Washington Fun

I feel terrible. Abby and I did make it to Washington and we've had a wonderful time, but I have not posted anything since we got here. Matt is probably so lonely and he hasn't even been able to see a picture of Abby. So I will make amends with less words and more pics. Here goes:

June 19 (Sunday): First, a few pics when we were at Matt's parents in California.
Abby chatting with Great Granny Ruth in her bedroom
Grandpa Roger with both grand kids eating ice cream.
Matt torturing his sister Heather--notice that her spouse does not mind at all!
June 20: Abby and Dex playing in the kitchen.
Abby is the best traveler and this time she had her own backpack to carry on the plane. She was very excited.
Eating pizza with Daddy before the flight.
On the flight in her own seat.
We arrived in WA on Monday the 20th and were able to quickly see my sister, Tiff and her family. Abby was so excited to see them and I even let her stay up late because they were having so much fun. My sister and brother-in-law Jeremiah have four wonderful kids: Brynley, Kylee, Kennedy and Caleb. The girls all slept underneath the basketball game in the playroom. Abby was keeping all of the girls awake with her endless energy and laughter. Her cousins are so much fun and she was sad when they left to go to a family reunion in Utah.
Brynley bathed Abby and brought her down the stairs in the towel.
June 21: Abby, Kennedy and Kylee
Lunch outside on the deck
Reading books
Jen feeding Caleb
Tiff ran errands and I helped the kids accomplish their list of chores. They did a great job and ended up with a surprise treat: slurpies!
Sleeping kids on the way to Grandma and Grandpa's.
When they arrived at Grandma and Grandpa's it was straight to the sprinkler.
Grandpa trying to figure out what Abby is doing--she hops on one foot all of the time.
Yummy barbecue
Tiff with Abby and Jen
After the cousins left Abby played with Kevin and Kylee--they live with my parents right now with their Mom, Wendie and are the greatest blessing.
June 22: taking Grandma to her infusion.
Dinner with Grandma and Grandpa and Happy Teriyaki: yum!
June 23: Nature Trail
Cuddling with Grandma
My sister-in-law Alix made a really cool quilt for my parents with the grandkids pictures on it.
They loved it.
June 24: helping Grandma with errands
Watching Grandpa bike home from work.
Jen's Chinese food (only egg rolls and fried rice)
June 25: met up with Grandpa and Uncle Jerry during their 90 mile bike ride training for the STP (Seattle to Portland bike ride)
Playing on playground after seeing Grandpa
Wrestling with Grandpa
June 26: My Dad and I played the organ for prelude and then performed our own arrangement of "How Great Thou Art." We took a piano solo and then made it into a duet. I love to play with my Dad and I think the congregation really enjoyed the music.

Sunday night we went up to my Aunt Christie and Uncle Jerry's for really yummy dinner.
Jerry ate with Abby up at the bar.
Christie and Abby and Jen.
Jen and Grandma Karen.
Super yummy homemade apple pie.
Well, that takes my through Sunday! I will catch up on the rest later--now it's way past time for bed and Abby will be up before I know it.
Your girls miss you and love you Mattie/Daddy!

Happy Father's Day

Well Abby and I were supposed to be in Washington already, but we hit a few snags along the way. So not we are flying to Washington tomorrow (Monday) and we are currently at the Garrett's enjoying Grandma, Grandpa and Granny Ruth. We are excited to fly out tomorrow! Abby is such an amazing traveler.

Happy Father's Day! I love Father's Day--a day to celebrate wonderful men that make such a difference in our lives. Today after Church Abby took a picture with two of her favorite men: Grandpa Roger (choo-choo Grandpa) and her Daddy. We appreciate all that Grandpa Roger does for us and Abby gets so excited to see him, especially when he takes her to see and ride trains.
We love you Grandpa Roger.
Here is picture of my amazing Dad. Did you know he is training to ride the Seattle to Portland, 200-mile bike ride! He is one of my heroes! My Dad has taught me and given me so much. My love for music began with watching him play the piano. He plays with such passion and is so good at passing that passion for music to all he encounters. He has over 12 private students right now and they aren't just piano! He can play so many instruments and I know he has blessed countless lives. None more than mine. I love you Daddy. Here is one of our very first pictures!
And another when Dad first met Abby!
Matt is the best father and husband. I could make a list of his many unbelievable characteristics, but I don't think anyone wants to read that long list. Let's just list a few highlights: he takes such good care of us, is so organized, gives his all to his calling, tackles any project he says he will do (the backyard is a perfect example), makes us all laugh, and so much more. I know more and more everyday that I married the very best man and cannot even begin to imagine my life without him. He is my greatest support and my very best friend. We love you Mattie (Daddy).
Last Sunday I snapped a few quick pics of Abby. She just always looks so cute and we had matching hair.
Sunday evening we invited our friends, the Henrie's over and had a wonderful time chatting with them over dinner. They are such wonderful people. Abby was in heaven playing with their youngest daughters. She got to eat at the kid table with them and them had a blast in the playroom. Abby did not want them to leave. Steve Henrie helped put in an electrical outlet above our kitchen cupboards and now we have a soft light to illuminate the nice things that will someday be up there. It will also make it wonderful during holidays when I can put up the Christmas lights and be able to easily turn them on and off. Thanks Steve!
Monday morning Abby and I had dentist appointments. It should be obvious from the picture below that Abby got a little upset and we decided to take her to a pediatric dentist later that will be much more comfortable and familiar with frightened children. She did watch me get my teeth cleaned and thought that was pretty cool, so I think it will go better when she tries again.
Abby did her last swimming class for a little while at least. We can now sign her up for dance classes and I think that is a better investment of time and money. Besides, we just cannot afford 3 classes! She dances all the time, so I think she will love it. We will keep her in gymnastics and dance when we return from Washington.
Abby doing push-ups at gymnastics--she was the only kid that could do them.
Tuesday night when Matt was teaching his night class I took Abby out to feed the fish that only eat late at night.
I noticed a large toad across the pond and took a picture so that Abby could find it and we could put it on the blog. We still need to name him!
I was also able to capture a picture of some of the fish!
One of our tomatoes and some jalapenos are actually ripe!
I finished another blanket and this time it is for my friend from high school, Lorien that just had a baby. She lives in Provo so I sent it to her this week. I love new babies!
Matt and Roger took Abby to something called Travel Town in L.A. on Saturday while I took care of some medical stuff. She had such a blast with all of the train stuff.
She cannot wait to go back.
This Sunday morning Abby helped Grandma Barbara put away silverware, wash dishes, and load dishes in the dishwasher. She is such a big help.
I want to express my gratitude for our friends and family. We are so fortunate to have such wonderful people in our lives. Especially in time of trial they are so full of encouragement and love. I appreciate all of the prayers that are uttered in our behalf and know that those prayers bring about great miracles in our lives.