preview

i had a chance of a lifetime…

more to come!

tales to be told…

abi is in this really funny stage lately. she has been cracking us up with her witty and intellectual comments. here are some of the latest and greatest...

abi and i ventured to the library this week. as we were lost in the books on tape i suddenly heard, “bye mama"! from around the corner. abi had found the elevator and was taking herself to the children’s books! i dashed up the stairs next to the elevator and caught her just as the doors opened. thankfully it is a slow elevator! we were done with the library for the day.

abi is a really adventurous girl. i find her climbing on things and pushing her limits all the time. since i have vowed not to be a helicopter parent, i try to just say, “abi, be careful please.” this has paid off to my delight. now, when abi finds herself doing something she knows she is pushing safety for (like climbing on the table or trying to touch the water in a pond), i have heard her, “abi, be careful.” now that is all worth it. all i have to say is, “yeah, that’s right.”

 

abi showing me her bubbles as she takes a bath in the kitchen sink.

last night we were off to a friend’s house to play rock band. what a delightful night! josh’s house has a built in rock band room, fully equipped with black lights, strobe lights, rock band murals on the wall… the whole shebang.anyway, as we were driving over to the party, abi was playing with a deflated balloon in the car. she kept dropping it and would then ask me to pick it up for her. this became a game. not fun to me. so i told her that next time she dropped it i wasn’t going to pick it up. she dropped it and then asked me to get it. as an very good parent, i said nope. she then proceeds to say, “dada, pick up my balloon please?” smart cookie there. already going to the other parent. the worst part… dan gave in! at the stop light he got it for her. oh we’re in for it now!

abi got her fingernails cut tonight. she noticed a small hangnail off of one of her nails. she says, “owie” and then tried to pick it off. then proceeded to let me know that it was my turn. that is, abi’s turn to pick off my owies. after picking at all of mine, she wanted dad to have a turn. she looks at his nails and says, “gross. dirt.” dan had dirt under his nails and she wouldn’t have anything to do with them. “all done” she says, and gets off my lap.

 

abi at school with me last week. she wanted to take my picture with her camera from aunt jenny. “cheese” she said as i snapped this shot. she was a good girl playing by herself while i practiced dance.

church stories…

we attended church on byu campus today because dan’s brother chase was ordained an elder. in sacrament meeting in a student ward… dead silence rules. it was so overly quiet... but abi wasn’t. she proceeds to let dan know she sees the deacons passing the sacrament. “look dada, deacons! look!” no deacons were there, but she has the right idea.

then a few minutes later, she finds a toy truck in my bag. she cranks her hand back and chucks the truck! horror struck my insides as it headed straight for the guys head in front of us (this room has stadium seating). thankfully it hit the chair… but in a quiet sacrament meeting, during the sacrament… it was like a boulder came crashing through the roof. it didn’t help that dan’s family all lost it in giggles and caused abi to act out.

then a few minutes later during the prayers on the water. abi had some finger puppets out. one a squid and one an elephant. she grabs the elephant and says, “fold,” and proceeds to fold the trunk of the elephant and then says, “father, thank you, day. thank you, sacrament. jesus. amen.” then says, “good job” and pats the elephant. oh gosh…

  

abi at the tanner building this morning. in which she was saying, “be careful” to herself.

Note to self...

Good afternoon. Your house plant is dead. Your floor is a mess. You failed to notice your bank account was over drafted. I threw in some rain for you and added a sink overflowing with dirty dishes. Why don't you stress about school starting up again in 4 days and team tryouts that morning too? A new dance partner, an old one who you haven't practiced with. The bowl of chocolate that is almost gone and a insurance payment that is twice what you thought. You need a haircut, and so does your hubby and daughter. Your body is falling apart, so make those 3 doctor appointments and find time for them. Try getting rid of those nasty diapers on the stairs and doing 8 loads of laundry today. Let's give you more stress about finding a babysitter for each instance that you are required to be gone. After all this, maybe your daughter will behave and you will be able to function like a proper adult with immaculate patience and grace.
Good luck. Sincerely...

wish i could post them all…

on tuesday we went to my ballroom company closing social. it a wonderful night! i loved getting dressed up, of course. but most of all, i loved laughing and being with those friends of mine who hold some of my best memories. i have been so blessed to be on the company.

my hot date! i have to say that this is SUCH a stunning photo.

 

josh cluff and me – we have been on team together for the year, but really didn’t get to know each other until the past two weeks. we have some great times ahead of us as he is going to be my smooth and latin partner. 

 

the thomas family. i have two brothers in-law on the company as well.

 

chase didn’t know it was coming for him. dan was in full swing.

katie campbell and me. this is cam’s dance partner.

 

mike foncannon and me… he is the greatest rhythm dancer in the company!

 

some of my favorite girls – claire, courtney, caitly, and clarissa

lance evanson and myself. we were in latin together back in ‘06. now he is going to be on the tour team next year

 

the group who sat at our table

 

my favorite girls ever! Lauren and Kellie are fabulous… we wanted a full body shot :)

 

cameron and I were voted the best dressed of the company throughout the semester. this was such a compliment!

 

miriam and myself. she is the most adorable, talented girl. you should hear her sing! she writes songs like it is nothing! love her!

 

and of course, my abigail. look at this beautiful thing.