Some Pig!

Here's clip from dinner tonight. I put these reels up, perhaps for others' enjoyment, but this way I have a portal to my Abe for when I'm far away at work and missing him and my Ariel. Speaking of, work is going well. I am currently writing a report on agency efforts to tackle the complex issue of government reliance on contractors. It's quite interesting, and a little startling to see how much the federal government relies on the private sector. The report will fall into a larger paper on contractor reliance as a whole which will be used by Congress and the Administration in addressing the problem. For more information read Obama's March 4 memo (the first president in decades to address the issue with such emphasis). Anyway, below is life with Abe and the wonderful Evans fam!

Camping with Kate!

We went camping with Abe for the first time last weekend! We went to Bear, Delaware where we picked up Kate from her sales job out there. We had a great time!

Things to watch for in the video:

• Abe humming and leading the music of his ow tune (he leads the music in church, and everywhere else he hears it).
• Abe's first whistle!
  
  

Thanks for letting us steal you away, Kate!

Happy Birthday Abe!!

One year old! Our little Abraham turned one yesterday, and we had a great celebration. Ariel made it amazing, as always. She made a delicious banana cake, Abe's favorite sloppy joes, wrapped his presents, and took care of him all the while. When I got home from work Abe and I went swimming in the lake and played at the playground across the street, two activities he loves.

It doesn't seem that long ago that he was yawning in his ultrasound and twisting and shouting in his Mama's tummy. The last days have brought a vivid memory of last year's events back into my mind. I have had some emotional moments thinking of Ariel's travail and Abraham's arrival. That long, holy night, a year ago, when Ariel suffered for the love of someone who could not help themselves taught me so much about charity and the infinite Atonement of the Savior. Ever since that night Ariel has never let Abe cry, even if it means getting less done in the day or less sleep in the night. She is always there for him, teaching me much about the unconditional love found between a child and parent.

Abraham has continued to fill us with new understanding about the Atonement, Heavenly Father's love, and the great Plan of Salvation. He is who we want to be! Because of little Abe, Ariel and I have grown closer in ways I didn't know possible. There are new dimensions to our relationship because of the love that binds the three of us together. The sealing power of the Atonement is real, and it is felt in the Marshall family.

Our little man has learned so much in 12 months! Everything from learning to walk to becoming a sensational movie star! He is everything to us!

Happy Birthday little Abe! We love you!

Here's Cool Abe in his new B-day outfit and B-day shades!

Kid Stuff

When I get an exciting new thought or idea, I sometimes get so excited about it that I can't sleep. The past couple days I have been kept awake by the thought of kid things. I don't know if it's living with these fun Evans kids, or Abe walking and talking or being back in the area where I was a kid, but I just can't stop thinking about it! I'm moving into kid phase, and I think I have quite a few years ahead of me! Now, don't get me wrong- I love the baby phase. In fact, I love the baby phase so much, I never thought of the next step! I'm glad that I'm not done with babies and baby things, but I'm also glad to be having a kid!

Here are some of the things that got me excited:

Look at that! A little bed and guardrail just $60! How fun! I think I'm going to transition Abe to that when we move back to Provo.

And look! A little table and chairs for just $25!!! You can't beat that. Think of all the neat crafts they'll do at that table :)

Now I know you can't tell, but this is kid size. There was one in the kid area of a museum we went to, and Abe loved it! I thought it was so cute- it's the kid version of one we have in our living room (only it costs just as much).

And of course, all my favorite books! It won't be too long before Abe will understand what's going on in the books we read, and he already doesn't need just boardbooks anymore!

Now I'm excited! What books am I missing? What were your favorite books growing up?

Good Times!

Well, we've been having the time of our lives here! Sorry we haven't taken too many pictures (and we lost a bunch in the process of transferring them to the computer including pics of Emma's bday, Winston's swim meet, pool time, etc. Bummer).

We've gone to the Natural Gallery of Art, heard an awesome live jazz concert by Afro Blue at the statue garden, gone to the Museum of African Art, the Museum of Natural History, the Air and Space Museum, watched Night at the Smithsonian at the Smithsonian IMAX, and we have only just begun! Abe has been a real champ. He loves being out and about, and although he really wants to touch some of the great exhibits, he's learning just to look.

Going to "Battle of the Smithsonian" where it was filmed with the wonderful Evans family.

Happy Bday, Emma!

Abe's walking all the time now. Here it is for your viewing pleasure.

He also says "Mom" and "Ball" and "Dadda" quite well, and understands many more words. He loves music; he leads it during every hymn (something he may have picked up from watching his Daddy conduct the choir in our BYU ward). Here are a few tricks.


Speaking of Daddy, life is GREAT without homework! He gets home and he's all ours!

Well, we miss you, whoever you are!