Halloween Time - October 2011

Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays, which makes being a parent extremely fun. However, I have learned that I cannot expect things to go the way I planned them because of the strong mind of my two year old. Earlier this year, Aunt Jill gave us a huge bag full of costumes that should last us throughout most of Alissa's childhood. I immediately thought this would be wonderful because I could save money and not have to purchase costumes for Alissa each year. I quickly sorted through the costumes that would be Alissa's current size and with her help, we decided she would be Tigger for Halloween. In late Sept, Alissa asked me if she could try the costume on, so I excitedly put it on her. She smiled for a quick picture, then immediately started to cry and said, "Off, mommy, off". So I took it off her. Since that day, she has refused to try on any costumes at all.

 As Halloween drew closer and closer, I tried very hard to get Alissa excited about it. We decorated pumpkins, made several milk carton skeletons, decorated our yard, and had a wonderful time. 













Each time I asked Alissa if she wanted to wear a costume for Halloween, she promptly said, "No!" I even tried different tactics like asking her if she wanted to try on the Flapper Dress or the Minnie Mouse Dress, but she continued to say, "No!" Until.... Grandma Smith called on October 27th and said, I found a cute Cat Outfit for Alissa. Will you come over to our house tonight and pick it up? So, we did. As soon as Alissa saw it, she said, "Kitty Cat, Meooooow!" It was an instant hit. So, the next day, we dressed our princess up in her new "Outfit", being very careful NOT to use the word "Costume" as that seemed to upset her. She even agreed to go to the Halloween store with mommy and find cat ears and a tail. But, Alissa saw some mouse ears she liked much better so mommy purchased both the mouse ears and cat ears and decided we could dress up together as a cat and mouse. 


Trick or Treating at Grandma S.'s Work on 10-28-2011

 At Grandma D.'s trunk or treat party with cousins Rose and Heber

 With Grandma and Grandpa D. after the Trunk or Treat party!
 Playing with my new Halloween dolly that Grandma gave me! I'm so spoiled, but Happy as can be!

On Halloween Day, Alissa went to mommy's work and then went Trick or Treating in Grandpa S's neighborhood. Alissa went Trick or Treating with her cousin M. but his family requested that I don't post pictures of them. Here are a few pictures from halloween day.


October 2011 - Star Wars Event

On Saturday, October 29, 2011, we went to a Star Wars event at a local library. Alissa went with her buddy Ian.

 This is the cutest little Boba Fett Costume we saw. I think this little boy was around 7 years old. He was adorable.




September 2011 - Big Girl Bed

In order to prepare for potty training, mommy decided it was time for Alissa to sleep in a big girl bed. So, on September 24, 2011, mommy converted Alissa's crib to a toddler bed. At first, mommy took all the bars off, but realized the bed would not be stable enough. So, we put the bed back the way it was suppose to be with rails on one side, like a daybed. The problem was that Alissa kept falling out of the bed at night, so we found a side rail online that was made specifically for toddler beds. We received the rail on October 3, 2012. Isn't it cute? Alissa LOVES her new independence since she can climb in and out of bed by herself. Luckily for us, Alissa never tried to escape her crib like many kids do.
September 24, 2011



October 3, 2011

August 22, 2011 - Long Time Friends

Mommy and I went to lunch with one of mommy's friends from over 20 years ago. Mommy's friend owns her own photography studio called Christy Lowe Photography. She took these random snapshots of Alissa and mommy at lunch. Aren't they beautiful?



Here is a picture of mommy and her friend with their beautiful daughters...
This picture may not be photographer quality, but it's still fun...

August 2011 - Family Reunion

Mommy's family has a reunion every year at a local lake. Here are some pictures of the Family Reunion in August 2012.

This is the five brothers and sisters with their spouses.
These 10 people are responsible for the large family we have.

This is Alissa getting to know her second cousins A.D. and A.T.

Cousin B. and Aunt J. were visiting from out of town.

Cousin B. with Alissa

Swimming with Daddy, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins

Alissa on Granpa's boat

Extended Family to include 3 generations of relatives...

In My Daughters Eyes

I heared this song on the radio and was brought to tears. I have not heard any words that can describe my feelings for Alissa the way this song does. I just had to share:

"In My Daughters Eyes" by Martina McBride

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the
world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me
gives me strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand
around my finger
It puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about

It's hangin' on when your heart
has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy
she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes

Swimming!

Mommy and I went swimming with G and I. We had a great time.





June 15-19 Disneyland

We were a bit worried that Alissa might be a little too young for Disneyland. But, we were wrong. She absolutely LOVED Disneyland. We can't wait to take her back. Here are some great pictures.

Unfortunately, Alissa was a little nervous around Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, and Tigger. This is very strange since her entire bedroom is Winnie the Pooh. Although, they are a lot bigger than Alissa is use to.




Grandma and Grandpa were a wonderful addition to Disneyland. We are so glad they were able to come with us. Poor grandpa ended up holding Alissa the majority of the time though because she LOVES him so much.


Alissa LOVED Mickey Mouse. She was not afraid of him at all. I guess daddy's plan to expose her to Mickey Mouse worked. We watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in the car on the drive to Disneyland.

This is what Alissa did every night after spending the day in Disneyland. She was soooooooo tired. What a sweet little angel she was!


Mother Pooh and Daughter Pooh! Aren't we so cute?


We purchased this great Bubble Gun for Alissa and it was the highlight of the trip. We went through 4 to 5 bottles of bubbles while we were in Disneyland. Alissa's favorite target was Grandma because she waved her arms and screamed each time Alissa hit her with bubbles. Alissa also liked to sit in the stroller and participate in "drive by shootings" as we wheeled her around. Hee hee...

Grandpa and Alissa have a very special relationship. Aren't they so cute together?

 This was Alissa's favorite ride. As the ladybug car spun around, Alissa was giggling and laughing the entire time.

Daddy and Daughter!

Alissa's new Pooh Bracelet that mommy made and her new Jasmine glasses. Isn't she stylish?

June, June, June! What a Great Month it was!

June was a funfilled month to include U2, Seatlle, Cousins, Disneyland, and Grandparents.... Two years ago, we purchased tickets to see U2 in concert in SLC, Seattle, and Anaheim. The lead singer, Bono, ended up with emergency back surgery and the tour was postponed by one year. Luckily for us, 2011 is a MUCH better year than 2010 because Alissa is old enough to travel with us and enjoy the festivities. What a blast we had. Here are tons of pics of our great adventures, Starting with Seattle. I will post separate blogs of Dineyland.

June 2-5 - Visit to Seattle, Washington

Alissa's first flight!

 Lunch with Mommy's friend Norma. Jill and Bethany came too!




At the Children's Museum with A, V, and T.





In downtown Seattle with Jill's family while mommy and daddy were at the U2 Concert.