Almost Wordless Wednesday...

1st trip to the dentist

Yesterday was Alison's first trip to see Dr. Payne (yes that is prounced Pain) her dentist. He is such a sweet and gentle doctor. Greg went to him as a kid, and now Alison goes there. She proudly walked into the office ready to check things out. She did very good for her age. She interacted with him and the office, but didn't like her exam. Mommy held her and Dr. Payne looked into her mouth. He said she has been doing a great job brushing her teeth (might I add that she will brush them for hours..literally if I let her!) She loves to brush her teeth! Everything looks good, and she goes back in 6 months.

It's a Girl!!

Whoo hoo...My sister found out on Saturday that they are having a girl!! I am so excited..another close girl cousin for Alison to torture! It was so cute how we all found out (I wanted to do this when we found out with Alison but we had no will power). The doctor wrote what it was and placed it in a sealed envelope. They took the sealed envelope over to Babies R Us and had picked out some boy oneies and some girl oneies. They instructed the worker to open the envelope and put the corresponding outfit in the bag. They had a bbq and opened the present in front of all us so we could all be there...Here are some pictures....

What's in the bag?


A big moment..



Here they go...1....2...3....dump!

Only the tissue paper came out first...


Hoorah...pink!!!

Making sure it said girl...




Aww...pretty soon..she wont be the favorite anymore....

I'm finding a new career.....

Ok...don't freak out.. I am totally kidding. But seriously..I should have become a weather forecaster. It is the only job that I know where you can be wrong over 50% of the time and still be employed. Partly sunny with scattered showers... um...???? It has rained all dang day, and I am freezing!!

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

We want you to join us!!!

As many of you know, we lost our sweet mother to breast cancer just over 6 years ago. Auntie Connie walked in our first family two months before mom died. Ever since, we have participated in breast cancer walks all over the country. We have not participated in the last two Avon walks (only the Komen walks) so we feel like we need to get back involved. Here's where you come in!!!!

This year we are going to be a part of the crew!! So here's where you can....


Join our crew team!!
There is no fundraising, only a small registraton fee. I am looking into it but right now it has been reduced to $40.00.

What will we do:
I am going to try to get us assigned to a rest stop or quick stop. We will monitor the station that will provide snacks, drinks, and medical care to the walkers. It is a no brainer!! Most importantly, WE WILL CHEER AND ENCOURAGE THE WALKERS! . We need you! The more of us the better.

The walk will be held September 12-13 in Long Beach. (I am giving you plenty of time to clear your calendars). It is two days and we will camp in the wellness village. What is two days of your life, when millions of women deal with this disease every day of their lives.

We are hoping you will join us in this incredible experience!!! Post me a message or drop me an email (Stephanie.gustafson at yahoo.com) if you need more information.

I've been tagged...

I was TAGGED last night (Not what you are thinking)

Loni TAGGED Me last night!


Here's the deal:

1. Link to the person that tagged you
2. Post the rules on your blog
3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself
4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs
5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.
6. Let your tagger know when your entry is up.

Here we go................

1. I created my blog background and header all by myself!! Who knew I could be so creative??

2. Twins run in my family...no seriously they are everywhere. My sisters are identical twins, my dad is an identical twins, my maternal grandmother was a twin, and dad's great-great-great-(who knows how many greats back)grandmother had 4 sets of twins! No lie!! One of us three girls is bound to have a set twins (oh lord....please let it be me) Oh wait, did I say that!?!

3. I hate shopping. I know...that should be a sin. No seriously...I avoid it like the plague. I get a headache, depressed because I am spending money, freak out that my husband is going to be mad, and irritated because I want everything! So to keep me sane..I stay out of the stores!

4. I can cook some of my mom's most famous dishes from memory. She used to make us help her in the kitchen all the time. It is a good thing, but she never wrote anything down. I can make her fried chicken, enchiladas, beans, potato salad, and fruit salad. I am still working on her gravy..trial and error I guess.

5. I stalk people....yep! I am a blog stalker. I love love love to read people's blog. There are some funny stories and beautiful pictures. I follow people that I know and others that I don't know and may never meet, yet I feel like I have known them my whole life. People keep on blogging or else I am going to have nothing to do (oh wait..I guess I could clean...nah!)

6. I HATE being alone! I am the biggest sissy..I swear! My front door is always locked and my house alarm is on even when I am home. (note: if you stop by call first or you might find a bat in your face..kidding..I am so kidding!)


Phew...That was tough...Now who shall I tag...

Michelle- Get your preggo brain working, and let's see what you come up with!

Stephanie- I love to always hear your insightful thoughts

Cindy- Super mom let's see what you come up!

Kelly-My crazy Louisana friend...I miss you..tell me sister what you think!

Caisa- Hey honeymooner!!!

Dana-Gotta give you something to write about....

Playhouse Disney Live on Stage

On Sunday, Auntie Laurie got us tickets to go see Playhouse Disney Live on Stage at the Citizen's Bank Arena. Alison loved the show and was spoiled (I mean showered with love) by Auntie Laurie, TT M, and Aunty Jen. She got popcorn with a crazy hat, lemonade in sippy cup, snowcone in a rocket mug, and a very cool light up wand from Little Einsteins. The show was lots fun, and Alison watched the entire thing. Mickey Mouse, of course, was her favorite character as she cheered loudly for him. Here are some pictures from Sunday...

Ready for the show...


Enjoying her snow cone


Drinking her lemonade with a death grip on her wand


All of us


watching Mickey Mouse


Thanks Nina for a great afternoon!!

Couldn't have been said better....

*note:if you click on the article it will pop up in a bigger screen

A park day...

with her cousins is always fun!! Check them out...









I love this picture because it is just classic....They pushed her down the big kid slide, and of course, they stayed at the top looking down. The picture isn't in focus very well because I was trying to capture the moment and catch her coming down at the same time. Still...I love it!

15 months

Alison turned 15 months old on the 15th of January. She is growing to be a big girl with a big attitude (oh wait did I say that!). I took her to the doctors today and she weighs 21 pounds 14 ounces and is 29 1/2 inches tall. Dr. Mahfoud says she is growing proportionate for her size. He also said that she won't be as tall as Greg (thank goodness!), but will probably be taller than me. She got two shots and boy did she cry this time. Good thing her daddy was there to console her.

Here are some of the things that she is doing:

Running..she doesn't walk for anything. She is always trying to move so fast that she stomps her feet so loud.

She is continuing to talk so much more. She can clearly say Braeden, Dana, Pa, Pop pop, Dad da, Momma, Belle, Nala, Nina, My My (Mikee), Nana, banana, bye bye, hello, ball, baby, doggie, applesauce (pronounced apppee sauce) and most importantly NO..(daddy isn't happy that she learned this so fast). She continues to ramble on and on though I can't understand what it is she is saying. Uncle Kevin, Aunty Dana, TT M, Aunty Jen and Grandma are other words that she is very close to articulating clearing. Alison continues to excel in learning sign language. She has added tree, bear, horse, kitty, and blanket.

Bananas have quickly taken the top rank in her favorite thing to eat. One day she had 3 of them in a short span. She has been giving me a hard time during meal times because she wont eat unless she can feed herself. Mom is trying to get over the messes that will be made and just letting her learn. Tonight she ate a whole cup of applesauce all by herself.

We have finally turned her around in the car...um..let's say...BAD IDEA!! She bugs!! Momma..Momma...Momma..is all I hear! She loves looking out the windows and dancing to the music.

Her favorite activities: playing with her play food, pushing her baby stroller, riding in her buggy, and of course reading books. Shamu is her favorite stuff animals but in a very close 2nd are her dollies.

She is a daddy's girl all the way!!! She has quiet a sense of humor...causing all of us to constantly be laughing! Alison is so funny! Um...I think I have bragged enough..Here are some recent pictures that we took at the park...





Some of the many faces of Miss Alison....

Wordlessly Wednesday

My obession....

should be over now!..um I think? Last night I was graciously asked to join my friend Mary and her roommate Frank at the very last performance of Wicked at the Pantages!! It was so awesome. There was like 5 standing ovations (I have no idea if I spelled that right) during the show, and we sat in the orchestra too!! After the show during the curtain call, the actual writer of the play came out on stage to say a few words. We attempted to get members of the cast's autograph. We got some, but we really wanted to get a picture with Megan Hilty (Galinda) and Eden Espinoza (Elphaba). Unfortnately, they cut the line off 5 people in front of us!! Can you believe that! So close and yet so far! We did get to watch them get in their car, so I was able to quickly talk to Megan. I told her that she did a great job, and she looked up and said thank you. We had a great time..Thanks Marry for including me, and thanks Greg for letting me go!! I will count this as my Happy Everything present this year (birthday, valentines, mother's day, christmas). hehe. The show is off to San Fransicso...umm...road trip anyone?? ha..my husband would kill me!!

Thank you Nana!

So the other my mommy and I got home, and there was a present hanging on my front door! I was so excited. Mommy helped me pull it down. It was a very cute apron that I can wear when playing with my play kitchen. Don't you think I look cute? THANK YOU NANA FOR THE LITTLE TREATS!! I LOVE THEM (oh and my mommy too!)! Love, Ali Lu Bugga Boo

She is ready...

to visit Nina Lisa in Seattle....

Gustafson Family Pictures

At our Gustafson Holiday, I took some pictures of the family. Grandpa Nels joined us all the way from Redding, and I wanted to capture some priceless moments with him. We don't get to see him much as traveling is hard so I pushed for everyone to be there!! I was successful!! The ENTIRE GUSTAFSON FAMILY was together under one roof. Thank you everyone for making it a priority. Family members traveled far (Washington D.C, Arizona, and Santa Barbara) to take the pictures. It was stressful for me, but I am very VERY happy with the end results! We got some priceless pictures that I know will be treasured forever!! Check them out....







Grandma Kathy
and all her grandkids



Tom & his immediate family



Uncle Will & his family with Grandpa Nels