Hot Springs!

Gabby and I took a super quick trip to Hot Springs over the weekend. My dad was called as bishop of the ward and really wanted all of his family to be there. We were all able to make it and be there to sustain him and see him be set apart. It was so great to be back home and be with my family. My family is so great--I wouldn't change a thing about them. We left early Saturday morning and were back in Salt Lake by noon on Monday. We just enjoyed spending time with our fabulous family. We're all experts at pigging out and laughing at ourselves, each other, and especially our kids.

Springtime in Arkansas brings out hoards of caterpillars. Gabby was quite taken with hers. My dad had gotten all the granddaughters purses with makeup in them. Gabby found a better use for hers. She made her purse into a home for the caterpillar. We didn't discover that until we were packing up our stuff. It survived 24 hours zipped up in a purse. We left in Arkansas since the caterpillar wouldn't likely survive Utah's springtime--snow, it snowed AGAIN today.

All 9 of the grandchildren! Pam is having #10 in May. From left to right: Matthew, Kaylee, Thomas (Jim and Marji's), Maggie, David(David and Jenny's), Oscar VIII(we call him Ocho), Adabelle(Oscar and Dollie's), Madison(Micha and Pam's), and Gabby.

Madison and Gabby posing for a picture Southern style, in the back of a truck. Aren't they the sweetest cousins? Don't get too taken in, they turn on a dime on each other.

Gabby and me

Proof of Gabby's quirkiest quirk. She was dead-asleep when I took this picture. You can see why I am usually unsure if she's actually asleep or not. She'll have fun freaking people out when she's older as I did.

A Fun Friday Night

The Nevers were honored as being my first non-family dinner guests on Friday night. Lynn was my roommate at BYU and it's been great seeing her so much. Lynn and Shawn have 4 adorable kids. I've watched them before and they are the best-behaved kids ever! Gabby is more work than the 4 of them combined. Gabby loves playing with them and was excited to show off our new place.

Fortunately, I didn't clean Gabby's playroom prior to them coming over. They all had a lot of fun going through Gabby's toys. She discovered some she'd forgotten about.

After wearing themselves out by some serious playing, they settled in their jammies to watch Curious George. We were entertained by how much they laughed at the movie. Nothing beats that sound!

Shawn, Lynn, and I were trying to play Phase 10 but Gabby kept interrupting us asking for me to come sit with her to hold my hair. I pointed out Ellie's hair more as a joke since Gabby has always refused to hold any hair but mine. She walked up to Ellie with a bit of skepticism. She picked up a handful to test it out and rubbed it between her fingers. It met with her refined tastes and she settled herself besides Ellie holding her hair. I may just have to borrow Ellie again! It was so nice to be relieved of that duty for a change.

Meet Soapy

Gabby's previous fish, Fish was buried at sea a few months ago. We decided we were ready for a new fish. We went to the pet store and Gabby picked out another beta fish. She wasn't interested in any others. She went for a red fish this time around. Originally, she said her name was Trophy but changed it to Soapy after settling her in her tank. I'm pleased to see her creativity with names growing. She decided to watch a show with Soapy. Unfortunately, Soapy was facing the wall and wouldn't turn around no matter how loud Gabby yelled at her. Gabby was attempting to manhandle Soapy into submission when I came in and negotiated a truce.

I really do clothe my daughter. I also brush Gabby's hair. There's no keeping clothes on her at home though and I just have to pick my battles these days. I'm certain there is a hair-ratting troll that has taken a fancy to Gabby. Its mission and joy is in tangling Gabby's hair as soon as it is brushed and I look away. It does its best work at night while she sleeps. No amount of conditioner seems to repel it and it seems to be winning the Tangle War

Soapy happy in her new home!

A Budding Artist

I wasn't having the best of evenings. Gabby and I didn't get home until 8 and we were both a bit grumpy and tired. Gabby was suffering from holding-my-hair-withdrawals (I swear it's like crack for her!) and I won't go into my reasons for feeling a bit low. Gabby wanted to paint which she's does often with minimal supervision. It seems that policy may need some revision, although she sure made me laugh. I hope she'll bring a little color to your day well! Sorry, I couldn't figure out how to flip the video around.

Yes, in case you were wondering, that is BelBivDevo playing in the background, the classic Poison. I have it on my music list and I am NOT ashamed...and I bet you were rockin' out to it, too!