Happy 7th Birthday Allyson!

I say it every year but I can't believe Ally is already another year older.  She is so grown up to me all of a sudden.  She is reading so well and is so mature.  (Well most of the time :)) And she is so tall.  She is finally starting to adjust to her new school schedule too.  We celebrated after school by surprising her with a new bike.  She was super excited.  It's a little big but she rode it well.  After wards we went over to golf land to try to play mini golf.  The course was closed for the week though so we played in the arcade and then went over to the Vernon lanes to bowl.  Ally has been asking for forever and whenever we try to go, there are leagues playing.  Today they let us play but only one game because of leagues.  We had to play on two lanes so we could finish up quickly.  It was rather irritating and much more expensive than playing on one, but she had fun and that was all we cared about.  Ally thought the shoes were awful and old.  Ansley looked adorable in hers.  Jerry and I couldn't bowl to save our lives and ended up being beat by both girls.  Ansley was the highest scorer and Ally wasn't too far behind.  To be fair they were using bumpers and ramps.  After bowling we let her choose where she wanted to eat.  She choose McDonald's so we took her out to the Manchester McDonald's for a happy meal and to play on the playground.  They had a blast and Jerry I enjoyed just sitting and talking while they played.  I am so grateful for my amazing family.  Thank you Heavenly Father for a wonderful husband and two great girls.  Happy Birthday Ally!  We love you and are so happy you are a part of our family.

Friend Birthday Party

We celebrated Ally's birthday with a friend party today because the kids had the day off from school. She had some school and church friends over and we played pin the nose on the pumpkin, and musical chairs and even bobbed for apples.  We also made a Halloween craft.  The girls were all great.  We had wacky cake and ice cream to celebrate and then Ally opened her gifts.  She got lots of great gifts and had a wonderful time.  We owe a huge thank you to Brenna who took me to the store to get everything we needed for the party and who also brought her a great gift, one she has wanted for a while now, a remote control car!

Goodbye Elder Farmer

Today after school we loaded up the van and headed down to Waterbury to say good-bye to one of our favorite missionaries, Elda Farma (as Ansley would say it).  We took him and his companion out for dinner and spent some time hanging out.  He goes home in a couple of weeks and we couldn't let the chance to see him just one more time pass us by.  Good Luck with the next phase of your life Farmer!  The Rice's will miss you!

Sunday Session

Today was another great day of conference talks.  There is nothing better than being uplifted while in your PJ's.  Between sessions were enjoyed some of the beautiful New England weather.  The sun was shining and it was warm enough to be out in jeans and sweatshirts.  During the second Sunday session Ansley accidentally cut her own bangs.  I was devastated.  She had just gotten a super cute haircut and now a huge chunk of her bangs was missing.  She was upset too so I couldn't get too mad.

General Conference

General conference weekend has started off on a high note.  We are getting a temple in..........HARTFORD!!  We could barely believe our ears.  Jerry and I were just talking about how we would probably never get a temple in Hartford because Boston is so close.  We are ecstatic.  Ally asked us what we were so excited about so we told her we were getting a temple close to Vernon and how great that was going to be.  I don't think they understood how great this information was but we were excited and as a result so were they.  The talks today were wonderful.  I always enjoy hearing from the apostles.  It is such an uplifting experience.  The theme for today seems to have been heading the words of the prophet and all General authorities.  It's amazing to me that they aren't assigned any topics and that somehow there always seem to be underlying themes.  Saturday night while the men went to the tailgate for the Priesthood session, Brenna, Megan and I hung out at our place and watched the Relief Society broadcast that we had missed the weekend before while we were at the Big E.  President Monson was great and the guys came back uplifted too!  I am so grateful for the church, the restored gospel and for a prophet on the earth today.  A truly uplifting day.

Oh Ally

So today while I was at work Jerry overheard the girls talking downstairs.  Ally was irritated because Ansley wasn't doing exactly what she wanted so they were having an exchange.

Ally: "Ansley you better behave, you don't want to stay down here with the devil instead of going to heaven with God."

Ansley: "Ally the devil isn't down here."

Ally: "Yes he is, he was bad in heaven so God sent him down here."

Ansley: silence.........

I guess we could always scare them into submission.  Too bad it doesn't work for Allyson.

The Primary Program

So today is always my favorite Sunday of the year.  The Primary Program is just amazing even from the alter.  The kids work so hard and they do such an amazing job.  Our Primary is busting at the seams these days with over 90 children so we barely fit on the alter.  The Spirit was amazingly strong as the children got up one by one and spoke and especially when they sang.  I have adored the song I know my Savior Loves Me from the first time I heard it and they sing it so well.   Ally is a primary program professional but this was Ansley's debut year.  She did great!  She got right up and spoke her part with no hesitation.  Ally did great too!  She had a long part and had to learn all the words so she could read it.  She amazed me and did it with very little practice.

Allyson's part was 2 Nephi 27:27 "For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles;....and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith." 

Ansley's part was I can follow Jesus' example by loving others.

We spent the rest of the afternoon outside.  The weather has been all over the place this week.  Almost 90 degrees on Friday and Sat and rather cool today but the sun was out and that's all that matters in my book.  We have great neighbors in the building next door and the girls love to play with their boys.  On a sadder note my surrogate grandparents have moved out.  I didn't realize it but Ally did.  She said, "mommy I think Charlotte and Walter are gone.  The shades are closed and the bird feeders are gone."  Such attention to detail.  She was right.  They are officially out of the complex.  I am extremely sad but will definitely be visiting them in their new place.  They can't get rid of me totally. 

We had some friends over for dinner tonight and were discussing the funny things kids say when Ally blurts out, "My middle name is sin!"  I think she meant son as in Ally-son but it was hilarious and proved out point that if they really want good wholesome entertainment they just need children!