Riley roo

We were happy to see Riley on Sunday after being away from her a few nights.  My parents had taken good care of her!  I know they all had fun.  It was back to reality for us all.  Before taking off from MD we played with Riley some in the yard while my mom had fixed up some dinner.  Here are a few pics we took that afternoon.

Our Trip - Pictures

Gettysburg:

We stayed one night. Went to Visitor Center first, saw movie and Cyclorama and also museum.  Explored the whole Battlefield, went on a self-guided tour in our car, and also walked around a lot of it ourselves too.  Ate at the Dobbin House Tavern for my Birthday dinner!

Here are some pics...

Cyclorama - Battle of Gettysburg

Maj. Gen. George Meade

part of where "Pickett's Charge" took place

Me

Soldiers' National Cemetery

Aaron

Meade's headquarters

Civil War "peeps"

part of battlefield

more battlefield...(it goes on and on!)
we did a 24 mile self-guided tour in our car

PA monument (largest)

Aaron & Abby

Hershey:

Stayed a few hours.  Went to Chocolate World.  Did the free tour, shopped around the gift shops and drooled.  Finally gave in to having a Hershey chocolate milk shake (SO good!)  Went to the museum all about Milton Hershey and how the Hershey brand got started.  It was actually really interesting.  Decided at the end of our quick trip that I want to live in Hershey.  Work and breathe Hershey chocolate.  Doesn't sound bad, right?  I could so wrap Hershey kisses for a living.

Some pics...

chocolate tour

one (of many) gift shop area

Hershey kiss street lamp on Chocolate Ave

museum we went to

Lancaster:

Stayed one night.  Went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner (a chain restaurant, but had never been - none in our area).  Had my Birthday margarita here, even if I was a day late!  Even tried fried dill pickles.  Yeah, we ate entirely too many calories this past weekend...  We also played some Putt-Putt (Had a blast!  Aaron beat me by like 5 points) and we did some outlet shopping, and also ate a phenomenal brunch at the Eden Resort.  Great way to end our fun weekend!

Here are a few pics...

me - playing Putt-Putt

me and Aaron

my birthday cupcake!!
(OK, one of many anyway...)

Abby's 30!

It's official, I'm 30 years old.

Saying I'm "30" really creeps me out in a way, because when younger that age seemed old.  It's a grown up age.  It's an age many fear crossing.  I'm not sure what 30 is supposed to feel like.  I just know I don't feel old, or upset about being 30.  Is that good or bad?  I guess I'm just OK with it.  I didn't dread this birthday at all (and I know some do) but I also didn't enter it feeling overly excited either.  I guess it's just one of those things...it is what it is!

What I can tell you is that I'm happy at this point in my life, so maybe that makes being 30 all the easier.  I feel so blessed in my life and love where I'm at right now.  I do feel grown up.  I'm living that grown up life - married with kids.  I think 30 fits me, even more than 29 did ;)

Many, like my husband, dread birthdays - dread being a year older.  Especially the older we get, right?  I have always loved my birthday, maybe just as much as loving Christmas even.  I love having a day for me.  I'm not a selfish person at all, and since being a mom really have put a lot of my needs and wants aside - even more than before.  But I'll admit enjoying and celebrating "my" day is something I fully take advantage of!  It's awesome.  My birthday is mine! 

I also love reflecting on my life on the day of my birthday.  Instead of dreading being another year older, and feeling down about it - I like to celebrate my life, and thanking God.  Knowing that I have lived another year and have been on this earth for 30 years truly gives me something to celebrate.  Life is so precious and it's one thing I try my hardest not to take for granted.  None of us know when our time is up, but we all know people who have left this earth way too soon.  It just gives me something to think about. Something to always remember.

I will admit I tend to be a negative person, a "realist" as I like to say.  I don't always see the bright side of things, or even choose to see it.  But on my birthday, I truly do see the bright side and I celebrate it.  I smile.  I laugh.  I drink margaritas.  I am happy.

This year for my 30th, Aaron and I went to Gettysburg, Hershey and Lancaster, PA.  Riley stayed with her grandparents in MD while we were gone.  This was our very first trip away from Riley so we wanted to do something somewhat local (and more affordable).  We've never been to Gettysburg and it was Aaron's first time to Hershey too.  While we thought of Riley every single day, and even talked about her, we truly did enjoy our alone time.  We knew she was in good hands and probably having a blast so it didn't make us nervous being away from her.  For me, it was absolutely a vacation.  I got to have "me" time for a full weekend and loved it!  I think I showered more this past weekend than I typically do in a week.  Ha!  It was just nice having time to relax and not have to think about caring for Riley for a few days.  A much needed break, for all of us.

Thanks again Mom and Dad for watching Riley!

And thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes, cards and gifts.  It's always very much appreciated!

blogged out

I apologize for the mass postings.  I tend to get a hunk of time one day and once I start to upload pics to our computer and blog one post, I just want to keep going!  I like to finish a project once I start (just something to note about me).  It's easier for me to blog this way than every day or even a few times a week.  Thanks for sticking with me.  Hope you enjoy my recent posts!

Have a good week, all!

birth week

Hannah says this week is my "birth week" instead of "birthday" because I'm celebrating all week!  Well, not really all week.  But we did have some friends over this past Saturday to celebrate!  It was a lot of fun.  We hosted a cookout at our house and invited some friends over.  We also had Emillie and Hannah that day, and they got to sleepover!  It was such a nice evening and I really enjoyed myself.  Thank you everyone for coming!  I wish we got more pictures.  I have to thank Aaron though, because if it weren't for him I wouldn't have had any!  We snapped a couple pics later in the night, when half the group already had headed home.

Me...almost 30!

Sarah, me and Rachelle
we went to HS together and used to be roommates too!

I'm the "baby" of the group, once I turn 30 - that's it!

Aaron, Hannah, me and Emillie
(Riley was in bed)

bangs? or not?

OK, I'm taking a poll.

Riley is going through a phase of pulling at her hair a lot. She doesn't keep a barrette or hair tie in her hair (it bothers me!) I can't stand her hair in her face. But I also am so afraid of cutting her bangs right now. What if her hair then grows in weird because I cut her hair too soon? I'm just not sure what to do.

Help us decide!

Happy Father's Day!

To all you dad's out there - I hope that you had a great, relaxing Father's Day!

While I'm sure that you all have pretty great dad's, I'm almost positive that I have the best dad!  Don't be jealous.  OK, you can be.

Dad, seriously.  You really are amazing.  You have been our family's rock from day one.  You are always there when I need advice.  I always looked to you for guidance, and still do.  You just seem to get it.  You get me.  And I thank you for that.  You have pushed me in ways (and Ian too) but I know it's because you just believe in us and know we are always capable of more, of better.  And you've always wanted the best for us.  I never knew anyone that was smarter than you.  Even my teachers.  You just seem to know it all.  And, I mean all.  Maybe you just pretend to know it all.  Or maybe you really do know it all.  Either way, it's cool.  Don't change that.  Keep reading, keep learning.  That way you can keep teaching me!  Also, when Riley starts asking "why?" all the time - I'm sending her to you.  Or, we'll just teach her Google from an early age.  Ha ha.

Abby & Dad
Mesa Verde, CO
Aug 1983

Aaron is an amazing father too.  I sort of cheated, if I have to be honest.  I knew Aaron was a good father before ever marrying him!  He told me right away about Emillie and Hannah, when we were dating, and I could tell he loved them deeply.  When I saw them all together, I knew their bond was real.  I loved it.  I loved seeing that side of Aaron and knew that he'd be the same with our child one day.  Aaron is such a good, steady, hard working man.  He's all business, a lot of the time.  He is a big goof ball too, when he lets his guard down.  He's a well balanced individual.  He's always leading our family, and wanting the best for each of us.  He's allowed me to stay home to care for our daughter, even when money hasn't been thrown at us.  He just gets what's important in life and I love that about him.  He wants us all to be happy, and in return we just want that for him too.  Thank you Aaron for being the man that you are, for being the great Daddy that you are.  Our kids are so lucky!

My brother celebrated his first Father's Day!  He's such a good dad already and will continue being that.  He's a cool guy too.  Very cool, actually.  He's the definition of "cool."  Miss you, Ian!

Happy Father's Day to my father-in-law and grandpa's (here and gone) too!

I love and respect you all.  Our families have been blessed because of you.  Thank you!

what's in a wallet?

Riley found Aaron's wallet the other day.  He just let her have at it.  She was collecting all the credit cards into one hand, stacking them one on top of the other.  It was really fun to watch.  We were laughing.  By the time we thought of taking a picture she wasn't doing it anymore, but she was still checking it all out! 

In my opinion, you can never be too young to learn about money. 

And besides, what daughter has never asked their dad for money?  Speaking of which...Dad can I borrow $50? 

the joy of pasta

Riley already loves Italian food. 

Pasta plain?  Nah.  Pasta with sauce?  Yup!

Pasta is a great thing to love.  I mean, if you have to pick something it might as well be pasta right?!

I, on the other hand, do not love the mess!

I should mention that we have a special "pasta" bib.  It's so stained...

graduation time

School's out! 

Emillie's last day of school was yesterday (Hannah's is today) and last night was Emillie's 8th grade graduation!

Unfortunately, Aaron could not get out of his math class last night to attend the graduation.  Emillie understood why he couldn't make it.  There have been events in the past that I couldn't make, but Aaron could - so we just take turns sometimes.  That's the way it has to be. 

I was able to scoot out while my neighbor kept an eye on Riley (she was in bed for the night, sleeping).  I am so glad that I could make it!

It was sweet, Emillie's mom asked me to walk up with her to congratulate Emillie after she received her diploma (typically it's the parents that go up together).  We both got to hug and kiss her during the ceremony.  I thanked her mom for allowing me to do that with her.  She easily could've gone up herself, or took her husband (Emillie's step dad).  But she asked me.  I really felt honored and was appreciative.  It's a moment I'll never forget.  It was really a reality check for me.  Standing there as her step mom, next to her mom made me feel so special, so influential.  I was reminded at what a huge role I hold as the girls' step mom and I absolutely love it.

I know Aaron was sad he couldn't go.  If he could've, it most certainly would've been him up there, kissing and hugging Emillie after she got her diploma.  But as selfish as it may be, I needed to be that person last night.  I really needed that.  I'm very thankful to have been there on behalf of Aaron.

The ceremony was so short - only 30 minutes, if that.  It's a very small school, only 14 graduates!  The heat was ridiculous yesterday and there was no air conditioning in the school.  That auditorium was hotter than outside.  So we all were actually glad it was short, so we could get somewhere else to cool off.  My camera took lousy pictures indoors, and they came out dark.  Afterwards, we just took a couple before I headed off home to Riley, and Emillie and her family headed out to celebrate.

Congratulations, Emillie!

Emillie is the 3rd girl (in yellow) from left.

Emillie during the procession

Me and Emillie after the ceremony

Hannah and Emillie

Emillie and I

Can you believe Emillie will be in High School soon!?!

trip to Ohio

Riley and I were lucky enough we could tag along with my parents to visit some family in Ohio this past week.  We just got back last night and were gone five days (two of them being travel days).  Aaron had to stay home and work away, and he's happy now that we're home!

The day we got there, we visited with some of my mom's side of the family.  It was so great to see everyone!  I felt really bad though because I truly didn't feel like I got to catch up with anyone very much, and I really wanted to.  Having Riley around really makes it hard to focus on long conversations - my attention is always on her and my mind is never still.  I can't say it only affected me...my parents (and probably others...) were also busy watching and playing with her at times too!  Anyway, Riley was all wired from lack of sleep and a screwed up schedule from traveling all day.  She pulled a table cloth down with food spilling everywhere, she tripped out onto the balcony and hit her head, and fell down a stair.  Ugh.  We all were ready to get a good night sleep that night, after all that!  Not to mention, we took off in a frenzy during a thunderstorm - our goodbye was so fast.  Regardless, we all had a wonderful time visiting with family.  Thank you Aunt Terry and Uncle John for hosting!

(Oh, and yeah...I didn't take one picture that night either.  So upsetting!)

On to the next day...we enjoyed a lovely baby shower honoring my cousin, Jessica.  Her baby girl will be born next month!  Riley was walking up and down the hallway most of the shower, but I did get to enjoy some food (including cake and cookies, of course) and I did get to talk briefly to Jess.  I also happened to step back into the room while she was opening my gift and my mom's, glad I saw that part.  We are very excited for you and your family, Jessica!

Riley laughing while sitting on Grandma Pat's lap

More laughs...

Jessica, near all her presents!

We took more photos of us before and after the shower!

Riley with her Grandma Pat and Great Grandma (my dad's mom)

Riley & I

Riley

We stayed with my Aunt Heidi and Uncle Rob.  They have a beautiful home and garden!  Riley had lots of fun during our stay wondering around and pulling petals off flowers, etc.  She was a riot (and a handful at times) but we're glad she had fun exploring!

Here are some pictures taken during the rest of our trip.

Riley going down the slide, with help from Uncle Rob

Riley loved this bouncy thing!
(see video above)

Standing at the slide

Love this!
Riley reading in the little chair.

Riley's first experience with sand...oh she had a blast!

It got everywhere!

Time to get hosed off by Grandma

Me and Jessica

Riley and her Great Grandma, reading a cat book

Riley feeling Great Grandpa's mustache!

Grandma (aka my mom), me, Riley and Great Grandma

Riley got us all cracking up!

Riley swinging with Grandma

Grandpa, me and Riley

Riley and her Great Grandpa!

Uncle Rob, Aunt Heidi and Riley!

Uncle Rob flying Riley around

I didn't get pictures of many family members, as mentioned above...so sorry!  (I'm sure you all are not sorry...if you're like me, you hate having your picture taken!  Ha Ha)  And I didn't even get one of my dad!  What's up with that?!  Anyway, we enjoyed our visit very much.  Thank you to everyone and thank you Mom and Dad for taking us!