Gift Exchange

Allyssa had went over to Emily and Jacobs and they gave her Christmas Present to her... A Webkinz!!! Sooo we invited Emily and Jacob over to our house so they could open theirs... A webkinz for Emily and StarWars for Jacob!

 

 

 

 

Havin' Fun...

Jacob enjoyed playing Call of duty

 

Emily Allyssa and Emma Enjoyed watching a movie and eating popcorn

 

 

While Rylen slept!

 

Good Luck With This One... Santa!!!

Well my little Allyssa just informed me that she wrote a letter to Santa and she told him.... "All I want for Christmas is to Move Back to Ramsey, Illinois"!!!!
(sigh) grabbing the kleenex.... Breaks my heart....
Please say a little prayer for Allyssa to find a way to accept our living in Missouri, and for her to better handle being away from our FAMILY!
God Bless and Thanks!

Allyssa's 3rd Grade Western Christmas Program

 

We just got home from Allyssa's Christmas Program at school.... and I'm sooo excited to get these posted, I just LOVED the program. All the kids did such a great job! Allyssa had alot of fun squaredancing with Carson.... Also at the Program Mr. Owen the principal, announced Student of the Month... so Allyssa was recognized!! Yeah Allyssa!

Allyssa's Gymnastics

 

Xtreme Gymnastics offered pictures back in Sept. and we finally got them a couple of weeks ago, so I thought I would share them. Allyssa's getting ready to move up a level or possibly 2 levels and will be competing on the Team Next August! She really enjoys going to gymnastics and has been doing a great job.

Seeing Santa

 

Allyssa was able to see Santa at the Jonesboro Mall and tell him her wish list... A telescope!! She was excited since this is the first year she says she wasn't Afraid of Santa :) Santa was very Very VERY tired... he fell asleep between each child's turn!!

Not a Disney Parade for Sure... But Pretty Good For THE BLUFF!

Friday evening we braved the very very cold and went to watch the lighted Christmas Parade in Downtown Poplar Bluff. Unfortunately the pictures didn't turn out very well, and I got way too exited when Santa came by and missed him completely, I only got Allyssa looking at him go by.... the date is also wrong on the last several pictures I've posted... 2008 don't think so.... I think I've got it fixed now though!
After the parade we came back home and Donna, Emily and Jacob (our neighbors) came over for hot chocolate and the kids enjoyed playing together while Donna, Bob and I visited!

New Favorite Place.... The Carson Spring

Grandma Peggy has taken her grandkids down to The Carson Cross and Spring and They Just LOVE it... Allyssa has decided it's her new Fav. place, so we've made a few trips there while back in Illinois! The weather was just perfect this day in late November so we took advantage of it and after the spring we went to Ramsey Lake and Princess and Allyssa played and played.... It was a great day!

It's Beginning to Look a little Like Christmas

Allyssa and Alex helped me decorate the Christmas tree while Bob did the outside lights! We had alot of fun and a busy day but it looked sooo pretty that night when all was finished! Now just gotta get busy w/ the shopping!

2nd Place in Soccer Tournament

 

What a Soccer Season... this was our first experience w/ soccer and We all LOVED it. Ally sooo enjoyed playing and Bob and I really enjoyed watching the team play, and watching Allyssa gain a little more knowledge of the game each time she played it! They ended up losing the championship game so ended w/ 2nd place.. That's GREAT! But they were all very disappointed and crying, it was sooo sad! They had a Great Season with only losing 1 game and tied 0 to 0 at three different games, all the others were WINS!

I have to admit that I'm a little sad that soccer seasons over.. but it was time as it was getting Very Cold and was rainy most games, and ALWAYS muddy! It was a lot of Fun, and a wonderful experience for Allyssa. Her coach and asst. coach, which was the head coach's mother, were sooo good to Allyssa, especially the asst. coach. She took Ally under her wing and I mean Ally really made an impression on her! She was soo attentive to Allyssa's needs, and not just Ally, all the girls, very positive and when ally would get nervous during a game, the asst. coach would pull her out and talk w/ her or walk around and show her whatever it was Ally wasn't understanding and getting nervous about. Just very very very supportive of the kids, and she told me several times, how much she thought of Ally and complimented me on how I was raising Ally to be optimistic and all, She's just really an Amazing Woman I think and Am soo glad that we were fortunate to have her as our asst. coach!!!

SURPRISE VISIT!!!!!

 

Allyssa is getting off the school Bus and she has no idea that Gpa and Gma are here to see her play in her Championship Soccer Game that evening!! It was funny watching her get off the bus and she's just looking at all of us standing there and then... A Huge Smile and she started running to us, saying "Hi Grandpa and Hi Grandma!!" I can't begin to tell my parent's how Wonderful they are and how much it means to us that they ALWAYS go way beyond to make our day!!! Although we'd never expect them to do so much, We Truly Appreciate it, and has made adjusting to being 4 hours away from them a little more manageable!!

 

 

Sent with LOVE

Allyssa received her Halloween Package from Grandpa Ben and Grandma Peggy ON Halloween... She was soooo Excited!!! she said.."They remembered me.. They remembered Me.. I knew they wouldn't forget ME!!!" She really enjoyed her goodies and we had a good Halloween even though this is the first year we haven't trick or treated at Gma and Gpa's and Aunts and Uncles... And we Missed them Bunches!!!!!!!!!!

Trick or Treat

 

After bringing home several really cute costumes for Ally, while at Wal-Mart Ally saw the Luigi costume and knew right then and there that the other costumes were going to be returned and Luigi was gonna be purchased that day... cause Allyssa just HAD to be Luigi, from Mario Bros....But the mustache only lasted for one house and then Ally tore it off, it was causing her to sneeze and cough! It was perfect weather the night of Halloween for trick or treating! Emily and Jacob and their dad came over and Ally and I joined them, Bob and Jeff's wife, Donna stayed home to pass out candy, while we walked the neighborhood... The kids had fun and got lots and lots of candy! We had tons and tons of trick or treater's... this is a first for us, so after we made it back I was able to take Bob's place and hand out candy for awhile, that was fun since I've never been able to be home for trick or treaters! Afterwards, we were invited to Jeff and Donna's to sit around the fire and have s'mores! A good time was had, which really helped Ally and I not feel as down about Ally missing trick or treat back in Ramsey and Bob and I missing my brother Scott's Annual halloween party :) This is the only picture I have from that night though as again I wasn't real prepared and my camera battery died :(

Last Minute Carvin' !!!!

 

 

We thought we were going to make it to an actual Pumpkin Patch this year, where you pick out your own pumpkin from out in the field, and cut it off the vine yourself... but that didn't work out soooo... Bob and Ally took off on Halloween in search of Pumpkins.. Very Hard to find any store that had any left :( Finally they found 3 at Bluff Falls, so Ally was Happy!! But we only got one of them carved before Trick or Treating started in our neighborhood!! Oh well, hopefully next yr. I'll be a little more organized?!?!

We Love Grandma Soooo Much!!!

 

 

 

As we were leaving Gpa and Gma's Sunday to come back to P. Bluff, Allyssa and Gma had to fill their Love cups to overflowing, to last til next time!!!! We have the BEST Mom and Grandma EVER...!!!! And we miss her BUNCHES, !!! But we'll see her again soon! And we're already looking forward to It!

Being Silly With Family... and Loving Every Minute of IT!

What a fun filled weekend we had in Ramsey this past weekend! When Allyssa and I arrived at Gma and Gpa's we were suprised by Jacob, Hannah, and Arlie being there to play! And Play we did.. lots of fun and silly pictures, just really enjoyed being w/ them all! Love and Miss You All!!

Ally says... It's Not Even My Birthday!!! WOW!!

Allyssa was sooo excited to open a present and it's not even her birthday.... since our life was sooo hectic back in July we were never able to completely celebrate Allyssa's 8th birthday with Family... sooo Uncle Rodney and Aunt Shawna gave Allyssa her birthday present over the weekend we spent back in Ramsey... Thank You Thank You Thank You... She Loved it ALL!!! I have to admit though.. her favorite was the dolphin that the necklace came in... HA too funny! She Loves that Thing!

Allyssa Chosen October Student of the Month

 

This is out of the Poplar Bluff Daily American Republic Newspaper, it reads:
Allyssa Saunders is in Mrs. Taylor's third grade homeroom and was nominated by her. She is the daughter of Bob and Heather Saunders. Her Scholastic achievements include being a great reader and good in math. She puts all her effort into everything she does. She attends the First Baptist church, plays soccer for the Westwood Billiards team, and participates in gymnastics through X-treme Gymnastics. Her favorite person is her MOM. When she grows up she wants to be a teacher. Her teacher comments: "Allyssa has many friends and always maintains a positive attitude. She is very sensitive to others and ready to lend a helping hand."
so with that being said... We are So very Proud of her as always. It was soooo funny, she got off the bus that day with a huge grin on her face and was yelling I'm student of the Month.. I'm student of the month.. as she ran up to me!! There's just nothing better than seeing Pure Joy on your child's face! She got to have McDonald's lunch at school this past Thursday and in December we will go to the PTO meeting and they announce the student of the Month's and Allyssa will receive an award, so we are looking forward to it!
Of course Allyssa's dad couldn't leave it alone, He asked Allyssa "Why did that newspaper cut out the part about you liking your dad the best??" but Allyssa's used to her dad, it didn't phase her, she just answered him "I didn't say that Dad"....
It's always nice to have your kid's efforts recognized... and I'm just glad that she's following in her Mother's footsteps...he he he!!!! What??? I'm just sure she gets it from ME!!!

From My Sweeties...

 

Bob and Allyssa walk into Huck's and Allyssa sees Roses... so she's like Dad let's get them for Mommy (how sweet) and so they did.. I'm still not quite sure if they are both for me.. One being from Allyssa and One from Bob, OR if they are Both From Bob one for me and one for Allyssa... but anyway.. I put them in a vase, and only enjoyed them like that for a day.. because Allyssa just can't wait to take them out of water and watch them dry up and die... Hmmm... should I be concerned??? And of course I'm just as bad, cause I didn't take a picture while they were in the vase nice and pretty.. No I wait until they are dried and turning black...

At Least It's a Pretty ONE!!!

 

 

Well after being used to an entire forest of beautiful fall colors living on 15 acres in Ramsey we now have One Real tree in our yard (the other 2 or 3 we have are big tall skinny Pine trees) and although this picture doesn't do it justice... It is Really Pretty...Sooo if I can't have the Forest... I am Thankful for this ONE!!

Allyssa's Missin' Her Family :(

This is very typical of Allyssa... when we have a very fun filled day you can count on when we get home and start winding down she will REALLY REALLY miss everyone back home... or as she puts it.. it's not bad enough that my brother and sister don't live w/ me and are in PA... now I'm not in Ramsey with the rest of my family either... poor thing...
We got home from a Great Day at Bluff Falls, and I was straightening up in the house and I looked out the window and Allyssa was playing sidewalk chalk by herself.. she likes doing that so I didn't really think anything about it, until bedtime and she was REALLY missing everyone, and that's when she told me that she drew her family out in the driveway... (My heart was breaking...) so after I cuddled and kissed her to sleep.. I went out after dark and took pictures (I think the neighbors think I've lost my mind, taking pictures of our driveway after dark... :) so atleast that gave me a laugh anyway!!)... And wouldn't you know that during the night it Rained... I was sooo worried that Ally would really be upset when it had washed her family away... it would be sooo like her to analyze that and be like see I can't even draw my family the rain takes them away too... blah blah blah... well I guess we now know where she gets her thought process... ha ha ha... cause for once she didn't think a thing about it that morning... but I sure DID!!!
Don't mean to make ya sad, I just thought I would share this so you all know she misses you.. and did a pretty good job of drawing everyone... and by the way.. I Miss Ya all as well... but don't be looking for my sidewalk chalk drawings anytime soon.. Okay???!!!
Enjoy!

It's been A While.....

Well it has been awhile since I've posted.. so here's my attempt to fill in the gap...
Bob and I took Allyssa to Bluff Falls to their Corn maze and Pumpkin Patch... it was fun... Our Neighbors "The Cook's" were there also w/ their two kids, Emma and Rylen so Allyssa enjoyed playing w/ them some too.. but for the most part it was Mommy and her when it came to playin' But thank God Daddy was there to help w/ the corn maze or I think Ally and Mommy would still be grazing the cornfield :) But that Straw Maze had nothing on Ally... She Mastered it All By Herself.... well enough of my talk, take a look at the pictures below... they pretty much tell the story.. Enjoy!

BLUFF FALLS CORN MAZE AND PUMPKIN PATCH
Mommy and Allyssa just Love this kind of thing...

 

What a Fun Filled Day!!!!

Grandparents Day 2009

Grandpa Ben and Grandma Peggy once again traveled to P. Bluff to be w/ Allyssa for Grandparents day at school. We enjoyed a few days visit w/ them... and are sooo thankful that they were willing and able to attend...!!!!!
We are looking forward to seeing them again sometime soon!!

How did this HAPPEN?????

 

As I'm washing Allyssa's soccer shoes in the sink downstairs... this creature jumped out on my arm.... OMG where in the world did that thing come from???? Yeah outta her shoe....I KNOW...but... HOW????
After this picture, since the froggie was sooo cooperative, I didn't harm it, I just scooped it up and freed it outside :)

Tied 1 to 1

Allyssa played her first soccer game EVER, Tues. evening... and what FUN!!!!
It had rained all day long so it was a muddy mess..but it didn't rain during the game...so that was good atleast.
Allyssa played very well and had a lot of fun... only one wipe out for Allyssa, and that was enough...she was covered in mud :)
Ally is # 4 to help you pick her out in the photos...
We are looking forward to her next game... Thurs. evening!!!

Meet Indi and Bugsy...the Hamsters

 

 

 

 

Emily and Jacob got hamsters over the weekend while we were gone..so Mon. after school Ally had to stop by their house and see them!!! They are sooo tiny!
They call Indi Indiana Jones when it's being bad!!! Now Ally wants a Hamster too... real BAD!!

Fun Back in Illinois!!

 

 

 

Allyssa,Bob and Carter enjoyed Sat. afternoon shooting bb guns and bows.... Allyssa really liked the Pink one that Grandma bought for the Grandaughters!!!

 

Allyssa drove Grandpa around and around and around, and finally got to go down the hard road even!!! And how sweet when Allyssa told Grandpa that she's pretty lucky to have a Grandpa like Him!!!
We really enjoyed our weekend w/ Mom and Dad... too short but was nice spending time w/ them. Sat. was spent outside mostly w/ the bb guns and bows, Allyssa went down to play w/ Hannah and Arlie in the afternoon, and We were able to attend Rodney's Bow shoot on Sunday afternoon after church.
We left w/ plans for Gma and Gpa to come our way in a couple of weeks for Grandparent's day at school!!!