Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a great Thanksgiving this year. We had an early dinner with my family. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures then. Then we went to the airport to pick up Grandma EJ, Burny, David, and Bess. We had another dinner in Lehi with the Siirola side of the family. It was really nice to see Mike's Mom, Burny, and the kids.

Paige had ice skating on Friday and Bess and David decided to give it a try. They did really well and I think they had fun.

Saturday Paige had two ice skating lessons and then we went to breakfast. After breakfast we went Bowling at Fat Cats. Paige did awesome as always and had some strikes and spares. Allison even bowled her first strike. She loved bowling, but just didn't want to take turns. Later that night we had dinner at Mike's Grandma's.

Sunday we went to my Mom and Dad's and we made Christmas cookies and Gingerbread houses. The Gingerbread house turned out great this year and the kids had a ton of fun.

It was a great weekend and I'm thankful we were able to spend it with our family. We love you guys!

Florida and catching up.....

So I'm a little behind in posting this. Sorry Shaun...... Things have been a little crazy since we've been back. I started my new job the Monday after we got back. I love my new job and I think I'm catching on pretty well. Sometimes it feels like they are speaking greek around me, but slowly it is starting to make sense to me. I'm now working at Intermountain Medical Center in Central Processing. Central Processing cleans and prepares all the surgical equipment, OB equipment, crash carts, etc, etc, etc.... I'm working with a girl I worked with at Kennecott years ago and it has been nice to see her again and catch up. Thanks Mel for your help!

We had a great time in Florida. Allison and Paige both did well on the flights, which I am so happy about! It was nice to spend the time with my parents and really nice to see my dad be able to walk around without his oxygen! :) RJ and Shaun met us down there and it was nice to catch up with them as well. It's nice to talk in person, not just on Skype. On Mike's Birthday we went to Epcot and went diving in their aquarium. It was really cool to be diving with all the tropical fish, sharks, and turtles.

During the trip we went to the Magic Kingdom, SeaWorld, Downtown Disney, Epcot, Universal, and Busch Gardens. It was really nice to spend the time together as a family. Paige also went on her first official big rides. Unfortunately for her she ended up with my genes and wasn't able to go on all the rides she wanted to.

I 'm being kind of lazy and am only doing one slideshow. Just to warn you, it's long!

Halloween 2009

We had a great Halloween this year! Paige went to two different parties and had her school party also.  I had to dress Alli up and take her to the school too.  She loves going to the school to see Paige.  On Halloween we went to Mike and Robin's house and had dinner.  All the kids had fun and got a ton of candy..... too much if you ask me.  

I could have been an interesting Halloween..... After I left work on Friday I almost had a head on collision with an idiot that was driving on the wrong side of 201.  Luckily, the Audi handles well and I have mad driving skills! :) I'm sure that a head on going 60+ miles per hour would have not ended well!

Paige before her Girl Scout Halloween Party.

Paige and Alli at the Elementary School.

She doesn't look amused here, but I promise she had fun....

Logan, Paige, Kori, Rylee, Shaun, Bronwyn, Alli, Bennett, Liv, Kate, and Gracie. It was hard to keep track of all of them!

Stray Cat Strut

Paige had her Halloween Show on Friday night.  She did awesome! It was a lot of fun to see all the kids dressed up in the cute costumes!  She really loves ice skating and I love to watch her progress and learn new skills.  To me, doing anything other than going around the rink is impressive! Great Job Miss Paigey! We love you!

Scouts and other random pictures

Paige has started Girl Scouts again. Tonight we had her Opening Ceremony. She had to get up and say a few lines in front of everyone and she did great!! We love you Paige! Now I'm just waiting for cookies! She is looking forward to summer camp this year because she will be going to one of the overnight camps.
Alli was a handful there, because all she wants to do is get down and walk. Thanks Mom for your help with her. Alli really wanted Grandpa tonight! Grandpa thinks she is trying to butter him up before the trip. He's probably right!

The kids have a new toy.....the toy bin. Wish I would have known how much fun this was sooner. The bins are a lot cheaper than the toys! They are such funny kids, I love watching them come up with new ideas. Paige helps Alli along the way, she is such a good big sister!

Alli's new passion is helping Daddy when he's on the computer. Whenever he is home she wants to be with him. She loves wearing his head set and typing on her computer (his Blackberry). It's so cute!

Oktoberfest 2009

We are so proud of Paige!  Oktoberfest was her first big competition and she did really well!  She took third place and added another medal to her collection.  She had so much fun!  She loves being down on the ice in front of everyone!  

I'm a little behind so here are some pictures of the past couple of weeks.  The girls have had fun playing outside before the weather starts to turn.  We also had our First Annual Flank Steak Cook Off.  It was a lot of fun and Mike was happy because his Flank Steak was the winner.  Greg, yours was awesome too!

Also, Alli has started walking a lot more.  She is now into everything!  I love watching her walk though, it's so cute!

Here is a video of Alli walking.  It's a little fuzzy.  Mike took it with his cell phone.

New Pictures

Paige started third grade last week. Where does the time go?  I can't believe how big she is getting.  She is such a sweetheart and helps a ton with her baby sister.  

On Saturday we had a friend of Mike's take some quick family pictures up Millcreek Canyon.  She did a great job! I really like some of the photos she took.  Mike was his usual self in some of them.  Good thing I love that man! Just kidding, I love the funny things he does.  Thanks Yvette!

We also got Alli's one year pictures and they are awesome.  Steph always comes through for us, even when Alli is screaming most of the time.  We took the pictures later in the afternoon.  I don't think I will schedule that late again, she was a little tired! Both of our girls love the camera and it shows!

We also had BBQs both Saturday and Sunday with good friends.  I will be sad when BBQ season is over!

My grandma is also in the ICU, so we have been going back and forth to see her.  I really wish she wasn't in there.  Her BP was REALLY low and she was a little out of it.  They think she is bleeding by her kidneys and now has two blood clots (one in each leg) to go with it.  Get well soon Grandma, we love you!

Here are a few of the 400 0r so pics from the two sittings.

Also, here is Alli's one year announcement.I'm happy that she is finally heavy enough to turn her car seat around! 20.6 pounds!

Lagoon, Boondocks, School Registration, and First Steps

So this week has been another busy one. We are trying to pack in as much as we can before school starts next Monday. We also booked our flights to Florida for November and we are all excited about it. The only part I'm not sure about is flying with Allison; that could be interesting!

Sunday we went to Lagoon with Mike, Robin, Greg, Carly, and all the kids.  We had a blast and the weather was just right.  We didn't even have whiney kids!  It had been awhile since we were there and although it was pretty much the same there were some new rides.  

Today we went to Boondocks with my parents for some mini golf, then out 

to dinner, and to Coldstone for ice cream.  After that we went to Paige's

 school registration.  Every year they have a little carnival.  The kids loved 

the dunk tank.

In the middle of all this Allison took her first steps today!!!! Go Alli!

County Cup 2009

Paige had her first competition today and she did awesome!  She took third place.  I was really impressed because she was put in a group higher than she should have and only had three lessons to learn a few of the tricks. I have gone with her a few times and I must say that I have a new appreciation for Ice Skaters. My only trick is going around the rink without falling.... if I'm lucky.

Congrats Paige! We love you!

Jordanelle July 28, 2009

We went to Jordanelle on Monday to take the boat on a test run.  Luckily we didn't have any problems! We took the tube out for a spin too.   This was the first time for Rylee and the first time Paige and Logan went solo. I forgot how much I missed this boat! It was so much fun, even though we weren't there very long.

Alli's Birthday Celebrations

I'm finally doing a slideshow so my posts won't be a mile long.

On Alli's Birthday Paige, Alli, Rylee, Logan, and I went swimming 

at the Murray Park pool.  The kids had a ton of fun and the 

older three went off the diving board for the first time.  Alli 

loved just sitting in the water and splashing.  It was a really 

hot day so it worked out perfect.

On Sunday we had a BBQ at our house.  Alli loved her cake!!

Allison and the Pink Panther

This video is so funny! This song is the one Paige will be using this Fall for competitions.  The other day we were at the ice rink and every time Paige's coach put on this song Alli went crazy dancing.  This girl loves to dance!

Miss Alli turns one!

I apologize in advance for all the pictures, but I love this little girl and have a million pictures of her.  I can't believe that a year has already gone by. It seems like I was just pregnant.  Alli is such a sweet baby and is getting quite the personality.  Here are a few things about Alli:

- She loves to dance.  I will post a video a little later of her dancing to the Pink Panther song. It's so funny!

- She loves to make you laugh. She thinks she is quite the comedian.

- She is really into "people" food now. If it's on your plate, she wants a bite.

- She is very mischeivious and into everything. She loves to open all the cupboards and drawers in the kitchen.

- Alli loves to be outside, especially in her swing.

- Her new word is go, go, go.

- She still loves to cuddle when she is sleepy.

- She likes watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Here are some pics from her first year. We will have another session with our awesome photographer in the next little while and I'll post those when I get them.

The belly pic.

Mommy and Alli

Daddy and Alli

Alli and her Big Sis

Newborn photo

3 months

6 months

9 months

My baby hanging out in the pool. She loves the water!

Happy First Birthday Allison! We love you!

Flaming Gorge July 10-12, 2009

We decided to take a mini vacation and stayed at a Trav's grandpa's cabin.  It was a lot of fun.  The girls played in the lake and caught snakes and the boys rode motorcycles and shot guns and a bow.  Typical guy things.  The weather was great. Minus a random hail storm that came through, but it passed quickly and warmed right up.  We saw a ton of deer and they were usually right outside the door when we woke up.  We are planning on going up next month, and hopefully will be taking the boat up next time.  It was a much needed vacation.  It was still a little sad though.  I have a ton of memories of being there with my grandpa, and he was greatly missed.  Here are some pictures of the weekend.

The girls playing in the dirt.

The poor snake they caught... then let go..... then caught again.

Me and baby Alli.  She did awesome!

Sunrise off the balcony.

My honey with a gun!

Look at that cheesy smile!

The overlook.  It was so green up there!

This was Alli's first official road trip and she did great!  By the way Jimmy, thanks for the hat! It was used the whole time.

4th of July 2009

I'm a little behind on my posts, but it has been a hectic few weeks.  For the 4th of July we went sailing on Mike's boat.  It was a lot of fun, the kids had a blast.  Alli wasn't too excited about the life jacket though!  Poor thing couldn't even sit up straight.

Alli took the helm for awhile and loved being in control. Imagine that!

After a day of sailing we went back to the marina and had a BBQ. Paige, Rylee, and Logan love posing for the camera.

We watched the sunset and then waited for the fireworks.  Thanks Mike and Robin, we had a great time!

Grandpa Holt

My Grandpa passed away on July 3, 2009. I will miss him so much! He was there for almost every holiday and birthday. In fact I can't remember one without him.  He is no longer in pain, which is good.  However, it's still hard without him.  He was such a strong man throughout his whole life, it was hard to see him frail towards the end.  He never lost his sense of humor.  He fought until he was home again and then passed away peacefully.

Grandpa I will miss all the laughs, the vacations, holidays, and your garden.  We love you!

Another Busy Week

This week has been another busy one.  We have done a lot of running back and forth to see my Grandpa in the hospital. Unfortunately he is not doing well.  We love you Grandpa!

With all the stress and worry we were still able to do a couple fun things with the kids.  Thursday we went swimming.....

Then on Saturday Mike and Paige went scuba diving at Rylee's Birthday Party. Paige loved it and now wants to get certified.