Temple Trip

Matt and I were able to go do a session at the Mesa Temple recently and I new when I stepped onto the grounds that I wanted to bring Abby. So today Abby and I visited the temple. We walked around and of course she wanted to touch the water (I let her--just once!). After starting to melt from the heat (it got so hot that the rubber band in Abby's hair melted/broke) we went inside the Visitor's Center and I followed her wherever she wanted to walk. She constantly identified "Jesus" whenever she saw his picture. Then we saw the large Christus statue at the back of the Visitor's Center and she just stared from a distance. I think she was a little taken back by the large stature and did not want to get too close by herself. When I got down to her level, pointed to the statue and said, "Who is that?" she responded in a whisper, "Jesus." I then asked, "Does He love you?" she excitedly replied "Yes!" with big eyes, a smile and a nod. My heart melted and I prevented myself from tearing up. What a sweetheart. We also watched a short video--just the two of us in a small room with a couch. She had her fruit snacks and milk and we sat on the couch together. What a nice way to spend the morning.

Photos from California

When we were in California one of Heather's (Matt's sister) friends took some photos for us at a park. Here are some of our favorites.

Summer Fun!

We love summer! We are having so much fun and thought we would share a little of it with you. It is hot in Arizona as you would expect so if we are outside we are usually in the water! We also find creative things to do inside as you will see. Have fun with the photos. By the way, if you didn't know, you can print your blog! We just printed 2008 and 2009. You have to do some rearranging, but it doesn't take too long. You just go to a site called "blurb." It's a great journal!

Here is Abby in her small kiddie pool in our yard. We usually practice throwing the ball while she is in the pool!

On Saturday June 19th Matt, Abby and I went to the Chandler Mall because there is a train you can ride that goes through the bottom floor of the mall. We also played in the play area and found the cutest dog. I'm not much of a dog person, but this one was adorable--a Mini Australian Shepherd. I have a feeling when we get a house in Bakersfield we will end up with a dog!
Our friends Janine, Richard, Tray and Ivy Jones took us to a place called Bahama Bucks after I helped Janine prepare for her upcoming musical number in Sacrament meeting (which was great by the way). It is a combination of shaved ice and ice cream--sounds weird?--you have to try it! I want some now! (Warning: it will turn your tongue fun colors!)

We have been enjoying friends every Sunday after Church and on the 20th we invited Paul, Carly and Adelaide Aylworth over for dinner. Adelaide is learning to crawl and can get around pretty well now. She and Abby played on the floor. Paul also like to make Abby laugh, so he turned her upside down. She obviously loved it!
Abby's first time with corn on the cob! I usually cut off the corn for her, but she wanted my piece so I gave it to her. She proceeded to finish it off for me!
I already posted pictures of Abby's dance class, so I won't post more, but I thought the picture of Abby and her friend Indy holding hands after dance class was priceless! We are going to enroll for another 4 week dance class because Abby really enjoyed it and it only costs $12.
Thursday the 24th we swam for playgroup. Natalie came along and swam with Abby! Abby practiced jumping in and learning to swim. Thanks Nat!
Friday the 25th I met with some friends and one of the ASU voice teachers--David Britton for lunch at Wildflower in the Chandler Mall. Yes, that meant a train ride again! Each of us have taken voice lessons or played for voice lessons with David Britton, so we looked at pictures and talked and laughed. We all have kids now so it made it a little crazy!
Sadie & Lyndsey, Joseph & Sara, Ginger & Tiffany, Tiff's son & David, Abby & Jen
Abby talks to Lyndsey--doesn't she look like a little girl, just talking away to someone!
I am making a t-shirt quilt of all of our old t-shirts that we cannot bear to throw away. On Saturday the 26th while I was cutting the t-shirts into squares Matt grabbed one of his old t-shirts that I already cut the front off and turned it into a cape for Abby. She loves to run around and fly!
Abby loves to use the laptop from the Shakespeare's as a way to play music she can dance to. She also loves to come up to Matt and I and pat us and say "watch, watch" until we commit to watch!

Tribute To Dad's

Happy Father's Day to all of the wonderful father's out there. Matt and I are so very grateful for our Dad's. They have taught us so much and we love them and hope they know that. We especially appreciate all of their love and encouragement.
Abby also wants everyone to know that she has the best Daddy in the world. Her favorite things to do with Daddy include: riding bikes, eating chocolate pudding, getting thrown in the air, watching college football, making baskets, throwing balls, flying with a cape on, swimming, riding choo choo trains, picnics in the kitchen, sleeping on his shoulder, and much more. Here are some pictures of Matt and Abby.

Abby's dance class

Abby enjoys doing a lot of things and one of them is dancing. If music comes on she is either dancing or conducting or doing some sort of hybrid of the two. So we thought we should enroll her in a dance class. I found one in Mesa taught by a friend and told some of her play group friends about it. So Abby gets to dance with some of her cute friends which makes it even better. The dance class is a "Mommy and me" dance class since the kids are all ages 2-4. Sometimes I think the Mommy's do all of the work as we not only try to follow "Teacher Sara" and try to keep track of our beautiful girls! We love it! Here are some wonderful pictures showing off Abby's new skills and her pretty pink leotard!

Before we left for dance class I tried to take a picture of Abby in her new leotard and she kept running at the camera!
I did get her to pose right before we left!
Abby and Lucy before dance class begins.
Abby's dance class.
Abby with the scarf.
Abby with the hula hoop.
Here is a video of Abby dancing with her scarf. At the end she puts it on like a cape and that really is what she is thinking. She often brings us her "baby" (blanket from Aunt Christie) and wants us to put it on her like a cape so that she can fly!

Life goes by so quickly. . .

During my freshman year of college at BYU I was fortunate enough to meet the most wonderful people. We had countless adventures and I think about my friends so often. Unfortunately we are spread across the country. Luckily, there is one in Arizona with us! Wade is one of the most genuinely wonderful and sincere people you will ever meet and he managed to find a wife (Jen) that is the exact same way. They now have 4 amazing boys and the oldest, Kevan was baptized last Saturday, June 12th. They invited us to go to the baptism and we decided we couldn't miss it! It is just hard to believe that my unforgettable long-time friends now have children old enough to be baptized! Where has the time gone? I am so happy we were able to go and hope Wade and Jen know that we think the world of them. Here is a picture of Wade's whole family and one following of Wade, Jen, some of his boys and us.

Alvin Greene for the Senate!

Okay South Carolina, I know some of you were asleep at the wheel and did not vote in the primaries. Fortunately, your Democrat registered friends did, and they nominated (by a landslide) Alvin Greene to represent the party in the general election. Lets take a look at this gentlemen's well thought out candidacy and try not to question where he got the $10,000 to put his name on the ticket.

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.