Thanksgiving 2011

 We had our biggest crowd yet for Thanksgiving. I think the final count was 20. We loved having everyone over for the festivities.

We borrowed some tables from our neighbors, and we bought some new decorations.

I think it turned out nice. Everyone contributed to dinner, and brought some delicious dishes! It was so nice to have everyone help. Everything tasted so great. We had so much fun.

Look at all the fun Jaussi's

We also love having Maria join us!

I sure love my family and I love that they would want to come to my house for Thanksgiving. We went for our traditional trip to the bowling alley after dinner, then back to our house for pie. What a great day!

Ears Pierced!

An important day for Abbie arrived. Going to get her ears pierced. She had been waiting to turn 8 so long. So to Claire's in the District we went.

Then the reality and the nerved hit!! 

The finished product! Such a cute girl!! She realized it wasn't nearly as bad as she thought it would be! What a grown up kid!

Abbie Kate is 8!!

Abbie turned 8 and was so excited. For two reasons. To get her ears pierced and to get baptized!!

My cute girl with her new scriptures!

Here is her cupcake 8. She didn't have a big party, because we were going to have everyone over for her baptism, but we did go to dinner where she wanted that night. Where did she pick? "The place with the Jello."  Yes, we went to Chuck A Rama for her celebration dinner. Shane had to work, so Jean and Jane and Ann and Laurie joined us to make it extra fun!! I think she had a great day. How could you have a bad day on 11/11/11!!!

Halloween 2011!

The Toponce Kids and the annual Pose in front of the fireplace!

Natalie is a Gallagher Girl. A character from one of her favorite books. (and no, not very many people knew who she was, but she and her friend Jenae did it together and had a great time!)

Hallie was a nerd. We found the pants, shirt, and bow tie in the basement at Shane's dads. We saved it for a costume and we thought it was funny that, without knowing we had the stuff,  Hallie said she wanted to be a nerd!

Abbie the cheerleader. We had two cheerleader costumes here that would have fit her and couldn't find them anywhere! I love that I asked on Facebook and found one to borrow right away. I didn't want to buy one when I know we have some. I can't believe we probably gave them to D.I. when we had a little sister that would fit in them one day. Anyway. . . I have been in the Toponce family a long time, because I always have a background story now. . .

And Jace was Batman, and the best looking one yet!!  Love the pose he did on his own. I also have to add, that it took FOREVER to trick or treat with him. He had a something to say to everyone! Complimenting their costume, reminding them when he had been to their house, telling them he liked their banister (true!), or some other thing he had to share. This kid is as social as they come!

My beautiful children just before heading out for some treats. I am a blessed lady to have these great kids!!

Mom's Bridesmaid Dresses

When we went to Idaho Falls we went to my Grandma Beth's to get some of the things we might want from her house. My aunts had gone through the house to clean it out. They found the dresses they wore for our parents wedding reception!! So funny. We had to try them on and go show my mom!!

She knew what they were right away and about died laughing!! It was really fun. I don't think many people have the chance to try a bridesmaid dress of their mom's! We were loving ourselves even though we felt like we just stepped out of a polygamist colony!!  Classic homemade beauties from 1972!

Horses!

 We took a little family vacation to visit my parents in Idaho Falls.  We wanted a change of scenery and so we headed there. All my siblings were there except Megan. She lives in Denver and will come at Christmas time.

It was fun for all the cousins to spend time together.

Shanntel and Nate took us out to their new house and the kids got to ride their horses. Everyone waited for their turn.

We love to have Shane spend time with us whenever he can. What a handsome hubby I have!

Sweet Shanntel giving everyone a turn. She got more exercise than she wanted for sure!!

My sweet girls!

And smarty pants Jace. Who waited patiently for everyone to go first. He wanted to be last because he thought he might get a longer ride. He was right.

What a fun memory for everyone!

Hallie's 11th Birthday Party! Think Pink!

 We had a surprise party for Hallie's birthday! She was totally surprised, because it was a month late! I am usually not that bad about birthday's, but she kept wanting a slumber party and we could never make that work because of soccer games. We would have had to wait two months to make it work, and then it would be Abbie's birthday. I finally just decided to surprise her and hope she would be happy.

I think she was really surprised and I think she had a lot of fun!! We had a pink party because that is her favorite color lately and because it is fun!!

Lots of pink treats and decorations.

Pink cupcakes with soccer ball rings- how can i go wrong?

cute friends in their pink!!

What a cute 11 year old blowing out her candle!

Everyone got some socks as a party favor. We played Pictionary (which most the girls had never played!!) on big white boards, had lots of treats, and lots of laughs.

What cute friends Hallie has!!

 And to finish the party while we waited for mom's, we had a great time playing Just Dance 2 on the wii. Once the dancing started no one wanted to leave!!