What's Happening

Whew! Things have been busy around here. The 20th was my Birthday! Yay for me, I'm 21 again! Because my b-day was on a Sunday, my darling husband took me out for dinner on Saturday night. On Sunday afternoon he gave me my present - a lounge chair for our deck. It is so nice and comfortable.

Isn't she the perfect model?

The next week - I'm not really sure what all happened! Thursday night we had our Kids' Night Out. Once a month my husband and I babysit for the children at the church to give the parents an opportunity to have a date. The children found some dress-up things and had a great time together. I'm not sure what they're doing in this photo, but they seem to be enjoying themselves.

Saturday we had a garage bake sale at the church. We were able to raise just over $360 for the church. I was able to bake 5 mini pumpkin breads, 30 apple-cinnamon mini muffins, 36 iced sugar cookies, and 38 iced cupcakes. At the end of the sale there were 6 cupcakes and 6 sugar cookies left. In my head I thought, "Yes! I'll use this for Sunday school tomorrow." Then someone came and wanted to buy all the baked goods that were left! Well, I went home and baked some more for Sunday school. I teach the teen girls and the last Sunday of each month I bring in some baking. They all love it. So, Saturday night I made a loaf of pumpkin bread and a loaf of coconut bread. Abby helped with the coconut and we had lots of fun together. I wish I had thought to take a picture.

Sunday was a great day at church. Our attendance has been down, but this Sunday we had 86 people in church. We had one first-time visitor, and 2 others who had visited once before and decided to come back. It was awesome to look over the auditorium and see so many people. You could tell everyone was excited by how they sang. Everyone seemed to just sing-out. It was a great day.

So far this week has been a bit slower. We've been having fun just being at home. Here are some pictures I thought you all (my Mom) would enjoy. :)

On her bike she got from Nana for Christmas.

Can you tell she loves her Daddy?

She's been standing up more and walking around the furniture.

I love my Abby-girl!

Abby's Birthday

Well, I'm back! This poor blog has been so neglected. Lots of things going on that prevented me keeping up - crashed computer, no computer, limited computer usage, travelling overseas, etc. . . . I'm back now and don't know quite where to start, so I'll start with yesterday. Why yesterday? It was Abby's first Birthday. I can't believe she is a year old. The time has just flown by. Maybe some other time I'll catch up on other things that have been happening around here, but for now, the party!

We started the evening with presents! YAY!!! She was so spoiled by all of our friends. The first present she opened was a little doll with a bathtub and rubber ducky. She held on to that duck almost the whole night! The only time I think she put it down was when she was eating her cake!

We had cake and ice cream outside on the porch. Yes, it's still summer here - well, autumn actually, but the weather was perfect for being outside. I decorated with a butterfly theme. That is what her room is decorated in and what her baby shower decorations were, so instead of buying new I reused.

She even had a butterfly cake - sort of. I found a similar cake on-line and copied their idea.

Who looks more excited here? Abby or the crazy parents?

And just for my brothers and sisters . . .

. . . we let her have her own cupcake with lots of icing. Are you happy now?

Here we are with the Birthday girl. All that partying makes you sleepy. Look, she still has the rubber ducky! Thanks to Uncle Levi and Auntie Rachel for the dress!

Here's one Nick took today. I went out to the garden to get some carrots for tea and Abby came along to "help." I went to check on the zucchini plants and when I turned around this is what I saw.

Yum!!! Gotta get your fiber in somehow!

This past year has gone by so fast, but it's been so much fun with at little one. Abby is such a blessing and a joy to have around. We love you, Abby-girl!