Monday, March 31, 2008

Shopping Malls and Chocolate Bunnies

So I accidently put the pictures backwards. Oh well. Today we started the day playing at Lilly's friend Maddison's house. The girls had a lot of fun and didn't want to leave. Thanks for having us over. After lunch and nap time we set out for the mall. This is not something Mom does often by herself. Today I remembered why. We got the thing we went for and the girls wanted to wander around. We found the fountain and the girls had a wonderful time putting every penny in moms purse in the fountain. We then went to Alberstons one more time for 7 more boxes of cereal. Thanks Jane!!!! We came home and had dinner and then Chocolate Bunnyfest Easter 2008. The girls Great Grandfather is a chef, and for Easter he molded chocolate bunnies for the girls. Tonight I put them at the table and took the picture. They enjoyed their bunnies and didn't eat as much as I had hoped. Thanks Grandpa Z for the bunnies the girls really enjoyed them.

After I posted this my friend pointed out that this doesn't look like chocolate, but I promise it is.





What are you doing in there???

Ever wondered what someone is doing that is taking so long in the shower? Well here in Singapore (at least at the Orchard hotel) you don't have to ask that question. You can see for yourself.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Lots of Stuff

This is just a quick update post. We had a wonderful Easter. Lance left this morning on the biggest trip he has ever gone on. So I hope to update this just about everyday with something to keep him caught up. Bear with me, I might get a little sappy. I hope there will be pictures, but I have to figure out where Lance left the camera.

Lance made it home from Virgina on Friday, just in time to color eggs with the girls. They were so happy and excited to have their Daddy home, even if if was only for a week.

Saturday morning the 22nd, the girls woke up and the Easter Bunny, had come. We do it on Saturday in hope that on Sunday we can focus on the real meaning of Easter. Lainey loved to hunt the eggs, the girls loved their new crayons, and especially the bag of Easter Marshmallows.


Uncle Travis this picture is for you. Lilly has the best bed hairdos.


Every year my sister in law Jana's family does a big hunt at her dads house in Herriman. We went and took the girls. They had fun hunting eggs and toys. The part they enjoy most is playing with their cousin Keatley.


Hope you you all had a wonderful Easter as well!!

Friday, March 21, 2008

Washington D.C.

So what does the White House look like at 1:30 am? Don't know you can't really see it, its dark. :-) However, if you aren't a big fan of crowds I highly recommend it. Be aware that the majority of public parking around the monuments in D.C. are closed from 1 am - 6 am so you will have to walk a ways if you want to see them. You also have to hold your camera very, very, very, very still to get a decent shot of everything.

As Cari already mentioned I cameto a customer site in Virgina this week and we fly out this morning (we have to leave in like 2 hours). We kept trying to find some time to go to D.C. and do some tourist stuff, but it didn't work out. We worked until 1:00 am Wednesday and 12:00 am tonight at the fab. I must say, anyone who doesn't like a stressful work environment should NOT, I repeat, NOT work in a fab. A co-worker and have been pulling late nights and early mornings all week so we though we would stick with the trend and shoot over to D.C. for a quick tour. Didn't really get to do much, but hey two giggly guys way up past their bed time can be kinda fun. :-)

This was the highlight of our excursion. What can I say, simple mind simple pleasure.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Why you don't let a two year old ride in the basket of the Cart


Today we needed to go to Target to get somethings for a project I needed to finish. When we got there Lilly asked to ride in the basket of the cart. I told her ok, but gave her explicate instructions to not put anything I put back there in her mouth. I picked up a couple bottles of Baby Magic lotion and wash (they are the best). We continued to pick up the rest of the things that we needed. Lilly was doing very good at not putting the items in her mouth. What I didn't notice was that she had been unscrewing the cap on the lotion. As we got up to the check out, Lilly picked up the bottle gave it one last twist of the cap, and let go with the other hand that was holding the bottle. Down went the bottle while the cap remained in her hand. It hit the bottom of the cart and sent a shower of lotion into the air. Both of the girls had it all over in their hair. I just sat there stunned trying not to overreact. I must say that I remained very calm, payed for my items and left the store. The bad part about the lotion in the hair was that we were having pictures taken of the girls this afternoon, and I had already done their hair for the pictures. This my friends is the reason we don't let 2 year olds ride in the basket of the cart. Sorry there are no pictures alas the camera was at home.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Happy St. Patricks Day



Greetings from the Emerald Isle, ( I wish). Today is St. Patricks Day celebrating the patron saint of Ireland. For more info on the holiday go here http://www.history.com/minisites/stpatricksday/
Today when the girls got up from their nap they found little tiny foot prints leading from the front door to the oven. The leprechans had visited while the girls were sleeping and brought them a wee bit of Irish luck, some green m&ms and a green bracelet. They really don't quite understand what this is all about, I'm not even sure I do, but they had fun in their green today. They even had the chance to pinch their Uncle Chris who came over and wasn't wearing green. They weren't quite sure they wanted to do that. Here is a phrase in Gaelic.

PHRASE:  Ta suil agam go bhfuil tu i mbarr na slainte
PRONOUNCED: taw su-ill ah-gum guh will tu ih marr nah slawn-che
MEANING: I hope you are in the best of health

May you all have a happy and lucky day!

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Disney Princesses On Ice




Saturday was so much fun! In the morning Lainey had her first primary activity. I can't believe how big she is getting. Later that afternoon we went downtown, to see Disney Princesses on Ice. We went with some friends Mari, Katey and their families. The girls had so much fun, we put the 3 girls in the middle with parents on each end. There were parts that scared the other girls but Lainey sat there in awe. The best skaters were Jasmine and Alladin. They did the most stunts together as a couple. The best number was the sailors from the Little Mermaid. They did some amazing tricks. After we went out to dinner with all of them. We just had an all around fun day. It was a great thing to do as a family the day before Lance left for Virgina.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Happy Birthday Lilly



The wind blows, stirs, billowing flaming tresses.
A mystic magic this prize of locks possesses.
Green eyes with just a hint of mischief fill
Alluding to her strength, her forceful will.
She is so like moonlight, like full moon's light.
So pale and so perfect that it just seems right,
That freckles flecked in myriad across her skin,
As in the sky one looks at the stars within.
And beautiful without bounds, are they and she,
Without stars, where would the sky's beauty be?
Not just in the brilliant sunrise flame of her hair
But how she does everything with certain flair,
There is inside her, a flame that shows through,
In everything large and small she chooses to do.
Moods and temper flit like autumn winds blow,
Not even she, knows in which direction they'll go.
Love her, hate her, be her friend or just let her be,
Not perfect, but close enough, she a redhead, she’s me.

Copyright Heather Glenn 2007
minsimiakoda@yahoo.com

Not everyone in this world is blessed to have a little redhead, but we are. We welcomed Lilly into our lives 2 years ago, and what an adventure it has been. We never knew the love, happiness, entertainment, joy, and hope such a little child could bring. We love her so very much and we know that if you know her you love her too.
So Happy Birthday Lilly!!! Were glad you made it to 2!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Crazy Day



So I started out this morning at 8:30 taking my girls over to my sister-in-law, so I could make an emergency trip to the dentist. As Lance and I sat waiting in the waiting room at the hospital on Monday, and I realized that I was missing part of a tooth/filling. It didn't hurt so I thought no big deal, I'll just get it filled and be on my way. They did x-rays, and told me that I might need a root canal and a crown! UUUHHHHGGGG!!!! He needed to drill into it to find out. He numbed me up and went to work. Good news is I don't need a root canal but I do need a crown. I went and picked up the girls, and off we went to my sisters work. She is a corporate trainer for Mrs Fields Cookies. They have what is called store day, which means free cookies and free TCBY. The girls really like going to their aunt's work. Bonus, grandma was there too. I always get a dozen cookies to take over to Lance's work. Trying to get there we got stuck at 2 rail road crossing, there was a train stuck at both. After lots of dead ends and backtracking we finally made it to Lance's work. While we were there Lance told me he will probably go on another trip to Singapore. He will go there the week before his India trip. He will be gone for 3 weeks! I think I'll go crazy before all his trips are over.

Monday, March 10, 2008

IT'S A ...................................................



PEANUT!!! We went to the doctor today and had our ultrasound. Lance and I discussed whether or not to find out right up until we got to the hospital. We came to a mutual decision that it would be fun for me to find out and see how long I can keep it a secret. Let the game begin. We have decided that we aren't telling anyone else either. Unless Lance finds out then it will be broadcasted. So here are some pictures of Peanut Strawberry Jessup. Lainey added the strawberry part.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Presidents Club


As many of you know I sell Avon, and have for about 3 years now. Every year with Avon if you sell enough product you become part of Presidents Club, and you get a porcelain figurine of Mrs Albee. She was the first Avon Lady. My Grandmother Elaine Call, (one of the grandmas Lainey is named after) sold Avon for about 30 years. She made Presidents Club for all but 2 of the years. So when she died she left a Mrs. Albee doll for all of the women in the family, and one left over for Grandpa Bill to keep. This years Mrs. Albee was very exciting for me to earn for 2 reasons. One she is holding a plate celebrating 40 years of Presidents Club, which my grandmother did proudly for so many years. Second because she is standing next to a cake. My grandmother decorated beautiful cakes and taught my mom how to do it as well. I hope that she is smiling on me from Heaven, because I am so excited to follow in her footsteps.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

The Cow


The other night I went to a 40th birthday party for my brother in law Joel. (Happy Birthday Joel) We went to the Cracker Barell in West Valley for dinner. If you have been there you know they have a gift shop as well. As my mom and I were standing at the checkout to pay our bill, I saw the cow. I thought it was hilarous. I talked my mom into buying it for me. When I got home both girls were in bed asleep, but the next morning when I showed it to them they loved it. They wore out the batteries in one day. I tried to change the batteries to film it for here but we didn't have the right size so here it is a little slow but still funny. Thanks Mom!

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

"I have to send an ebail"

Cari's brother is currently serving a mission in Dublin, Ireland. Lainey insists on writing him an ebail (yes the b is on purpose, I write it how she says it) all the time. On Sunday she and Lilly decided to write him a letter together.
Most emails are just a mess of random letters from the keyboard. However, Lainey does try and spell her name. She is getting pretty good at spelling her name and can find most of the letters on the keyboard. Of course, if caps lock is off when she pushes the 'L' key and a 'l' appears she is a bit confused. We'll get there. :-)

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Two weeks ago we had snow banks taller then the girls. Last Friday the snow was almost completely gone in our front yard. It was warm and Cari was giddy. She has been sick and tired of the snow for some time. Mainly because she hates driving in it. Saturday brought us a bit more snow and girls had a great time playing outside, especially Lilly. Too bad the cold air didn't help Lainey's cough any.

I only post the picture of both girls to not imply a favorite child. Now keep in mind that Lainey dressed herself (not her daddy) and that she is sick (she is actually coughing in the picture). The non-presentability of the child cannot be blamed on her (mostly) innocent father.

Not a lot of snow, but enough to have some fun with.


When it started snowing Lilly just kept wanting to go outside. She would run outside stand out there for a bit, then come in saying she was cold. After being inside for a bit she would say something about being warm and then run back outside.

We might be out of woods....well maybe not

As Cari mentioned last week the girls have been sick and the doctor wasn't sure what it was. Well Saturday night we called the on call doctor and he said based on the symptoms it sounds like the flu. Poor Lainey has just been coughing and coughing. Given the fact that they most likely had the flu the girls weren't allowed to go to church which was really sad because Lainey was supposed to give her very first talk in Primary. She was sad, but luckily she was okay with the fact that she would be able to give a talk another time.

Of course, it is now Tuesday. Lilly has been doing better since last Friday and luckily today Lainey has been doing a lot better. Hopefully, she does well tonight. Cari actually spent a large part of Saturday night in the bed with Lainey just comforting her because that is all we could do. No medication seemed to touch the cough. I spent part of the night in Lainey's bed on Sunday night and when I returned to my bed I could tell I was starting to get sick. On top of that, Cari called me on Monday morning to let me know that she has pink eye. Lainey actually had pink eye a couple weeks ago too.

Poor Cari has spent all of yesterday and today trying to get some medication for her eye. The doctor's office wants her to have a specific brand of medication that is apparently new and very popular. The other common type (which we already have) isn't to be used. It turns out almost every pharmacy in the valley is out of it. The Pharmacist actually called the doctor's office yesterday and today asking if Cari could use a different medication because everyone is simply out. The doctor's office has been pretty firm. Luckily we knew of a Pharmacy over by Fashion Place mall were a friend works/worked that ended up having it. We just got it tonight.

Continuing with this trend, Cari is starting to feel a tickle in the back of her throat too. Also, at dinner tonight Cari pointed out that she thinks my right eye is starting to look a little red (I would argue they always are...).

Now by this point (if you are still reading) you are thinking man the Jessup household is a bummer and very depressing place to be. Let me try and add some humor to the situation, but first some background. In the last postI made reference to the fact that Cari wanted to fix my "Jessup eyebrow." First for those who don't know the "Jessup eyebrow" is that fuzzy, untamed, chunk of continuous hair that sits above both eyes. Notice I didn't say eyebrows, I used the singular form on purpose. As my dad says, "God only made a few perfect eyebrows, the rest he split in half." :-) Cari decided to trim this beast of a brow I have brewing (sorry Dad, I guess I will never compete with you, or Cari's grandpa Bill either - he had wire bristles - nice, very intimidating!) Anyway, Cari pinned me down with hopes of watching Gargoyles as a distraction (yes the cartoon show - go Gargoyles) and plucked away. After a painful period of time she declared she had tamed the savage beast, but made it very clear that she held back. She just took care of the scouts that were trying to claim new land. There was definitely name calling involved, I think she called me a baby somewhere along the way and few other names which bring tears to my eyes at the thought so I won't mention. :-) She of course also mentioned that she does this all the time and it isn't a big deal. Like any good man I pointed out that she is just silly and I prefer the lazy approach of not having to spend the time to "maintain" something that I born with. Besides, it was my first time.... and I was trying to watch my promised cartoon show when she kept jerking my head side ways - someone has to work on their bedside manner. :-)

The whole point of that long winded story - other then hopefully some form of entertainment which hopefully translates over - is to point out that Cari the possibly infected pink eye carrier was touching my face. Not only touching my face, but touching by my eyes. If I do have pink-eye I blame her! :-)

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Bubble bath time and avoidance.....

The girls have been asking Cari all week if they can have a bath in "Mommy's tub." Since it is hard for her to bend over edges of our tub she has told them they needed to wait until Saturday when Daddy is home. Well, it is Saturday and we let the bubbles fly!! :-) Lately, Lilly hasn't been into bubbles much. She usually doesn't want them and wants to get our when we have bubbles. Today she had a grand time!

Now at this point you are wondering what the avoidance means in the title - let me explain. I have what is termed the "Jessup Eyebrow." Cari has decided that today (right now) she wants to "fix" the problem. This is my excuse to postpone the inevitable. She actually has set the kitchen timer so I can't get out of it. I have less then 2 minutes last I heard. Maybe if I keep typing I can put it off longer. Wait I think I need to make an appointment for the Bishop - since no one calls me back I need to go knock on their door. Maybe I'll try that excuse. :-) Probably not, she is hovering over me now waiting for me to finish..... We'll what happens. I'm sure I can put it off some more. :-)