Santa Claus Is Coming To Town!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are thankful for our wonderful kids!

Happy Halloween!

"I'm a mean old witch with a hat,

I ride on my broom with my hamburger Benson!" 

We had a very fun Halloween this year. Our favorite part was being with our cute little witch and yummy baby hamburger! Dave and I took Allison trick-or-treating for the first time. She loved it! She even started running along with some older girls from across the street. Benson was strolling along with us, looking adorable I might add. We went to G&G S's neighborhood and went around for a block or so before our little trick-or-treaters were tiring and getting chilled. Then it was over to the G&G P's for some more Halloween fun. That fun included scones!

 Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble....

Watch out for these two spooky witches!

Halloween Activities

Witches Night Out

My friend Shalise and I went to WNO this year at Gardner Village. Neither of us had been before and we had so much fun! When we got there we realized that some people go seriously all out for this. We were fine but we already have plans for next year to step up our witchy wear! It was fun to go to the shops, listen to music, find treats, people watch, spend time together...no kids, just witches. Thanks Shalise for a really fun night!

Homegrown With Love

My parents have been growing a garden in their backyard the past few years. They planted pumpkins and only one grew. But it was a perfect pumpkin and just the right size for Allison! She and Papa would go out to check on it each time we went over there. The time finally came when it was ready to be harvested so Papa cut it off the vine. Alli thought it was the best pumpkin ever!



 Preschool Halloween Party

Allison got to wear her costume to her preschool party! It was fun to see all the kids in their costumes. Everyone looked so cute! They had lots of Halloween themed activities to do. Allison loved the stickers. They went on a parade around the building and ate treats too. Alli loves her school, friends and teachers! (I promise! :))

 Grown-Up Halloween Party

Dave and I went to a very fun Halloween party hosted by Shalise and Jason. Dave went as a doctor and I was a housewife. Great company, fun activities, and delicious food. It was a fantastic night....until we were murdered!

...Alli Loves "Dancing Shoes"...

...our beautiful little girl...

Viva Mexico!

I feel so good today! I feel like I am on a mini imaginary vacation. The kids and I slept in a bit today just because we could. We got up and eventually, slowly got ready. I put Benson and Alli into the stroller and went out walking. The weather is amazingly perfect. I want to bottle it and be able to pull it out in January. If only.... But into the sunshine we went. I stopped at a street vendor and bought a carne asada burrito that I brought home with me. With the kids napping and me still warm and red faced (I hate that, wish I just glowed while working out but nope, dang it!) I ate my spicy burrito and drank peach mango coconut water. The combination of carne asada, coconut water, and warmth seriously made me feel like I was on a beach in Mexico. I was imagining the waves crashing and palm trees swaying. This whole day has been a little slice of heaven and it is much appreciated. My little loves are still sleeping and so my mini vacation continues........

9/11

This is one of those days that everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing 10 years ago. On September 11, 2001 our country was shaken to the core. America became victims of terrorists and they forever changed our lives.
I had just moved to Provo and heard the news when my alarm went off to wake me up for school. I woke up to the words that someone had bombed the World Trade Center and I instantly went out and turned on the tv. It then became clear that it had been hit by an airplane. I went and woke up my roommate and told her. Soon some other roommates came back from school and we watched the coverage for the rest of the day. We saw the next airplane hit, we saw the towers fall, we saw the destruction, the fear, and the chaos. We cried.
Dave was on his way to work and stopped at his friends house to say goodbye because he was going to be leaving for a mission. His mom screamed to turn on the tv and the friend said, "I can't, I've been set apart". She said, "I don't care". They sat and watched. Dave called work and said he would be late. He was told don't worry. When he finally made it to work their day was spent doing little else besides watching the events and aftermath unfold.
This year was the 10th anniversary of the attacks. I took Allison to the Healing Fields where 3,000 American flags were flying. One for each of the lives lost. Each flag had a card with a name, their age, and a little bit about them. It was touching, inspiring and emotional to see all the flags. I cried as I read two cards attached to one flag. One was for a young mother and the other was for her 4 year old daughter. They were flying to meet her sister and then continue onto Disneyland. They never made it.
We will never forget....

Everything is Better in the Mountains

We have been up the canyon a couple of times this summer to have cook-outs. These pictures are from our first outing. We always love time spent visiting, playing in the stream, climbing on rocks and trees, playing catch, making s'mores, enjoying the beautiful surroundings that we are lucky to live so close to, and just being together with our family.

Allison's 3rd Birthday...

brought to you by the Letter P. A Plethera of Pink and Purple including the Pink and Purple starbursts and kisses and a Palatable strawberry cake. We also had Pretzels, Peanut butter, Potato chips, Phrench (french) onion dip, Pink lemonade, dr. Pepper, Pepsi, Purple grape juice, Peach Pie and Peanut butter Pie!

Allison, it is impossible to love you any more than we do!

You are happy, smart, friendly, fun, helpful and kind. You are wonderful big sister and a perfect daughter. We are so proud of you. Your future is as bright as your beautiful blue eyes.

We love you!!! Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

The first few weeks

....were filled with cuddles and vistitors...

....cute babies, rediscovered toys, my birthday....

....the 24th, Julia singing, a down pour, and fireworks....

Getting Ready for Bed

Happy One Month Birthday

Getting To Know You

These two cutie pies were instantly friends. Allison has been the best big sister. She is so concerned, protective, curious, and infatuated with Benson. It is the cutest thing when she calls him Benny Boo or Benster Rama. She loves when we put him in her bed to help wake her up or to snuggle. She is always giving him toys to play with. She even gives him her favorites, Mr. Lion and nigh-night. That is big time sharing! Benson has been a wonderful little brother. He is always so calm and content even when he is accidentally stepped on, bonked, or smothered from his overly "loving" sister. He can make everyone, especially Alli, smile and cheer up faster than anyone. He gives the best smiles! We love them both like crazy. We are thankful for the love they share and we hope their blossoming friendship will always endure.

*haha: notice the pink sparkle dress Allison is wearing in every picture. She asks to wear it everyday and even wants to sleep in it. I kind of got a kick out of it when I saw that she had it on in every picture. I say if it doesn't hurt her, then no big deal. Gotta love it!