Independence Day

We were lucky enough to get to spend July 4 with the Allen family and Jared's brother Neil and his wife Becky and their kids.  We had such a blast!  We went to the parade, had our traditional water fight, ate too much food at our barbeque and then stayed up way too late watching fireworks.  All in all it was an awesome day!

Turning 12 Rocks!

July 3, little miss Abby turned 12.  Turning 12 is a big deal!  Among other things, she was so excited to say good bye to Primary and hello to Young Women's at our church.  She also was hoping to receive a cell phone.  In fact, she wanted one so badly that three weeks before her birthday she wrote Jared and I a persuasive essay trying to convince us of her "need."  She left if on my pillow when she went to bed.  We found it as we were going to bed that night.  Here's an excerpt from the essay.

"Why I want a cell phone is because I'm going into Jr. High.  I might need it to call, or text one of you that I need to stay after school.  Also since I'm getting older I'm going to get invited to more parties.  If I don't feel comfortable in the environment, I could call one of you to come pick me up.  I would also need a cell phone for babysitting, if the family I'm babysitting doesn't have a home phone I could call on my cell phone if I had any problems.  Now, one of my final reasons is just the plain fun, and texting of friends, and being able to talk to my friends more often."

This is just one of the paragraphs in the essay.  It was an entire page long, TYPED!  Jared and I were rolling on the bed laughing.  You have to give it to her, she really thought this through.  I mean, not everyone would think to throw in the whole party in a questionable environment issue.  The one thing she didn't take into account though was how protective this momma bear is.  Trust me, if she's going to a party, I know which kids will be there, which parents will be there and EXACTLY what's going to be happening and said party or else she ain't goin!  That said, the funniest part about the whole essay is that Jared and I had already decided to get her a phone for her birthday, she just didn't know it!  The next morning she asked us if we found the essay and if we were convinced.  Jared said, "Abby, if I were an English teacher I would give you an A for that paper."  Her reply?  "Really!  So as my dad what did you think of it?"  He just shrugged his shoulders and made a very non-committal groan.  I was laughing so hard.

Needless to say, she was thrilled to get her phone and become a phone carrying, text sending 12 year old kid.  She has been given a cell phone contract, compliments of her parents, that she had to sign and has to follow or I get to take the phone back.  I've been assured that she's fine with the contract...we'll see how long that lasts.

Check out the smile on this kid.  Isn't it gorgeous!  I think that there are many things that define us as individuals.  One thing that absolutely defines Abby is her smile.  She always has a big smile on her face that makes everyone happy.  On Sunday when she was called up to the stand for her advancement into the Young Women's organization she was grinning from ear to ear.  I heard a gentlemen who was sitting behind us and visiting the ward say to his wife, "Wow! Look at the smile on her cute face.  She is darling."  Of course, I was very proud.  She is always so willing to help out and to make someone else happy.  She loves her family and the church.  She bops around the house singing and smiling and bringing joy to all of us.  We love you Abs and we hope you will always remember who you are and keep bringing that happy spirit to all who know you!

Family Slip-n-Slide

Saturday, June 29, we spent the morning getting all the yard work done.  It was an incredibly stifling day as the temperatures soared above 100 degrees.  Jared and I decided it was time to beat the heat with our littles.  What better way to do that than to have slip-n-slide races.  We set up two pieces of industrial strength plastic sheeting side by side and that's when the fun began.

Truthfully, it was hysterical.  I don't know when Jared and I have laughed so hard.  We all had such a fabulous time!