Abrams' Adventures: Summer in the South

Thanks to my fabulous mom road tripping with me back to Tennessee, we were able to get back to my sleeping husband

new puppy

and new house.

We had a busy summer getting the house unpacked and trying to stay cool. It was our first summer in the south and I was anticipating heat that would rival the oven, but I was pleasantly surprised. As long as you either stay in the house or are swimming between 1-4 pm, it's not too bad.

Spaghetti Night. We call Goke the Spaghetti Monster because she inhales it.

Amaya turned 4 on July 16! It's so crazy to me that I could have a KID!

My mom sewed her a big girl blanket in her favorite color, blue!

Happy birthday Amaya! We love you to death and don't know what our family would do without you. You are such a wonderful oldest child and are such an example to your younger sister. You have always been our little mommy, and the older you get, the more loving and kind you are to little children. We're so thankful you have such a brave spirit an a thirst for knowledge. We're proud of you for always wanting to learn and know more. Thank you for being such a beautiful girl, inside and out.

Happy birthday Sis! We love you!

This is what happens when neither of them take a nap and then they want to watch a movie.

Doing six pack abs with Mom.

We went shoe shopping and Oaklie was SO EXCITED when she found some little girl shoes just like Dallas' Five Fingers.

I made my first batch of jam all by myself, and even made some Afghani-jam to send to Dallas when he deploys.

Amaya's first time writing her name! She has gotten even better since then!

Dallas wanted to have a quiet night at home for his birthday, so I made his favorite dinner.

And banana cream pie of course!

For as long as I've known him, he's always blown out his candles with his nose. Drives me bonkers.

FHE game night

Oaklie found a picture of her dad when he was little. She found her twin!

I made a bunch of freezer meals and stocked up the food storage for when I started school.

Dallas' battalion's family fun day.

She's passed out cold

We had sushi night at our house, Dallas is quite the sushi chef.

We spent a Saturday down at the Nashville Temple. It's such an itty bitty temple, the stake center next door is bigger!

School started in August. Taking a full load of classes and trying to coordinate my schedule with the kids makes me want to pull my hair out somedays. But then I remember how much it sucks to be bald, and that it's really a blessing that we're all able to go to school and then I calm down.

First day of preschool! They love it!

Oakie-Doke turned "flee" on August 20. If you couldn't tell, she was psyched

Cinderella

She wanted "a wainbow cake wid ah da culuhs" and mom delivered.

Happy birthday Oaklie! You are our Little Miss Sunshine and we love you to pieces. You are always the first one to laugh, and you keep the rest of us smiling. Thank you for always being willing to try new things and for keeping us on our toes. We love that you're always looking for a snuggle and a hug, and that you don't let life stress you out. You have such a calm and happy spirit that other people feel happy and at peace just being around you. Thank you for being such a wonderful daughter and sister. We couldn't live without you!