Addie created this super sweet fathers day video with the help of my darling Sister in Law. You know, if it wasn’t for her… this blog would NEVER get updated! Thanks Ali for doing all the hard work!

My dear Mother in Law and Sister in Law must have worked for WEEKS to get her to sing this! Haha I love it, It’s six minutes long, and the “outtakes” are at the end, but I had to post the whole thing if nothing else for my memories and the grandmas.

Happy Mother’s Day Everyone!

What fun it was to have a child this Easter. Not quite like Christmas, but boy, did her face light up when she saw the living room scattered with eggs and her very own Easter Basket!

Then began the egg “hunt”…
She ran from Egg to Egg picking them up and moving them all around. None really made it into her basket, but she had a great time. I’m just glad we used plastic eggs as one of her favorite things to do with the eggs was STOMP them.

After a fun morning, we headed off to Easter Brunch with my family at Marie Callenders.

From Easter 2010

(I was bending down because I thought my brother was directly behind me…oh well!)

Later that day we were all supposed to head over to Ryan and Melissa’s house for Easter Dinner. Unfortunately, illness caught up with Jess and I that afternoon. Jess was running on only about 3 hours of sleep, and I (after a visit to the doctor) had a sinus infection, ear infection, and pinkeye…YIKES! We couldn’t risk getting little baby Zoe sick.

Fortunately, Steph saved us some yummy leftovers and we were able to have Easter Dinner on Monday.

The Saturday before Easter Jess, Gaummie and I took Addie to an Easter egg hunt at Farsnworth Farms. We were a bit worried about te cold, and if Addie would even understand what to do. The hunt proceeds went to Muscular Dystrophy so even if she didn’t, we could leave feeling good about it.

Fortunately, Addie did AMAZING! She was fascinated by the idea of it and was thrilled that her little basket held 3 eggs. The most fantastic part was that each time she bent over to pick up a new egg, the eggs already in her basket fell out… so there were always more eggs to pick up!

Despite the cold she was a trooper! She laughed and giggled at the Easter Bunny and high fived Grizby the Grizzlies Bear.

As the morning went on, she began to get a little tired.

So we headed for home so we could all take a nap, but not before one last picture and a big “Cheeeeeeesssssse” for the Camera!

Yep. Santa with a Gun. Doesn’t get more Jess than that does it? (Click Santa to be taken to Jess’s wish list page)

Anyone who has tried to buy a gift for Jess, knows he is just about the hardest person to shop for. Period. He won’t tell you what he wants, for fear it is too expensive. And when he finally does tell you want he sorta wants, it is the day before Christmas and you already bought the “this will do” gift.

This year is going to be different. He made a list. I checked it twice, all sorts of gifts both naughty and nice. So please, check out the link below and feel free to call me (or him) with questions. Everything on Jess’s wish list page links to a place you can buy it online… how easy is that?  Happy Shopping!!

Halloween seems like so long ago, so I feel like this post is VERY overdue.

What a fun day for Addie. We woke up early and practiced trick or treating. Then, Addie geared up in her Elmo Costume and off to Grandma Stephs for the morning while Jess and I went to a Wedding. She always has such a fun time at Grama “Teff”’s

Addie was able to join us for the reception, and of course, we didn’t take any pictures but she was so stinkin cute! She danced for Nolan (her official God Viking), and rand around twirling and showing people her dress.

After the reception a much needed nap, and off to Grams and Grumps’ house. It was about this time I realized I hadn’t taken any pictures. BAD MOM. Bad. So we took Addie for a quick jaunt through the neighborhood to show her off. The neighbors we delighted andwe collected some candy (for me, Addie is still on a no-sugar diet). Don’t worry, thanks to Auntie Lisa Addie got lots of healthy goodies to gnosh on while I ate her candy.

So, here are some pics of Addies first real Trick-or-Treating. I have much more to post about my night (Grams and Grumps kept Addie so I could go to a halloween party, and be a DD for some friends at the Coffee Connection). Plus, yes I know I need to post about Mexico, I will get them all up by the end of the weekend.

The joys of not understanding “Candy” She thought sticks in her pumpkin was great! Every stick we found along the way was picked up and put in her basket… Anyone want to hire her for Yard Cleanup??

Walking up the steps to her first house, fortunately no sticks. Apparently it is hard to balance with a pumpkin when you are Elmo, so Grams had to help her up the stairs.

The best thing about Trick or Treating with Addie this year, when she got a piece of candy, she gave back a stick or another piece of candy! She loves to share, although eventually she tried to give back hte candy and take back her stick. Sticks are very important to a 1 year old.

It is available on Amazon. Click Here or on the picture to be linked to Amazon.

I LOVE used books, so don’t feel obligated to buy new. Cheap is always good!

Additionally if anyone is feeling particluarly generous, I would love this book. Check local bookstores for used copies, as this one is NOT cheap.

These would also add nicely to my collection  (click to picture to buy it):

From MichelleandJess.com

From MichelleandJess.com

We could really use an Ipod docking station for the kitchen. They sell these at Costco too. Clicking the picture below will link you to Amazon.

Mine broke. (Black and Decker or GE Food Processor – Both available at Wal-Mart and Target)

I have always wanted one of these:

Last weekend The Bennion household hosted a Punkin Carvin Partee
Unfortunately, I forgot to grab my camera until the night was over. I am pretty sure my girlfriend Heidi has some pictures from early on in the night. She blogs too, so as soon as they are up I will link over.

This was the end result of the party, 4 hours and six pumpkins later, it was a success!!

This is Jeff’s Pumpkin, REALLY impressive, lots of detail and lots of patience:

This is Jennsen’s Pumpkin. (Okay, Jeff helped) The most impressive thing… this pumpkin is only about 7 inches tall.

This is Addie’s pumpkin. It is modeled after the headless horseman. Now tell me you wouldn’t be scared if this this thing came flying at your head in the middle of the night!!

And finally, my pumpkin. In typical Michelle style, I chose Disney. The wicked queen from Snow White:

Easter this year just beautiful! It was great weather and Addie had so much fun! She and I woke up bright and early and had breakfast. She got dressed in her new Easter dress, and I did her hair in those adorable little pigtails.

We woke up Daddy and headed down to Grams and Grumps house for a late lunch.

While we were there she got a chance to explore the backyard

She saw a bird…

Walked around a little bit…

And found a flower!

After a much needed nap it was off to Grandma Steph’s house for a later dinner and some socializing (I unfortunately didn’t get any pictures at Grandma Stephs house), but Addie always has a blast when she is there!

Grams got her a pink sand pail filled with goldfish crackers, sun dried tomato puffs and Addie’s favorite, yogurt covered rasins. Of course in lieu of the new Easter tradition, Addie got a new pair of shoes and a new outfit as well.

Grandma Steph got her a nice basket lined with bright royal blue fabric filled with goodies for both Addie and Jess and I. Girl Scout Cookies and pink mints for Jess and I, and a new dress and some much needed onsies for the upcoming summer season.

Hooray for Easter!