Grandma remembered!

Ally's favorite restaurant is Olive Garden. A couple months ago, Ally mentioned how special it would be to go to lunch with Grandma for her birthday. We're so glad Grandma remembered. Ally was all dressed up (her choice), without even knowing Grandma was coming to pick her up for the afternoon. Grandma surprised her by taking her to the Olive Garden and having the staff sing to her (you view those pics from mom's blog). Mom, Allys says "thank you for taking me out to lunch and spending time with me...I've really missed you"

Ally's Night

We gave Ally a few options for her birthday plans. Horseback riding, disney on ice, or a date with mom. Let's just say I wasn't pick #1. The horseback riding will have to come on a later date since our friends weren't available. This is the same friend that promised a horse when Ally turns ten (we're still hoping she'll forget).

Ally's friend Meri was able to join us for the date. She rode the bus home with Ally. She and her mom were so sweet. They remembered how much Ally loves horses and got her a couple horse crafts. Each girl painted a model horse, after popping homemade pizzas in the oven. After dinner, the three of us took off for bowling and ice cream. I was amazed the girls bowled for two hours and didn't want to stop! I saw a new side of Meri...a competitive streak! It was her first time bowling and she did great! They both were too cute; Ally doing her granny shots and Meri giving it all her might! We ended the evening with a trip to DQ. Cherry and Chocolate covered cones (Ally's new found favorite).

This including the next couple posts will be a weekend full of Ally's favorite things!

Daddy's Lil Hunter

Ally's been begging for the opportunity to hunt with Daddy. She finally got her wish and was up by 5:30 ready to go! On their trip....hiking was a highlight when they saw a "mama deer". Shooting and holding the grouse (daddy shot it, of course) was the other highlight. As you can see the date wiped her out when she fell asleep on the way home.

Papa 60th Birthday

We're glad Katie came up with the idea to have a surprise for Dad. All the extended relatives were invited and we were thrilled to celebrate "papas" milestone. Happy Birthday Tom!

Field Trip #2

I feel so fortunate that I've been able to attend all of Ally's field trips. This time, we headed for the pumpkin patch and down pumpkin lane. It great to spend time with Ally and get to know the children and the personalities she gets to assicociate with daily. The top right picture is only half her class.

We got BOOed

This is our second year getting BOOed (a knock, drop and run). It's always fun to see how many houses can get BOOed by Halloween.

Glowsticks

Kaitlyn was so cute cuddled up with her puppy and glowsticks, I couldn't resist a picture!

The glowsticks were a huge thrill after opening a package from Aunt Christine, Uncle Nathan and their cousins. Included in the package: glowsticks, a halloween book, pencils and erasers. Thanks so much for thinking about us! We love you and miss you tons!

Birthday time....Hannah Banana's 7

Hannah is Ally's best friend (our neighbor's granddaughter). The girls had a blast celebrating at Chuck E Cheese. Thanks Jen and John! All the girls have loads of fun playing together. When t-ball started up last spring, lots of time was created for Kaitlyn to play with Emma (Hannah's little sister). They've had a blast playing together and luckily Kaitlyn is no longer the third wheel...a huge obstacle for the two older girls.

Papa's Birthday

Bunk Beds

After months of searching craiglist for bunkbeds and being too slow on the game, we gave in and purchased new. The girls have had a daybed with trundle that we pushed in everyday. Space was always limited with a wall always needing to be free. It was a great bed and Kaitlyn still misses it. She gets over it pretty quickily each time she gets the opportunity to play on the top bunk :)

I'm amazed at the extra space provided. We've always had lots of shelf space and a big closet to store books and toys, but now after moving some of their favorate toys under the bed, they have more play space in room and closet. I've always loved their room, but I'm certainly loving it even more AND thank goodness the girls are too!

Mya's ~1~

We were so happy to be able to celebrate Mya's 1st birthday last Sunday. She is such an adorable and "good" baby! We loved having the chance to see her full of smiles and giggles. Thanks for the lovely time Kevin and Heather!

Kaitlyn's 2nd Year in Pre-school

Kaitlyn is SO happy to be back in school. She is a returning student and the teachers are quite pleased with her example and ways of being a helper. She was surprised to find three friends from church attending her class. I'm so happy for her and can't believe the advances she has made in the past year. I'm glad I have every afternoon for the next two years to spend with my baby-girl. They grow up too fast!

Harvest 2009

These prunes, tomatoes and jalapenos aren't even half of what we were able to harvest from our trees and garden. I'm happy we switched to roma tomatoes and we did a greater variety of corn...the favorite this year "silver queen" YUM!

The only complaint I have with the produce, is that most of it comes at once and life ends up completely crazy trying to keep up with everything. Here's the count for this year (hopefully I get it all...mom might have to correct me on the jars of salsa):

12 Quarts of tomatoes (added peppers and onions)
30 Quarts of Salsa (best batch yet, yea!)
15 jars of prune jelly
11 quarts grape juice (so time consuming)
15 pints of green beans
90 rolls of fruit leather.

Carrots
Jalapenos
Corn
Green Beans
Peas
Red Onion
Walla Wallas
Cucumbers

Another Addition...Ruby

Okay...so several posts ago I mentioned how "I wonder what the next addition will be" (I was speaking of farm animals, by the way). We've added another one, this time another dog, Ruby (on the left). I was a little hesitant at first, but boy is she a good dog (and that's an understatement)! We've had Ruby a couple months and she's the girls new best friend.

Cutie Pie

Ally started school a week and a half before Kaitlyn started pre-school. Kaitlyn and I had lots of time together which I was grateful for. It was fun heading to the library, reading together, having lunch dates, making cookies, and visiting friends from church. The time was great, but I have to say we sure did miss our Ally. Ally provides most of Kaitlyn's entertainment....I almost didn't know what to do!

Ally's in First Grade

Ally had a great first day of school. She was nervous about being away for the entire day, but after having a double dose of recess plus a lunch break, I think she got over it rather quickly :-)

Mom and Dad's only frustration....after packing a nice lunch and snacks for recess...all she ate was her banana! (I guess it could have been the cookies, so I shouldn't complain.) It's gotta be nerves and new surroundings, but oh how frustrating! We had to have a lesson on the importance of food. We'll see how it goes tomorrow.

Jeremy got his ELK!!!

What a relief! Jeremy stresses this time of year, EVERY year, in hopes of getting his elk. This year the pressure was on since he didn't get last year. Our freezer was bare, which means we had to buy hamburger meat (a huge expense these days). We love eating Elk since it's so lean and there really isn't much of a difference in flavor.

SO...GREAT job Jeremy! This is your second archery elk and I'm SO proud of you!


I know this picture seems ruthless, but the girls were SO excited for daddy and his biggest bull ever. Zack (the cat) even joined in to take a peek.

Kids say the cutest things!

Kaitlyn was coming down with cold-like symptoms. I told her she needed to have quiet time because she’s got a cold and needs to rest & get better. Kaitlyn’s reply “but I’m not cold mommy”. I explained that a cold isn’t because you feel cold it’s when you have the sniffes and cough. Her reply to that: “well that’s kinda funny”. When she awoke from her nap, she ran to tell Ally what she had learned. She forgot what it was called and asked me. I explained. She looked at Ally and said “Ally isn’t that CRA-ZY…that’s what I have! I just think that’s SO crazy mom!”

I went to pick up Ruby for a play date with Kaitlyn. Arica tells Ruby to get ready, cause she’s going to Andrea’s. Ruby’s reply “Is she going to be the mommy?”

Kaitlyn was determined to have something, although I couldn’t figure out what she was talking about. She took me to the fridge, opened the door and pointed, very frustrated at this point, she looked at me dumb-founded. “Al-we-gator!” She was pointing at Gaterade.

Ally tripped over the stool (a training potty) in the bathroom. “Mom, when are we finally going to get rid of this stupid potty. Everyone knows how to use the toilet, Mom! Kaitlyn’s response: “Ally…we CAN’t get rid of it (with attitude)….we need it for camping!”

The latest (last night): Ally looked out the window while driving to Grandma’s. “Mom, look at the sky!” I did my best to look out her window, while stopped at a traffic light. “What is it honey?” She says: “see that thing that looks like Heavenly Father! You know, the lines coming down from the sun! Isn’t it SO pretty! Have you ever seen anything like it?!”

I love these moments….it’s SO FUN to be a parent!

Another addition....

Yes, another goat has been added to the farm. He is a nigerian dwarf, the same breed as Cocoa. We named "the boyfriend" Biff. I'm not sure how lucky Cocoa and Cloe are...he sure has some disgusting habits. After looking into stud fees, it was much more cost effective to purchase a male...but I'm not sure how long we'll be able to deal with the stink. More than likely, we'll sell him in a month or two. Once we know his job is done ;-)


Can you see the new chicken pen? It's in the background of the above photo. It can be transported around the yard, includes nesting boxes and has a lid to retreive the eggs once the chickens start laying. Way to go Hun!

I WONDER WHAT THE NEXT ADDITION WILL BE? LOL

Becca's married!

I've known Rebecca since she was two. I had the privilage of babysitting her for a few years and am glad we have kept in touch through the years. She was my flower girl when she was 9...an adorable one I must say (you can see her peeking behind my dress in my wedding pic in on of the pics from our 11 year anniversary post last June).
Becca, you are beautiful. I am thrilled I was able to attend your wedding and reception. We wish you many happy years together! Duncan is one lucky man! Congrats you two!