Basket o' Fun

September

 

 Every year the State Fair happens in September and every year we love to go. I am a believer in keeping traditions and this is one of our favorites. It is fun to see lots of animals, eat "fair food", ride ponies and, our favorite, the big yellow slide.

 Allison loves taking pictures. This day she asked to take my picture and wanted me to make funny faces. We took turns taking pictures and made funny faces, kissy faces, sad faces. This photo shoot ended with her request of a picture of her dancing. She is a beautiful girl. I love playing with my best friend.

 We had a Labor Day/end of Summer party at my mom and dad's house. It was a great day full of new toys, lawn games, swimming, water fights, and yummy barbecue. Oh, and the highlight may have been my 6 foot 5 inch brother climbing in and hanging out in the wading pool with his little girl Eva. It was quite the sight!

 The kids and I asked Labu Phillips to go on a date with us to the children's museum Discovery Gateway. This was Benson's first time there and there was a lot of exploring and playing to do, for both kids. It seemed Allison's favorite thing to do was to pick up the mail from all the different mail boxes and then re-deliver them. She did this over and over. But she said her favorite thing was playing in the house. You know, the house she spent the least amount of time in. :) Guess we can't read minds. Benson loved the helicopter and both of them loved the Chinese Dragon that came through while we were there. Alli just needed a little reassurance and an explanation from Labu.

At Thanksgiving Point they had The Harvest Festival or as we like the call it, The Pumpkin Party. We watched a bit of the giant pumpkin weigh off, met the Pumpkin Princess, ate lunch, got faces and legs painted, and took a lot of pumpkin pictures before heading through the rose garden and over to The Barn. We visited with the cows, horses, goats, llamas, turkeys, and ducks. Then we went on a pony ride and a wagon ride. It was a very fun day. I consider this to be our official kick-off to Fall and to the holidays. I don't know about you but I include Halloween in the "holiday seasons" because, well, it is my favorite. This is my favorite time of year!

August

 Grandpa Sanders turned 93! It was nice to get together with some of our family and have a birthday party. My mom thought it would be cool and easier to use glow sticks instead of candles. I loved how it looked with all the lights off! And Grandpa didn't have to wear himself out trying to blow out 93 candles! Do you think that many candles would fit on a cake? Happy Birthday Grandpa, you are wonderful!

 Our adorable little sweetheart started her second year of preschool. She loves going to school. Her teacher is Miss Dawn. Allison's two favorite things at school are playing kitties on the playground and playing up in the loft.

 After her first day at school Aunt Kim took Alli to the zoo to celebrate her birthday. Benson and I tagged along. Thanks, we had a great time!

 The new Rocky Shores exhibit opened and wow, we loved it! The seals and sea lions were really fun to see but the polar bear stole the show. He would start on his big rock, dive down under the water and then pop up right in front of the window. It was so exciting! "Oh hello, Mr. Polar Bear." He did this over and over and over and we watched him for a looooong time.

These pictures break and warm my heart at the same time. Our little girl no longer needs to stand on her tip-toes to get a drink. Oh, Alli Bear, we love that you are healthy and growing but feel free to linger at these stages a little longer. No need to rush this growing up business.

Random from January and February

Couldn't let these pictures just waste away in my computer files.

 Allison's Preschool Class

 Handsome Ben

 Cuddle Time

 Sleeping Child Transportation

 A Cute, Tiny Baby Girl

 Hi Mom!

 Painting in the Tub

 Beautiful Ballerina

 Exploring and Playing

Sunday Nap

Allison is 4!

Goodnight to our 3 year old sleeping angel. We love you.

 

 

For Allison's 4th birthday Dave and I took her to Cowabunga Bay. This was her first time going and she was just tall enough (40", when stretched) to go on the waterslides by herself. She was so excited and we all had so much fun! We took turns taking her on the blue and green open slides and then she wanted to go on them by herself.....she did awesome! This brave little girl then wanted to go on the tallest slide, the pink tunnel slide. Turns out you can't ride with anyone on the inclosed waterslides so she would have to go on it alone. We told her it would be dark in there but then she would come out and see the sunshine and to just sit on her bum. We watched a lot of people go on it as we waited in line and she seemed to be okay. Then it was her turn. Daddy went first to be at the bottom and I nervously sent her down from the top. Tears, screams, crying.....no way! She came flying out like a scared wet cat quickly followed by "that was so fun!, can we go again?"!!!

We are so proud of her! Way to go big kid!

 A new big girl bike was waiting for her when she woke up.

 Benson stayed with G&G S while we were at the waterslide park. When we went to go pick him up they surprised Alli with her presents and a beautiful cupcake.

 Love you Papa and Labu!

 The red flyer has been passed on to a new owner and now it's bike time for all!

 The next day we had a birthday party for Allison. Care Bears and pizza: her two favorite things. Well....pizza, maybe; Care Bears, definitely! 

 We loved getting together and being able to celebrate Alli's birthday.

Happy Birthday Allison! We love you more and more every second!

 

Stats:
almost 40"
35 lbs

Loves:
care bears, wow wow wubzy, nightgowns, her green night night, mr. lion, princesses, barbies, baking cookies, making presents, fruit snacks, drawing, playing outside, picking pickle berries, swings, drinking cool kids, chicken nuggets and french fries, pink and purple, Benson, dancing, Grizz, the library, dolls, and reading stories.

Our love: YOU!

a summer evening