March 2010

This month has been really beautiful and despite a few drastic dips in the highs and lows, it's been an overall ideal month and we thoroughly enjoyed our bright pink tree for a week or two.
We had opportunities to pet-sit both a cat and puppy (different weeks), and although I liked and preferred the cat, my allergies started driving me crazy, so I was really disappointed to learn that we'll never own an indoor cat. The puppy was fun, and Abby had a blast with it, but it was sooo much work! I'm so glad I learned the easy way that I'm not ready to own one just yet. We did get some fun pics though :)
A huge highlight was that my friend Sara came out to visit for a week, and we made a fun road trip down to New Orleans, it was sooo fun!! I have lots of pics of that :)


'Nike.' Cute little thing. He was fun to tend and both lit up Abby's day and also wore her out well - maybe we do want a dog after all...

Abby testing out Daddy's shoes

Our New Orleans Trip:

A cute and creepy cemetery we found along the way

The drive south was beautiful

We had to make a quick stop in Natchitoches for fried green tomatoes and alligator bits

Abby was a great little traveler

A BEAUTIFUL plantation home we saw along the way
(someday I want a driveway with trees that line the path like this!!)

Our awesome hotel that Sara found - it used to be a huge coffee warehouse!

We loved it!

One of the neat old cemeteries in town

One of the beautiful residential roads

Abby was such a goof that night, and so hilarious, we had to get pics

Jackson Square

This is how Abby fell asleep while we were sightseeing

MMMmmm... Gumbo :)

The St. Louis #1 Cemetery. It was a fun "haunted tour" :)

By taking the wrong tour bus on our first day there, we learned all about the city, it's history, culture, and how it was affected by Katrina. It was really interesting, and we were amazed at how well the city looked and felt after only 5 years. This was a rare sight - it obviously hasn't had repairs begin yet, but it gave us a better idea of how things would have looked back then.
It was such a fun trip, thanks Sara!! Now I can't wait to go back with Nate :)

February 2010

A few moms in the ward and I threw together a fun Valentines day party for the kids a few days before V-Day, and it was a big success. I wish I had pics of it, but Abby loved giving and receiving Valentines cards, it was all really cute. Even better was that it began snowing soon after (which NEVER happens in LA), and dumped enough for Abby and Nate to go out and build a snow man! Great times!! The best part was that they canceled 2 days of school due to it, and since they had a 3 day break for Mardi Gras the next week, Nate was able to enjoy a (much-needed) week off :)
We had a nice family V-Day dinner at Olive Garden, and Nate made me an amazing dinner on Sunday - it was a great holiday :)
On Fat Tuesday, Feb. 16th, we went to the family-style Mardi Gras parade in Shreveport, it was freezing cold, but sooo fun and entertaining, and by the end of the parade, Abby was wearing 12 necklaces proudly :) It was a fun family outing, and we'll definitely be making it a tradition. Since it's been such a cold winter, we decided to install Abigail's swing indoors, and she's absolutely loved it :)

January 2010

Happy New Year!! As I said in the last post, to save some cash, we opted to fly home EARLY New Years morning. It was a LONG traveling day, and luckily Abby handled it really well.
We had some sad news, however, when we went in for our first Dr.s appointment and found that our joyfully anticipated 2nd baby's heart had stopped beating at 7 weeks. It was a really hard time for us. Fortunately we knew to lean on the Lord and each other, and we had great support from family and friends. I'm just so grateful for having the Gospel in our lives.
Otherwise, Nate jumped back into his full-time schedule of classes, counseling clients, and teaching, and Abby and I got back into our routine as well. She's been accelerating like crazy with speaking, coloring, running, and recognizing things in random places (like saying "broccoli" at the store when she saw a picture of it on a ziploc box). It's so fun. I'm so grateful that I get to be home with her - she's a loving, hilarious, creative, and kind child, and we feel so blessed to call her ours :)

Nate had MLK Jr. Day off, so we got out of town to spend the day at the Boardwalk in Shreveport. It's always a fun getaway :)

Our sweet little fairy.

Abby was a big helper with taking down the Christmas decorations, and made a great little tree herself :)

Poor Nate. He can only take (avg) 5 hours of sleep a night for so long. This was one of his "quick naps" at 11 pm. We appreciate all his hard work and can't wait for the program to end to get him 'back'!!!

She's so fast nowadays, that most of our pics are of her in action :)

We got her a baby bottle, and as you can see, she fed her baby WELL. It was so fun to watch her mothering skills, lol :)

Our leaks. The joys of living in an older home. SO glad we're renting and can just call the landlord!!

Abby and one of her best friends, Brenna :)

...Finally Catching Up!!!

Since I'm still like 5 months behind on this (I'm determined to keep this as our "family history"), I have to admit that it has become kind of a horrible late-night obsession over the last week or so, but I've caught up like 5 months worth of events in that short amount of time - mostly because I've been posting a whole book's worth of pics per post. But how cool is that?! So now, I need to post the next four months.
Anyhow, this is mostly for family who want to see our Louisiana life and have only had pics of Abby learning to walk for the last 10 months :) Love you all!!!

December 2009

This month we went home again to Utah for the holidays, which always makes for great times and memories. Abby and I headed home a couple weeks early again and Nate followed 2 weeks later. We had plenty of snow, which Abby loved, and were able to spend quality time and have fun parties with family and friends. Loved every minute. :)

This is our cute unpacked and decorated house, just before we headed to Utah. We put it up a bit early so we could enjoy it longer. Just before heading home, we had a little late-night surprise with a squirrel running through our Christmas village on our mantle - it was cute, but also really freaked us out, so luckily the landlords closed the fireplace opening the next morning.

A couple of Abby's favorite hangouts at Grandma Pinnocks - she was a big fan of that flannel blanket and kept trying to convince us it was hers :)

Garage painting party

Beckett and Abby at Chuck-E-Cheese's

Abby loved the snow, and especially the cats :)

Annual Gingerbread Party at the Ivies

Visiting Grandma Sewell at work for lunch :)

Hanging with our favorite Utah friends, Brett and Julie :)

Braving the cold at Temple Square

Nate's 34th Birthday!! We had a great dinner at Tucanos and saw Avatar 3D. It was a ton of fun and a great getaway!!
I love you, sweetheart!!

Christmas Eve party at Grandma Pinnocks

I don't have many Christmas pics to post, but we had a fabulous Christmas, spending Christmas Eve and some of Christmas morningwith the Pinnocks, then spent the rest of the day and next few days with the Sewells. We had so much fun with family, and Abigail had a wonderful holiday.
Just want to make record of that since I was terrible at taking pics this year!!

The fun decorations at Sewells

Visiting Grandma and Grandpa Shafers

We ended 2009 with a fun party at Aunt Nancy and Uncle Mikes - and a trip to the airport at 4 am to fly home. It was a fun party to end our fun trip, despite the 2 hours of sleep
Overall we had a really great time, and we loved being "home" and getting to spend time with family and friends. Thanks to all who helped make our Christmas vacation so amazing!!