Silly Alli :) The "Outtakes"

When I was showing Ryan the pictures from Alli he liked them, but he thought they were too "posed". But then when I went through the pictures and told him actually what she was doing in the pictures it made more sense. In reality Alli was just going overboard and laughing and being silly in most of the pictures, at least the ones we really liked. So I wanted to remember the "play by play" of the pictures, I don't think it is interesting for anyone else, but that's not the purpose of the post, I just want to remember what she was doing in the pictures. :) So if you are venturing ahead consider yourself warned that it is a picture (and text) overload!

On the way Alli was SUPER tired-making me nervous that this was just going to be a frustrating waste of time. Tears were shed from her as we are getting there because of multiple things-one being she didn't want to wear her boots or something, she didn't want her face washed off-she had breakfast leftover :), and who knows what else?? But we got in McKenzie's house and after only a minute Alli had warmed up to her. We go downstairs and Alli is looking around a little curious, slightly nervous even. McKenzie brought out the fabulous yellow antique chair and Alli asks where she is supposed to sit-I don't think she thought she could go on the backdrop. So I go over to the chair with her and away we go. The first pictures Alli was trying to pose how she thought she was supposed to so her head was tilted super far to the side with a fake smile. Then we told her to move it up so she looked all the way to the ceiling, of course after this we get some scrunched shoulders and more head tilts.



Alli found some wood chips from the playplace in her pocket and was pretty amused by these.

Then she actually got "posed" for a few pictures til she got bored of that and started just doing what she wanted.


Then the photog told her to stand up by the chair. She was "on" the corner til the photographer was going to tickle her and some of my favorite pics followed.



Alli thought it was hilarious. Then she decided she would tickle herself.

Then she was told to put her hands on her cheeks and she became her goofy little self with a crazy smile and turned head.


Jumping pictures were about the last to be done and Alli thought they were fun-


until McKenzie told her to put her hands on her hips and say "I'm so cute"-even more fun than jumping since Alli loves to put her hands on her hips!


That was so much fun Alli just started dancing around doing her "ballerina moves".

And that was it-not more than 15 minutes start to finish! Then she processed our pics and burned the c.d. while Alli played with her little girl Ellie (she is almost exactly a year older than Alli)-they were so funny to watch/listen to! So we were out of there in less than 45 minutes-that is my kind of picture taking!

Today Alli has been sick, not that it is super out of the ordinary or anything, kids do tend to get sick from time to time :). She was fine yesterday, but woke up really kind of cranky and was super lethargic. She didn't eat a bite of breakfast or lunch, just wanted to lay on the couch and have me rub her back or have me hold her. At about 9:30 as we were sitting on the couch all of a sudden she puked all over both of us. So we got all cleaned up and I figured that was what was wrong. As she was waiting to get in the bath she was shaking because she was chilled, but she had a pretty good fever going on. Anyway so it went pretty much like this all day. She would drink water, but didn't want food or anything else to drink. The whole purpose of this post though is what happened after Ryan came home from work. He asked her if she was feeling any better and she said "No I still feeling sick" so he asked if there was anything he could do to help her feel better and she responded "Take me a blessing." So that is what he did. We have wonderful neighbors who were very willing to come fill her request. I am so thankful for the power of the priesthood and especially that I have a husband who takes his responsibilities as a priesthood holder seriously. I am thankful for my little girl who is much perkier this evening than she has been all day, she even ate a few bites of dinner :). But I am most thankful for a Heavenly Father who truly cares about us enough that He gives us portions of His power to bless us and help us throughout this life. Alli wasn't terribly sick by any means, but I am thankful for these simple experiences that teach her about prayer, the priesthood, and Heavenly Father. I am thankful that through blessings we can get a glimpse of our Heavenly Father's love for each of us and get reassurance that He knows us individually, what is going on in our lives, and what we will need to get through them. A few weeks ago she had a UTI (she is typically a really healthy child!) and she had a blessing then as well. That afternoon we took her to the doctor and she took her anti-biotics and has been great since-she is even informing me that "it doesn't hurt" less and less which I am glad for! I believe Heavenly Father expects us to use doctors and medicine and He blesses us/them with knowledge about what to do. I am thankful for the experiences Alli is having in her life right now because I can tell her testimony is starting to form and hopefully she will be able to use these small and simple things she is learning about prayer and missionary work (since she misses "her Phil" and talks about him often) throughout the rest of her life.

Alli Dalli

Lately sometimes Alli will refer to herself as "Alli Dalli." I'm not sure where she got it, but it makes me laugh when she says it.

A few days ago I randomly saw a special one of my favorite photographers was running so I had to get Alli's pics taken, and I am so glad I did. It's $35.00 (or you can get the high resolution cd so you can make any size enlargements you want for 20.00 extra-what we did) and it's one child (20.00 more for another child), one outfit, and one backdrop. Anyway I love the photographer, she is so fun to work with and she is amazing! Here is the link to her blog if you are interested- http://photobymckenzie.blogspot.com/

So here are a few of my *favorites*

My favorite thing about the pics is how well she captured Alli's personality. When I look at the pictures I can sense Alli's love for life and her crazy little attitude.

Random

I have just had so many random thoughts and posts going on in my head the last few days I decided to just write them all out. Not the most interesting to read I am sure, but I think years from now if I ever looked back on them it would be "fun" to have.

1. You really can never be so sure who actually cares about you. You may call someone needing to talk and get no response time after time, but a good friend you haven't seen for a long time will call just to check up and see how you are doing. It is interesting because it may be the friend you don't talk to often who although she is busy will text you or call you back to see what's up.

2. I find it so interesting that my two year old really can be a very best friend. Although she has attitude at times, she is so concerned when I am sad. A few days ago when I was crying she told me "I will take care of you." She brings so much joy to my life and makes me laugh and smile countless times every single day with her funny little antics. Who else truly wants you to be with you every minute of every day?? I don't know what I would do without my little friend!

3. Netflix Watch Instantly is perhaps the greatest invention ever. Since we don't have cable it is a very convenient way for Alli to watch cartoons and she definitely enjoys them! Backyardigans has allowed me to get many things done that's for sure! Alli has also informed me that Tyrone is one of her favorite friends and that isn't too surprising seeing as she has watched the "Riding the Range" episode starring him TOO many times to count!

4. My car simply can not stay clean. I clean it out at least weekly if not more, but as soon as it is clean and we go somewhere it instantly has books etc. out again! Drives me crazy!

5. Playing at an empty park while it is raining is one of my favorite things! Alli and I were headed to the park and it randomly started raining, but we still went (we aren't the smartest that's for sure) and it was so much fun running around in the rain.

6. As I "grow up" I am glad I have a young child so I can still do the childish things-hence #5.

7. Eating lunch picnic style makes it way more fun-even if it is just the front porch or front lawn.

8. Hearing Alli talking on the phone with her cousin (Julia) made me laugh and smile. Their conversation (at least Alli's end) was pretty comical. It was quite the mixture of "adult" normal conversation in a 2 year old way. I have no idea how much they could understand from each other, but it was fun to hear.

9. I feel like I will be better off actually having the baby and taking care of the new baby this time around since I know what is coming, but I feel way less prepared in that I am realizing all of the things I still need to do. It is getting close and her clothes are washed and put away somewhere (I did that a little while ago, but now I actually have to get them ready for her) the car seat is downstairs, bassinet also downstairs. Diapers, wipes, and everything else baby-still at the store :).

10. Buying a double stroller has been a lot more difficult than I remember a single stroller being. My favorite so far is:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Baby-Trend-Stand-Double-Skylar/10877917?findingMethod=rr

11. I am really excited to put away the fruit dehydrator and have my "free time" back to finish my craft projects!!

12. You really can get used to a certain amount of pain. I am grateful for this! The nerve pain comes and goes, but I have found that after a few weeks/months you don't really notice the ache anymore, just the sharp shooting pains.

13. Alli's compilation of "If You're Happy and You Know It/The Wheels on the Bus" is in my top ten favorite songs.

14. You can forgive someone and then hear from them and realize that there is yet another "layer" to go.

15. Buying matching outfits for my girls makes me happy!

16. Talking to a friend/sister-in-law can be just what you need on any given day!

17. Some people never are able to think about others in a situation, they are only able to focus on how they appear in a situation or what is best for them.

18. Hearing Alli say "Your welcome mom" sounds so cute-but also makes me feel guilty because it makes me wonder if I said thank you or not?

19. Trips to the grocery store are becoming more rare-if it can wait until tomorrow it most likely will wait until the day after :).

20. I eat an embarrassing amount of sugar (sugared foods), but I enjoy every speck of it!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

St. George

* Sorry about my voice in the video, I do not know why I do not learn, but I should never talk in a video it is so annoying! We drove up and saw my mom just before mile 23 so that's where the video is from and the pic is from the park right after.
This last weekend we got to go to St. George with my mom to watch her run her 23rd St. George marathon. She did really well and felt good afterward. It is so inspiring and motivating watching all of the people running. I love how although it is a "race" it doesn't matter how fast you are running, it is just amazing for anyone to complete it.

This trip is something I always look forward to every year, I have loved going down every year for as long as I can remember (but sadly the group this year was extremely minimal-hopefully in future years it'll be a bigger party again!). It was fun seeing Alli be so excited to "run my mom in." Maybe next year she can run me in assuming I get in? It was super hot, but it was such a nice break to get away and relax for a few days. Other than the marathon we relaxed a lot, watched conference, ate a ton, played in the pool multiple times each day (but honestly- nothing is more depressing than looking at yourself in a swimming suit 8 months prego!! I feel bad for anyone around me-it's not a pretty sight, o/well) and obviously didn't take many pictures!

Other than that I am loving that it is Fall and I am wanting to get away and do stuff to really enjoy these last few weeks before our family becomes 4! It is so crazy to me that it is just over a month away, it is going by so quickly! Baby still moves a lot, but she is still so up in my ribs that they have been achy the last few evenings. She is also starting to make my upper back hurt, but it could definitely be worse! The nerve pain isn't as constant as it has been other weeks so I am very glad for that! Nothing atypical, just the normal stuff every lady is fortunate to go through towards the end :). Ryan has been so helpful, whenever he is around he tries to help so much with Alli to lessen my achy back and nerve problems, I am so grateful he is understanding and thoughtful!