Wednesday, December 23, 2009

It's That Time of Year!

Please note that this picture belongs with the bottom set of photos. It was accidentally erased and I did not want to redo this entire post. That is one of Bloggers downfalls, that you can't add pictures where ever you want. Anyway, on to my post...
...Setting up our Christmas Decorations...
This year it took us a little while to get our decorations up. But they are up now and they are festive. We did quite a minimalist tree this year. We wanted to see how Allison would do around the tree. We have a lot of neat ornaments but we only put on a couple boxes worth of shiny Christmas balls. Alli has done pretty well, only taking off one or two balls. She passed the test and next year we might actually have a lovely looking tree. Allison was a good helper with putting up our decorations. Or should I say she was a good helper at looking at them, carrying them around, and touching everything I pulled out. She is too cute! Her new favorite book is called Jingle Bells. I think that book may not get put back in the storage bins this year...




...The Lights at Temple Square...
This is a tradition that we love. This year we went twice to see the lights. It was so convenient that we could just walk there. If it hadn't been SO cold we probably would have gone more. For our first outing we went with Jennifer, Mike, and Lexi. We met at our place and walked the two blocks to Temple Square and admired all the lights. On the way home we stopped at the market and bought some cookies to take home and eat with our hot cocoa! The other time we went we took Cole and Luke. We went out to dinner first and then came back here to bundle up. After everyone had sufficient layers on we were off to see the lights. They were just as beautiful the second time around.



...Zoo Lights...
Allison and I went with my family to the Zoo Lights this year. It was the first time any of us had gone. It was really fun. They did a great job with the lights. There were lots of animals done in lights and a lot of them moved. The movement was like a sequence, for instance, one monkey would be lit up on a tree trunk and then that one would turn off and a monkey would light up on a branch and then another and so on. So it looked like the monkey was swinging across the tree and onto another. All the animals were very cool. Most of the "real" animals were sleeping or hibernating but we did see some. A couple of cougars were out playing around and looking at all the people. We saw lots of different cat like things, the tigers, and minx. Allison loved the animals both the real and light up ones. We had a great time! I am silly but the whole time I kept thinking and talking about what a brilliant idea this was to do Christmas lights at the zoo. Without that I don't know of many people who would go to the zoo in the winter. That was good thinking to generate some business in their low season.






Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Four Years....

happy anniversary my love!we are so lucky....

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Mostly Pictures

Allison and DaddyThey were outside playing with a basketball. She loves it!
Aunt Kim always lets Alli play the piano!
We went bowling for a family activity. Allison helped her dad on every turn and they won!
This was on Thanksgiving. Here is Allison with her night night and rocking chair. She was looking at Grandma's Brag Book. She loves to see pictures of baby! Her shirt said, "everyone is thankful for me". I couldn't agree more! We love her!!!
Super Strawberry Baby to the rescue!
I absolutely love this picture!

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Football!



Dave and I went to a University of Utah football game a couple of weeks ago. The game was good but the weather was not so good. It rained for the first half. Oh well, we still had fun and we are glad the Utes won! Are you shocked I said that? I am a true half and half fan. I grew up cheering for the Cougars, my entire lineage went to BYU, I have a strong love for the school, its programs, and its atmosphere. But I actually went to school at the U not BYU. My family is blue and Dave's family is red. So what to do... go with my heart(BYU) or my mind and a little heart(U of U)? I will simply continue to enjoy both schools, except if they are playing each other, then I will always be a BYU fan! This is a silly thing to think about. Only in Utah with its Holy War rivalry would one have to debate this. I say to Dave just be glad I like football in the first place!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

...halloween...

We had a really fun Halloween! Dave and I took Allison to see her grandparents and they loved her costume. After that we went to Kim and Jerrod's house for a Halloween party. I had a really fun time coming up with our costumes, Dave and I were robbers and Alli was the bag of money that we stole. Thanks to my really cute and talented mother-in-law, Dianna, for helping me prepare and sew Allison's costume. You are so awesome!
Allison was the cutest money bag ever! We would take an Allison bag of money over a real bag of money any day!

While Dianna and I were busying ourselves with getting the costume ready Allison was just busying herself with playing. She is always on the go and having lots of fun. She sure makes life fun and we love her for that.
We got out to the party and everyone was in costume. Jerrod and Kim were old fashioned golfers, Jenn was Blankie from the Brave Little Toaster and Steven was the Swedish chef from the Muppets, we were the robbers and money, Mike was dressed as a woman and Jennifer was his/her lesbian lover, and Danielle was a ballerina but she had changed into regular clothes by the time we took this picture. Everyone was really creative and their costumes were fun!

There was lots of yummy food. We ate delicious chili in bread bowls, chips and dips, cookies, cupcakes, donut hole eye balls, and graveyard desserts. I made the graveyard desserts and I was really proud of them. I thought they looked cute.We were all supposed to bring a pumpkin to carve but when Dave, Danielle, and I went to get some on Halloween day the store did not have anymore. Luckily Kim and Jerrod had bought an extra one so we shared it with Jenn and Mike and got in on the pumpkin carving competition. All the pumpkins looked great! We had a really fun night and it was a great kickoff to the holiday season. I love this time of year!

Friday, October 23, 2009

Dear Allison,
Your daddy and I are the luckiest people because we get to love you and be with you everyday. I tell you everyday that I am so lucky that I get to be your mommy. You and daddy are great buddies and play for hours. We love your laugh, your voice, your smile, and the funny noises and faces you make. The bunny rabbit face you make always makes us giggle. You are a special soul and a joy to be around. You are smart, sweet, fun, mischievous, and absolutely precious. We hope that as the years go on you will always remember how much you are loved. You have made our lives complete and our hearts full. We love you Alli Bear.
Love, Mommy and Daddy
fresh from heaven
six whole monthsour babe is one

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Four Generations







we are family

Friday, October 16, 2009

this makes me happy

We are so lucky that these are the views we get to see everyday. These pictures were taken from the roof top terrace, to the south is the Salt Lake skyline and to the north is the Capitol. The Capitol view is what we see out of our windows. Not a bad view to look at while on the computer or falling asleep.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Go Cougars!

...Come on Cougars, it's up to you!
O Rise and Shout, the Cougars are out, along the trail to fame and glory. Rise and shout, our cheers will ring out, as you unfold your vict'ry story. On you go to vanquish the foe for Alma Mater's sons and daughters. As we join in song, in praise of you, our faith is strong. We'll raise our colors high in the blue, and cheer the Cougars of BYU.
Allison and I went with my parents to the BYU vs Utah State football game last week. We had lots of fun and the Cougars won!Thanks Mom and Dad!!!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Introducing...

Jerrod and Kim Phillips They were married on September 24, 2009. Their wedding was held at the stunning Log Haven in Millcreek Canyon. The day was perfect and the bride looked beautiful. Although it must be said that Allison gave her a little competition and came in a close second place for most beautiful. (Second place by default only because nobody is allowed to look more beautiful than a bride on her wedding day.)We enjoyed having lots of family come into town. This picture is of Jerrod and Kim, Mom and Dad Phillips, Grandpa and Grandma Taylor, and Grandpa Phillips. The date of their wedding was chosen because it was Grandma Phillips birthday and they wanted to honor her memory.
We enjoyed celebrating their special day with everyone. The scenery was breathtaking, the food was fabulous, and spending time with family and friends was wonderful.