Aly's New 'Do

Aly decided to try out some ... BANGS! She's been thinking (agonizing) over this decision for a few weeks now. Once she made up her mind, it had to be done NOW (in typical Aly fashion). This morning we went and got it done :) She had a shampoo, cut, and blow dry. She LOVED having her hair shampooed (so do I!). Along with the bangs, we got it a little angled down under her chin and about an inch taken off the back. My hairdresser said her hair was healthy so we didn't need to take more.

She is so excited and I think it's too stinkin' cute! Totally frames her face perfectly. I don't think these pictures really do it justice...

December Montage

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I have seriously neglected the blog in the last six weeks! The Christmas season has come and gone in a flash and I'm left wondering if I had time to enjoy it. Beginning with Thanksgiving Break at my parents with Cheryl and her family, our holidays were packed with our church's Christmas Drama, time spent with friends and family, and lots and lots of shopping. My parents came up for Christmas and then we traveled to an Indoor Waterpark to celebrate with Dan's family. I'm still recovering from New Year's Eve at our good friend's house last night. They kept me up till 2:30 a.m. playing cards...guess who's been grumpy today :) So here is a small montage of pictures from our month of December, and here's to being more current on the blog in 2010!

Our search for a Christmas Tree took us to ... Lowes! The girls chose it out and then we began decorating it as soon as we got home.

Dan gives Aly a lift to put the Angel on the top. This tree is a tad bit taller than last years, we think.

We FINALLY got a little bit of snow. A very little bit. Aly found enough to make herself up a snowman. I had to go out and help with the bottom. She had it so big that she was stuck half-way up the hill with it.

We celebrated Christmas with our dear friends the week before Christmas. It was officially dubbed "Christmas with King Julian" and we not only opened presents and had some yummy food, but watched a "Madagascar" marathon. From left to right: Lewis, Elizabeth, Riley, Skyeler, Calleigh, Aly, Victoria, and Hadley.


Papa getting a great big hug from Aly, and me getting a wonderful, spur of the moment snapshot of it :)


Toby and Sparkles checking out the treats that they will find in their stockings on Christmas morning. Granny gave Skyeler and Aly an early Christmas present by letting them take Toby to PetSmart. He wasn't too sure about it until he figured out that he wasn't going to the vet AND they give you treats at check out!


Toby wonders if Sparkles has the better treats.


Opening stockings on Christmas morning...




The girls truly seemed to like their gifts. It was a wonderful Christmas. Skyeler doesn't like to pose for pictures with her gifts like her younger sister, so I had to grab a couple snapshots.


Mommy taped the boxes just a little bit too much.


Aly's big present ... a Nintendo DSi

Skyeler's big present. A special jewelry box engraved with her name and favorite quote...for the diamond earrings Papa and Granny bought :)

Granny, Toby, and the girls

Papa and his girls

Aly and Elena at the Syrek Family Christmas. This was after two hours at the indoor waterpark and two hours of dinner. Both are looking a little tired but can't wait to open presents.

And last, but not least, Zac and Skyeler. Where has the time really gone!!?? Days away from being 17 (Zac) and 15. I remember dragging the two of them with me and Cheryl on mega Wal-mart shopping trips and watching them play together with Zac's Power Rangers. *Sigh*

It truly has been an amazing year. I am so glad of all the memories we made, time spent with family and friends. May you be blessed in the upcoming year!

Thursday's with Larry

Skyeler has been spending her Thursday afternoons with a handsome fellow. Horse fellow, that is. Her riding lessons in September were a reimbursement for babysitting over the summer. She enjoyed it so much that she wanted to continue, so we signed her up for the camp's Equine Prep School. The horse is matched up with the rider according to personality. But not the same personality. Skyeler's instructors know her timid personality...totally non-confrontational. So they gave her Larry. Larry pushes the boundaries. Larry wants to see if Skyeler REALLY wants to be in charge. It's been just an awesome experience for Skye. It was nice to get out today and take a few pictures of this fun relationship.

Larry out in the pasture

Skyeler has to go out and bring in Larry from the pasture. Larry is no problem. Choco (not pictured) is. He escaped out of the pasture a few weeks ago and refused to go back. :) Sunny is the Arabian behind Larry.

Bringing Larry from the pasture to the arena, he'd rather eat some grass!

Larry gets a cleaning before class begins. Skyeler does this all on her own. Larry likes to see if he can nip Skye some days. It keeps Skye on her toes.

Larry knows there are treats in Skyeler's pocket.

Mounting up. Larry likes to play "Do You Really Want to Get On Me?" with Skyeler. Her instructor, Juli, tells her to let him know she really means it.

Up and riding

Trick or Treat

This past summer, Bryce, Carter, and Aly discovered the world of "Harry Potter." Those yahoo's immediately started planning for a Halloween "Harry Potter" trick or treat fest! Yesterday we drove the 2.5 hours up north so "Harry," "Ron," and "Hermione" could trick or treat together. Cheryl bought them all brooms and also cauldrons to carry their candy in. I knitted the whole week to get Aly a Gryffindor scarf to wear with her robe. After a frantic rush to finish the scarf (minutes before trick or treat began), a scare that Bryce had lost his robe, teasing Aly's hair to stand up (because we didn't bring the right crimper tool), and plenty of pictures, we hit the streets. I was surprised at just how many people knew who they were. They had a ball. Heck, we had a ball watching them :) We were just doing what Papa always tells us is so important...Making Memories!! So whether you like "Harry Potter" or not, you can't deny how stinkin' cute they look :)

Aly as "Hermione"

Hermione with Harry (Bryce)

Hermione, Harry, and Ron (Carter, of course...gotta love that wig!!)

Aly's loot :)

And a picture that actually includes my older child...the one who didn't want to dress up to trick or treat...but is still staring longingly at the candy pile. LOL! Aunt Cheryl had mercy on her and gave her the boy's candy basket to eat out of for the night. I can guarantee that there are no more Sour Patch Kids in that basket :)

Skyeler Elizabeth turns 15!

I can't believe that my first baby girl is now 15!!! I look back and wonder where in the world time has gone. The Alex Trabek, Batman loving toddler will be driving in another year. The 2.5 year old who watched "Jurassic Park" and told me that it was ok if the dinosaur was going to eat that man on the toilet, is now a sensitive young lady. The cat loving little girl...well, at least she's still around :) Happy Birthday sweetheart! We are so glad God gave you to us.

Dan's Marathon

Dan has been training since April for the Air Force Museum's annual marathon. On September 19th all of his training paid off. Not only did he run the marathon, he ran it in 4 hours 26 minutes! We were all so proud of him! And he was so pleased that he finished the race and accomplished his goal.

Coming across the finish line. The girls and I were running a little later than I had wanted and I was afraid we had missed him. We waited about 25 minutes by the finish line to see him cross. The place was absolutely packed!

Right after he came across the finish line, Aly was yelling for him. He was physically and emotionally exhausted, but thrilled to have accomplished his goal.

Dan with his medal and the girls.

Just a few more...

Ok, are you done with Florida pictures yet? I feel like I'm that person who makes you come over and view all 523 vacation pictures LOL! These are all miscellaneous pictures taken with the disposable water camera. Not too bad for a disposable. Aly was just saying that she's ready to go back to Florida...tomorrow :) With it getting down in the 40's around here at night, I'm ready to agree! We will be looking forward to vacationing with Dad again soon.

Skyeler and I getting our toes wet.

Aly's sandcastle. It was too dark by the time it was done to get the finished project.

Skyeler playing in the sand.

Look close...there is a long dark spot right in the middle of the picture...that's a manatee. Dan tried to take a picture under water of it, but missed it. It was really close to the shore till Dan got in the water with the camera.

Aly and I relaxing on the blanket. (By the way IF you are my secret sister, I LOVE this blanket. It's super soft and it actually folds back up to where you can zip it!!)

Aly taking the relaxing to the next level.

Breakfast on the beach with the King (Burger King that is)! We didn't quite make it for the sun rise, but breakfast on the beach was still pretty cool!

Aly underwater in Papa Bob's pool. I tried to get Skyeler and Aly to take pictures of each other but Skye wasn't interested. Aly and I tried a couple. This was the best one.