grandma for a little storytime. He's a wild one, but can be awfully sweet sometimes!

And there you have it--an update with pictures! Give yourself a pat on the back if you made it through.