Muffin Top vs. Barbie

So I'm kinda tall, right? And I have lost some weight over the past year and feel that as far as my weight is concerned, that I still have a good bit to lose, but I'm feeling a lot better and thinner than I probably have since Jacob was born, 9 years ago. Yesterday morning I did a little baking for someone that had placed an order, I worked out, showered and got myself ready and then Marty and I got the kids ready for our family pictures. As we went to meet Amy for our photo shoot, I was feeling pretty good about myself! My hair (despite the need for a trim!) did OK, I was wearing black (black hides a lot) and I had a great work out with weights that morning, so I knew that even at that very moment, calories were still being burned...great day, right?! 15 mins after arriving, we had taken our pictures and were in the car heading home! I asked Marty to stop by the store so I could run in and grab a few things so he pulls into the Neighborhood Wal Mart and drops me off at the front. I jump out of the car, still liking my hair and outfit. As I get out of the car, I notice this lady...this Woman. It turns out that she and I are crossing in front of our car at the same time..side by side! She's way taller than me, beautiful blonde hair, perfectly lifted and perky "s, super thin...model-like....oh GREAT..I get to walk all the way to the doors next to her!! As we get closer to the entrance doors, our reflection says it all!! I am all of the sudden feeling super short, fat and my outfit isn't nearly as in style or as expensive as hers!! I could see people as they were coming out, smile at me politely and then WOW!...they look at her and do a double take!!! It's one of those moments where you just want to stop dead in your tracks and let Barbie just go ahead and get out of sight so you're not walking side-by-side with her! I just knew that everyone passing us was comparing me to her...Ms. Saggy, Droopy Muffin Top next to Ms. Perky, Hourglass Goddess! I'm sure at some point upon entering the store, as I dashed off in the total opposite direction from her (get as far away as possible!!!), I probably made some kind of grunting noise slightly in her direction. Next thing I know, Brant comes running up behind me calling for me and grabs my hand! It only took my awesome son to realized that Ms. Goddess and her great looks didn't matter! I'm happy with who I am! I do have things that need to be tweeked (like losing more weight!!) but I have been so blessed!! Blessed with a great family! Mom, dad and siblings that love me and the fact that we all get along really well, in laws in included!! An awesome husband that is true to the priesthood that he holds and beautiful children that all have a love for the Savior!! Barbie taught me how quick we are to compare and judge. My first thoughts were comparing myself to her and then my second thoughts when I first saw her was to judge (the word 'fake' entering into my mind once or twice!). In, like two seconds, I went from feeling good about myself to feeling so inadequate! I'm thankful that I was able to stop and put things back into perspective! I think next time I run into Barbie I will not slow down, but walk taller and faster and be the first one to enter the store!

Thanksgiving Lunch with the Kids

I didn't want to eat two school meals (..can't imagine why..) so since I beat Marty to the school, I ate with Brant...













...and then Marty ate with Jacob. They were both soo excited to have us both there for lunch! All of their friends were, as usual, excited to see Rissa!





This is one of the goody plates that I made for all of the kids teachers. I really didn't take tons of time to get all creative with the display of it all, but I don't think they cared about that too much! Hopefully there were enough yummies on there to keep them from caring that it was all on just a paper plate.



I didn't take any pictures of the princess at lunch with the boys. This is a picture I took of her that morning. She's so funny. She would totally stick her pancake on her head and start singing, "Lalalala" as she tilted her head from side to side. She makes me laugh. (LOL) :)

LOL....the other half of the story!

LOL:

1. Left Over Lunch
2. Last One Left
3. Later On Loser
4. Lack Of Love (Brant's contribution to this post :) )
5. Loser Obviously Losing
6. Lobster On Lettuce
7. Living On Legumes
8. Lovers Only Love
9. Liars Only Lie
10. Look Out Lolligagger
    

Ok, so don't worry!! These are just some silly thoughts about what LOL could mean, it's not really what I've thought it means. Jacey, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I just couldn't come up with a Naughty One! So Anyway, I will now take a moment to let my guard down a bit, mix in some Humility & let go of my Pride. I take this time to say those words that we all should probably say at least once or maybe twice in our marriage..."Yes, honey. YOU were RIGHT. I was wrong !" or "You are the SMART one. I am the DUMB one!".....if that's not working for you, "You are the SUPREME being. I am the POOP ON THE SCUM AT THE BOTTOM LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE POND!".....Well, I definitely won't say the last of those...let me just say this to my wise, learned husband..." YOU ARE trendier than I and are "Cool" and are very knowledgeable in the ways of technology! Your texting knowledge AND ability amazes me and you were right about LOL!! I was wrong about LOL...I am still living in the 80's and am not current on my texting acronyms!! I now realize that I would not be able to continue existence on the face of this earth without you. You rule all. (LOL!)" ok, people, so I thought it meant, Lots Of Love! So if you have ever read comments from me and LOL totally didn't make sense, or you thought I was laughing at something that was special or sensitive, well, now you know why!!! ....so how do you text Lots Of Love?!

HELP!! I NEED TO KNOW SOMETHING...ASAP!

Ok---So Marty & I are sitting here looking at all of your blogs. I just left a comment on some one's blog and at the end I typed LOL....WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? He says it means one thing and I say it means something else......You tell me...WHAT DOES LOL MEAN TO YOU?..... ...I'll tell you what we think it is after I get some responses, as to not influence any one's answers:)

A Twilight Night!!!

LAST NIGHT........
.....I put on my 'lucky socks' and my black boots.......slipped my 'HEART' Edward earrings in.......and I stuffed my purse with necessities; snacks, money and IBUPROFEN (I mention the huge bottle of IB b/c it was funny when, during the movie, Sarah leans over and asked if I had any headache drugs. I said, "Yep!" and handed this to her!!! My joints have been hurting from the Fybromyalgia, so I've been keeping it on hand...it's convenient when someone else needs it, too:)




...then I JUMPED IN THE CAR WITH THE GIRLS TO GO SEE TWILIGHT!!!
McKayla, Jessica, Amie, Me & Kathee...Chrisy & Sarah in the front.
We had to wait for about an hour & a half to get seated in the theater. While we waited a few vendors brought everyone a few little goodies and then once we got seated, Heather (a friend of Sarah & Stephanie Meyer) did 30 or so door prizes. I didn't get the Edward Pillow that I so badly wanted, but Jessica WON a 'Twilight' ornament!! She was the only one from our group to win something...You go girl!! Way to REPRESENT!!
After the movie, there were a bunch of little girls HOGGING the Edward poster!! Amie gave them the boot so she could get a little one-on-one time with the King of Hottness! She just needed to drool on him and get a little 'Edward chest rub action' in so she could make it through the rest of the week!
After the steamy movie, we went to eat at Chili's. Sarah, Jessica & I. It was a great night with great friends!!
Kathee, Amie & Mckayla...Amie is feeling pretty good about herself after that Edward Chest Rub!
Sarah enjoying her yummy Molten Chocolate Cake Dessert!!...Thanks for driving all of us across town and hooking us up with the tickets, Sarah!!!
I will just note that I was disappointed in a couple of things with the movie, however, when it was all said and done, I was more in love with Edward...so all-in-all, I decided it was pretty good! I loved the humor in!

This is Amazing!

This is a poem that my 13 year old niece, Nikole, wrote!! She is amazing and I am always so impressed with her poetry!! She's so talented and writes as if she's 20! I just liked this a lot and wanted to share it!!

Sin
Here and then
We all sin
But it’s important to repent

For once we do
God is sure
That nothing bad was meant

But in the end
Some of us
Pretend nothing did take place

And then temptation
Slowly sweeps
Back into
Our face;……..Forever on a chase

Things that are REally Important...

Last week was one of those weeks where I was left feeling so inadequate. I don't know what it is about a uterus that makes the family think that mom has all the answers! Like there's a radar inside of me that can detect where every pair of shoes or any other lost item might be! I spent the week arguing with one kid, while I was trying to help the other get through some trials that he was dealing with. As a mom, I find myself feeling frustrated when I can't understand my boys' points of view. I feel guilty when my husband comes home from a long days work, and the only thing to eat for dinner is counter tops of baked goods...and those he can't even eat because they are orders for other people! ...and I have pretty much come to accept the fact that I was born chubby and will, most likely die chubby! After having some 'down time' this past weekend, I have realized that as frustrated as I get about some of this stuff...it's ok! It's all good!
There are shiny, diamond moments that make these frustrations all worth it!

1- My dates with Brant! These are the times that it's just he & I! We laugh, we play, we usually eat something & we TALK! He opens up and tells me how things are going at school and I just cherish these times with him!!! I'm thankful for Brant's love of other people and I'm esp thankful that he's so kind and thoughtful. He has a great love for his family and he has a fun sense of humor!!!

2- The brief moments that Jacob lets me into his world!! For so many years, I have had to pry into his little Autistic world!! Finally after years of hard work as a family and much, MUCH help from therapist and teachers, he OFFERS his hand out to me and invites me in...occasionally! Sometimes he shares things that make me cry (times when he feels he's different from his peers), but most of the times I'm laughing my head off with him! I love that everything is black & white (there's no 'gray' w/him..for the most part, it's either right or wrong) with him and I love his imagination!! Above all, I think I love to watch him write/draw and play with his clay!!

3-My one-on-one play times with Rissa! She is growing so fast and is at such a fun age!! She's learning something new everyday and she just makes me smile. I love it when she comes up to me and pats on my leg, saying, "Mama! Mama! mama!mamamamamamama" ! She points at everything and wants to know what everything is and it's just been such a blessing to have her in our family!

4-The fun that Marty and I have together! I love him soo much!! I'm so thankful for him and that he is so thoughtful and always does things for me to show me he loves me. I can talk to him, I can cry on his shoulder and I can laugh with him. He truly is my best friend!

I have so much to be thankful for and although I do feel inadequate sometimes, I know that I can always stop and look around me and see many positives in my life! I'm trying to learn to not focus on the negatives that I see in myself. I know that I'm not alone in this. I know that other moms deal with this whirlwind of feelings but I usually don't stop and look at the big picture when I'm in the middle of a hard day..or week! I'm grateful that most weeks aren't too bad for me, but even more grateful for my family & friends that help me get through the ones that are!!!

New link to NURSERY BLOG!!!

I have started a new blog for our Nursery Group!! I did this so it would be connected to my other blogs and would just be easier for me to manage. Here's the new link
http://tiffany-lessonslearnedinnursery.blogspot.com/ I have just added a fun post from today and will do my best to add something each week!!! Go take a Look!!! (If any of you moms don't want your kids pictures posted, please let me know and I will take them off and will not post any in the future.

Dax's Football Cupcakes

I've had a couple of friends ask me to put a picture of the Football Cupcakes I made for Dax's birthday on here--so here are a couple of shots. The goal post, obviously, sticks down into the cupcake, but I didn't want to put a whole in it yet. They were vanilla cupcakes filled with vanilla cream.

My Husband Loves Me!!!

OOps! I forgot ...
...I totally forgot that I snapped a shot of the tv w/him on the tv ...while I was watching the tv w/him on it! Did ya get all that?! So this was Robby in all his hottness and glory!...I still think he's not figured out the whole 'vampire hair' thing.


So the other night, Marty was channel surfing and came across an interview on Nightline with Robby Pattinson aka. EDWARD!! He totally took a 9 min break in his search to record the interview for me!!!! I thought it was pretty thoughtful of him to think of me and do that! Thank you for supporting my Twilight addiction, my love!!! I love you and appreciate all the little things you do for me:)
...Just think girls, NEXT WEEK WE'LL BE SEEING IT ON THE BIG SCREEN!!! Get your T-Shirts ready!!

Time to start a Peter Piper Pizza album!!!

So Monday night, yesterday, we went to yet another party at the one and only Peter Piper Pizza. I pretty much could make a whole new album JUST FOR PPP PICTURES!! Maybe that is a sign to just stop taking pictures there, but each time we go, it's for some type of celebration or banquet, so what's a mom to do?! this time, the party was our REWARD PARTY for our RELAY FOR LIFE TEAM!!! When we participated in the Relay for Life Walk for Cancer last month, our team WON the kids division for MOST MONEY RAISED!!! Jaden's goal originally was to raise $1,000.00 and we as a team raised nearly $2,000.00!!! Our team prize was a PARTY AT PPP WITH PIZZA, POM POMS, TOYS AND OTHER FUN STUFF!!
Jaden & Brant. Jaden was the Team Leader and did such an AMAZING JOB!!!
Brant invited Cole to come and enjoy in the fun. Cole then came home and spent the night, so the party just went on and on....and on ...and on.............:)
AA HHaaa!! I gotcha Jacob!! This little booger has been in this 'No pictures!" phase!! I need to learn some P.I. (Private Investigator) skills from my dad so that I can get some better photos of him!
ok...so I'm thinking that these guys are a little bit too big for this ride!! At one point, I put two more coins in for them to ride..."just a little bit longer"! I think those were the best two coins spent the whole night!! ...It's the little things in life that mean so much! oh-and We had to pry Joey (below) off...he screamed and cried and pitched a tantrum on the floor!! Sorry Joey, but it was Rissa's turn! haha j/k


NUm, nUm CAKe!!!! Rissa loves poking big things with forks...and then flinging it across the room!! We were all very grateful and blessed that she didn't hit anyone this time!! I think she was trying to aim at Brant b/c just before the big fling of the fork, she pointed and yelled, "BOT!" ..that's Rissa talk for "Brant"!
....oh GO GET A ROOM YOU TWO!!!
Ken gave the Team a great, motivating, "congratulations" speech while we ate our pizza! It was very moving and emotional...many cried. Thank you Ken for such an uplifting speech!! ~~~ :) Na, we didn't cry, but Ken really has done a great job with all of the kids!! He's been an awesome 'Team Dad"!!! Amy and her kids were team members like Brant & I.
The Awesome Team Mom!!! Jess put so much work into helping Jaden with the Relay for Life Walk!! She did such a great job tying all of the loose ends together! You are amazing Jess!! I didn't get a picture, but you should've seen the amazing cake that she made for the party!!
Alright Peace Out! PPP!!!...until the next Party!!

Happy Birthday MOM!!!!!

...and yes folks, I did make these!! See them on my SweetTooth blog!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!! I want honor my mom by sharing a few things about her that I love and admire...and have learned from her!!
1~~ She's a perfect driver!! She has NEVER gotten a speeding ticket and never exceeds the speed limit!
2~~ My mom can make Chocolate out of ANYTHING!!! I swear, growing up, there were so many times that we kids would want chocolate on a Sunday evening and couldn't find a lick of Chocolate anywhere in the house!! Next thing ya know, Voila!! She whips up a little something here and a little something there and she's got some type of concoction that is like chocolate heaven!!
3~~ I love her singing voice! In college, I remember getting so homesick at one point and was clear across the country. I called one night and begged her to sing to me!!
4~~ Everything I know about baking & cooking, I LEARNED FROM MY MAMA!! The other day I was reminded of a funny little something in regards to this: A few years ago, when mom & dad were out here visiting, Mom had fried up some Country Fried Steak...my all time favorite!! The next day, we come home from hiking in the White Tanks and she's on the floor with everything pulled out of my frig! She was looking for the grease that she had used the previous day b/c she wanted to use it again for dinner that night. She was appalled when I told her I threw it away!! She gets up and says, "WHAT?! THAT WAS PERFECTLY GOOD GREASE!! DIDN'T I RAISE YOU BETTER THAN THAT?!" haha. We laughed and laughed! I am a Southern girl, but I really don't fry a ton!
5~~ Things that remind me of my mom, (aka DAWN G) : Paula Dean :)* fondant * big chandeliers (the big one at our house on Sierra Dr--I would always look at the beautiful chandelier that was in our dining room and dreamed of wearing the shiny crystal's as earrings!! One day, mom took two of them off and let me wear them!! I always think of that when I look at the chandeliers in the Temple:) ) * Mama Mia! * TTC * Women of the Well CD * the EGG-STRACTER * HGTV * my pizza scooper * crossword puzzles ....these are just a few things.
I LOVE YOU MOM AND HOPE YOU'VE HAD A GREAT BIRTHDAY!!!! My mom is such an amazing woman!! Mom, cherish our times together and our many, many phone calls!!! You are the one who birthed me, nurtured me, gave me the s-e-x talk (aahhh!) and was supported me and was there for me when I got married! You've been such a support and helped me get through so many hard times and struggles as well as so many more fun memories!! I wish I could be there to celebrate with you!!! I love you tons! tiff:)

Pomegranate & Exercise

Ok, so these little boogers look like bloody ovaries to me!! Not that I've seen many bloody ovaries in my day, but if I were to guess, this is what I'd say they look like! Years ago, I bought a Pomegranate and tried to eat it. I wanted to see what all the hype was about! I cut it open and shuttered at the inside! It scared me right to my death bed and intimidated the crude out of me!! I took the next step and ate one...great...they have seeds! So after spending, like 2 hours, putting one in my mouth, sucking everything off the seed and spitting the seed out I decided, "Pomegranates Are Stupid!". At that moment I vowed that they were a waste of time, tasty & juice-I'll give them that, but way too much work for so little 'meat' and I would never waste my time or money on those juicy, bloody ovary-looking things again! Here it is years later, and Wal-mart the love/hate store (love it cuz they have everything, hate it cuz they take all my money) had them on sale. Not only that, but they had pamphlets beside them...rules, directions, the do's & don'ts of How to eat them!! My Ovaries must've been dealing with some pomegranate deficiency or something, b/c once I saw them - with the directions - I could not resist! It looked so good to me and I totally craved the yummy juice from it that I had tasted so long ago when I was so young and unaware that such a gory looking fruit even exisited! After reading the booklet I got a call from Brea. She is a pomegranate lover and so she was soo excited that I was about to take my second, first bite! She coached me through it, assuring me that you do, indeed, EAT the seeds and before I knew it, I was chomping down on CRUNCHY, bloody ovaries!! That was a much faster way to eat them and when it was all said and done, I think I enjoyed it enough to buy another one! Just one question: Does anyone else have problems with the seeds sticking straight up into your gums...in between your teeth? It happened only a couple of times, maybe I'm just a wimp.

This is pretty much what happens when I am stretching. I usually work out when Rissa is sleeping b/c if I do it when she's awake, she cries and reaches up for me the whole time I'm working out. By the time I'm done, she's horribly upset and then she's attached to me the whole time I'm stretching! I must say that when I'm on the floor stretching, I love glancing up only to see her back to me and her little butt scooting closer and closer until, PLOP! She lands on me!! I usually sound the moment off with a "BEEP!...BEEP!...BEEP!", as she's shuffling back! I love this age!!!...her's, not mine :)

Drawing For Free Desserts!!!

I have decided to have a drawing for a FREE DESSERT SAMPLER PLATTER from my 'bakery'!! So here's how it works: Every time you make a purchase from me your name goes into a drawing. I will choose ONE NAME. That person wins a FREE SAMPLER PLATTER! I will do the first drawing on 30th OF NOVEMBER, and the 2nd drawing will be on the 31at of DECEMBER!!! It doesn't matter how you order, email, blog or phone call---all orders count!!! Look at my SweetTreats Blog for a picture!!

Nice Weather & Tinker Bell

A few nights ago we went over to our neighbors, Jessica & Brian, to watch the new Tinker Bell movie. Brian has a projector, so they made a white screen on the back porch and we all laid on the grass on blankets and sat in lounge chairs to enjoyed the flick! Rissa, McKayla & the other little "Tinker Bells" loved that all the fairies were life-sized!! Brant & Jacob said that it was a "yucky girls movie", but I think they secretly liked watching it :) The weather is sooo perfectly nice right now, so that made the night all the better! For dessert, I took some of my homemade Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes..yum!! These are the only pictures I took:

Order Your Baked Goods Here!!!

Hey Everybody I have officially started my BAKING BLOG!!! It's called SweetTooth and there is a permanent link to the right. I have tossed the idea around b/c of friends telling me to do it. I couldn't really decide whether to start this up or not. Sometimes, my friends it takes a lot of motivation to get the ball rollin!! Here's my motivation: I Got a Killer Speeding Ticket that I have to pay!! -So buy some baked goods so I don't get put in jail ok!!! To all of the We're Losing it...Our Behinds, not Our Minds group, YOU don't have to eat them:)...think of how happy your family would be! Think of those cute little kid-o's with chocolate smudged all over their cute little chubby cheeks!! Once again, this is not a secret plan to keep you from becoming the Biggest Loser....or maybe it is..no, it really isn't. Take a look at my blog, I'll get pictures on there before too long :)

Brant Gets MVP!!!!

Last week we went to Peter Piper Pizza for Brant & Marty's (..he was a coach for the team) Baseball Team Banquet! Coach Brown left Brant's trophy til the very last. He had a ton of awesome things to say about Brant and announced that he was the MVP!!! Brant really had a great season!! He started just about every game Pitching. He also played catcher and second base. He worked hard and has had a lot of "baseball growth moments"! Great Job Brant!!! We are so proud of you love you SSSOOOOO MUCH!!!
Coach Brown & Brant
Rissa didn't like it when the Wiener Truck started to move!! I think Jacob just liked pushing all the buttons!

All the coins are spent, tickets tallied and prizes won...now it's time for bed!!!

Allyson Has Gone to the Dark Side and Started A Blog!!!

Hey Everybody!! Check out Allyson Christensen's Family Blog!!!!!

I Feel like a Talented, Creative, Amazing...PERSON WITH A CONFESSION!!!

Okay, I HAVE A CONFESSION!! I will just say that after a few days of many phone calls, compliments and a few comments on my last couple of posts, I'm not a liar...I just haven't divulged the WHOLE truth. Let it be known that I, Tiff Joyner, DID NOT MAKE THE SUNSHINE CAKE, MUPPET'S CAKE OR PREGO WOMAN CAKE ..(aahhh there! I said it! I feel much better now getting that onto my blog!). Just another note for the record; Nor did I make the FIVE FOOT tall FONDANT CAKES, THE POOP CAKE (although I'm sure I could make that one!) or the HAIRY CHEST MAN CAKE (I don't think I want to try that one)!! One of my friends, Desire (she works with Jacob @ school), was wondering why I hadn't sent any of those cakes in with Jacob to share with everyone!! It cracked me up b/c she really though I had made, like three cakes just to get the pictures on my blog for my 100th Post!! I love it!! I have had several people call to compliment me on my fine talents as a cake decorator!! For one brief moment in time, I even started to feel a little Famous, b/c people from across the country called to compliment me and my cake decorating abilities....but really, it doesn't count when it's YOUR MOM on the other end of the phone, calling from the opposite coast! That was a fun conversation! I answer the phone with my mom practically yelling in my ear telling me how beautiful the PREGO CAKE was!! How did you? ..how long did it? ..Did Allyson love?....Bla bla bla! Excitement after excitement. My poor mom. How could I be so cruelly honest and tell her that her ONLY DAUGHTER isn't the awesome, crafty, talented cake decorator that was so she excited about?!! So I tell her. I told her that I DIDN'T MAKE THE PREGO WOMAN BUST CAKE...NOR THE POOP CAKE...NOR THE MUPPET CAKE...NO WHITE HAIRY CHEST MAN...NONE OF THEM ARE MY CREATIONS!! Oh. she says. Then she asks if Allyson liked the Prego Cake. Apparently, she thought at that point, that I had bought it for her. NOPE. WRONG AGAIN! Yes, my friends, (moment of truth...here we go...) all it took was the little click on the computer...you guessed it! Two Words: COPY & PASTE!! So, just to let you all know, it was not meant for me to lead you into believing that I SINGLE HANDED LY CREATED ALL OF THOSE CAKES!! It just happened. So tonight, I set the story straight and tell you that those cakes came from a beloved blog, a blog that I have looked at many times, laughed at and cried at. Those are pictures from CAKE WRECKS!! Go ahead...take a look. ...In my defense, though, I will say, that that one cake I made with kids when mom & dad were here, well, THAT WAS MY CREATION!! That was the real deal!! thanks for all of your super nice comments and phone calls about the cakes!! For a day or two I truly felt like the MAGNIFICENT CAKE DECORATOR SUPER STAR OF THE UNIVERSE!! For those few moments of cake dignity and Power, I thank you all!!! I shall return to my normal, everyday life now. Peace Out. (Mom, just so you know, I am still planning on taking a Cake Decorating class @ Michaels, so there is still hope for me!)

Happy Birthday Peter!!

Peter, In Honor of Your Birthday, we present to you.....
...A POCKEY FULL OF SUNSHINE!!!!
...and in case that cake isn't fun enough, maybe this one will do!! Happy Birthday Dude!!
OH!..ONE LAST THING........
here's a deleted clip from THE OFFICE just for you!!enjoy! (Be sure to pause the Sunshine music!!)

~~~~~~~Happy Birthdy Allyson!!!~~~~~~

Here's a "little lift' for your Special Day!!

Today is Allyson's 33rd Birthday!!!!! Happy, Happy Birthday Allyson!! I hope you know how much I cherish our friendship!!!
Let me take just a moment to tell you all the things that I admire and love about you!!! I'm going to call it:
EVERYTHING I NEED TO KNOW, I'VE LEARNED FROM ALLYSON:

Unselfish, kind, fun to be with, the first to offer help, can repair any bike , loves her husband & kids, organized, always willing to teach an impromptu primary lesson, learns to play the piano so she can teach her kids, bargain shopper, can change a tire on her van (...while pregnant!), can sew up curtains, shams and a comforter in a day, is a stellar volleyball player, loves the gospel, knows how to potty-train little boys, is trustworthy, awesome memory-can remember every little detail of things!!, good listener, can change the oil in her car (...still pregnant!), good with the grill, excellent problem solver!, isn't afraid to take the van engine apart - fix it - and rebuild it (she's never actually done this as far as I know, but I'm sure she wouldn't hesitate and I'm sure she could figure it out!), independent, self motivated! oh--and she's a Twilight Freak like me...who prefers Edward!! Allyson, I hope your day is filled with fun and good times!! I love you tons and am so grateful to have you in my life!! Thanks for being such a true friend. P.S.--I can't wait for that baby to get here this week!!!--LOL--tiff:)

~~Happy Halloween!!!~~

~~Trunk-or-Treat~~a few nights before Halloween
This is the cutest little quacker I ever did see!
Brant and some of his buddies! I think this was the only time the entire night that I even saw him. He had a great time and came home with a ton of candy!
Jacob went up to his room one day last week and came down looking like this: a Robotic Zombie Monster! He is very creative and did a great job coming up with a great costume!! We bought the gloves and also a mask, but didn't wear the mask to the church party. By the way, I had to pay him to let me take this picture! (J/K)
........are you my mother?
Mom! There you are!! I love you ssooo much!! (Yeah right! Not at that moment! The body language, face and wings spread out says it all, "Get me out of here!!" or maybe it's, "You can't hold me down! I'm the little princess and can do whatever I want, so let me go..NOW!"
Brooklyn looked awesome!!
Piglet and the Duck. Parker & Rissa are so stinkin cute together!!
The Ballerina and the Duck. Sara looked so beautiful in her ballerina outfit!! Jenny, put those sports shoes away and go buy some Ballet Slippers b/c she looks like a natural!! ..is she standing in first position?.... :)
Love the 'Operation' costumes!! I wonder if Rob's NOSE LIGHTS UP and BUZZ's if Autumn makes a mistake?.
This little webbed footed friend is pooped, I think! (not really, she was up and running the second the picture was taken, but this picture does like as if she actually does sit and rest sometimes!)
Brant decided he just wanted some color in his hair, so I pulled out all of the hair color and we streaked his hair with black, red, gold & silver! I look at this picture and can't believe our 4.1 lb little premie baby is so big!! man, I LOVE this kid!!
...I didn't realize that USC's mascot was a DUCK!..I always thought it was a GAMECOCK! :)
Leaving so soon, Jeni & Sam??...This is Piglets family.
I love Stacy & Joe!! uummm..can anyone say ...ZOOLANDER?!! If Ben Stiler ever needed a replacement, Joe would totally get the job!!
Rissa loves Allyson!! She esp loved the fact that she had a big bowl of suckers!! She's already learning the "I claim it" technique! She licked about five of them to assure that she walked away with, not one, but five!
Bishop Clifford giving Rissa a Glow Necklace!! He knows how to speak 'Ducklish'.
A couple of guys just passing out candy...
Let the trading begin!! Here's some of their candy from round 1-Trunk-or-Treat.

~~Halloween Night~~

Brian & Marty...they'd rather be golfing. na-we all had a great time!


McKayla the Princess and Rissa.
We had a lot of fun tonight! We set up a table and chairs and grilled out in our driveway with some of our neighbors while we passed out candy to the Trick-or-Treaters! We took turns taking the kids out to knock on doors and just had fun hanging out! We our neighbors across from us were using scare tactics on the older kids that came to them, and that was quite fun and entertaining for all of the rest of us to watch!! A ton more people were out this year and it was a fun Halloween!...well, except for Jacob's 'scary moment'. Apparently, when Marty & Jacob were off in a different neighborhood, there was a house that had a table on it's porch near where they were sitting and passing out candy. There was a table cloth on the table and at one point while Jacob was getting his candy, a kid, who was hiding under the table, screamed and grabbed Jacob's leg! Jacob totally started crying and was horrified just telling me about it almost an hour later! Brant, on the other hand, wanted to BE a scarer this year, thank you Bro. Hughes and TJ!! :) Last year they jumped out of the bushes and scared Brant & Tyler all the way down the street--so, in turn, that was Brant & Tyler's goal for this year! That would be why Brant didn't really dress up this year. He got a mask and that's all he needed! Jacob, to no surprise, wouldn't let me get pictures of him. (and then there's Rissa who poses for every picture!!)