McGovern

beach...a REAL one!

2010-07-20T10:19:00.001-07:00

Here is where we will be spending the next 2 days...

http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll/qscr=dspv/htid=41612/crti=4/hotel-pictures

My sister-in-law has to go there for work for the next few days, and she has invited us to go with her...its all paid! Brian has to stay home to work, but I am taking the girls. Bree is super excited to go to the beach, the only beach she has been to is Ocean Shores...boy, will this beach be different or what?? The weather should be perfect, 70 degrees! We are actually looking forward to that temp, considering it is 105+ at home everyday!!

I will post pics hen we get home! See you all then!

California here we are!

2010-07-06T14:37:00.001-07:00

Well, i must bring you all up to date. Most of you know, but for those that don't...the McGovern family has recently moved to sunny California! Brian got a job offer that we could not turn down at the mineral power plant here, and because his ENTIRE family also lives in the same city...we felt it was time. Time to uproot the Washingtonians and become Calfornians.

But, let me tell you...the past few months have been the busiest ever in my life! All in a matter of 3 months, I have: found out we were moving, took care of a 4-year-old, 2 dogs, and a house, by myself while Brian had to leave for CA to start his new job...while being 8 months pregnant mind you, AND still working 40+ hours a week. I have also: gave birth to my second daughter, packed up an entire house (okay, my mom and step-dad did most of it), continued to look after the 4-year-old, and now a newborn at the same time...Brian still in CA. Yes, I am SUPER MOM, hee hee.

So, after a lllooonnngggg 3 day car ride with my mom, Breanna and Colbi, we finally made it to Ridgecrest, California. For those of you that don't know where the H-E-double hockey sticks Ridgecrest is (which I am guessing is most of the planet), it is smack dab in the desert! We are really close to Death Valley...so if you can guess the average temperature here, it is about 99 every day. I have not worn a pair of socks since I arrived here, nor a jacket, let alone a sweatshirt! not even at night!! I now thank God for AC!

Am I working? No, I get to be a SAHM (stay at home mom). We have a community pool in our neighborhood that is open from 8am-11pm every day, so we spend a lot of time there. Colbi has not been in the water yet, she is now 10 weeks old (wow, time is flying!) Breanna would not step off of the steps in the pool when we first got here, but all a matter of 3 weeks, she is now jumping off the edge into mine or Brian's arms, and then swims to the steps on her own (with a life jacket of course).

One thing I do miss, of course besides my Mom (we just did a web cam chat last night, so cool!), and Heidi, is TARGET! All we have here is Walmart and K-Mart. Those are the only "big" stores. This town consists of 28,000 people, so it's not REAL small, but it's definitely not Olympia. If we could just bring the town of Olympia to this weather, all in life would be swell. Actually, we would have to bring my Mom and Heidi too.

Anyway, I have been waiting to download these pictures to share our new life with all of you, but we just got our internet hooked up yesterday. Enjoy!

I look horrible, no shower yet

Papa-D and Grammy-J in Gardnerville

Bree and her Papa-D

We stayed at my dad and step-moms house in Gardnerville on the way to Ridgecrest

Taking a night walk around the neighborhood

This is our community pool

And the clubhouse

I miss you all.
Stay tuned for more posts and pics.

The Cheese Kids

2010-06-02T08:11:00.000-07:00

Meet my little friend Jack.

This is Colbi, as you all know.

Jack belongs to one of my BFF's, Heidi. Now that she has posted pics of him on her blog, I felt it was okay for me to post pics of him on mine, right Heid? :)

If you haven't read Heidi's blog introducing Jack to the world, she had him on May 24th at 11:21pm. He weighed in at 7lbs 11 3/4oz, and was 21" long.

I feel so blessed that I was able to be there for Heidi from beginning to end, well, to the end of her pregnancy. Jack is such a cutie-patootie! He is such a good baby too, and Heidi and John are great parents! I have been able to spend quite a few hours with Heidi and Jack since she had him.

The sad part is, I will be moving to California in 10 days, and will miss them terribly. But this only gives the Center-Howden's a reason to come visit California.

Here are some pics I took of the babes a few days ago.

2010-05-16T11:33:00.000-07:00

A--Attached or Single? Attached, almost 12 years together, almost 5 years married
(anniversary May 21st
B--Best friend/s? Heidi, Marley, my Mom, and my little girls!
C--Cake or Pie? Cheesecake!!! My Mom's of course:)
D--Day of Choice? Any day!
E--Essential Item? cell phone and coffee
F--Favorite Color? yellow
G--Gummy bears or worms? only the sour kind...worms
H--Hometown? Tumwater
I--Indulgence(s)? coffee
J--January or July? july, I am a sunbather:)
K--Kids? 2, Breanna 4 1/2 years, and Colbi 3 weeks old!!
L--Life is incomplete without? your own children
M--Marriage date? May 21, 2005
N--Number of siblings? 1 brother, Derek, almost 27
O--Oranges or apples? Apples, Honeycrisp
P--Phobias or fears? Losing my girls and Spiders:)
Q--Quotes? "seize the day"
R--Reason to Smile? My girls laughter, it gets me everytime
S--Season? Summer, I love the outdoors!
T--Tag 5 people? Heidi, Marley, Mom, Corrine, Libby
U--Unknown Fact? I hate having my bellybutton touched!!
V--Very Favorite Store? Target of course:)
W--Worst Habit? Facebook
X--X-ray or ultrasound? I would have to say Ultra Sounds.
Y--Your favorite food? anything
Z--Zodiac? Libra

First two weeks

2010-05-12T13:34:00.000-07:00

Well, we made it through another round of the first two weeks of having a newborn! Let me tell you, I had forgotten how TINY they are when they are born! I know Breanna is only 4, but seriously! I thought I could never love another child as much as I love my first daughter, but I was clearly wrong. I never knew how much joy two little girls could bring me (*wiping the tears*). My family is now complete. I wanted to share some pictures of our first two weeks with little Colbi Lynn.

Colbi Lynn

2010-04-29T16:21:00.000-07:00

Miss Colbi Lynn McGovern was born Tuesday 4/27/2010. She has been a blessed addition to our family and we are so excited she is here!

Third Trimester!!!

2010-02-08T20:27:00.000-08:00

Well, I have made it! I am officially in the third trimester of my final pregnancy! This time around has gone by so much quicker...I hope these last 12 weeks does too!

2 posts in 1

2009-12-19T07:41:00.000-08:00

POST #1: I have been meaning to post some recent pictures/events, but as you all know, this time of year is so dang busy! So, you get to read 2 posts for the price of 1 today! How lucky ae you?

The first one is of the 3 of us (well, really 4 of us, but you can't quite yet SEE the 4th one...uh, anyway)...getting our Christmas tree lat weekend. Breanna was really excited to pick out the tree this year. She ran this way and that, begging to carry the saw, and finally LAYING on the ground with her daddy to cut it down. Here are some pictures from that.

After we got the tree home, it was time to decorate! We let Bree decorate the tree however she wanted...until she went to bed, then I rearranged most of the ornaments...LOL

POST #2: Today was Bree's Christmas party and "concert" at the daycare. Brian and I went to the daycare this afternoon to watch the kiddos perform their 3 Christmas songs they have been practicing the past few weeks. They actually ALL sang, ALL together, and they ALL knew ALL the words! After they sang their songs, Gloria, the daycare/preschool teacher handed out gifts she had bought each of the kids. She has done this the past 4 years we have been there! She gets it right every time...she knows these kids so well and knows just what they want! You should have seen the look on Bree's face when she opened hers...she was sooo excited! AFter they all opened a present from Gloria, they each exchanged a present between all the kids (they had all drawn names a few weeks ago). Here are some pictures of their singing and present time.

Bree all ready to go to her party! (in her "beautiful dress")

Stay tuned because today is her ballet Christmas performance! Also, cookie making day with Bree, mommy, granny, and great-granny...

IT'S A GIRL!

2009-12-11T19:50:00.001-08:00

Kolbie Lynn McGovern EDD May 3, 2010

PROFILE

LEGS AND FEET

GIVING US A "THUMBS UP!"

"THE GIRL PART" (Kind of hard to see, but the more times you look at it, it gets easier to see. Imagine she is laying infront of you, ready for you to change her diaper. Her legs are both coming down facing you,with her pelvis and cute little butt at the top....without any boy parts).

Santa's visit

2009-12-06T19:30:00.000-08:00

This was Breanna's first year sitting n Santa's lap. I know this is her 4th Christmas, but I was not about to spend the $20 for a crying girl in a picture these past 3 years. This year, it's all she could talk about. The Olympia Flight Museum in Tumwater had a "Santa arrival" today, where he actually arrived in a helicopter (or as Bree calls it, a "kele-hopter"). Once he arrived, he handed out candy canes to all the little girls and boys. Then we went inside (thankfully, because it was only about 35 degrees outside!), and stood in line to take pictures with Santa. I told Bree that when Santa asks her what she wants for Christmas, she needs to be sure to speak up, otherwise he won't be able to hear her. I'm not sure if she actually told him anythig...as you can tell by the picture where she has her finger in her mouth (shyness). But, she told Brian and I that she did tell him. She is wanting everything that she sees on TV "Ooo mommy, want that on my Christmas list." Her list is so long now, that I have started telling her she needs to put it on her Birthday list, consdiering her birthday isn't even 2 months after Christmas! She wants this doll called a "Woopsie-Do", it actually comes with food to feed it and you put DISPOSABLE diapers on it, and it says, "Woopsie-do, I made a stinky"...oh, boy, what will they come up with next?? Anyway, enjoy the pictures of Breannas first encounter with Santa.

Breanna waiting for Santa's helicopter to arrive

Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving in the their helicopter

Getting her candy cane from Santa

Breanna and Santa

12 weeks

2009-10-17T20:36:00.001-07:00

Punkin' Patch

2009-10-12T19:51:00.000-07:00

We took a family trip to the Schilter Family Pumpkin Patch in Nisqually. We had a great time. They have a great set-up there...tons of stuff for the kiddos to do. Here are some pics...Bree ASKED me "here mom, let me sit on this pumpkin, and you take my picture, just like last year."

Bree searching for just the right one...she picked two.

All ready for the train ride!

Dad and Bree on the hay ride...can you tell he just loves having his picture taken...LOL

HAPPY FALL!!

IT'S OFFICIAL!!!

2009-09-24T17:57:00.001-07:00

It's official! Breanna will soon (in 7 more loooong months) be a BIG SISTER!! I am 8 weeks and 3 days as of today. I actually went into the doctors office today thinking I was 9 weeks 3 days, but when the doctor did the ultrasound she said "well, looks like 8 weeks 3 days...so that's a due date of May 3rd." I said "huh? I'm a week LESS than I thought?" Great, an entire week longer to go! I have been feeling okay as of yesterday...that morning sickness is a total drag. So, here's to 7 more months! I will keep you posted with updated pics!

splash park

2009-07-23T21:41:00.000-07:00

With all of this hot hot weather we have been having, we have had a hard time finding an outdoor water park that Bree could play at. Until last Friday, when a co-worker of mine, who has a 2-year-old grandson, told me about a "splash park" in Chehalis. It is at their community center right off the freeway. It was great! The splash park is free and the pool is only $3 per person. Bree "splashed" in the park for a while, then all three of us jumped in the pool. Bree has only done swim lessons once (last summer), so we weren't real sure on how she would do in the pool. She LOVED it! After only about 20 minutes, she was jumping off the edge into our arms. I didn't get any pics of her in the pool, but here are some from the splash park. I think we are headed there again this weekend.

2009-07-23T21:19:00.000-07:00

Last week was lakefair. Corndogs, strawberry short cake, cotton candy, shaved ice. Last week we took Bree to Lakefair a few times. We were quite surprised, actually, at how many of the rides she went on. She had an absolute blast! Here are some pictures from Lakefair.

Okay, so she wasn't a big fan of the roller coaster afterall, but at least she tried it.

Lake chelan or bust!

2009-07-10T11:32:00.000-07:00

http://www.telhost.net/realestate-online/lakechelanvacationrentals/listings/details.asp?id=114

This is the website of the place we rented in Chelan.
The people that we have as "coming for sure" are:
Heidi, Erin, Tishelle, Libby, Kristen, Corrine, Jenn (Flint), Kara, and then possibly Demeri and Aubri.
If your name is not on here, and you were wanting to join, please let us know ASAP.
Just as a reminder, we booked this for August 28th-30th (leaving town on Friday and coming home on Sunday).
The cost for each person will be $80 for the entire weekend. There is a possibility that it may $20 more for each person, depending on if Demeri and Aubri join us.
If everyone can stick a check in the mail to Heidi this next week, she would really appreciate it! We have to "pay before we stay".

Also, Heidi and i were thinking, it would be fun if, since there will be at least 8 of us, that we split the dinners in half. Meaning, 4 of us cook dinner for all of us on Friday night, then the other 4 cook dinner for all of us on Saturday. We can decide in the next few weeks what we want to make so that we can get the groceries, or we can just buy them here.

If anyone has any questions, please ask ASAP. I also sent each of you a note through facebook on 07/10/09.

IS THAT YOUR FINAL ANSWER?

2009-06-19T07:13:00.001-07:00

Okay ladies...listen up. We need to figure this Chelan thing out as soon as we can. We don't want to miss out on a good deal. The weekend that we are thinking of is, August 28-30. If you can go, please let me...us...know asap. There are no official "invitations" going out, so, if you wanna go...then come! We want everyone! No kids, no husbands, no pets...just the girls.

"My Heidi"

2009-06-15T20:48:00.000-07:00

Bree loves "her Heidi". All of you know Heidi. But to us, the McGovern family, she is "my Heidi". Whenever I am talking to Heidi on the phone or I tell Bree we are going to meet Heidi somewhere, she always asks..."is it My Heidi?" Heidi and John are Bree's godparents. They are 2 of the most special people in Bree's lives...in OUR lives. I just wanted to dedicate this post to Heidi, to let her know how special she is to us and our family. Thanks Heid for always being there and for loving Bree so much! It means so much and really touches our heart.

(There is another new post below...)

Long Beach

2009-06-15T20:38:00.001-07:00

Last weekend we decided to hit the road and take off to Long Beach. I had not been there since I turned 16, and Brian hadn't been there for just about as many years as me! Bree had never been to the ocean before. Although, our ocean beaches here in Washington are not like California, they are still fun, and Bree still had a great time...even if she was wearing a jacket and jeans. The weather wasn't actually THAT cold, just a little more breezy the closer to the water we got. Here are a few pictures from our day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY FRIEND ALICIA

2009-06-10T17:51:00.000-07:00

Alicia, my friend of 19 years...I want to wish you a very Happy 31st Birthday today! You are a very special person and a great friend...lets grow to be old blondies together! Hope you had a great day!

TAG! You're it!

2009-05-29T19:58:00.000-07:00

Please copy and paste this list, obviously changing the answers to your own, and post a new blog.

A--Attached or Single? Attached almost 11 years...okay, 11 years "together", 4 yeras married.
B--Best friend/s? My husband, my Mom, Marley, Heidi.
C--Cake or Pie? depends what kind. Ice cream cake, yes please. Warm RAzzelberry pie, yes please.
D--Day of Choice? Friday-Sunday
E--Essential Item? Cell phone, Starbucks.
F--Favorite Color? Yellow
G--Gummy bears or worms? sour ones only please
H--Hometown? O-Town
I--Indulgence(s)? ICE CREAM!
J--January or July? I like both actually, but when it's cold out in January for a long time, I crave July!
K--Kids? 1-Breanna Renee
L--Life is incomplete without? My family, friends, laughter, good food
M--Marriage date? May 21, 2005
N--Number of siblings? 1 lil' brother...almost 26
O--Oranges or apples? love those little tangerines...and crispy, COLD apples
P--Phobias or fears? Losing family members
Q--Quotes? "If the shoe fits..."
R--Reason to Smile? My family
S--Season? I love something about all of them. Winter...cold, crisp air, snowflakes, Christmas. Spring...birds chirping, occasional sunny mornings, rainy nights. Summer...more sunny mornings, afternoons, and evenings, BBQ's, swimming, fishing. Fall...change of color outside, warm nights, fresh air.
T--Tag 5 people? Heidi, Marley, Corrine, Tishelle, Libby
U--Unknown Fact? I hate cleaning out my car.
V--Very Favorite Store? Can you guess Heidi? Target...one-stop-shopping
W--Worst Habit? I pop my knuckles all the time
X--X-ray or ultrasound? I have only had 1 ultrasound in my entire life...pregnant
Y--Your favorite food? hmm, where do I start?! salads, ice cream, pizza from The Rock or Dirty Daves, corn-on-the-cobb, cereal...okay, I could go on and on.
Z--Zodiac? Libra

mine

2009-05-26T18:55:00.000-07:00

So, as many of you have probably seen on your fellow bloggers blogs...many of them have gardens in their backyards. Well, I sit here looking back at some of your blogs now and then, at your recent pics of your literally "amazing" gardens...ehem...TISHELLE AND LIBBY, I am speaking to you guys. Yes, I look back and dream that I too, would have a garden like yours. So, I decided, "hey, what the heck? Why don't I just do it?" But, before you see the pic of mine, I want you to refrain yourselves from gasping with amazement...yes, I did this in a matter of ONE, yes, ONE afternoon! Please, don't be jealous...okay, here it is...the first debut of the McGovern Family garden...

yes, I know, pic your jaw up off the ground...it IS pretty amazing isn't it? An upside down cherry tomato plant...loves it!

HAPPY

2009-05-21T06:27:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th Anniversary today to my best friend, my compantion, my love, to the greatest father ever, my husband. Thank you to all of our family and friends that helped to make that day so great!

MOTHERS DAY

2009-05-12T20:30:00.001-07:00

So this was my 3rd Mothers Day. They just get better each year I think. Each year I look back and still...I am amazed at my daughter. She has grown so fast and I am loving and treasuring each and every moment. This year we started off the day with Daddy & Bree making breakfast for mommy...

Brian making breakfast

And Bree "helping" Dad make breakfast...as you can tell, she is not in the kitchen

Not bad, I'd have to say
Next, we took a trip up to Tacoma to "Owen's Beach". It's right next to the Pt. Defiance Zoo. It was packed! We had never been there before, and I wanted to do something different.

THANKS FOR A GREAT MOTHERS DAY! I LOVE YOU!

My cousin

2009-04-20T21:21:00.000-07:00

I have ONE girl cousin...well, in actuality, I only have 3 cousins...TOTAL!! No, not just on my mom's side...I have 3 total cousins. My cousin Cori, some of you have met her, some have not. She was a bridesmaid in my wedding, so if you were there, then you were there the last time I had seen her...up until this past weekend. Yes, she finally came to Washington to see me and Breanna. We had the best time together..."girls days" (as Bree would call it). I picked her up at the airport Friday morning, went to lunch to start our catch-up-time. Then we picked Bree up at daycare. We took Bree to a park and to ice cream. On Saturday, we went to the Olympia Farmers Market and to Heidi's for a BBQ. Sunday we went to the Seattle Pike Place Market and to my mom's for dinner. When we had to take Cori to the airport, Breanna had fallen asleep in the car on the way there. When it was time for Cori to get out of the car, Breanna was still asleep. As Cori went into the airport, Bree woke up as we were driving away...she started balling and asking "where she's going?" She did NOT want her cousin Cori to leave. So Cori, if you are reading this, "not another four years...okay?" I love you cuz!

Easter Festivities

2009-04-12T19:53:00.001-07:00

We spent Easter this year with my mom and step-dad up at their house in Federal Way. My mom's birthday was also on Easter this year, so we had twice the celebration. Here are a few pics from our weekend.

Just Us

2009-03-29T18:58:00.001-07:00

Hands on Children's Museum

2009-03-29T18:04:00.000-07:00

we took Bree to the Hands On Children's Museum in downtown Olympia today. The weather was so nice...okay, it was just "nic-ER" than it has been in a long time. Bree had a great time!

Wye Lake

2009-03-29T17:48:00.001-07:00

On Saturday, Breanna and I headed to Port Orchard to our Aunts lake cabin, (my step-dad, Dave, it's his sisters place). We met my step-sis, Jeni..my step-bro, Mike..my other step-bro, Steven..and his boyfriend, Kris. My niece, Brooklyn and nephew, Deakon, were also there. We had a great time just visiting and letting the kids play together. It's not that often that they all three get to see eachother. Jeni and Brooklyn live in Salem, Oregon. Mike and Deakon live in Puyallup. Kris and Steven live in Seattle. Here are some pics from our trip to Wye Lake.

Pedi's for all

2009-03-24T20:40:00.000-07:00

This last weekend my mom came down for a "girls day". We had so much fun! just the three of us, me, my mom, and Bree. Our plan was to go and get pedicures at this new place I found on the west side of Olympia. It is right across from the drive through Starbucks. It's called "Spoil Me". I guess it's actually owned by the same guy that owns all of the T-Spas. I like this place actually a lot better!

So, Breanna had obviously never had a pedicure before, being that she is only 3 years old. But, boy, was she into it! It's so cute...this place actually has kid pedicure charis...with built in DVD players so they can watch movies whie getting a pedicure! She sat in my lap in the "big people chair" to get her toes and fingers painted (which they had to do twice because she messed them up...she's a little bit of a rookie :) ). Then she sat over in the "little kids chair" to watch a movie while my mom and I got ours done. The girls that work there are so nice too!
Thanks mom and Bree for a fun day!
Here are some pictures from our day

HAPPY BELATED ST. PATTY'S DAY

2009-03-21T10:09:00.001-07:00

Surprise weekend

2009-03-21T09:21:00.000-07:00

I know this is a week late, but I haven't had time until now to download all the pictures. For those of you that follow Marley's blog, you may already seen some of these pictures. For those of you that don't know, Marley is one of my long-time BFF's in California. Last Friday, I COMPLETELY surprised her by litterally knocking on her front door! The only people that knew I was coming were her mom and sister. I didn't even tell Marely's husband, Shea. I was able to have lunch on Friday with my dad, he drove 2 hours to meet me in Sacramento, then came with me to Marley's house in Roseville (Sacramento). I had called Marley on the phone about 10 minutes prior to arriving at her house (just to make sure she was at home). I had been asking her all week if she had received the UPS package I had sent her for her shower on Saturday. It hadn't arrived yet, because the package was...ME! So, about 10 minutes after we hung up with eachother, I drove in my rental car while my Dad followed me in his car to Marley's house. We knocked on the front door and Shea answered the door. All he said was, "oh my god, are you serious?" (with a big smile on his face of course)...then he opened the door wider and there was Marley, standing in their living room, still holding the phone in her hand, and she said, "Wait! What? What are you doing?" (as she was looking back and forth at the phone and at me)...it was a great surprise! I then spent the weekend with her family and was able to go to her baby shower...which she is now 2 weeks and 2 days away from the arrival of Dallas Shea Emery. Here are some pics from that weekend.

Way too fast

2009-03-08T14:09:00.000-07:00

Remember last week when I posted about Bree's new "big girl bed"? Well, we made another "big girl" step again this weekend. She got a big girl haircut. She has had 5 regular haircuts already, but this one was with an actual "big girl style". Brian has been asking me to get her haircut shorter for a long time, but I always told him I wanted to keep her hair long. So off we went to the beauty salon, "Jack and Jills". It's a special salon just for kids. It's a really cute place. They have TV's mounted on the wall next to each station, a basket full of dum dum suckers, chocolate flavored shampoo, and they have 5 different kinds of chairs to sit in...an airplane, a tractor, a barbie jeep, a horse saddle, and a bike. Breanna always chooses either the tractor or the Barbie jeep. I decided to get her haircut different this time. I thought she needed that "big girl haircut". It turned out so cute! I just love it! Since then, it's all Bree can talk about too. Here are some pictures of her new haircut.

March Snow!!!

2009-03-08T14:06:00.001-07:00

Like many of you Olympian's, we woke up to this...pardon my french, but don't you think it's a little flippin' ridiculous? I am so ready for warmer days, BBQ's with friends, and long summer nights.

The things they say...

2009-03-06T19:14:00.000-08:00

I have no picture to go along with this post...just wanted to share a funny thing with you all. Last night, the three of us went to dinner at Applebee's. Brian had gotten up to use the bathroom. On his way back, and still about 10 feet from our table, Breanna stood up in her chair and yelled (literally, YELLED)..."Daddy, did you go POOP?" I had to laugh, it was so unexpected! Then as she sees me laughing my head off, with tears running down my cheeks, she decides it was pretty funny too...and so did the table next to us, and the table next to them. Ahhh, the things they say.

Big Girl Bed

2009-03-01T20:48:00.000-08:00

This weekend we converted Bree's room from a baby/girl room...to a "Big Girl Room". She was very excited to sleep in her new "polka dot bed" as she calls it. We are crossing our fingers that tonight goes well, meaning that she stays in her bed all night long. It's been 45 minutes so far, and not a peep out of her yet. She has been in a toddler bed since July, but we figured that it was time to actually move into a twin bed. Here are some pics of Brian and Bree putting together her new bed.

Here is Bree when I called her into her new room after it was all put together...

And here is the final product...buh-bye crib, buh-bye changing table...HELLOO big girl!

3 year pictures

2009-02-21T21:59:00.000-08:00

I got a new camera with part of our tax return this year...so exciting! I decided to go with a Canon RebelXS EOS. This thing is amazing! I feel like an actual "photographer" when using it! So yesterday, I took Bree to Priest Point Park to play...and to have my own little photoshoot with her. She does like having her picture taken, but after taking like 35 picutres, all I was hearing from her was, "Okay, Mommy, that's all." I had to laugh at myself, I guess I didn't realize how many pictures I had taken. Then, after coming home and selecting my faves, I wanted all of your take on the pics...let me know which one(s) are your fave...the chosen one will be her 3 year pic that I will send to friends and family.

Here are a few other fun pics that I took as well...

Valentines Day

2009-02-15T21:38:00.000-08:00

Poor Tucker!

2009-02-12T19:42:00.000-08:00

So our yellow lab, Tucker, has had quite the past 3 weeks. He has been struggling with an "ear hematoma". For those of you that are not familiar with these...

Docotor definition: An Aural Hematoma is a collection of blood under the skin of the ear flap of a dog or cat. Ear hematoma occurs much more commonly in dogs than in cats; a hematoma generally is the result of trauma to the ear flap from an injury or from the dog or cat scratching at the ear. The itchy ear can result from ear mites, allergies, infections or foreign matter in the ear canal. Frequent scratching at the ear, or even vigorous shaking of the head, can result in a rupture of small blood vessels beneath the skin of the pinna. Since there is little strength or depth to the tissues of the ear flap, clotting may be delayed... especially if the dog or cat continues to upset the clotting by additional self trauma.

Tucker has had chronic ear infections almost his entire 8 years on this planet. This is the first time this hematoma thing has happened. My cousin, Cori, is a Veterinarian in Sacremento, so she told me exactly how to drain his ear and what antibiotics to give him. Since I work in a doctors office, I had access to all the supplies we needed. So each night for about a week, Brian and I would hold Tucker down on the kitchen floor and drain his ear...yes, I stuck a SCALPEL into his ear! We thought it was going to be fixed in no time at all. But each time we did it, it would be filled back up again by the next morning. So after phone calls to my cousin and to numerous vet hospitals, our only option was to take him in for surgery this morning.

Breanna and I dropped Tucker off at the Banfield Pet Hospital (located inside Petsmart) at 7am this morning. We picked him up tonight after work. He looked like a drunk walking around, running in to the wall at home, or just STARING at the wall. He will be on quite the concoction of medications for the next 10 days also. We have to take him back in every 3 days so they can change his bandage. All 30 (yes, 30!) stitches will come out in 2 weeks.

Here are some pictures of our guy from tonight after we got home.

For anyone that needs a new Vet or if youever have to take your dog to the hospital...I HIGHLY recommend Banfield!

Papa-D's visit

2009-02-07T10:43:00.000-08:00

We had a great 6 days with my dad and "Papa-D". I just wanted to share a few picutres that we took while he was here. We miss him already!

See you in a few months Papa-D!

IT WAS A GREAT BIRTHDAY!

2009-02-05T07:30:00.000-08:00

Well, we made it...another year down. Bree turned 3 years old yesterday! We spent the last 6 days with my dad here from Tahoe, it was so much fun! Bree sure loves her "Papa-D". For her birthday party we tooka bunch of kids to Charlie's Safari Fun house. I am pretty sure all the kids had a blast...and I am pretty sure the parents were all exhausted form chasing their kids around...(thanks for your patience guys!) Bree was so tired, she fell asleep within 30 seconds of getting in the car. For some reason, the pictures that I took at the birthday party are not on my camera, so I will post those pics when my dad emails the pictures he took with his camera. Then, on her REAL birthday (yesterday, the 4th), we met Ang and Mackenzie at Chuck E Cheese. They had a lot of fun there too! THEN, if that wasn't enough already, we took Bree to Red Robin for her birthday dinner. I wasn't too sure if she would like the whole "Red Robin Birthday Song" or not, but she was quite the trooper. She just stood there in awe as they handed her balloons and an ice cream sundae and let them sing to her. Here is a little video of that...

how time flies

2009-01-28T21:21:00.000-08:00

In one week from today, my little baby girl will be 3 years old! I can't believe how fast they grow, how much she has taught ME in these past 3 years, and how much unconditional love you can give to a single person. I have absolutely cherrished these past 3 years like I never thought I could. Having a child made me realize how important life is. And how much Bree has taught me about patience, understanding, love, laughter, in her own little way...without even knowing she's doing it. I SO look forward to the next 50 years with my sweet girl! I love you Breanna, more than life itself!

Things we can learn from a dog...

2009-01-18T13:33:00.000-08:00

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstacy. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. When it's in your best interest, practice obedience. Let others know when they have invaded your territory. Take naps and stretch before rising. Run, romp, & play daily. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. When someone is having a bad day, be slient, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently. Thrive on attention and let people touch you. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. On hot days, drink lots of water, and lay under a shady tree. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body. No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout...run right back and make friends. Bond with your pack. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Our Little Genius

2009-01-10T17:59:00.000-08:00

I bought Bree this US puzzle for Christmas this year. My nephew, Deakon, who is almost 7 now, had this when he was Bree's age. I was amazed at how well Deakon could put the pieces together at 2 years old...I guess Bree is following in the same footsteps!

6 days!...Mission accomplished!

2009-01-03T16:00:00.000-08:00

After all of your wonderful suggestions and advice for my potty training struggles a few weeks ago...we have overcome those struggles as of December 27, 2008. Yes, you heard it...my daughter, Breanna Renee McGovern, who will turn 3 in 32 days, has mastered the art of PEEING...AND POOPING (sorry for the visuals) ON THE "BIG POTTY". I had been telling her for about a week prior that we would be starting to potty train the next week, she knew exactly what I meant. The day before the "hard core training" was to begin, she decided herself, that she was going to start going on the big potty. I am so amazed at how quickly she did this! I figured it would take a "full-week-stay-at-home-no-holds-barred" (did I say that right?) type of deal. I was clearly wrong. But I have to say, she does know ALL about the rewards that come with going tinkle on the potty. And she wouldn't dare to forget to ask for it either! So, for all of you that have not had to experience this obstacle yet (Jana, Becky, Casey, Alicia, Shannon), if you struggle like I did...beleive me when I say, they will do it when THEY (not you) are ready...just like MY mom told me. I forgot to mention...not one accident yet! yipee!

Here are some pics I snapped of my little potty girl...ah, so proud I am!

Remembering 2008....

2008-12-31T17:04:00.001-08:00

I thought it would be fun to go through ALL of the pictures I have taken in 2008 and post the most memorable pictures. After looking at them, I realized how much we did this year! Trips to the lake, circus, pumpkin patches, Christmas tree farms, celebrated holidays, trick-or-treating, Lakefair, Point Defiance Zoo, trips to Wenatchee, California, LOTS of park trips, swimming lessons...and many more. Also, I realized how much Breanna has grown...just in one year! I can't believe that the will be 3 years old in only 35 days!!!

Here is a stroll down the 2008 memory lane! ENJOY! There may be a picture of you in here...so look at all of them.

Thanks for strolling with me...hope you all had a memorable 2008! Here's to 2009!

Santa came!

2008-12-27T09:52:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas was much more eventful THIS year I'd have to say. Last year, right after Christmas Eve dinner, I got the flu! I was sick for about 3 days, then Brian got it. I mean, the REAL flu! It was horrible! I actually had to have Brian bring me his stocking and bag of stocking stuffers to the couch just so I could fill his stocking...I couldn't even get off the couch...unless it was to run to the bathroom! Breanna was not interested in presents at all...it took 2 days just to get her presents open...not that there were a ton, she was just not interested!

But THIS year...much different! No one got sick...and Bree couldn't get enough of the presents! She opened ALL of them BY HERSELF! It was so great to see her eyes light up each time she opened something. When I was growing up, my parents had a tradition where the "unwrapped" presents were the ones that Santa brought (because you know, he is super busy and doesn't have time to wrap his gifts for ALL the children). Then the "wrapped" gifts were from Mommy & Daddy (or Kona and Tucker, our labs). So, I have decided to follow in that same tradition.

This year, Bree's BIG gift was a Disney Princess bike! It was placed gently under the Christmas Tree with a big red bow and all! Brian and I were so excited to have her see it Christmas morning! I didn't catch her expression on my digital camera
(which is where I have made the other videos you have seen in other posts), but Brian did catch it on our real video camera.

Anyway, I wanted to share some of your Chrismtas picutres with you all. I hope you ALL had a very Merry Christmas and you all have a Happy New Year!

My mom and Dave came over Christmas Eve for pizza and presents.

Later that night...looks like Santa came! Bree is gonna be so excited!

This was right after she woke up Christmas morning...grumpy, just like her mom.

Getting into her stocking

Lookin' pretty snazzy I have to say

And that's a wrap...oh my!

Winter Wonderland

2008-12-17T19:54:00.007-08:00

We have had quite a surprise this year...lots of snow BEFORE Christmas! We love it in this family! And Breanna is loving it too! Here are some pictures from our doorstep.

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN AS I HAVE ALSO POSTED TWO MORE BLOGS BELOW!

Loves me some chocolate ice cream!

2008-12-17T19:52:00.001-08:00

1st snowboarding lesson

2008-12-17T19:29:00.001-08:00

When I got home today, early from work due to the weather, Bree and I were getting out of the car and all of a sudden, Brian whizzed by us on his snowboard! Yes, right in our driveway! Immediately, Breanna wanted to par-take in that activity...it's seeming this little almost-3-year-old is very much liking the snow! And we are so excited for that! So, take a look at this video of Bree and her 1st snowboarding lesson.

Sledding time!

2008-12-15T18:09:00.000-08:00

Brian was so excited that it was snowing this weekend! He drove to Big 5 while Bree was napping so he could surprise her with a sled that he could pull her on. A little girl at her daycare had given her a brand new snowsuit last year, jacket and all, and it worked perfect for this year! At first she wasn't too keen on the idea of sledding...he wanted me to just put her on the sled and he would start running...but she wanted no part of that. So, after me getting on the sled with her in between my legs and Brian pulling both of us, she was all for it! She kept telling Brian, "Faster daddy! Go faster!" "Run daddy!" I am glad we had her experience the sledding thing here at home before we take her after Christmas to a "real sled park". She loved it though. Here is a video of her first trip down our driveway...it's hard to see, as it was 4:30pm and getting dark. So squint your eyes and you can see how much fun she had!

ADDRESSES PLEASE!!

2008-12-14T13:57:00.001-08:00

Would everyone comment back to me on my blog with their addresses? Pelase do as soon as possible. Thanks!

SURPRISE!!

2008-12-06T21:00:00.000-08:00

Tonight was Heidi's 30th surprise birthday party. Her actual birthday isn't until the 23rd...which is why her family had her toatlly clueless that her party was tonight. Bree and I had a great time. Lots of food, drink, and chatting. I wanted to share the surprise with all of you so you could actually see how surprised she really was. Believe me, she was, like I already said, absoultely clue...less!!
Heidi thought she was only "stopping by" her parents house so that John could look at some shelves in her dads garage. When they got there, we were all hiding in the other garage. They told Heidi to grab a beer out of the fridge in the room we were all hiding in...and when she opened the door...

Here are some other pictures of friends at the party...

Heidi, Me, Tishelle

Heidi, Dani, Tishelle

Heidi and her sister Kimmy (and Kimmy's unborn twins!!)

Heidi and her favorite niece, Breanna

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FRIEND!!!

2008-12-04T06:48:00.000-08:00

I know this is a week late, but I thought I would still share our thanksgiving with all of you. Bree and I stayed up late Wednesday making all of our pies. She is so interested in what goes on in the kitchen now. She always wants to be up on the counter so she can see. So, we made a pumpkin-chocolate cheescake pie and my special pumpkin desert cake. They were both sooooo good! Here are some pics of Bree helping me make the delicious deserts.

making sure the chocolate chips were on there just perfect!

spreading the cream cheese

my step-sister, Jeni, her husband Zac, and their 19-month-old daughter, Brooklyn, drove up from Salem to spend Thanksgiving with us. Here are Bree and her cousin, Brooklyn with their hats they each made at daycare.

Such a cute Indian and Pilgrim aren't they?

My mom was given this Sponge Bob table and chairs, and it worked just perfect for the girls and their Thanksgiving feast. They are the official "start" of the "Thanksgiving kids table".

They have figured out the cool trick of eating olives off of your fingers.

We had a great Thanksgiving! To wrap it up, here are a few more pics from the night.

jammies and a skirt

2008-11-25T20:26:00.000-08:00

I remember my mom telling me a story about a little girl she saw when I was about 3 and we were at the Nutcracker. She said this little girl was with her mom, and she was wearing a pretty dress with her shiny shoes. But the part you couldn't help but to notice was her "accessory". This little girl had her Miss Piggy lifejacket on over top of her pretty little dress. My mom remembers thinking, "oh my, who would let their child out of the house wearing that outfit?". Her next thought was, "you know, that lifejacket must be pretty important to that little girl...and who cares? if that's what she wants to wear, let her."

So, last night when I got home from the gym, Brian had Bree's jammies on already. I walked through the door and she had a sad face on. When I asked her what was wrong, she said "I wanna wear a dress." I guess she had been asking to put a dress on, but it was 30 minutes before bedtime and she already had her jammies on. So we argued a few more times back and forth about the dress. Then she said "I wanna wear a skirt." I told her that it was almost bedtime and she wasn't putting a skirt on. Then...I instantly remembered my mom's story. So, in we walked to Bree's room, opened up her dresser, and this is how she spent the night in bed.

Any suggestions?

2008-11-10T19:32:00.000-08:00

I am in need of Thanksgiving suggestions. I am going to make some kind of vegetable side. I wanted to maybe make something "different". Please throw out your suggestions to me...I need them!

HAPPY 35TH!

2008-11-05T21:00:00.000-08:00

HAPPY 35TH BIRTHDAY TO MY BEST FRIEND AND HUSBAND!

Pumpkin Night 2008

2008-11-04T18:51:00.000-08:00

Halloween. Supposed to be a night of FUN trick-or-treating...little, cute, dressed up kids trampling the neighbors lawns asking for candy while the parents stand back at each driveway thinking, "oh, how cute!"...checking our trick-or-treat bags after each candy deposit to see how much we have now...ya, well, our Halloween was a little different.

First our idea was based around the weather. It rained all day as you fellow Olympian's recall. It did in fact stop in time for the festivities, but it was COLD!! So we decided that we were going to take the girls, (Darrell and Shannon Cowan's little girl, Shaelynn, also our goddaughter, came with us) to the mall and do the "store to store" trick-or-treating. But we found out that they had changed the hours since last year. This year it was 4-6pm...what? it stops at 6pm? Who made that rule? We found this out at about 5:50pm. The next option was to go outside and do the regular door-to-door trick-or-treating...which secretly, is what I REALLY wanted to do (Bree had done the mall thing the past 2 years). So we put long sleeved shirts and tights under the girls costumes and headed out the daycare neighborhood.

And off they went.

We got about 3 or 4 houses into the night and out came a little 8 year old boy wearing a "scary mask"...now, what parent in their right mind would let their child wear these kinds of masks? It absolutley terrified Bree and Shaelynn. The little boy was nice enough though to take his mask off and tell them "look, I'm just a boy, don't be scared." But that didn't make a difference, they were still scared. This is Bree after the "scary boy"

It took some convincing to get her to walk on the sidewalk again.

So, I think next year we will go to an "inside-lit-no-scary-mask-or-scary-skeleton-door" trick-or-treating event.

She did look pretty darn cute though, don't you think??

Charlie's Safari

2008-10-27T15:12:00.000-07:00

We found a new, fun place for kids to play. It's great. It's indoors. Even though Sunday was a crisp, sunny 60 degrees...it was still a little too cold to play outside. This place is like a gigantic playground for kids 10 and under. they ahve a huge bouncy house, a ginormous playground with a bazillion different kinds of slides, and bouncy slides. we took Bree there on Sunday and she ahd a blast. I think it wears the parents out faster than the kids! Okay, yes, I did go on a few of the toys with Bree...but I had to make sure they were safe, right?

Here's Bree making her "castle"

2008-10-27T14:49:00.000-07:00

This weekend was full of Halloween fun. My mom came down and finished Bree's Halloween costume. We carved our pumpkins...well, I carved Brian's, he carved Bree's, and I will have to get another pumpkin for myself. I had them all sitting out on the front porch for the past week and when Brian brought them inside last night, mine had already rotted. We are going to the pumpkin patch on Wednesday with Bree's daycare, so I will get another pumpkin then. Bree was not interested in "gutting" pumpkin, she just wanted to "color" the pumpkin. Here are a few pictures from our carving last night.

Breanna is going to be Dorothy from Wizard of Oz for Halloween. "Granny" (my mom) made her costume. I think is the beginning of MANY hand-made Halloween costumes! It turned out so cute! can't wait to see her in it with her red glittery shoes!

Breanna was a big help to her Granny. She made sure the sewing machine wouldn't fall off the table I guess.

Every year Breanna is getting more and more excited for Halloween. Stay tuned for Halloween trick-or-treating pictures!!

PUMPKIN PATCH TIME!

2008-10-18T18:54:00.000-07:00

Today, we went to the pumpkin patch with "Aunt Heidi"....or as Bree likes to call her, "my Haadi" The weather turned out perfect, well, it could have been a little warmer, but it was sunny and blue sky, so that's all that mattered. We went to Schilter's Farm off the Nisqually exit. It was really cute the way they had things set up for the kiddies. They had "pumpkin bowling" (bowling with tiny pumpkins), "tractor trek" (riding tiny John Deer tractor bikes around a little track), a petting zoo with goats, a sheep, chickens, a bunny, 2 ponies, a 1-month-old cow named "Elizabeth" (so cute!), and 2 little pigs. Amazingly, Bree wanted to go into each pen and pet the animals. That's actually all she talked about from the time we got there, "I wanna see the aminals" (yes, that IS how she said "animals" I have no idea how she even knew there were animals there, the petting zoo was in the back inside a barn! Smart kid I tell ya! After we picked out our "punkins", we headed to the "aminals" and then it was time to go. It was a great day with "My Haadi" Here are a few pictures from the pumpkin patch.

HELP!

2008-10-13T18:09:00.000-07:00

I need help! For those of you with kids that are potty trained...PLEASE tell me how you did it!! I thought it would be a lot easier than it has been, but I was clearly wrong! I hear everyone say "Oh, she will do it when she's ready" or "it will just happen"...well, please tell me when! I am looking for any advice you can offer. Any tips and/or tricks that you used. I know most of you have boys, but they learn sitting down also, right? I have all the supplies that I thought it would take. What am I missing? Is she just being stubborn? She went twice last week at daycare, but never since then. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks

2008-10-06T20:41:00.001-07:00

I wanted to give a big thanks to everyone who helped me celebrate my 30th birthday with me on Saturday! Those of you who left early (ehem, Suz and Scott...Corrine and Jeremy, well, I guess Corrine had a good reason...Dem and Joel)...you missed out! We had a great night after El Sarape...we went to Charlie's...WOO HOO! No really, we actually had a great time...Heidi, Andrea, and I danced the night away, while Brian and John stood and watched. Here are a few pics from dinner. check out Heidi's blog soon for our dancing pics! I forgot to take my camera into Charlie's.

And here is a picture of the gag gifts I got from Ang and Andrea

On Sunday, Brian and I went up to my mom's house in Federal Way to pick up Bree and to have a birthday dinner and cake.

It was a great birthday, and thanks again to everyone who made me feel like I was 29 all over again! Love you all!

Can't Believe It!!!

2008-10-03T09:37:00.000-07:00

Today my friends, I have some news...

I am regretful to say that...

YES, you guessed it...

I haved entered into a new decade of my life.

I turned 30 years old today!!!!!!!

Be back on Sunday with some pics of the "Big Sha-bang"

Could not live without...

2008-09-26T20:43:00.000-07:00

For those of you that have read Demeri's and Alicia's latest blog, I decided to follow the trend. Here you go...

This is Kona, our black lab. She will be 9 years old next week. Brian and I got her when she was 2 months old! Hopefully we can get 5 more years out of her...love her!

This is Tucker, our almost 8 year old Chesapeake Bay Retreiver. Tucker and Kona are like two peas in a pod! And yes, this is where I find him most nights, he thinks he owns the bed!

Do I really NEED to explain this one??

Ya, "Envy" this cell phone!

How else would I blog, right?

Just like Demeri, I have curly hair. Gotta have a good straightener. This is my Fred Meyer $35 straightener that I have had for about 2 years. Love it! I do turn it up really hot, as you can see, the pink is chipping away on the inside!

Two of my bestest friends...my dad and my brother! Couldn't live without them!

My mom. My best friend. Love her. Enough said.

My husband. Enough said, again.

And these...well, let's just say that these girls are my angels. Thanks girls!

But, THIS little girl...she is my LIFE! Enough said?

and....it's official

2008-09-23T09:29:00.000-07:00

Summer is over. Yup, you heard it right...we had our few months of fun in the sun, and now it's over. Time to get ready for the holidays, rain, 45 degree mornings, rain, splashing in rain puddles, rain (did I say that already?), long sleeved shirts and pants, and more rain. How am I ever going to tell Breanna that we can't go to the park everyday anymore? I have tried to tell her that it's just "closed" but she isn't going for that...you all know how smart she is. This summer we had such a great time! Swimming in the lake, going to the water park, having PB&J picnics, playgrounds, "makeshift sprinklers", popsicles dripping down our arms, birthday parties, taking the dogs swimming, and parades. I did manage to survive the park last night after work though...even though it was a cold 55 degrees and our noses were turning pink! Here are a few more summer pitures to share with you from last weekend.

Bree hanging out outside the garage at home

We took a trip to the librabry since it rained on Saturday

She couldn't wait to read her book!

On family day Sunday, we took the dogs to the lake to swim...had to hurry before people got there since you really aren't supposed to bring dogs! Oops! But where else in Olympia can they swim?

Fetching the stick together...how cute! Actually, they were growling at eachother!

Bree playing in the water and watching the dogs swim...she didn't walk into the water with her pants on this time!

Throwing the stick for the dogs

Mommy and Bree

you really thought we were gonna get away with not going to the park at the lake

Peek-A-Boo

This is what static electricity does to your hair

smart cookie

2008-09-17T19:22:00.000-07:00

summer...don't go!

2008-09-17T18:46:00.000-07:00

I love the summer! I love the fall too, but summer...ahhh...love it! I love being able to do things outside with Bree. She loves being outside, going to the park, going swimming (she is getting more and more used to the water now), taking walks (or "hikes" as she calls them). Last weekend we made a trip downtown Olympia to the "water park". Here are a few pictures to share. Hope you are all enjoying these last few days of summer...4 days to be exact!

update

2008-09-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

I know, I have been lagging on the blog world...even my mom has been after me..."When are you gonna update your blog? Everyone else updates theirs all the time"...is all I hear from her...and yes, I have brought her into the blog world...she reads everyones blogs...just won't make one of her own.

So, lets' see...anything exciting happening lately in the McGovern household?

We did go to a wedding this past weekend. Well, I went with my mom and Step-dad, Bree and Brian stayed home. It was for my "Step-cousin", Sarah. She met her new husband on match.com! The wedding was at the Tacoma Glass Museum...it was so pretty! They had a private ceremony then a big reception. I had such a blast at the reception! I had the chance to hang out with my step-sister Jenni (lives in Oregon), my step-brother Mike, and my other step-brother Steven and his "boo" (boyfriend) Chris, they have been living in LA for the past couple of years and recently moved back up here to Seattle. Chris is a mighty good dancer I must say! Here are a few pics from that night.

Me and my mom all "snazzed" up and ready for reception

L to R: Zac (Jeni's husband), Jeni, Mike, me, Chris, and Steven

Me and Jeni

Chris and my step-bro, Steven

Me and my boys

Steven and Jeni with their sparklers getting ready to "send off" the bride and groom for the night

and the beautiful bride Sarah

Another almost daily event around here lately has been the park. I swear Breanna is obsessed with the park. I have to admit, it is pretty fun watching her climb up and down the slide, doing all these things there that she couldn't do by herself only 6 months ago. She asks to go "to the slide" from the minute I pick her up from the daycare until the minute we go to bed every night! So , I try to take her at least 4 times a week, the park is only about 2 miles from our house. Here are a few pics of her at the park from last weekend.

And finally, Granny with her girls...Bree and Brooklyn (Jeni's daughter, 17 months old)

I promise to be better about keeping in touch...promise!

What do you remember about me?

2008-08-19T06:45:00.000-07:00

play along! I would love to hear from anyone and everyone! Don't be shy.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you!

2008-08-17T20:06:00.000-07:00

2008-08-17T15:49:00.001-07:00

Has this been a hot few days or what? We are not used to this weather here...and we've been here for 20 years! It's raining for a few days, then it's 100 degrees the rest of the week...what gives? I'm not saying I don't like the hot weather, but when you don't have air conditioning and you only have 2 fans in the house...it gets pretty difficult to keep a 2 year old cool. So, we decided to do a few things outdoors this weekend...a few in which water was involved.

This weekend was the annual "Olympia Pet Parade". It's basically where parents help their kids dress up their animals (most of which were dogs this year) in which ever kind of costumes they like. A lot of people went with the Olympics theme this year. Some of these dogs were so funny...I have to share a few of the pics with you.

There were wiener dogs dressed as "Olympians"

"SOCCER DOGS"

"BALLERINA WIENER DOGS"

"PRINCESS DOGS"

"DUCK (?) DOGS"

There was one goat...

One rooster...

And my absolute favorite was this dog...I have a feeling this dog gets dressed up a lot by its owners...yes, that is a swimmers cap on it's head! It just sat there so perfectly...so funny!

After the parade, it was already 85 degrees (the parade got over at 10:45am). So, we stopped off at Starbucks for a little "cool-me-down". Bree loves the vanilla blended cremes.

Bree said she wanted to go swimming. So we decided to walk a little further downtown to the fountain across from The Oyster House. It was already packed with screaming, running, wet little ones! I wasn't sure how Bree would handle all the water splashing in her face, but she had a ball!

We both got a little wet...but it felt sooo good!

Later Saturday night, all Bree could talk about was swimming...so we told her we'd take her to the lake in the morning. Sunday, we headed off to Black Lake to go swimming. We went early enough so that it wasn't 100 degrees out and we wouldn't have to share the swimming area with tons of people. When we got there, we were the ONLY people...it was great. One thing I was nervous about was wether or not Bree would actually do better at getting in the water this time...if you remember my post a while ago about her not doing so well. She has taken 5 swim lessons since that post, so I thought she would do better today. She did EXCELLENT! Here are a few pics from today.

We really enjoyed the weather this weekend...despite the constant running of the fans, no A/C, and sweating...I hope it lasts!

Dag Gumit

2008-08-13T20:40:00.001-07:00

This post will not have any pictures in it...sorry, my fault. For those of you that don't know, my dad was remarried last Friday...08-08-08. He married his high school sweetheart, Janis Hill. Breanna and I flew down to Santa Cruz, CA for the big event. I obviously had planned on taking my camera, but I FORGOT IT! UGH! I was so upset! Of course, I could have gotten a disposable camera, but I am not too fond of them...guess I am more spoiled with the digital cameras. Needless to say, my plan was to take a ton of pics, come home, and blog all about it! Well...that's not gonna happen. So, I will just have to say, it was a beautiful ceremony shared with about 100 close friends and relatives. I will, in quite a few weeks, have some pictures available to share, but I have to wait for their professional photographer to upload them online first. Again, sorry for no pics to share...I am just as bummed! But I now have TWO new Step-sisters, a niece, a step-brother-in-law, and a new Step-mom...and I couldn't ask for better people! Thanks Janis, Amber, Lacey, Graham, and lil' Mycie for joining our family!

Lake Fair 2008

2008-07-18T20:09:00.000-07:00

We took Bree for her first Lake Fair trip on Wednesday. It has changed since I was there last. They have a little kids section at the end of all the "big kid" rides. There are a ton of games and little kid rides...but Bree was only tall enough to pass for the merry-go-round. I think she was probably OLD enough for them, just not quite tall enough! Maybe next year. She still had a blast...eating fair food, riding the ride, playing games with her dad (you get a prize even if you don't really win). Here are a few pics from the fair.

Family Day

2008-07-14T18:57:00.000-07:00

It has been so hot out lately as you all know, so the McGovern's set out for a fun family day of hiking and wading...well, sort of, in the lake.

We decided to take a hike on a new trail that was recommended to me by a co-worker. It is right out of our backyard practically. For those of you that know where the Evergreen State College is, this is where the trail starts.

(Please excuse the wonderful grafiti that has been plastered all over this sign)

We had the intention of taking this "little" hike (which ended up being 2 miles each way), all the way down to the water...not even thinking of when the tide would be out. But Bree was determined to get to the water!

The dogs loved being able to just run around, in and out, up and down the trails without a leash on...but they didn't like it so much when we got down to the water and realized...uh oh, the tide is out and there is too much mud to let the dogs run around. So, we turned ourselves around and headed back to the car. It was fun taking Bree for the hike though...she did need a little "pick me up" on the way back to the car...

So, we decided run teh dogs home and take Bree down to Black Lake. Now, mind you she hasn't been in the water before, except for the bathtub, so we were pretty much chancing it on whether or not she would like to swim.

The lake was absolutely perfect!

Except, this was about as far as Bree would let Daddy take her in the water without screaming!

Instead, she would rather spend her time going down the slide

Oh well, whatever floats your boat, right? Oh ya, Bree starts swim lessons on Monday! Wish me luck!

Flower Power

2008-07-12T20:09:00.000-07:00

So, for those of you that don't know, we moved a few weeks ago from Rochester to the West Side of Olympia. I felt it was about time to add some color to this house...it was pretty drab in front...and I love flowers! So I took a trip to Home Depot this afternoon while my planting partner (Bree) rested up.

Here are a few BEFORE pics:

And my planting partner...wondering when I am going to stop taking pictures and start planting flowers!

I remembered after accomplishing ONE of these, how much work this was last year when I did this at our old house! Bree was pretty helpful, in her own little way...flinging the drenched moss out of the bucket everywhere, landing on me of course! Wanting to dump the dirt in the planter whenever I did, but never actually getting the dirt IN the planter. Wiping her eyes with her dirt-filled planting gloves on, then screaming that "dirt in my eyes!" I think she realized after getting dirt in her eyes, that she would go ahead and let me handle the rest of the project...I didn't obejct to that. It was 90 degrees out and I wanted to get it done. Plus, I have a cold (yes, crazy when the weather is 90 degrees out, huh?) and bending over for more than 30 seconds resulted in snot dripping out of my nose...gross...well, maybe that helps fertilize the flowers? ha! ha!

Anyway, here are some pictures of our finished project

I had exactly 3 matching plants left over, guess I over-estimated the length of the planters when I was at Home Depot! But it worked our perfect because I had 3 matching plant pots sitting empty on my kitchen window...

Hope you all are enjoying this awesome weather we are having in the great NorthWest!

Happy 4th!

2008-07-06T08:23:00.000-07:00

I have to apologize. I have been totally lagging on posting my blogs these days. But I DO have an excuse...well sort of. We moved last weekend, (only from Rochester to the West side of Olympia) so I have been very busy packing, packing, loading U-Hauls, driving back and forth to the old house, unpacking, unpacking, and re-organizing. So I haven't really had much to post about. But now that there has been another holiday recently, I do have a few new pics to share. We didn't do much this year for the 4th of July. Bree and I went to the good 'ole Tumwater parade with Suz and Ryan. Then we pretty much just hung out at home. Nothing to spectacular. Maybe next year we'll do the whole fireworks show thing. I wanted to to go Tumwater Valley gold course where they put on a cool fireworks show, but we weren't really into keeping Bree up till midnight...I know, we are party poopers...but like I said, next year when she is a little older we'll do that. So, here are a few pics from the parade. Enjoy!

Me and Bree at the parade
Bree watching the parade
Suz and Ryan watching the parade with us
And our good friend, Corrine. She is part of the Drill Team Posse. She usually rides her horse, but being 6 months pregnant, maybe being on the "poop patrol" was a better idea.

Hope you all had a fun and safe 4th!

Father's Day

2008-06-16T20:22:00.000-07:00

<"The greatest gift I ever received was from God, and I call him Dad!"
~Anonymous

My two favorite dads!

My Dad was here from Tahoe this weekend. The four of us had a great time together!

We went out to eat...

"Papa-D" read books to Breanna...

We went to Super Saturday at Evergreen State College. We are always up for a good festival and people watching...

oh, and chip eating, as you can see!

AND, some MORE chips!

We went to the Farmer's Market...

And we cooked some super good shish-ka-bobs!

And, before "Papa-D" left this morning, we took some self-portraits.

Thanks Dad...I had a great time...hope your Father's Day with us was great! Miss you already!

FUN

2008-06-04T21:51:00.000-07:00

HERE'S A FUN LITTLE VIDEO FOR YA'LL

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

GARAGE SALE GURU

2008-06-02T20:30:00.000-07:00

I love garage sales, don't you? The part I don't love about them is having to put away things you didn't end up selling. Instead, I am taking most of it to the Good Will. So, ya, we had a garage sale this weekend. The weather was great for it too!

A few things I learned about having a garage sale:
1. Make sure you don't have all "girly" items...otherwise, you'll be called a "girl garage sale". (This advice came from a garage saler that stopped by)

2. Good idea to price things a little higher than you really want for it. Professional "garage salers" are quite the negotiators!

3. Don't let you neighbors next door try to sell their broken down cars to YOUR CUSTOMERS! ya, seriously, this happened! She came over and tried to get me to sell her THREE broken down cars to anyone that I could...she wanted $300 for each one! (no one bought any of them)

and 4. You have a GOOD garage sale if someone comes back FOUR, I repeat, FOUR times! Yes, my Mexican neighbor across the street came back 4 times in 2 days! He bought: 2 car seats, a port-a-crib, a TON of baby clothes, cable cords, a vaccuum, a printer, kitchen items...I seriously thought he wouldn't stop! He was my best customer! I think he spent a total of $130! SWEET! : )

Here are a few pics from the sale:

TIME TO GET RID OF "SOME" OF BREE'S CLOTHES

A VIEW OF THE SALE

ALL THE CLOTHES PILED IN A HEAP

MY "PIPPI LONGSTOCKING" (my mom did her hair)

BREE COUNTING THE CHANGE CUP FOR ME
(my mom was teaching her what a quarter, dime, nickle, and penny were...there were a few Chuck E. Cheese tokens in there which Bree called "Chuck-a-neese")

ONE OF THE MOST PRECIOUS THINGS I WILL EVER HAVE...BREANNA'S STOCKING CAP FROM THE HOSPITAL WHEN SHE WAS BORN...I FOUND IT IN ONE OF HER BINS OF CLOTHES. THIS IS ONE THING THAT WILL NEVER EVER EVER BE SOLD IN A GARAGE SALE! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT FITS ON MY FIST!

So, that about wraps up the sale! Oh, one more fun pic for you all...I just captured this pic a few minutes ago! ENJOY!

Trip to California

2008-05-23T18:57:00.000-07:00

So, I know, I know, I have been toatlly slacking on a new post. But finally, here you go.

Bree and I took a trip to Cali last weekend for my cousins wedding. It was so hot there, I don't know how those Californian's do it!! i don't think it got BELOW 105 the entire time we were there! Even Bree was saying it was "too warm!!" Good thing for A/C! Here are a few pics of our trip...

my big 2-year-old on the plane with her very own seat!

Breanna patiently waiting for the wedding to start...thank god for the playground at the park!

All set for the wedding to start!

Hangin' with Granny and Grampa

Bree's new 2nd cousin (this is who my cousin Ryan married)

Me hangin' with my dad

Then we spent Sunday and monday in Sacramento hangin' with my best friend, Marley, of 20 years!

Marley's little girl, Bella

And her other little cutie, Mayce

And, our two hour wait at the Sacramento Airport...on our way home

Bye Bye California!

HAPPY MOMMIE'S DAY!

2008-05-11T20:36:00.001-07:00

So what did everyone do for mother's day? Here are a few pics from our day.

First...I woke up to this on the kitchen counter.

A little play-dough project straight from the heart!

Next, I was surrounded by flowers (tulips of course!), and Bree's flowers she made for me at daycare...along with Mother's Day cards

Next, we took off for the Wooden Boat Festival downtown Olympia

except for the 40 mile an hour winds, it turned out to be a great day!

And, we wouldn't dare leave without playing for a bit on the slide...

That pretty much sums up our Mother's Day. Hope you all had a great one!

I love being a mommy, don't you?

FUN TIMES

2008-05-04T20:56:00.000-07:00

Not too much to share for this week. Just a few highlights from this weekend.

First, we did some running around with the dogs at home...

Then, Bree played "dress up" with Kona. She LOVES this game and Kona just sits there...too funny.

Yes, that is a washcloth and a coaster, but hey, it's "dress up" right?

Then, let's see, oh, we played "hair-do". Bree usually does my hair, but this time she wanted her hair done...she just kept on handing me those barrets, and I just kept putting them in...cute eh?

Then we headed up to some friends house in Tacoma where Bree and Logan (the son of a fellow blogger, and possibly Bree's future husband, or at least boyfriend, hee hee!) played baseball 2 feet infront of the big TV. It's okay, we learned that Logan swings the bat in slow motion...haven't you seen the movie "Sandlot"? They were so cute, it looks like Bree is just in "awe" of him in the picutre.

After baseball, they got full rein of all the toys at the house. And boy did they take avantage of that! Just ask my friend Suz!

Oh, and Bree only had about 42 chips that night...no wonder she didn't want a hot dog?

And my favorite part of the entire weekend...Bree picked tulips from the front yard for me...all by herself! Okay, maybe Brian helped her a little...but it was still cute!

So, another week has passed, and I am so not ready to start another Monday! How about you?

so simple

2008-04-26T21:02:00.000-07:00

Brian was away today in Bellingham on a mountain bike trip so Breanna and I had a "mother-daughter" day. It was so great! The weather couldn't have been any better either...finally! This weekend was Art Walk in downtown Olympia. We weren't too interested in looking at the art per se, we were more interested in "people watching". I have to tell you, Bree is becoming quite the trooper! She walked with me around the entire Capitol Lake! We did stop to "smell the flowers" at the park for a few minutes though. This is when I begun to realize what a gift I have and what a gift I have brought to this world. I think I took a million pictures of her picking these flowers...I just couldn't stop. I always imagine what is going through her head at such a young age. No worries, no fears. Just complete wonder, curiosity, imagination. So simple isn't it? These are deiniftely the days that I will cherrish for the rest of my life. And hopefully, when she is old enough to understand, I hope she feels the same way. Here are some snapshots I took today...

hair and eyes?

2008-04-25T19:06:00.000-07:00

So I just have to share with all of you girls...I have FINALLY found the absolutely positively BEST mascara there is! I tried to take a picture of my eye with it on, but as you can see I am not the greatest on self-portraits. I think I actually took a dozen pictures of my eye in the bathroom, and I decided I better settle on one I had taken already before I go blind by the flash.

The trick to this is you must curl your eyelashes BEFORE and AFTER you put the mascara on, some of you may say this is old news, but I have just learned this trick. I used to just curl them BEFORE, but it makes such a difference if you curl them AFTER as well.

This is the mascara...

2nd subject...my new haircut!

I actually have had this hair "cut" since January, but the bangs are new. I haven't had bangs since I think the 8th grade! They are so hard to get used to. It took me a long time this morning to do them...I forgot how! Hopefully it looks okay? What do you all think?

funny girl

2008-04-22T20:21:00.000-07:00

So...here I am, not knowing earlier today what to "blog" about. And suddenly, I am reminded of the funny little things that my sweet little girl does. Just thought I'd share 2 of them with you. One. She is DEFINITELY MY daughter. I have turned her into a Starbucks junkie at the very young age of 26 months!

No, she doesn't drink latte's...but she does know that Starbucks sign! Whenever we drive by Starbucks, she shouts out "mommy! Cookies!" She knows this place has cookies...how does she know that?

Two. Another little funny.

I caught her reading to the dogs from inside the house. The dogs were in trouble and had to stay outside because they ate a few of her chicken nuggets!

Oh, the cute things they do.

Not so exciting

2008-04-22T12:40:00.000-07:00

So my friends have been bugging me to update my blog...but I told them that nothing exciting has really been happening lately. Just going day to day with the normal stuff. We are looking forward though to our upcoming trip to California...Brian will be staying behind...first time we have had to pay full price for a plane ticket for Breanna! I have flown alone with her to Tahoe and back and she did excellent...hopefully this trip will be the same!

is spring REALLY here?

2008-04-12T19:55:00.000-07:00

Can you believe the weather today? We spent as much time as we could outdoors, just incase the forecast is correct for tomorrow (rain). Here are a few pics of what we did...

first, it was granny's b-day, so we met her for breakfast and had "cake-cakes" (pancakes)

Then we came home and picked up dad to go play on the very busy playground at Preist Point Park.

Swang on the swings

Took a hike down the trail to the beach

hiked up the hill with dad

Dad taught Bree how to write her name in the sand

Okay, well maybe we wrote it for her.

and the funnest part was, getting to eat mac n' cheese at the picnic table outside!

Hope you all took advantage of the warm weather today like we did!

rain? what rain?

2008-04-06T18:58:00.000-07:00

You know, sometimes you just have to say "oh, well!" Today we went to the Olympia Farmer's Market.

It was the first open weekend of the year. And...yes, you guessed it, it was raining. We still made the most of it though. We listened to the yodelling band, which Bree was so glued to.

We ate the usual "market lunch". Soba noodles, egg roll, chicken, and rice...Bree really seemed to take a liking to it this year!

And then, we finished it off with a gingerbread "princess".

Hope you all had a nice rainy Sunday!