Jessica Kopp

Today is my birthday. . . . .

Happy Birthday to ME! 

Today is my 31st birthday. I was super excited to turn 30, not sure yet what I think about 31. Hopefully I'm getting wiser as I'm getting older. I'll keep you posted. 

Last year I made a list of 30 things I wanted to do while I was 30 and as I read through it this week I was surprised at how much I had actually accomplished. Sure there are still things I'm working on, but for the most part, my 30th year was pretty good. I had a baby. Went on some trips. Spent time with my family. Took some classes. Read some books. Laughed a lot. Smiled a lot. Loved a lot. Lots of good times. Great memories.

Can't wait to see what this year holds. Any predications?

2 out of 3

August 17, 2009

Last week I took 2 of my little people, Sydney and Evan, to the doctor. I'm happy to report that everyone is happy, healthy and growing nicely. Both of them ended up having to get shots, but Evan sure handled it better then his sister. Poor Syd only had to get a flu shot but she was crying and whining and freaking out. Evan cried for a second and then went back to scowling. (Boys really are easier and less drama.)

 

Evan: 2 months

• 23.5 inches long (75%)

• 11 lbs. 2 oz. (50%)

• 38.5 cm. head measurement (25%)

 

Sydney: 6 1/2 years

• 43 lbs. (25%)

• 46.6 inches tall (50%)

 

Don't worry, Abby doesn't get to miss out on all the fun. She gets to go this week and I'll let  you know how she handles her shot.

 

Mommy Homework

I'm taking a photography class and Abby helped me with my homework. 

She is so beautiful and silly.

I love the hat.

Derek loves the hat.

Abby and Sydney love the hat.

Evan.........not a huge fan.

I promise he was smiling when I went to get my camera, but this is what I came back to. He had a total attitude adjustment in under 15 seconds. He went from smiley to truly ticked off. And it just got worse when I started laughing and taking pictures and not picking him up. 

But don't you agree, that is the perfect face for the monster hat? Little monsters don't smile, they scream!

Donut Falls

With so much family in town for Labor Day, we thought it would be fun to do a little family hike. We headed to Donut Falls up Big Cottonwood Canyon. It was a perfect hike for everyone. Not to long. Not to steep. Very beautiful. 

Even thought we got off to a rough start (driving, parking, pottying), I think everyone ended up having a wonderful day. It was great being together in the mountains. Everyone made it to the bottom of the falls, and Derek, Johnny, Rob and Abby even climbed to the very top where the water goes through the 'donut' hole in the rocks. 

My dad was a happy hiker with his ipod and my mom made sure Evan stayed out of the sun and was nice and full.

Melissa and Rob braved the mountain with their 3 little kids. Jude did get a little tired, but my dad was there to give him a little ride. Derek's brother Johnny and his wife Sierra have lived in Utah for about 2 months and this was their first time up the canyon. Hopefully not their last.

Abby and Sydney were in heaven with so many grandparents around. And we all loved getting to know David, Derek's mom's fiance, better. 

I'm so glad everyone came along on our little adventure. I don't think we had too many blisters, scraped knees or sunburned noses. We did loose Abby for about 15 minutes, but that's pretty standard for us. 

We're already looking for the perfect hike for next time.

 

Evan's Special Day

Last Sunday was a very special day for our family. Surrounded by family, friends and neighbors, Derek blessed Evan in Sacrament Meeting. The blessing was beautiful. Derek has a way with words and said the most wonderful things about our son. I will never forget the sweet spirit in the room. Evan was a complete angel through it all. There wasn't any crying or complaining all day as he was loved and kissed and passed from one person to the next. 

Evan is named after two wonderful men, my dad and my brother. David is my dad's name and also my brother's middle name. I loved that Evan was able to wear Steven's blessing shoes. My mom has kept the shoes we were blessed in and I'm so glad she did. It was very special for me to have Steven as part of the blessing. And even after 27 years they are still super stylin'.

 

Here are some family photos we took after the blessing. We love both our families very much and are grateful for all they do for us. We are very blessed to have their love and support. 

And just in case you were wondering....it wasn't planned for all of us to wear green. Good taste runs in the family.

 

Labor Day Weekend

We had a crazy, busy weekend. And loved every second of it. 

We had family around the whole time. It was amazing. I took tons of pictures and have tons of fun times to share, but right now I'm still trying to get caught up on everything else. I will post later in the week about Evan's blessing and hiking and partying and eating, but right now enjoy one of my new favorite photos. 

 

Photo Friday

I'm sorry but I can not get enough of this kid (and I take a lot of pictures of him.) He looks absolutely adorable doing everything, including drooling and sneezing.

First Smiles

August 30, 2009

From serious to smiles.

I'm trying to not take it personally, but he ALWAYS smiles at Derek and never at me. What is deal with that? Doesn't he realize where the food is coming from?  But doesn't that smile just melt your heart?

Party Time

Last Friday Abby had her birthday party at Momentum Climbing in Sandy. It was the PERFECT party for Abby. It involved a live snake and reptile show, followed by rock wall climbing. 

The reptile show was a complete surprise to Abby. She knew nothing about it and I wish I had a picture of the look on her face when the lady walked around the corner with the HUGE snake. She was in heaven. The kids learned tons of interesting facts about the animals and then got to hold a couple of snakes at the end.

The kids LOVED the rock wall climbing. At first they would only go about 1/3 of the way up and then want to come back down, but by the end of the night all of them had climbed to the top several times. Even though Abby had never been rock climbing, she was a natural. She had no fear and can't wait until she gets to go back again.