Jessica Kopp

Baby Fishies

This is Evan new favorite thing to do.......eating baby goldfish crackers in his high chair in my office. That exact combination make him so happy. His little legs start swinging and kicking as soon as he sees the package in my hand and don't stop the entire time.

Last week while I was working Evan decided he didn't like being clear down on the floor and started crying every time I sat him down. I was so frustrated. Usually he just rolls and laughs and play. I finally decided to pull his high chair into my office so he could be nice and tall and see everything that was going on. He loved it. I started by giving him toys, but they all just ended up on the floor immediately. He wasn't intersted in toys....he is a smart kid and knows the high chair means FOOD, so I pulled out the crackers. They were exactly what he wanted. 

Yes, the majority of them end up on the floor but they keep him entertained for hours. It is hilarious to watch him try to eat them, usually the only thing that makes into his mouth are his fingers.I looked over the other day and he had 4 fishies stuck to his face and not one had made it into his mouth yet, but he was just a smiling and reaching for more.

My new car

JUST KIDDING! 

This the nice 'little' rental car I've been driving around all week while my car is in the shop getting fixed. When we were in Park City a couple of weekends ago a HUGE icicle fell from the roof of the house and smashed in the roof and windshield of my car. We had to get the car towed home because it was undrivable and no one would fix the windshield on the weekend.

Abby thinks the H3 is fabulous and loves that she gets to ride around in her 'dream' car everyday. I have really enjoyed driving it and been impressed with the super tight turning radius. I will admit it has been a pain with the kids.....poor Sydney can't even get in and out and don't get me started with Evan and his car seat. The lady at the bank totally laughed out loud when I was hanging out the window trying to do a drive thru deposit at the bank.

My car is done and ready to be picked up today, so no more Hummer for me. Is it sad that I'm excited to get my 'MOM' car back and trade in the hip, cool car?

  

Abby LOVES new moon

She did it. She finally finished the book. All 563 pages. 

Months ago when the New Moon movie came out Abby started begging me take her to see it. She asked me about it all the time. To get her to leave me alone, I made her a deal. If she read the book....she could see the movie. At first she pouted and said that I was being totally unfair, but the next day she borrowed a copy from our neighbor and got to work reading it.

It took almost 5 months, but Friday night she finished the last chapter and immediately started looking at movie times. I told her I didn't even think it was in theaters anymore, and offered to buy it on dvd, but she wanted to see it on the big screen. She looked and looked and finally found it was showing for one last day at the dollar theater Movies 8 in Provo. 

Saturday afternoon Abby and I hit the matinee show. We had Milk Duds, a large popcorn, a giant Slurpee and a great time. She didn't take her eyes off the screen the entire time. She said it was better then she could have ever imagined and was glad she read the book first. She thought the book helped her understand the movie better, but she wished they hadn't left so much good stuff out. She then asked if we could go to a book store because she needs to get Eclipse and start reading. She wants to go to the first night of Eclipse....not the last. 

  

Evan: 8 Months Update

Here are couple of random shots we've taken of Evan over the past month. Look at all the fun we are having. Never a dull moment with this little guy. He is growing up so fast. I love discovering all the different parts of his little personality. Everyday is an adventure.

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Here are a few of his LIKES and DISLIKES right now:

- likes to sit in a high chair at restaurants and screams if you leave him in his car seat.

- when I get ready in the morning he likes to sit on the counter and eat my brushes and combs. 

- likes to jump, but doesn't like it when his sisters dress him up while jumping and tie bandanas on his head.

- likes to stand ALL THE TIME. Not very good at doing it on his own, but is getting good at standing at the edge of the couch.

- doesn't like it when people don't share food with him. If you are eating and he can see you....you have to share.

- doesn't like cold foods, especially cold fruit. 

- likes to hang out with his sisters. He could just watch them for hours.

- doesn't like mom to go away on trips, but likes her to hold him all day when she gets back.

- likes to take baths, but doesn't like being cold when he gets out.

- likes anything with lights and music, especially his new crib toy.

- doesn't like mom to wipe his nose. Starts turning his head back and forth when he sees a tissue coming.

- likes to roll around the floor, but doesn't like that he can't move forward yet.

- likes to play peek-a-boo with the curtains and his blankets.

- doesn't like to be left in a room alone, immediately starts fussing until some one comes back.

- doesn't like to snuggle and cuddle with anyone, especially at nap time.

Birthday Fun

Sydney had a great birthday. Thanks to everyone for the birthday visits, calls and presents. Sydney went to sleep with a huge grin on her face. She told me she wishes EVERYDAY was her birthday. 

Grandma and Grandpa Lasley came down on Wednesday and took Sydney to Build-a-Bear to spend her birthday money. She had a blast picking out a bright yellow chick and a very pretty pink dress for it. She even got to add a little button that makes it sing happy birthday to her.

Presents were the highlight of Sydney's birthday. She thought the books, earings, bedroom doorbell and Polly Pockets were great, but LOVES her Zuzu Pets and Zuzu Funhouse and Slide. The Funhouse and Slide are set up right in the middle of her room and the pets have been going nonstop. We've already had to replace the batteries once and I think they are ready to die again.

Just like she wanted we had green pancakes with bacon for dinner. I thought about taking a picture of the pancakes.....but they just look gross. But Syd loved them and that is all that mattered. For desert we had Dear Lizzy cupcakes with 'metal' sprinkles. They were gorgeous and tasted amazing.

I asked Syd a couple questions about herself right now.

    What do you want to be when you grow up? Mom

    If you had $100, what would you buy? Lots of stuffed animals (mainly bunnies)

    Favorite color: Green (between the green shirt, candle and pancakes, I bet that's not a surprise)

    Favorite thing to do: Play school, watch a movie, ski.

    Favorite outdoor activity: Jump on the trampoline

    Favorite food: Cupcakes

    Favorite cereal: Captain Crunch

    Favorite website: Typing practice site, Build-a-Bear World, ty.com

    Favorite ice cream flavor: All of them but MINT

    Favorite drink: Fanta Orange

    Favorite store: Build-a-Bear

    Favorite restaurant: McDonalds and In&Out Burger

    Favorite school subject: Writing time

    Favorite books: Ready Freddy

    Favorite TV show: Sponge Bob Square Pants

    Favorite Movie: Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure

    Favorite toy: Zuzu Pets and stuffed bunny.

 

Sydney Lou is 7

Today she .....

        jumped up and down and yelled I'm finally SEVEN

        is wearing her new green birthday shirt with sparkly cupcakes on it

        asked me to bring her lunch and eat it with her in the cafeteria

        skipped out the door to catch her carpool for school

        is excited for the birthday bag at school and handing out little treats to her friends

        is looking forward to opening presents and eating cupcakes

        finally gets to blow out her glittery 7 candle

        wants to eat green pancakes with bacon for dinner

  

Happy Birthday baby girl! We love you! Thanks for being a part of our family and bringing us such joy and happiness.

  

Hittin' the Slopes

This past weekend Derek's family came to town to enjoy the Greatest Snow on Earth. We had a blast. We stayed at an awesome house in the Canyon's Resort in Park City and spent 4 full days skiing, tubing, eating, sleigh riding, getting massages, swimming and shopping. Everyone is so spread out across the country (New York, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Utah) so it's a big deal when we can get EVERYONE together. 

     

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Abby & Syd

Abby started snowboarding last winter and was excited to show her aunts and uncles all her skills. She spent a couple days in lesson getting more confident on the mountain, but had fun hanging out with the adults on the last day.

Sydney decided to be super brave and try skiing. For a girl who hates being cold, I was impressed she was willing to give it a try. The first day she loved going up and down the Magic Carpet, but was excited for day 2 when she got to go up on the 'real' lift. Her instructor says she needs to work on her turns. Apparently pointing your skis toward the bottom of the hill and stopping with your butt are not US Ski Federation approved technique.

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Gorgoza Park

 

One afternoon we took a break from skiing and snowboarding and went tubing at Gorgoza Park. I'm a big fan of tubing that doesn't involve me hiking back up the mountain and at this place you just hook up your tube to get yanked back up the hill. The longer we stayed at the park, the more adventurous we got and ended up hooking 12 of our tubes together and going down as one big group. This was a great plan until I got pulled off my tube and had to dive head first back in with my feet kicking wildly in the air. I have some nice bruises, a snow rash on my chin, and thankfully no video to prove it ever happened.

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This last photo is what greeted us every time we walked in the front door of our house: shoes, coats, scarves, googles, poles, hats, boots and boot stink. It takes a lot of 'stuff' to get 17 people on the mountain and this is only about half of it. The garage was lined with skis and snowboards. I was amazed every morning we could actually find what we were looking for. Nothing like organized chaos.

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We haven't even been home a day and the girls are already talking about next time. Thanks Grandpa Kopp for such a fun family vacation.....we love you and can't wait to see you again.

Vancouver 2010: Part 4

I'm back home safe and sound. Got back on Sunday night. It was so nice to see my family and give them big hugs. It was also very nice to sleep in my GREAT BIG BED without a metal bar across my back. I'm not sure if he missed me the most or is just the best complainer but Evan hasn't let me put him down since I walked in the door.

I had an amazing time in Vancouver. Yes, I worked my butt off and have a lot of sore muscles, but I also got to discover another part of the world, eat great food, and experience the Olympics up close and personal.

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Here are a couple of final photos from the trip.

• This is a photo of my favorite Olympic Volunteer and me. I stood by him the first night handing out flyers and we spent the rest of the trip teasing each other. He kept giving me a hard time about how I had to stand around all day and he got to sit in a nice comfy chair. I thought it was perfect revenge that on the last day I found him standing in the pouring rain directing hockey fans. No more comfy chair for him.

• The photo on the right is from the back of the line of the Olympic Merchandise store. I couldn't believe I had to stand in line to just get into the store. Usually the line is about 60 to 90 minutes long, but we lucked out and got in around 20.

 

• These are just a couple of my favorite street signs. The first was projected up on a building and the wording switched from English to French. The other was a bus stop sign. I LOVE big type.

  

• Because the last medal ceremony was on Friday and our flight didn't leave until Sunday, we got Saturday to play. A couple of us headed to Granville Island. It was great to spend the day walking under the bridge along the waterfront. They had the most unique shops and amazing public market. I could have spent days there checking out all the local artist shops and enjoying the amazing food. I wish they had something like this closer to home.

• And I think it is only appropriate that my last shot from the trip is of my roomies. Tif, Derk, and Liz. We spent a lot of time together in a very small space and got along great. I just hope I didn't drive them crazy with all my talking.