Abby sees the house!

Today we made one more trip up to Bakersfield before we return home to Tempe. We took Abby and Grandma Barbara. We went to the Design Center to pick out carpet, tile and counter tops and then went to the house. Windows and doors were taped up for painting. I snapped a few pictures so that you can see the evolution of our house. Abby was quite excited to see her room and ran all through the house. I can only imagine what it will look like when it is finished! Exciting times!

All of us at the bottom of the stairs.

Abby enjoying and exploring the new house--here she is in what will be the sink!

Future gymnast?

I thought we were in need of an Abby video and so here is one I took when we were house hunting. She loved the space in all of the open rooms and took advantage!

Incredible news!

A NEW HOME!!! A NEW HOME!!! Abby will have space to run and play!

Yes we did it. After many long, tiring days of looking for a home in Bakersfield with our wonderful realtor, Dee Oliver, we found a home we love! We are so excited. Abby has not seen it yet, but she will this week. It's actually not quite finished yet, but we've been inside and also toured the model home. It is 2,612 square feet, 2 stories, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms with a loft, parlor, formal dining, great room, etc. We get to choose the countertops and flooring this week. We did not plan on a new home, but the incentives they offered made it the right choice for us. We cannot wait for you to come and visit! The front is landscaped with grass, a few trees and roses. The back will need lots of work--uncle Brenty we need you! We also have a 9 acre park that is just around the corner. Here are some photos.

The front of the home--garage door not yet installed.
Floor plan.
I realize the model is not our home, but this way you can see what the inside might like some day in the future!
Parlor.
Formal dining.
Loft pictures (this is at the top of the stairs)
Drawing of the home.

4th of July Fun

Since the fourth of July was on a Sunday this year we did most of our celebrating on Saturday. We began at the Church for the 7 a.m. breakfast. A lot of people attended and we had a great time. We spent the rest of the day together! Sunday we went to Church and that evening enjoyed fireworks shot off by the city of Tempe (a 40 minute show) from our backyard. Here are some pictures.

Abby and friend Indi Lee.
The kids marched around with whistles at the breakfast and Abby had 2!
Mom and Abby outside of the Church.
Abby dressed up for Church on the 4th of July.
Abby watched fireworks while sporting her new princess pajamas.
On Monday July 5th Abby, Matt, and I went to her friend Brayden's second birthday party at the Inflatable Party Zone. I think the adults had more fun than the kids!
Matt and Abby climb up the slide.Matt and the other adults battled it out!
Matt raced in the obstacle course and won!
All of us at the party!
All the kids at the party--not enough room on the mat!
Pizza for everyone!

Beat Texas

You may recall that last year Nebraska played Texas in the conference championship game and won, until in an unprecedented move (not actually permitted in the conference rules) the refs put 00:01 back on the clock. With that one second Texas kicked a field goal, won, and went on to play in the national championship. Of course, the bad blood goes back years, perhaps since UT joined the Big 8 and it became the Big 12. They used their massive popular appeal to ramrod their agenda through the conference. The headquarters moved south to Texas, revenue sharing took an inequitable distribution that favored UT, and that university secured a home advantage for every conference title game. It is ugly. A few weeks ago, Nebraska walked out on the Texas and the patsies who gave into the Texans demands each year. Nebraska will play in the Big 10 beginning in 2011. So in Nebraska's final season with the Big 12 the University of Nebraska produced this video which seems to identify a single date of importance: Oct 10, 2010 - the day Nebraska plays Texas. The message is simple: Beat Texas.

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!