D. is back reffing football. 

One of his favorite times of year, fall is. 

Football on every weekend.

Talk of football. 

He refs football. 

And not to mention, snowboarding season is so close he can taste it. 

I also love fall. 

I love football, I prefer watching a game live. 

I also prefer to watch only the last quarter or so, when it starts to get really exciting. 

But, I do enjoy a good game. 

This time of year will always hold a special place in my heart. 

It was at this time of year that Dustin and I first met. 

(you can read each of our versions of "our story" here and here)

One of our first dates (or outings, would more accurately describe it, I guess)  was to a high school football game. 

His little brother's football game. (who is currently serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints--we are so proud of him!)

Romantic, right?

It was actually. It was perfect. 

Anyway, we celebrated the first day of fall by hanging out with the Ackermans all weekend and topping it off with a couple little league/Jr. High games as well as a Grace High game, just for fun. 

Though watching the game made us miss Chase, 

it sure was fun (minus the half hour Abby had a bit of a meltdown). 

Abby was bundled in Grizzly colors (looking especially adorable in her red coat from Aunt Katie). 

It was a brisk fall night. 

And a very close game. 

Welcome fall. Bring on the big sweaters, hot chocolate, and pumpkin flavored everything in abundance. 

Labor Day weekend was spent at Dustin's special place.

Camping. 

Dustin claims he didn't know I hate camping when we got married. 

I hope this fact wouldn't have changed his mind. 

I think I would even go as far as to describe it as his sanctuary. 

And that's why I went camping. It's his sanctuary. 

We headed up to the Beaver Dams to spend time with the Smith family. 

Every time I've driven up there with him, the ride is full of Dustin's memories. 

I love listening to him tell me about his childhood. 

I especially love his memories of his grandpa, and I think that is a lot of the reason he loves this place so much. 

The family has a small, one room cabin up there.

So much fun. 

Next time we go, I just hope Abby and I get to participate in some of the festivities a little more. 

We spent most of the evening/night cooped up in a tent; Abby was in tears. 

By the end of the night, I was too. 

The family divided into two groups-

and re created their own version of survivor. 

Everyone loved it. 

I have a feeling Abby will grow up loving this place just as much as her Daddy. 

I can't wait for the two of them to drive up that dirt road, with Dust telling reminiscing with her. 

Telling her all about his childhood (although I won't mind if he leaves out a few mischievous stories...).

I love that he loves this place so much. 

I hope the family traditions live on in the Beaver Dams.

First off, Abby is four months and one week now, and I'm just getting around to this. 

Secondly, these pictures were taken at four months and one day. 

Bad mom award: right here. And well deserved. 

We got home from church, that Sunday, I pulled out the camera to capture pictures (before I changed her out of her Baby Gap dress, and before I forgot-if we're being completely honest) and she was all smiles and giggles. Turned on the camera and:

The smiles stopped immediately. 

This girl. I tell ya, she knows. She knows what she's doing. 

And she does it to spite me, I believe. 

Stone Cold Steve Austin right here, folks. 

At least she can pull that off rather adorably. 

Abby's third month of life is when here personality really started to shine. 

We are totally and completely smitten with our little lady. 

Spit fire personality and all.

All in all, she is incredibly mellow and all smiles and coos. 

Constantly, my heart is melted. 

I wish I could count how many times a day those cheeks get kissed. 

At her four month check up she weighed in at a grand total of 13 lbs 12 oz (in the 50th percentile),

and seems to be growing into that noggin' ranking in the 85th percentile for height. 

She has rolled from her tummy to her back a number of times, but never to show off. 

She keeps that limited to times that are strictly convenient for her.  

She loves her toes and her hands, and often can be found sucking (and drooling profusely) on any number of fingers-or her whole fist, at that. 

She still adores the binky, and if we are holding it in any proximity to her face she will make a dive for it. 

I was unsure about using one when she was born (does every hospital nursery nurse have to scare the living daylights out of you?) but all I have to say now is thank heaven for that binky. 

Little Lady loves to sit up and observe the world. 

Under no circumstance will she cuddle with anyone while awake. 

Both the Bumbo and Boppy for support have become my best friend. 

But, she only lasts in those for a limited time, and then demands all attention focused on her again. 

She rules the roost around here. 

When laid on her tummy she frantically kicks her lets and throws her head on the ground, in effort to get somewhere, I assume. 

This will usually result in her rotating in circles. 

During the night, she can be found with her head at the opposite end of the crib. 

Like her momma, she isn't afraid to let her feelings be known in the most theatrical of ways. 

She can let out a screech (sounding more like a death cry than anything) when she thinks she is being ignored-a.k.a. doesn't have all eyes on her at all times. 

Can you say, "Diva?"

Abby loves to blow raspberries, and expects to be mimicked. 

Thus, her daddy and I can often be found strolling through public places apparently spitting on our child. 

She is often swimming in a puddle of her own slobber-which doesn't seem to bother her at all, but drives her mommy crazy. 

She can often be found talking to herself, or her feet. 

Abby sleeps through the night (sorry to all the mommies out there who don't have this luxury), 

and usually takes a couple of naps during the day. 

I say usually, because also like her momma, she likes a schedule and when that is thrown off, she becomes a tyrant and refuses to sleeps. 

Abby is still nursing most of the time (she takes a bottle about once a day, when desperate). 

We don't have intentions of starting her on whole foods just yet. 

Her schedule is here own, and we work around her. 

Sleep training is not really my forte, but I do try to keep her somewhat regular-for both of our sake. 

I have always adored watching Abby interact with her Daddy (my two favorite people in the world), 

but this last month has been the highlight thus far. 

She adores him. 

And everyday she turns turns into his clone more and more. 

She often falls asleep with her hand wrapped firmly around his finger, 

and he usually receives the first smile come morning time. 

She talks to him constantly. 

When she hears his voice she frantically throws her head around, searching for him.

Besides, they have matching hairlines. 

Abby has been the light in our family. 

Recently, as a family, we have been facing challenges that try and test our patience and faith.

All it takes is one glance at that precious face to put it all in perspective. 

She is such a sweet girl. 

Everyday changing and growing, and making our family better.

Does this post title sound like a song from Barney and Friends, or what?

As stressful as this time in our new home (in the place I call home, I guess you could say),

we have loved having time to attend special occasions of family and friends. 

And most of the time, we don't as for an occasion, we just crash their parties and take up their time. 

We love it. 

I don't know that we've asked if they do yet. 

But that's beside the point. 

One of Dustin's best friends, Steve, was sealed to a lucky girl in the Salt Lake City Temple. 

We love Steve, and were so glad we got to be there on the special day.

We are especially glad he found someone equally special to share his eternities with. 

Abby was a trooper and hung out with us on Temple Square

(Although she did attempt to ruin the group pictures by screaming the whole time)

and a quick walk around the new City Creek Center (which may or may not have included a split piece of cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory). 

And yes, we did have to pull over in a vaccant parking lot for a quick feeding.

Embarrassing, we know. 

But, parenthood results in many such events. 

One of my favorite things about living in this area again is being so close to my best friend, Tanya. 

Remember her? I've talked about her so, so much.  

So, Tanya had a baby two months before Lady A. graced us with her presence. 

And we are sure they are destined to be best friends. 

We've got to see Tanya and Kennedy a few times since the move and every time makes me grateful for friends like Tanya. 

If you don't have a friend like her, I'm not sharing. But you really should get one.