The Prodigal Blogger has returned: Summer in a flash

Well, let's just say we took a summer hiatus from blogging.  It's not that we didn't say, "Oh we really need to catch up on our blog!" It's just that having fun and working in the yard took precedence (hopefully we will do a yard/home improvement post in the near future).  So, to give you a little smattering of what we have been doing all summer, I will break it down into Adventures and Abigail Growing Up.

Adventures:
After Abigail's first birthday, Daddy had a birthday too.  We were able to spend some time together as a family.  One thing we did was go to Seven Peaks (thank you Pass of All Passes for the free admission, though it did cost $7 for parking).  We didn't do much, seeing as Abigail was still a little tike, but we had fun in the wave pool, lazy river, and kiddo slides.

We were also able to go up to Clarkston, UT to visit Steve's cousin Aerika and her hubby Curtis.  Abigail loved, loved, loved their goats and dog.  We went to watch them play the roles of Joseph and Emma Smith in The Man Who Knew pageant (the Martin Harris Pageant).  It was a neat experience and we felt the Spirit testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.  Plus, how many kids can say they got a picture with Joseph and Emma.

Abigail and mom have had some fun adventures around the Valley as well.  Here's a little photo journey through our fun times:

Park by our house. Abigail asks to go several times a day by pointing at the door and saying "wee"

Hogle Zoo giraffes

Hogle Zoo monkeys

Thanksgiving Point Farm.  She loved riding and petting the pony.

Thanksgiving Point Farm 

Cornbelly's.  She would have been content to dance to the music, pick up trash (handing it to me and saying "Tank You"), and climb on the hay

Cornbelly's

Wheeler Farm

Abigail Growing Up:

Abigail is certainly growing up.  It seems like every day she learns a new word, tries a new physical feat, or masters something that she couldn't do before.  She is walking and climbing over everything.  She is saying a few words independently and copying many that we say to her.  For example, she says "Tank You" when she hands us something or we give her something.  She also says, "Yeah" in answer to our questions.  She makes some animal sounds ("Wuh, wuh" for dog and almost anything else that moves, "baa," and "meow").  She knows several body parts, such as nose, eye, toes, feet, teeth, head, and sometimes ear and mouth. And daddy even taught her to copy him saying "b," "y," "u" (mommy is still working on U of U or Utah).

Abigail loves to do what mommy and daddy do.  She is becoming a big helper.  She especially likes to help make the bed by bringing us the pillows, and dust or sweep.  She enjoys playing the piano.  She also "brushes" her teeth whenever she can.

Abigail loves to play dress up.  Anything that can fit on her wrist is a bracelet, around her neck is a necklace, and on her head is a pretty hat.

Well, that's the quick version of our summer adventures.  We love our little girl and can't believe how fast she is growing.  Hopefully she is not driving before we write again!