Heather turned her papers in early December. We then found out she had a medical problem to deal with. So, after some waiting and going to the doctor/ running tests, she finally got the clear that everything is fine a few days after Christmas. Since then we have been patiently awaiting her call. The funny thing is the Bishop had checked the status of her papers and it still said that she hadn't received a call, so we weren't expecting one this week. About mid-day last Wednesday Heather called and told me 'it' had come. I didn't believe her at first. She was so excited and could hardly talk on the phone. So, after Abbie got up from her nap we headed over to start celebrating. It was a long couple of hours waiting for all her guests to arrive so that she could open the envelope up.
Here she is opening it up.
She is going to the Omaha Nebraska mission in addition to the Mormon Trail at the Winter Quarters Historic site (so part-time proselyting and part-time visitor's center tour guide).
She leaves February 27, 2013. Only 5 1/2 weeks til she's gone.
I am so excited for her and I know that she will be a great missionary!
It's been awhile since I have updated about Abbie so here it goes...
She has grown and changed a lot. She is now 22 months old!
* We have finally figured out the teeth brushing thing. (Although we aren't the most consistent). If I give Abbie her toothbrush at the same time I brush my teeth, and then we trade and brush each others' teeth, it usually works out.
* She talks ALL DAY LONG! She's constantly talking whether to me, to herself, to someone else, or to her toys. And, I can understand about 90% of what she says. Sometimes I have to translate for someone else, I guess I am just a natural at Abbie talk. Of course along with this, she has developed a great amount of understanding and remembering. She will tell me things that we did yesterday or things we've said in the past.
*Abbie has quite an imagination. She loves playing with her animals and toys. She thinks it's funny to 'cook' things that usually don't get cooked. Example- her ponies, blocks. Whenever she sits on top of something she says 'neigh' and pretends to ride a horse. And she likes to have her animals play and talk to each other. She also really loves her books and likes to do puzzles.
* Daddy still has to go to nursery with Abbie every week. Hopefully we can wean her off by the time she is two.
* She loves candy! I am so sorry that she inherited that from me. Over the holiday she ate so much and would always ask for more. Now she is a little bit better. But she is always willing to eat candy, or any kind of junk food for that matter. I think milk is her second favorite 'food'. I guess I should add that she is not as picky as she used to be. She even liked the eggplant parmesan that Brandon made.
* She loves getting her hair 'pretty'. And sometimes she likes to choose her clothes.
* She knows all her colors, can recognize 'abc's, and can count to 5.
*She still loves to watch Barney, and every once in awhile other shows. When she does she is 100% focused- if you talk to her she doesn't respond or even acknowledge you.
* We spent some of her Christmas money on a potty. She will almost always tell when she poops and sometimes when she pees. Hopefully this is a sign that she will be ready to potty-train soon. Right now we use the potty as a step stool and she will sometimes sit on it but only with a diaper on. She always tells me that when she goes potty in the potty that she gets undies. That makes her really excited, I guess not enough to actually do it though. :)
* Oh, and she likes to pick her nose. This could be black mail someday :)
We had a wonderful Christmas! Abbie loved opening her presents. After she opened each present she had to check it out/ play with it before opening the next. Of course she was spoiled with lots of new, fun toys.
After we finished opening presents, we went upstairs to have breakfast and show off everyone's gifts.
For lunch we went to my Winterton grandparents. Then we went to Grandpa Crowther's for more presents. We ended the evening at my parents' house where we were spoiled again. We also got to facetime with my sister (Janessa who is on a mission) for about 45 minutes. It was so good to see and talk to her. She is doing fantastic.
(Some of these pics of Abbie playing with toys are from the day after Christmas)
We've done some really fun Christmas things this year.
We went to the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas concert. It was great!
Abbie made her first snowman (with daddy's help).
We went to the McDaniel Christmas party. We ate yummy food, and played games. The only picture I took was of the two matching winners for the ugliest sweater contest. :)
We went to Temple Square to look at the lights. It was pretty cold, but Abbie loves looking at lights, so it was totally worth it!
And last, but not least, tonight we went to the Nielsen Christmas party. We ate yummy food and then Santa came to visit. Abbie was very intrigued by him and was anxious for her turn to sit on his lap. I was so surprised by her positive reaction.
She loves the baby/stroller, candy cane, and necklace 'pretties' that she got at the party.
Well, I haven't posted for awhile because blogger said I had run out of space to upload pictures. I finally just created a new gmail account and am good to go. So, here is what we have been up to the last 2 weeks.
Jayden, Breanna, and Abbie playing in the fort they built
Bumming (yes, this term is legit) with great-grandma and grandpa
New big-girl bed. Also a fun toy. She has transitioned wonderfully.
Our thankful tree. Thanksgiving was amazing. Yummy food, family and black friday shopping. What more could you ask for? :)
Abbie fell asleep on the way to the grocery store one day and stayed asleep the whole time. This never happens.
Early morning play time. For about a week and half she was getting up around or before 6 am. YIKES! Thankfully that seems to have passed.
Trip to the aquarium on free day. As usual, Abbie was very hesitant. Her favorite part was playing puzzles far away from the fish.
Riding the carousel. Don't be fooled, she hated it!
Family pottery night at Cyprus High. It was surprisingly (for me) fun.
Festival of Trees. The trees were awesome as usual. Abbie liked them, but the dancing performances were her favorite. Oh, and the candy grandma bought her. :)
Magna main street lighting/ choir performance/ santa visits the library. Abbie was totally freaked out by Santa. She kept saying he was mean. We since have told her a million times that he is nice and brings presents. She has seen him twice since then- once she was okay and once she was scared again.
Driving through the Thanksgiving Point lights. Abbie loved them! (She loves seeing lights in the neighborhood and always asks for 'ma' more).
Monday, on a whim we decided to head over to Wheeler Farm. Abbie was so excited to see the animals. On the way we picked up great grandma so she could come with us. When we first got there Abbie was all about walking and checking out the animals. After awhile she decided to enjoy the view on grandma's lap.
I was surprised how close she was able to get to the ducks and chickens without getting freaked out.
Checking out the bunnies
Watching the 'neighs' eat their 'nummys'
Front row seat to watch the cows
Love this girl! And it was warm enough that we were able to take off our coats. Love this weather!
So many birds!
We were only there for about an hour but it was lots of fun :)
