happy halloween!

I'll help you....

Gwen LOVES to help me cook. Which is mostly fun and sometimes stressful. Today it was fun. I was making some breadsticks, it was time to stir everything together before I started kneading it. Gwen was holding a little tsp. and getting as involved as she could with it. I got out a wooden spoon and stirred it around above the bowl and ingredients, trying to show Gwen what to do, while saying excitedly, "Stir it, Gwen... Stir it!". Then I handed her the wooden spoon (which was much bigger and more important looking than her little tsp.). She was very excited- giddy even. She took the spoon and just started waving it like a magic wand above the bowl. It was so sweet and innocent , but what topped it off was how excited she was about the whole thing and you could tell she thought she was being so helpful. Waving and Waving like 2 1/2 year old little witch over her cauldron of bread... except not cackling- just smiling, and big, "proud of myself" breaths.
Love it.

lots and lots

Here are some photos from the past several months... I haven't put up photos in quite a while.

The first several are from a camping trip with the Elys. We love camping with them and this site was especially wonderful with a perfect little stream running through that was deep enough to play, but not deep enough to be scary.

everybody chasing dad/uncle todd

This is a semi-typical night at the young house (when todd is not at school or doing homework). Lilli reading and Dad resting/wrestling with the kids.

Todd took Lilli and Heidi out to Luke Air Force for this event they do every year with an Air Show and lots of fun military planes, etc. to climb in and learn about. They had a lot of fun!

Here's Heidi... a couple months ago.

What do I even say about this picture? All dressed up and nowhere to go??

Cheering Papa on for one of his hockey games. The guys he plays with now affectionately (or quite mockingly) call him "Papa".

I was in the shower one evening and told Lilli to hurry and get in bed and I would come talk to her when I got out. This is what I came out to. Quite adorable and the first time she had ever written or left me a note!

Jumping on the trampoline with Grandma Suzi.

Dress up with the Alger girls. Sara, Lilli, and Heidi where supposed to be doodle bops.

Lilli in a play she auditioned for in the summer. She was a Chameleon. It was very cute and fun and great experience for a young star!

it's a........

morbid maybe?

I know of someone who has just passed away and I'm touch by the things I've learned about her journey. I don't know her personally so it is not affecting me deeply beyond my sympathies for her friends and young family that she is leaving behind.
As I'm considering it and seeing posts from people who are grieving and some who are feeling angry, I'm just thinking about it and wondering how I would/do feel about it. I have to admit that as I'm considering her experience RIGHT NOW (not prior and not her family's losses), I kind of feel excited. Wow, think of all the things she is experiencing right now that we've spent our wholes lives wondering (and preparing) for...
I'm a little excited for that time in my journey (hopefully and prayerfully it will be many many many years from now).
so... morbid maybe?

Splush the Toilet!

Heidi is working on not forgetting to splush. I know this story doesn't compete with the last, but since it was time to let the other be copied and pasted into a more private journal for safe keeping, I had to replace it with something... and if you could see and hear Heidi saying it, I promise, you would be fulfilled and tickled.

dodge ball

Stephanie organized an incredibly fun Family Home Evening Activity. We played dodge ball with what seemed like hundreds of balls and at least that many children. We had a blast. Thank you Algers for doing all the work so we could come and play.
In one of the games, everyone lined up along the sides of the room and two people would try to run through the middle and make it to the other side without getting hit. Here's Jen and Steph's turn at it....

This is Dandi and me trying... I was hit a few million times.

Action shot.

Look at that amazing stance. I should go pro.

That's my Lilli girl. I think she was the last or second to last person to get out for at least one of the rounds. Good Job girly.

Jacob Black!

It's Jacob Black when he was just a little cub!!!!!

a lot of random

Todd hates these shoes. Every time I put them on he rolls his eyes and asks me why I don't just get rid of them..... well, todd, its because I like them.
I was going through my "pictures" file in my email and saw this, thought it was cute...
This was from our Rainy Ward Easter Party. It was a lot of fun!

So sexy... Dandi, why haven't you ever posted this one on your blog?

here's my best friend!

a little taste

Here are just a few shots from cousin camp.... lots of little girl cousins... thanks to tgff for another great retreat filled with learning and fun! check out The Gibney Family Foundation skit night: dancing to green eggs and ham!
ride 'em cowgirls!

gwen was absolutely fearless. i was very impressed!