Back to school and back to routine

Although it seemed to go by way too quickly, Nate's break from school was great for all of us. We were able to get out and explore the area more, sleep in, work out, and just hang without him having to worry about homework or stress about school - it was fabulous :)
We had a nice Thanksgiving with friends in the ward and Abby was great and got little samples of almost everything. During this time we had some really rough nights though, with her top 2 teeth breaking through. She had a hard time sleeping and during those late nights also learned that she could roll all around the crib, which was funny/sad to watch since she was sooo tired she'd cry as she'd roll around, but was just too busy rolling to stop and fall asleep. This is a pic of her during nap time, mid-roll. It's always fun to catch her 'firsts' on camera, so below are a few pics of those moments.
Now we are getting back into the swing of things, with Nate studying 20/7, and about to head south for another training seminar, this time on drug counseling. Abby and I are back to spending our time playing, learning, cleaning, cooking and running errands. We are still on the countdown to head back to Utah soon for Christmas :)

Showing off her new toy and working on sitting

Her first time in a high chair away from home

That same night she knocked out and Nate loved every minute of the snuggling!

Turkey Day at the Andersons

Our cold and windy trip to Poverty Point. Gotta love Abigails conehead!

About to head out for the Ruston Christmas parade - Abby was all for it!

Glamour girl on our way to the Natchitoches Christmas Festival

Our little

"Sewell nook"

downtown

Nate and Abby at the parade

"Who needs toys when there are delicious belt straps?!"

Tribute to Tex

On November 24, 2006 we lost my Dad unexpectedly. He'd fought a long, hard battle with diabetes, and although we all know that it was his time to go, we still miss him immensely. He was such a kind, silly, intelligent, thoughtful, charismatic, honest, and loving person, I am so proud to call him Dad. This is a poem I wrote that describes the Father he was to me, and the memories we created:

From fertilizing trees,
to scaring others and tag,
there’s so many ways
to remember you, Dad.
Like when we’d play soccer
even at night in the back,
or shaving your head
to see how Mom would react.
Putting air in the tires,
and always checking the oil,
nightly stories and prayer,
ruthless games of Othello.
Daily making my lunches
and letting me steer,
endless tickles and chases
to eat my arm hairs!
Eating popcorn with movies,
and loving your laugh,
so contagious and loud,
we’d have to rewind back.
The road trips to Grandma’s
with sodas, Subways and fun,
and how you met Mom,
and knew she was “The One.”
When we’d stop at Nelda’s
to say hi and take food,
sometimes picking up hitchhikers,
and helping who we could.
Hiking always with Twizzlers,
and climbing that cliff,
you told me how proud
you were for being so tough.
You taught us to give,
be nice and be true,
never failing to kiss
and say “I Love You.”
From lectures to lessons,
to Bear hugs with love,
I can’t wait to relive these,
when we meet again up above.

Thank you for being such an amazing Father who taught me the true meaning of kindness, unconditional love and sacrifice,
I love you and we miss you,
Love, “Lee”

Thanksgiving Break

First off, Abigail is now 6 months old!! Wow. She's growing so fast! She now has the first of her top two teeth breaking through, which is causing total crankiness (can't blame her), and she's already over 18 lbs and 28 inches. I'm convinced that we can thank those Pinnock genes, she'll be tall like me in no time :) Otherwise she's healthy as can be and a pro at rolling over, and sooo close to being able to sit on her own. As for us, Nate finished his first quarter at Louisiana Tech, which has been a huge event for all of us (especially him), and it's been great to be able to hang out again and just spend time as a family. Nate and I both just received callings to teach in Priesthood and Relief Society, so that will be an adventure, and we were invited to go to a ward member's home for Thanksgiving, so we're looking forward to that. Most of all, we are counting down the days till we get to go home to Utah for Christmas! Here are the latest pics of Abigail :)

Halloween in Ruston

Halloween was a bit different for us, being away from family and friends, but was also a lot of fun with Abigail. She was great about dressing up and although she had no idea what was going on with the trick-or-treating, she was very interested in all the people and the costumes. We just went around to the stores downtown, had pizza with a couple young families in the ward, then called it a night for Abby. We then finished up the night with a scary movie and enjoyed her candy - Thanks, Abby! :)

Our Trip to Atlanta, GA

Nate had the opportunity to attend an introductory workshop in Atlanta about Hypnosis and how it can be used in therapy. Since this is something that Nate is interested in and would like to use in his career, we jumped at the opportunity, packed up and began our 8 hour trip to Georgia. Abigail did great for being only 5 months old and since we stuffed her carseat with padding, seemed quite cozy :) While Nate attended his 4 day workshop, Abby and I got comfortable at the hotel, ventured out for a day on the MARTA (their public transportation system - like Utah's TRAX) and hit the enormous Lenox mall downtown. I'm certain that they have any store you can possibly think of in that mall, it was soo big! On Nate's last day, he got out early, and we all headed out to the Georgia Aquarium. It was huge and very entertaining. Apparently it's the biggest aquarium in the world, and it was well worth the trip to go. Abigail was pretty nervous at first, then very intrigued as you can see in the pics :) We also got a chance to walk through the Olympic Park and downtown. It was a fun family adventure, I love Atlanta :)
Some general info. on hypnosis, for those interested: http://asch.net/genpubinfo.htm

Abby testing out her new fairy wings for Halloween with Dad
Using her talents
Nate on MARTA
The incredibly long and steep escalators
Olympic Park
The Georgia Aquarium

Moving to Louisiana

August 24, Nate and Brandon headed out on their long 1,600 (or so) mile excursion across the country with all our belongings, headed for our new hometown of Ruston, Louisiana. Abigail and I followed in a much more convenient manner on August 26th, by flying into Dallas, Texas, where they picked us up for the last 4 hours drive of the trip. Luckily, Abby was great on the flight and she slept through most of it, waking up at the end to flirt with the passengers. She makes friends easily with her contagious smile :) Moving to Ruston was quite the culture shock, but we were able to get a great place set up beforehand, opting to pay a little more for a new place with security 'til we get to know the area better. So, for the next 9 months, this cute little place will be our home! Another big event for us in September was celebrating our 3rd anniversary!! We were able to go to Olive Garden for dinner which was nice, and Abigail was a pleasant little guest of honor :)

My beautiful sister and Mom and a pretty grumpy Abby, at the SLC airportNot a care in the world! Our new home in a nice(r) area
This is the building where Nate's Psychology program is housed