the ball room

Oh Yes it's 80's night!

2008-11-03T09:48:00.000-08:00

This fall we joined an Ultimate Frisbee league. We actually have done it for quite a while now, 4 or 5 years. The first season that the boys played I (Ali) just happened to come across the league in a City or Reno events mailer that was sent out. We had played at youth group in the past and thought it sounded like fun so the boys got a team together and signed up, Ted, Michael and some other friends. We were all surprised by the organization of the other teams, they had plays, jerseys and they were good. This wasn't just a casual half hour game before bible study, this was serious. Fortunately, we had a lot of athleticism and youth on our side (well most of us, Michael and I are the oldest on the team) and we did pretty well. The boys slowly started allowing the girls to play with them and here we are back to the present.

Last week was the last game of the season and since it was Halloween that week all the teams decided to dress up. Our team decided to do a theme and we chose "80's workout" and this is how it turned out...

Rockin the Spandex

Shanel, Liz (hiding a little) Suzie, and Peter looking intimidating

Kyle and Michael showing off

working the 80's style

Team shot

We had a great time! Our team ended up coming in 3rd, which we were a little disappointed with but that's ok. We did have the best outfits!

The Right Stuff

2008-10-11T20:33:00.000-07:00

So, what do you do when you score tickets to go see the New Kids on the Block, in Sacramento...?
Hop in the car and party like it's 1989, of course!

I have to admit, I was a big New Kids fan, not the screaming, crying, fainting kind of fan, (I was only in 6th grade at the height of their careers) but I did have all their albums and knew all the words to their songs. So, when my friend Summer told me someone had given her tickets for the concert I said, "Heck yes I'll go!".

When the concert started, I did feel a little weird being there, but once they started in with, "Oh Oh OoOoOoh, the right stuff", I couldn't help but get up with all my fellow KNOTB fans and sing along. It was pretty fun seeing all the not so young women, sing all the songs word for word, some knew all the dance moves, some even had their t-shirts on from the first time they went to The New Kids concert. The New Kids were as good as they ever were, a boy band for sure. We had a great time just having fun, screaming, singing along and remembering past.

Viva la Mexico!

2008-09-22T22:23:00.000-07:00

Last week Michael, Eliza and I, along with a group of friends went on vacation to Cabo San Lucas. Our friend Mark decided to celebrate his 40th birthday in style and we were up for the party. Michael and I thought it would be a great way to celebrate our 8th anniversary as well. We had a great time playing in the surf and the sand and just getting to relax a bit. Michael golfed, fished, and body surfed while Liza and I did a lot of lounging by the pool (perfect). Here are a few pictures of our little get away.

The big 1!

2008-08-25T12:16:00.000-07:00

Eliza turned 1 one August 2 ( I know I am a little behind). Here are a few shots of her eating her ice cream birthday cake.

She likes it!

BRAIN FREEZE!

Little Flower Girl

2008-08-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, Michael, Eliza and I were in our friends Matt and Chelsea's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding in Genoa. We are so excited for them to start their lives together and happy that we were able to be a part of it. Congratulations to the Doyles! We love you guys.

July Round-up

2008-07-23T22:30:00.000-07:00

I have been meaning to write a new post for about 2 weeks now, but have not gotten around to it. So now this is going to be a jumbo post recapping the whole month of July.

We went camping for 10 days over the Fourth of July, our traditional trip, up to Lake Almanor. I think it has been 20 years now that my family (the Jones's) has been going to the lake for the 4th, Michael 9 years, Max (our dog) 4 years, and for the first time Eliza was there. We weren't sure what it was going to be like having a crawling baby out camping for 10 days, but we were excited to continue our family tradition with her, so we packed our trailer extra full with every piece of baby equipment we thought we might need and headed out for an adventure. We all had a great time with our friends and family. Eliza did great! She is already our little camper. She went on bike rides, swam in the lake, went for a boat ride, crawled around in the dirt and of course, she was the princess of the 4th of July campground parade. I have so many great memories of my friends and family camping up at Almanor. I am so excited to start sharing this tradition with our daughter. I hope she will have as many fun times at the lake as I have. We had a blast!

Another first happened right after we got back from our camping trip, Eliza started walking. My mom calls it "the Frankenstein walk", but she is walking. If she wants to get some where in a hurry she crawls, but she will take a few steps if it isn't too far. She will be a year old on Saturday, she doesn't have any teeth, but she is toddling around. She is an amazing girl and such a delight in our lives.

Those are really the highlights of the month. I guess there wasn't really too much to write about for July after all. Michael has started working on a business with his family so he is busier than ever and I just finished with Vacation Bible School, which kept me busy for a while. Maybe life will slow down a little now, right?

Fun with Daddy

2008-06-15T19:10:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Eliza took her daddy camping for Father's Day. It was her first camping trip and kind of a trial run for our big trip we are taking later this summer. We camped up at Tahoe City and it was absolutely beautiful. We went swimming and for a few walks and barbecued. For Father's Day my parents drove up and we had brunch at Sunnyside which is always delicious. It was a really nice weekend. Michael, I hope you enjoyed your first Father's Day and know how much we appreciate you for being a wonderful dad to Eliza and for loving us so much. We love you.

EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS!

2008-05-13T16:44:00.000-07:00

I know you probably read the blog right below this one, but I just wanted to remind everyone that this weekend Michael and I are doing the MS walk in Washoe Valley. One of my good friends was diagnosed with MS and we want to support her. If you are thinking of sponsoring either one of us that would be AWESOME! Every little bit helps. $5 here and there can really add up. There are links to both of our sites for the walk in the entry directly below this one Friday is the deadline. Thanks to all our friends and family that have already supported us. You are all great and we love you AND we still love all you that are unable to sponsor us too.

Help me help out

2008-05-04T17:38:00.000-07:00

One of my dear friends was just diagnosed with MS about a month ago. She is in her mid 30's, married and mother of 2 young kids. I wanted to show my support for her and her family so I am joining her team in the MS walk on May 17th. If you would be interested in supporting in any way I would greatly appreciate any donations or you can join me in the walk as well. Here is a link to my page it should answer any questions you have, but if there is anything else let me know. Michael also decided to join the team with me so if you want you could sponsor him Michael's page
Love and thanks,
Ali

ahhh... sweet freedom

2008-04-17T21:54:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Michael took me on a little getaway to Las Vegas to see Bon Jovi, one of my favorites. It was our first time to leave Eliza over night so I was a little nervous about it, well really nervous. How could I leave my baby for TWO WHOLE NIGHTS!?! I didn't want Michael to know I was dying inside when he had been so sweet to plan the whole weekend for me. I was heartbroken as my mom drove away with Eliza and as we walked through the airport, every time we passed a small child, I would tear up again. By the time we landed in Vegas I had pulled myself together and was determined to enjoy the one on one time with my husband we had been missing out on for the past 8 months...and I did. We had a great time, of course we thought about her and bought her treats, but we really enjoyed getting to just be adults. You know, staying out late without worrying about the babysitter and sleeping in, eating a whole meal without stopping to feed the baby, stuff like that. Yes, we did have a good time. The concert was great, Bon Jovi played a lot of their old stuff, which is really what everyone wants to here, right? Shot through the Heart, anyone? It was really fun. I mean, they better be good, they have been touring for what, 50 years? By the time we were getting on the plane to come home I was counting the minutes until I could hold my little girl again and when my dad pulled up to the airport without her I about lost it, but I made it through, really enjoyed myself and realized I could do it again maybe even for 3 days next time. As for Eliza, she did great. I'm not even sure that she missed us. Grandma and Grandpa spoiled her. I remembered how much fun I have hanging out with my Hubby and how nice it is to be an adult again, I hadn't even realized I had been missing it. For all you parents, I highly recommend getting away for a day or two. Moms you can make it, I did.

Bathing beauty

2008-03-03T10:33:00.000-08:00

We have been taking Eliza to swimming lessons for about 6 weeks now at a new kids swimming center near our house, Silver Bear Swim School. I know you are saying, "Really? You are taking your 6 month old baby to swimming lessons?", but, it has been so much fun. Michael and I have both enjoyed swimming, we both did swim team in high school and we do a lot of camping and boating over the summer. We thought it would be good to get her comfortable in the water before she had the chance to develop a fear of the water and she seems to enjoy it. Michael and I have been taking turns getting in the pool with her. It is really fun to get to do an activity with her. I'm always secretly disappointed when it is Michael's turn to get in with her. It is really amazing to watch her because she is already learning to kick and hold her breath. Here are a couple of clips from a few weeks ago.

6 months old

2008-02-02T18:47:00.000-08:00

I can hardly believe that our little girl is 1/2 a year old today. Could it really have been 6 months ago that I was holding that tiny 6 lb. 5 oz baby in the hospital? Well, I guess it has been and she hasn't stopped growing since. I can't believe how much she changes every day. We are just trying to enjoy every second because we know that every day brings something new. Thank you Lord for this precious gift you have blessed us with, Eliza Grace.

August

September

October

November

December

January

February (Today)

Just so you know...

2008-01-21T10:36:00.000-08:00

The video clip below is from December of 2006. We were announcing that I was pregnant with Eliza. Michael was just kind of playing around trying to figure out how to put video clips on the blog. If anyone can give me some blog help, I can not figure out how to link a web site to a blog entry I tried to link the Clever Magazine site to my blog and it kept rerouting it. I'm a little behind on my computer skills.

The first baby announcement

2008-01-20T21:38:00.001-08:00

I'm Famous!

2008-01-19T16:01:00.000-08:00

Well, not really, but if you get a chance check out the January issue of Clever! Magazine (a local Reno fashion magazine). Check out the Scouting section of the magazine and you will see some of my work. I have been selling my hot pillows to a local boutique, The Red Chair. If you have not been there it is definitely worth checking out. The owner Aaryn, has pretty much opened up her shop to local artist and crafters and let them sell there work there. She has gifts, furniture, artwork and all sorts of interesting things. Anyway, the article is showing unique gifts that you can purchase at different shops around town and my Hot Pillows just happen to be one of the items. I am sure some of you might be saying, "What is the heck is a Hot Pillow?". It is a big bean bag, filled with corn that you can heat in your microwave and it will stay warm. They are perfect for warming you feet in bed or cuddling on the couch, they help a little with the heating bill too. I was pretty excited about it. So if you are around town and see a Clever Magazine in one of the local shops pick it up and check me out.

www.clevermagazine.net January 2008 issue Page 12. #5

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T19:26:00.000-08:00

Don't send a lame Holiday eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

shots

2007-12-04T23:05:00.000-08:00

eliza went in for her 4 month shots yesterday and did well. at least better than her mom.
she has not been herself today, really needy and whining alot.
she has been a little cold and clammy , we hope that she is ok.
its not fun to see your child not feeling well and not be able to do anything for them.
stinkin' helpful shots.

Been a while

2007-12-02T22:23:00.001-08:00

We have the great blessing of being parents to a fabulous daughter.
She sleeps all night about 8 to 10 hrs. Ali really enjoys the beauty rest.
My clients are always asking if I getting any sleep, I guess I look tired or something.

A few weeks ago my father-in-law came in to get his ears lowered and asked me how I was doing.
I paused for a second and said that I had been really irritable lately... He said," Welcome to fatherhood."
No one could ever explain what happens when you have a baby, but it is one of the greatest feelings ever. All of that aside.
I have figured that the "tired" is actually from the lack of down time our lives have grown accustomed to, or are growing towards.

I will return to discuss some of the thoughts and pictures that my mind has been ambushing me with since our beautiful daughter was born.

Pretty Eliza

2007-10-13T21:45:00.000-07:00

Right after Eliza was born, one of my old friends from high school Emily Little (now Loftus) called me. She has started her own photography business and offered to come take some pictures of Eliza. I was really excited because I wanted to get some pictures done and I would much rather have a friend take them than go to one of the places in the mall. I am so glad we did too. Emily is amazing. She took some really beautiful pictures. Eliza was only a week old when she took them too, so she is really tiny. Anyway, I would recommend her if you are thinking about doing any photos. She is very talented. Here is a couple of pictures she took. You can check out her work at her site www.emilyloftus.com . Thanks Emily!

Sleep, eat, poop repeat

2007-09-24T11:59:00.000-07:00

This seems like the cycle of my life for the last 7 weeks. Well, not my life, I'm just the facilitator. I know it doesn't sound like the glamorous life, but I am finding it to be pretty fulfilling. Don't get me wrong, there are moments, when I say, "If I get spit up on one more time, I'm gonna lose it!", and anyone who knows me knows me, knows that that getting up at 5:00 am is the last thing I would want to do, but over all being a mommy is pretty great. I would have to say Eliza Grace is pretty much the most amazing thing I have ever experienced. I am actually pretty amazed by myself. Not by any of my own doing, but I am amazed by how easy it was to move into this "mommy position". I have not been around very many newborn babies, but as soon as the nurse handed Eliza to me I knew what to do, well at least the basics. There was no thinking about it, I just did it. I guess God just does that, at least for me he did. I do worry, "am I being a good mom?", "am I going to turn this kid into a monster?" I laugh a little at myself when I think about how I used to critique people's parenting skills, like I knew anything about being a parent. Even at 7 weeks, I can see how easy it is to want to give your child anything her heart desires. I'm pretty sure that would fall into the catagorie of turning my kid into a monster. I guess we just have to do our best and pray that God uses us to teach her. You can all pray for us too. Well' this was my first attempt at blogging, hopefully I didn't bore you all. For now I must go, the cycle is about to start again.

testing

2007-09-04T00:02:00.001-07:00

testing 1,2,3...
beanie?