New Pictures of Abby

These were taken at the Children's Museum in the Gateway. Alex and Abby really had a good time. Abby LOVED the helicopter, she wouldn't leave without a fight!

Tomorrow is July!

I can't believe tomorrow is the starting point of the last half of the year! The month of June has really flown by. Surprisingly, June started out especially cool. We didn't use our air-conditioning at all until about the 15th of the month; today being the 30th, well I am SO glad we have it. Today is supposed to reach 101 degrees; to quote Paris Hilton, "That's HOT!"

These last few weeks have been particularly busy. Mike had a business trip to Chicago (which was great, he was able to spend an evening with my brother and his family) during that time, Abby and I completely let our girlie side take over. We spent quite a few days hanging out at the pool. Abby has started to really enjoy swimming; between swimming in our pool and hanging out at the Bountiful Recreation Center we have had quite a bit of water time. We also reconnected with friends and went to lunch with them and also with family visiting from out-of-state, we had pedicures, watched Kung Fu Panda, and had a few shopping excursions. Our Desert Star Theater tickets were also last week so I went with friends to see the play. This was all just to keep us from missing Mike (wink, wink! :D) By the end of the week we were really ready to have Dad home.

In just five weeks, Mike will have completed his Associates Degree. He has really enjoyed this last term's classes. One in particular being American History. I think he was only 17 points shy of getting a perfect score out of the whole five weeks. His last paper, he had to write on a topic of history; how he would have changed the outcome. Mike wrote about the American Revolution and if our fore-fathers had tackled slavery then instead of waiting till the Civil War. Mike's professor noted on his paper that not only did he do what the assignment asked for, but that he had a terrific understanding of the Revolution.

After his Associates, he/we will only have about 14 more months till his Bachelors Degree is completed (He is full time, all year long). I can't wait!

I have accepted another job starting in the fall. I will be working at Mueller Park Junior High as the Resource Room Assistant for three hours, then I will be selling junk food to the student population during lunch. For those of you from Royal, I will be Linda Hebdon! :D (That makes me laugh. I would have never guessed growing up and in school that I would be getting that job!) This job is SO perfect for our schedule! Abby will be starting pre-school in the fall and our hours almost mirror themselves with exception to Fridays, she will need someone to watch her for those five hours. My commute is a straight shot up the hill, only a two minute trip... I am really excited!

Well, thats what's new for us! We have completely enjoyed our summer. It's been a great last couple of weeks!

Abby On The Phone

Many of you call the house and ask to speak with Abby. She usually does pretty well, but some days she seems preoccupied, like today. Ever wonder what a two year old is thinking? Well, so do we. Enjoy this little clip, I hope it doesn't make you tired!

The Bread Recipe

If you have read my blog lately, you are aware that I had an appointment with my kitchen to try a bread recipe that only takes an hour from beginning to end. Well, I had my appointment. Here is my report:

The recipe was surprisingly easy. It was true, beginning to end, only one hour. In the oven, my bread was beautiful! I couldn't believe I created something that masterful. I took it out of the oven and about 10 minutes later, my bread started to deflate. I could THEN believe I created something THAT beautiful :(( In talking to my mom, she explained that it wasn't my doing, but that I had a problem with the yeast in the recipe. (I didn't use the yeast brand that was suggested with the recipe, I am hoping next time it will be better!)

I only had a hand held mixer, so as I mixed I had a hard time getting the mixture to stay out of the motor. The recipe took its tole on my mixer. I did try and save it, but the mixer sadly, didn't make it.

My bread might not have looked as "pretty" as it did in the oven, but it really tasted wonderful! I think as soon as I get a "mixer" replacement (hopefully a Bosch, are you listening Mike?! :D), this recipe will be on regular rotation!

Did she just say Butt-ho**???

Thursday, Abby and I were reading a book... She skipped ahead a few pages and proudly pointed to the bubbles on the page and said, "Butt-ho**, Butt-ho**, Butt-ho**"... Several thoughts went through my head at that point: 1. I didn't know she knew that word. 2. I am SO proud of her and how smart she is. 3. Did she just say, "Butt-ho**?" 4. Okay, that's funny!

So being the best mom I know how (wink, wink), I called Mike and had Abby reiterate. It makes me laugh every time! By Friday Abby no longer said bubble on demand, so I had to give it a rest. Tonight I was surprised at how accommodating she was. Here is some of our exchange.