Does anyone else have enormous problems getting their pictures to load on blogger? No? Just me? I have been working on this for a week and finally got my pictures to work. So, here goes.


On September 2, Sydney started preschool. She was a little nervous her first day and didn't want me to leave. Her teacher was really prepared to help the kids with the separation and gave each kid two "I Love You" stickers - one for them and one for mom - so we could all look at them when we were missing each other during preschool that day. I'll bet I looked at mine more than Sydney did. The next day, all reserve was gone. She jumped out of the van, ran up the driveway and said, "Oh, Mrs. Turner, your hair is so pretty today. Do you want to see my backpack? It has Tinkerbell on it." Then she was gone without even a look back. I didn't know that would hit me so hard. I had to come home and cry to my mom.

On the 12th, Ben and Sydney went to Soda Springs. Ben's grandpa passed away on June 10, and it was the last chance before they clean out and sell the house. They did all the regular fun Soda Springs things like making soda at Hooper Spring, getting ice cream at Arctic Circle, and going to the Soda Springs geyser. Ben also took Syd to see the elementary school he attended when he lived there. She was pretty impressed with that and loved playing on the playground equipment that hasn't changed since that time. Great Grandpa's backyard was magically transformed in to a farm where Ben and Sydney celebrated Christmas and the cows ate pink hay. Sydney's imagination really lets loose when she has time and her daddy all to herself. They spent some time at the Niter Ice Cave as well. Sydney took her time but worked up the courage to explore a bit.

On the 14th, we blessed Zack in the same meeting as his cousin Kyle. Don't be deceived. Kyle is actually only three weeks older than Zack despite how teeny tiny my guy looks next to him. We started planning this joint blessing before the babies were born, and two weeks before the blessing, Stephen and Kathleen ended up moving to Salt Lake. Fortunately, their old ward was extremely accommodating and let us both bless our babies before sending the records to their new ward. Despite the fact that Zack was almost dumped on his head, it was a wonderful blessing. I am so grateful to be married to a worthy priesthood holder who can take care of our family in this way. I am also grateful to have so many strong priesthood holders in my family that I had to keep count to make sure we didn't invite too many people to participate in the circle.

Don't think that Tansy will be left out of this. It has been nice to have a couple of hours three days a week to give her some extra attention. Her vocabulary recently took a big jump as well as her personality. She is very strong-willed and loud, but improved communication has helped some of that. She is also very busy, which is why I thought it so funny that she just passed out on the couch like this. I guess if you play hard, you have to learn how to sleep hard.

Sorry for the delay on updates. We have obviously spent the last month adjusting to being a family of five. We found out that Zack has acid reflux like Tansy did. Once we got him on Prevacid, he became a much happier baby. Oh, and did I mention that most nights he only gets up once? He's been going through a growth spurt this last week and has been eating two or three times a night. That's been rough, but I know I have a good sleeper in there who will come back to me.

Tansy has been trying to decide whether she is a baby or a big girl. Sometimes she is so independent and wants to do everything that Sydney does and refuses any help. Other times she tries to pull Zack off my lap and take his place. What a hard spot for this poor middle child.

Sydney is as funny as ever. She keeps us laughing all the time. Yesterday, she had been making up a rather lengthy song that had mostly been about balloons when she suddenly threw in the following verse:

I'm gonna bake my mom,

I'm gonna bake my mom into a pie.

But I don't know how to bake.

Then a voice said, "Why are you eating your mom?"

Of course I burst out laughing and ended that amazingly silly moment. Sometimes I really wonder what on earth is going on in that little blond head.

Ben started school last week. This is our last year. We also found out that his first assignment after his training next fall will be Whiteman Air Force Base. It's just outside of Knob Noster, Missouri. What? You don't know where Knob Noster is? Why, it's just 14 miles from Warrensburg. What? You don't know where Warrensburg is? That's because we are going to be in the middle of nowhere. Kansas City is just over 70 miles away. That's the best landmark I can give you. Despite the location, we are excited to go. Just six days before we got this assignment, I was set apart for my calling in the Relief Society presidency, and they mentioned that when we got our assignment that we would know it was where our family was supposed to go. We weren't expecting assignments to come until March of next year, so when it came, it was incredible to think back on that blessing and know that the Lord was preparing us to accept what He has planned for us.

Life is good for the Abshires. Busy, but we wouldn't have it any other way.

Zachary Benson Abshire has arrived! He was born July 31 at 12:33 p.m. He was 7 lbs. 1 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long. Although I tried to demonstrate my amazing pushing skills after three and a half hours of labor, the doctor told me not to push because I am TOO good at it. This got me laughing, which turned out to be a much more efficient way to deliver the baby. No I am not kidding -- I giggled the baby out.

We had to stay for two days (a.k.a. eternity) because I had tested positive for Group B Strep and they had to be sure I hadn't passed it to Zack. I have attached a picture of him with the IV in his head that they used to do his blood tests since they couldn't get the line in his hands. Poor little guy.


The girls really like their new brother, although Tansy is having a hard time understanding why she can't pick him up like she does with her baby dolls.

No, we have not had the baby yet.

July has been a busy month. On the 2nd, we had our first Enrichment meeting since I have been in the presidency. Despite a rocky start (the Young Women bailed on their babysitting commitment at the last minute and the Young Men failed to show up for their setup commitment) that was salvaged by the amazing husbands of the Enrichment committee, the activity went really well.

On the 3rd, Danny and Emily's family and Kim and Jasmine came to visit for Independence Day. We had a picnic and watched the Logan fireworks that night. Tansy wasn't sure about those at first, but after a couple of minutes, she relaxed and looked half awake for the rest of the time.

On the 4th, we went to Bear Lake. It wasn't nearly as crowded as we expected and the water warmer than we remembered. The kids had a great time splashing and wading as well as building a sand mountain.

On the 5th, they got to build bird houses at Kids' Workshop at Home Depot and then float down the canal in inner tubes. Needless to say, we were all pretty tired by the end of the weekend.

Since then, most of my time has been dedicated to keeping cool. I can't believe just how hot I can get. The girls are always wrapping themselves in their blankets because they are cold while sweat drips down the back of my neck. The doctor says the baby is coming any time now, so we're just waiting.

Our ward was split today so Ben and I are now waiting for new callings. We'll keep you posted.

We took the girls to Hogle Zoo on June 13. Fortunately, the baby had decided to give up on the breech position three days earlier, so I was feeling much better. It was a beautiful day with temperatures in the mid-70s in the late afternoon, so even I managed not to overheat.

Sydney took control of the map and dictated our tour of the zoo. Except for Mom and Dad forcing them to sit on the trunk of the "stone elephant" as Sydney called it, they loved it. Here's a few pictures:




























We also went to the Scottish Festival at Thanksgiving Point on Saturday morning after spending the night at my parents' house in Orem. Sydney thought that the Wicked Tinkers played their music too loud, but she liked the sheepdog demonstrations.

We headed back to Logan that night so we could attend church Sunday morning before driving to Soda Springs, Idaho. Ben's grandpa passed away on June 10, and the funeral was held on the 16th. We were able to see lots of Ben's family. Sydney climbed her first tree, and the girls even got to play on some toys that Ben played on when he was little.















Ben also played his bagpipes at the cemetery. He has played at a lot of funerals, but it was so incredibly special to see him play for his grandpa.








After all of that, we came home and crashed for a couple of days. Well, except for Ben who had to go back to work the next day. Life has gotten pretty much back to normal. Except that Tansy has discovered how fun it is to wear shoes on her hands. If there are shoes out, she'll get them. She'll crawl all around the house, laughing about it.

There have been a few changes here at the Abshire house. A couple of weeks ago, I was called as the 2nd Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency. We have decided that Olsens are genetically predisposed to be in church presidencies. Several of my siblings and their spouses were already serving in various presidency positions. Ben is in the Young Men's presidency. I guess it was just a matter of time. Way to go Mom and Dad. No, really, this will be a challenging but fun calling for me. The other sisters in the presidency are the best women you could hope to meet so I will just try to keep up.

I also quit my job. My last day was May 30. However, over the last three days, I have realized just how much time I spent thinking about my job so that when I was doing it I could get a lot done. I have been constantly reminding myself that debtors and dockets no longer concern me. It has been great to consciously set that aside and spend time with the girls.

Ben started a new job June 2. He is working on campus for the Facilities office. He specifically works on irrigation. To sum up, he said, "I dig holes and watch water." He also repairs any problems they find with the sprinkler system. He starts at 7:00 so the girls (who have learned how to sleep until 7:15 or 7:30 - happy day!) won't see him in the morning, but he is off at 3:30, which leaves us a lot of fun family time.

The girls have been enjoying the nicer weather. They are constantly out on the deck. Like any kids, the outdoors has this magnetic pull on their little bodies. Sydney is trying to grow some flowers in a planter box. She waters them diligently, but between the lack of direct sunlight we get and keeping her sister from eating them (see photo) I am not hopeful for much of a great turnout. Sydney just seems satisfied that something green has sprouted.

Tansy also moved to a forward-facing car seat. We thought she would take to it immediately. We were wrong. On her first trip, she alternated between crying and maintaining a look of sheer terror. She has since adjusted and come to the conclusion that this might even be fun.

All of us are anxiously awaiting the arrival of baby Zack next month. He is quite a crazy kid. I get a little embarrassed when I wince in pain in public since he is so active. I'm just grateful to have such a strong, healthy baby.