Brynley comes to visit!

Our oldest niece (my sister's oldest daughter) Brynley is absolutely wonderful. We asked if she could come out about and see us by herself about 2 years ago and she actually did it this year (she is 9 now)! She got on a plane in Washington state and flew all the way to Los Angeles where we picked her up. Then we played (and boy did we play), then drove back to Arizona, and she flew back to Washington. Abby absolutely loves Brynley and was the best behaved when she was with us. She really does need a sibling! Thanks Brynley for being the best cousin and niece ever. We want you to be with us all of the time!

We began our adventures at Knott's Berry Farm with Brynley and Matt's family. We rode quite a few daring roller coasters! If you haven't tried the "Accelerator" you must. But be prepared--it's the fastest roller coaster Matt and I have ever been on. Brynley chose to sit that one out which was probably wise. But Barbara (Matt's Mom) rode it with us. She's crazy!
More trains. . . .
Abby made Brynley carry her almost everywhere!
After a full, long day at the park Brynley was still up for entertaining!
The next day: DISNEYLAND!
After we parked and started down the escalator to the trams to take us to Disneyland Matt received a phone call from the president of Bakersfield College. He did not expect to get this job, but the president offered it to him right there. He was very excited and Disneyland really was the "happiest place on earth!"
After first riding the train around Disneyland we saw Minnie Mouse!

1. Then it was straight to the castle and Fantasy Land.We decided to celebrate Matt's good news with some Mickey Mouse ice cream. It was the most solidly frozen ice cream bar I think I've ever eaten. You can tell by Abby's expression!This is Brynley before we went on Small World which was one of Abby's favorite rides!

We found out there is now a Pixie Hollow where you can meet Tinkerbell and other fairies, so we stopped in to see her. But Abby was a little bit shy.
The Jungle Cruise was another of Abby's favorite things in Disneyland.

She also enjoyed the parade and Mickey and Minnie stopped right in front of us!
Our next adventure was at a place called Adventure City. It had rides the perfect size for Abby and even included a petting zoo. We once again rode the train! She also liked the cars on the track and kept saying "again!"
The next day Matt's whole family went to the Strawberry Festival. It was much warmer than we expected, but we rode a few rides, looked at booths, and ate excellent corn, hot dogs and strawberries!
Heather and Brandon!
After a long hot day at a city fair Brynley decided the pool sounded great! Unfortunately it is only heated by the sun and the sun hasn't warmed up the pool quite enough yet!Heather, Dexter, Matt and Barbara by the pool.Abby's quiet book for Church made by Aunt Heather. Thanks Auntie!Cousins--Dexter and Abby!
Ready for Church.
The drive home.
Side walk chalk friends!
Dinner outside!Bye-Bye cousin Brynley. . . .we love you.
Please come back soon.

The end of some things and the beginning of others!

Abby loves having a lot of people around and after all of our family left, Matt traveled to do some job interviews and it was up to me to provide great entertainment! It was so awesome to have school over and be able to do it! We had all kinds of fun at the library, parks, walks, exercising, coloring, side-walk chalk, and much more. But her favorite part of the week was going to a park with one of her favorite people--Natalie Taysom, "Nanny" and seeing ducks, turtles, and swimming in a stream!
Anyone that knows Abby is aware of her lack of interest in food. Eating in a chair takes time away from playing, so we often have to coax her into eating. But my Mom boughtt her a Minnie and Mickey plate and she begged to use it and then ate food willingly! We will see if that continues! Thanks Grandma!I began directing the Arizona Deseret Choir in the fall of 2008 and we finished our 2009-2010 season with a performance at the Tempe Stake Center at the end of May. They have improved so much over the course of 2 years and I love them dearly. I was sad to see the season end.
I was also sad to see Seminary come to a close. I enjoyed teaching Seminary more than I can say this past year and hope I get the opportunity in the future. We had a fun closing social in our backyard. Matt barbecued hamburgers and everyone made smore's!

Simply more fun!

We had a great time while family was here for graduation and here are even more examples.

Abby loves to swim and asks everyday to go
"swimming-swimming!"

Abby also has a thing for trains which she calls "choo-choos."
We found a train park and Abby was very excited.
Here you can see the path of the train.

On the train with Grandma's and Grandpa's.

Abby and "choo-choo" Grandpa!

Friday night before people began to go back home we showed an outdoor movie. We borrowed a projector from our friends and Matt set the whole thing up. We watched "Avatar." We also ate dinner and ate smores! It was unforgettable and I want to do it again!

And just some candid shots.
Here is Matt with Caleb and Abby.

Grandpa Mark playing the piano with Caleb on his lap.
Caleb loved it until he started slipping down!

Tiff and Jen after Tiff cut and styled Jen's hair!
I love our family!!!