Halloween 2009

So this year for Halloween, Zach dressed up as Boba Fett (one of the coolest costumes I have ever made!) and Alli was an '80s-ish pop star.

They were able to wear their costumes several times, for school, parties and the actual trick or treating. On Halloween, Alli's friend Natalie came over for the afternoon and the kids decorated cupcakes and painted pumpkins.



For the Trunk or Treat, Alli's friend Carlee came with her little sister and all the girls got all decked out in their makeup and jewelery, while Zach kept asking "how much longer until they're ready?!?!?!?!". Afterwards they went and did some authentic trick or treating we had an impromptu dinner party, complete with the kids favorite, Primordial Ooze, marrow and bones, caterpillars, mummies, mold and mildew and monster eyes. Yum!

Downtown Dance in the Parade

Alli was so excited when Amy announced that the colors they were going to be wearing this year were hot pink and black; she could wear her tutu again! And to be able to ride in a limo; she thought she'd died and gone to heaven.

Pears at Moms

When Mom had her hip replaced this summer, I spent a whole lot of time up at her house. Kimmie came up often, and on one of her trips she brought pears! Now, I hate, HATE!, canning pears. The whole peeling and pitting, and stickiness running down my arms to my elbows. But since they're one of the three fruits Jonathon will eat, and the only one that can be preserved, I decided I should do some. Kimmie helped on Labor day, and we got all the pretty pears canned, and then I spent another day or two making pear butter. While I hated the experience, the sticky, the mess, the peels everywhere, those jars were awfully pretty when we were all done.

Happy Halloween!

Fun!

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Our Summer

We have had a super busy summer, between quick trips to Utah and a longer one to Portland, and working up at Mom's house, trying to get things done. Here's a few pics from what we've been up to:

We went down to visit KimE one weekend with Mom and went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house, and spent some time at Orem's Summerfest. Once it started raining we went to the library and watched the old "Yours, Mine and Ours" in their theater, and then went out on the balcony to watch the fireworks.

We spent the Fourth of July up at Mom's, and tried to have a BBQ with Josh, Miri, Sarah, Travis and the girls. If only it had stopped raining long enough to cook our dinner. After dark, though, we lit lots of sparklers and fireworks and made s'mores.

At the end of July we left for Portland. We stayed with Tolman and Audrey, but spent the days with Chris, Eve and Sev. We had lots of fun; hit the coast a couple of times, went up to Mount St. Helens, shopped at Saturdays Market and spent lots of time in the air conditioning since it was SO hot!
At the forestry center in the Tillamook forest.

Down by the river.

Sev out on the coast; I can't remember where we were.

Alli had so much fun helping take care of Sev. They played lots of Patty Cake.

And she fed him Oreos.

Up at the top of Mount St. Helens, it was still so hot!

Hanging out at Seaside.

Happy Birthday Alli!

Today my baby girl turns 11! Here's a few pictures from the past few years.
Sweet baby Allison


Halloween 1999


This is half of a layout I did just because of her big blue eyes.


BYU Girl


Alli's 4th Birthday


Easter 2003


Elphaba and Glinda 2005


At Build-A-Bear with her own Elphie 2007


Official Dance picture 2008


Alli with her best friends, Carlee and Natalie April 2009


So sophisticated!

Me and my little girl!


Love you sweetie!!!

Downtown Dance is Amazing!

Alli's last dance competition for the year was today, and I am still amazed at how good these girls are! We are so lucky to have such an awesome teacher who takes such good care of our girls. She teaches them precision, dedication, and how to be the best while still being modest. After going to these competitions and seeing some of the outfits other teams wear, the music they dance to, and the moves they do, I have come to really appreciate what Amy does.
Alli and Amy

Alli danced to "Rockstar" this year, with a supercute costume. Today was the competition in Idaho Falls, and Mom came to watch her. It was great to have her there for the 3 hours during which Downtown was performing so she could see what I've been talking about the last two years. She was very patient, especially considering this is not her kind of music that was blasting, and there were lots of little teeny-boppers doing their really cute dances that they didn't really know.(Always fun to watch for the first few, but after 20, you've kinda had it)
At all three competitions this year, every dance Downtown performed took 1st in their category, until today, when the Elite lyrical number took 2nd to a really great number. They have received awards for highest overall points, execution, technique, showmanship, and more. They're the best!
This is not a great picture of Alli, but they never turn out very well.