^^ so many snuggles and extra loves with grandma ^^

Really, the amount of time we get with family is never enough these days. Abby is really starting to understand how little we see them these days and leaving is the absolute worst. Its never easy. But, visiting is that much sweeter, ya know? I guess distance really does make the heart grow fonder. (cliche much? my specialty.) I've accepted the fact that I'll bawl like a baby every time I leave. 

(not pictured: so many hours playing with cousins, abby finally visiting mabel's black cat (who she talked about for months), a weekend with the fulford family (always the best!), and christmas presents with grandma and grandpa harrison (so many nights in a row abby is still convinced she should get to open a present everyday). 

^^ there's just nothing better than a matinee and popcorn on a weekday to make you feel like you're really living life. ^^

^^ these two deserve gold stars for all they put up with from a certain two year old. as teenagers come, these two are exceptional.^^

^^ trying to get her to calm down enough to say goodbye is impossible. she wasn't so jovial when she realized we were leaving - crying as soon as we got her in the car. goodbyes are the pits.^^

^^ the always inevitable trip to the school playground. did i mention the weather was unusually warm (ish)? she was in heaven!) ^^

^^dodgeball, too. a tradition started in 2010 when d. met the harrisons for the first time. and i got a bloody nose (from my dad nailing me in the face). and dustin laughed. and that's when the family fell in love with him. we've been playing since. i decided to sit out this year, pleading the pregnancy card and fearing for my life. these games get brutal.^^

^^ watching josh play basketball. what a stud. ^^

^^ on our last night grandpa and abby both zonked on the floor while we played games. moments like these make it infinitely more difficult to leave. ^^

^^ news you never want to get when traveling (especially with a toddler) - your flight has been cancelled. luckily, we hopped on a different connection but still had a four hour layover in Chicago. someone was watching out for us when girlfriend passed out on the floor. ^^

^^ so many bags coming back, because our family spoils us rotten. bless southwest for their two bag per person rule. we used it up - right down to the ounce.^^

^^ we came back to a highly annoyed apartment building. all of my online purchases from black friday has arrived while we were gone. whoopsies. ^^

^^she's quickly becoming a master of the airport.^^

We made another trip to Idaho right before Thanksgiving. D. took two weeks off (yahoo!) and we made the trip with one thing on our agenda: family time. (okay, maybe two. cafe rio is a definite must.) And, we did just that. No matter how much time we spend with family while we are out there, it never seems enough. 

As always, I found myself lacking in pictures. But, I just start living the life and get distracted. I'm learning that's okay. We played so many games, ate all day everyday, chatted, laughed, and Abby was so, overly, spoiled.  

^^the time change kills us every time. those two hours matter, people. ^^

^^such a welcome sight (on our way to black friday shopping). wide open spaces means so much more now that we live on the east coast.^^

^^witnessing michigan lose to ohio state. it hurts, guys. it hurts real bad.^^

^^abby refers to her harrison aunts and uncles as her "friends." i'm positive she considers herself their peer. it's adorable, and terrifying at the same time. if she's a teen now, what do I do in 12 years?!^^

^^so many tea parties.^^

^^a game of scrabble on an extra large board. their heaven.^^

^^a thanksgiving meal she didn't touch.^^

^^she's confident she's a help and not a hindrance in games.^^

^^abby gets no attention. none at all.^^

^^family checkups with the help of her assistant: aunt haylee r.n..^^

^^how lucky is abby to have all of her great grandmas?^^

^^morning game playing. have you played this game? it's awesome for loud, large families (much like this one here.)^^

^^thanksgiving, round two. just in case we didn't get enough (there's never enough. right?)^^

We are not the biggest Halloween enthusiasts around our house. But, with a toddler, we try. We kicked off the festivities with a work party at RBS. As expected when we have somewhere to be, Girlfriend didn't nap. So, she was in rare form. (as pictured above, she stripped off her dress on the way to the car and attempted to get away with wearing only her cardigan, tights, and a crown. blurry, because i was trying to run from her while snapping the picture.) 

This tantrum was eased with candy, and a trip to McDonald's. Because, we reward our children's bad behavior. 

^^she was promptly put in her bed when we got home, and found like this, on our bed, later that night.^^

^^that forced smile gets better and better by the picture, doesn't it?^^

A few days later our ward threw the traditional trunk - or - treat. Abby was more interested in handing out the candy than receiving it. We embraced the apparent acts of unselfishness. 

^^sunday afternoon we finally got our act together and let her paint her pumpkin which had been sitting out for weeks. the only paint we had on hand was pink, she didn't seem  to mind.^^

The night of Halloween, we headed to a local grocery store for a quick hay ride, free ice cream, and then stopped for dinner at Shake Shack. Where, she was given more free custard. We go for well rounded and balanced meals for our child. 

D. spent the majority of his birthday eve night and morning at scout camp. Whoopie! Right? Nothing like celebrating another year older with a bunch of eleven year old boys sharing your tent. By the time he arrived home he was starving and being the awesome wife I am - I microwaved some Cup Noodles. I rock. Then, I insisted he assist me on my  Costco run. (this wasn't nearly as mean as it sounded since he requested a cake from costco.) 

We ended the day with a ginormous dinner of his favorite - steak, mushrooms, potatoes, and rolls. 

We sure are lucky girls, and take every chance we get to celebrate the man in our lives. No matter the meager celebration, I hope he knows just how loved he is. 

^^noooooo... girlfriend is not drinking mt. dew. promise.^^

^^it's no surprise her dad's favorite dinner is her favorite as well. she worships that man.^^