Concert

Steve's cousins Ron and Laura and their daughter Joy came to visit a few weeks ago.  Abbie and Joy loved dressing up like princesses and putting on a show for us.  Joy would play the guitar and Abbie would sing.  The were so cute and we all enjoyed all of the concerts!!

Father's Day (2 months late)

We celebrated Father's Day 2 months late this year.  Which is pretty typical of our family.  Too much going on to actually celebrate the special day on the special day!!  Father's Day was June 20 with was also - Abbie's birthday, first day of VBS (I was the director), and our good bye reception at Avenue.  We actually told Abbie it was her birthday on June 19 because we could not celebrate it on the 20th either.  So after 2 months of patient waiting, we finally celebrated Father's day!  The fun part was Steve did not know we were celebrating that day so he was quite suprised when he got home from work.  I cut most of the lawn for him and we cooked dinner for him.  Then we gave him his present - a fire ring.  We have enjoyed a few family fires since then.  Abbie loves them and asks when the next family fire will be.  She loves eating the graham crackers, marshmellows, and chocolate but likes them each by themselves.  She does not like a smore.  The best part of the fire ring is just hanging out in the backyard talking and watching the stars!  Hopefully we get in a few more fires before Winter hits. 

Sesame Place

Last week, we took a family trip to Sesame Place.  I had not been there in about 25 years. 
Overall, we had a great day!  We enjoyed 2 shows and the character parade.  Abbie loved seeing all of the characters as long as they did not get too close to her!  We spent most of the day in the dry rides part.  Abbie loved the carousel and flying fish ride!  She did a great job climbing the ropes course (better than her daddy did).  Steve got to ride all the rides with Abbie since I was pregrant.  I did have the pleasure of riding the carousel ride 3 times.  We went to the water rides for awhile but they were crazy.  We were at count's castle and I was able to go insane - kids everywhere, cold water falling all over you.  I could only take about 20 min.  Luckily, I was able to convince my family to move on to the lazy river - Much more peaceful!!!
I am sure we will be back there in about 2 years!!  

Roller Skating

Abbie went roller skating for the first time yesterday!  It was her friends 5th birthday party.  Abbie was very excited to roller skate.  Abbie did great on skates.  Luckily her wheels barely spun.  Within 30 min, Abbie was skating all by herself.  She thought it was funny to fall down and have to get back up.  Although we went 2 mph around the rink we had a blast.  And mom got an idea for Christmas!  Roller skating in the garage will be great especially in the Winter! 

Hope UMC

On July 1st, our family took a big step and change and left Avenue UMC and went to Hope UMC.  After 9 years at Avenue it was very hard to say good bye to so many friends.  We went trusting God was in control.  Hope is a much smaller church than Avenue.  It averages about 1/4 the attendance of Avenue on a Sunday.  However, we are beginning to feel right at home at Hope UMC.  It was tough to explain to Abbie that we were listening to God and leaving our old church and going to our new church.  After our first night of VBS Abbie told her daycare provider that her mom and dad have a new church but it is not her church.  Luckily,  this church has lots of young families with children the same age as Abbie.  Abbie has adjusted well and has made some new friends.  Abbie now calls Hope her new church!!  I am sure Abbie will come to love Hope UMC just as much as she loved Avenue UMC.   We are excited to Sunday School to begin in the fall so Abbie can continue to build new friendships witht he children at Hope UMC.   

Yard Work

Steve and I needed to do some much needed yard work on a Saturday morning.  Steve was cutting the grass and I was pulling weeds and trimming bushes.  Abbie was looking for something to do so I gave her a waterbottle and told her to go water the trees.  She loved it and spent 45 min. just spraying trees and bushes.  My neighbors thought I was nuts but we got our yard work finished and Abbie had a blast!

Vacation

In July we went to Massanutten, VA for a week of vacation with my family.  We had a great time.  Abbie loved swimming in the big pool each day.  She enjoyed playing bingo, minature golf, and the petting zoo. The highlight of the pool was learning to jump in and laying on a lounge chair eating Dora fruit snacks and drinking Capri Suns (things mom never buys).   I think the best part of the whole vacation for her was having the attention of her grandparents, 2 aunts, and 1 uncle.  She loved all the people to play with and entertain!