An ode to Allison

Okay, not really an ode, but the next best thing. A post all about Alli!

After Allison did this at the end of May...



















...she spent the summer -

- Working at Taco Time (No photo available)

- Playing at the river














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-Getting her Young Womenhood Recognition

















- and finally, going off to college.






She was ready, she pretty much hasn't looked back, and she loves the college life.






She did take a break from Social life/School work and help Sena plan a bridal shower for her sister, Chelsie at Thanksgiving.














And most important of all, she turned 19!!! Where in the world did those 19 years go???














She has been a busy girl. Getting to know new people has given her all kinds of opportunities. Who knew she would hang out with a group of people who take her hiking, and who knew she would take a snow boarding class and love doing both of those outdoorsy type activities!

And just because she's so darn cute, here are a few more pictures of her with her friend, Erin, and family.

We love you Alli, and miss you, but wouldn't want you to be anywhere else!


































(Anyone know how to get rid of the underlining? This was not for emphasis, just an errant typing snafoo!!!)

back on the proverbial horse

Wow, its hard to get back on the horse after such a long absence, but restarting is what the new year is all about right? So, back on I go. I'll start slow so I don't hurt myself or those around me.

The 4th quarter of 2010 was busy! That being said, it was all good things that made it so busy, so I'll just start off my new resolve to blog with a few tidbits from my trip to Philadelphia in November. Thanks to Ashley and Brandon having baby #2, Tanner Jameson Peay, ("So tute", says big brother Talmage), I got to travel the farthest East I've ever been and hang out in Philly for 2 weeks. Now, being the country mouse that I am, I'm always a little unsure how I'll do in the big city, but I think I did just fine, thank you very much. Maybe there is a little city mouse in me somewhere! :-)


Here is the new little guy, brand new in this picture - now he's over 2 months old!


















At the top of the steps to the Philadelphia Art Museum, made famous in the Rocky movies. And, no, we did not run up them. Downtown Philly is our backdrop. Very pretty.












Of course, we had to pose with Rocky! He's wearing a jersey because the Philadelphia Marathon was the next day. (I overheard several female tourists complain that they wanted to see it without the jersey! Ha Ha!)











Here I am with Talmage in front of one of the famous LOVE statues that are found all over the "City of Brotherly Love". This one is on the campus of the University of Pennsylvannia, where Brandon is a Grad. student.









There wasn't a lot of time for sight-seeing, but one afternoon, we did squeeze a little in. Here I am in front of the famous Reading Terminal Market. So much food, so little room to walk around. Definitely not a place to bring a stroller. This will have to be better explored on another trip.












To celebrate my birthday, Brandon and Ashley took me to get an authentic Philly Cheese steak. Yum. Talmage and I posed so Brandon could document that we were really there.







Here is a guide for ordering. Study up, you don't want to get yelled at!












And if you are in Philly, you better go see the Liberty Bell. Its hard to describe how it feels to be close to such an historical artifact.











I saved my favorite picture for last. Here we are taking a little reading break. We were happy to be doing it next to one of the great readers of all time. (Our book was pretty good, I wonder if Ben's newspaper was as entertaining. :-)

(This statue was also on the campus of Penn. There are quotes from Ben Franklin in the cement all along the walkway. Cool!)



It was a great trip!