IDAHO? No...you da' ho.

Idaho was the destination of choice this Thanksgiving. Off to the land of frosty cold weather to see Grandma LaWanna, Grandpa Bruce and all the long-distance aunts, uncles and cousins!

If you know me well, you know that I am a cold weather WIMP (and a hot weather wimp. oh...just a WIMP all together)! But nonetheless, we gathered up the gear preparing for the worst.




Here is Jack testing out his winter wear. Look familiar? Like Ralphie's little brother in the "Christmas Story"? Jack did take a brutal face plant when he tried to take his first step in the marshmallow suit.



We enjoyed a delicious feast of all the traditional eats. Stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, homemade rolls, punch, and 6....yes 6 pies made by aunt brooke. Mmmm. True to form, I stuffed my face and was incapacitated the rest of the evening. Isn't that what Thanksgiving is all about?




The next day, we took part in an Idaho tradition of going to the woods and chopping down a Christmas tree. Just 10 bucks, some frost bitten fingers, and a little creativity can get you a mighty fine tree!



Brooke and Kylee


Kids piled in the back of the truck in search of the perfect tree. Don't worry...i was hiding out in the cab staying warm.


We had a great time. Thanks LaWanna for making us so comfortable in your home! It wouldn't have been Thanksgiving without family to share it with!

Prophetic Dreams?

What can I say? Brad needed a third choice named Ali!

Jenni, DeAnna or what's that you say....ALI?

It's true. I obsess over The Bachelor. Last night in my dreams I was one of the final three waiting for Brad Womack to express his undying love for me in the most dramatic engagement proposal and rose ceremony yet!



Of course, in my dream I did not look like this....

Rather, I had a rockin' body, blonde flowing hair, and a "rack" only money can buy. Not only that, I was on top of my flirting game (which has not been in practice for 5 years now). You could say I was the "front runner"!

Brad had given me some pretty strong implications that I would be receiving that engagement rose.

Really, I felt bad for the other two. It seemed as though they did not stand a chance.
I just pictured them driving home in the limo sobbing their eyes out because I was the one wrapped in the strong, masculine arms of Bachelor Brad.

So stay tuned tonight for a great showing. I hope I didn't ruin too much of it for you. Just don't say I didn't tell ya so when you hear those words...


"Ali, will you accept this proposal rose?"

Weeee...

another fun practice shoot! Meet the Musgroves...

who's this handsome chap?

Welcome baby Carter...



This is my brother's new baby boy. He weighed in at an uncharacteristic "Sessions" weight of 6 pounds, 2 ounces. Mom is doing well, and aunt ali can't wait to take some pictures of the little devil!

I like big heads and I cannot lie. My other brothas can't deny

Yesterday I put a hat on jack's generously proportioned noggin. very cute, but do you think there is such thing as a "deep fit" hat? It did land about 3 inches ABOVE his ears, which isn't cool, right?

bits of bubby

This is my first, humble attempt at editing video clips. The video quality is terrible because it was shot on our digital camera. Stay tuned for more professional family films...

please send....

well...besides an Arbys Roast Beef sandwich which sounds REALLY good right now, i need...

YOUR ADDRESS!

Christmas is right around the corner and we are brewing up a SUPER-DUPER brag letter that we don't want you to miss out on. So if you want to hear about all our accomplishments this year, then send me your address.

E-mail me at alidegraff@yahoo.com

i could be a minivan mom...

i'll admit. i've had recent longings for the conveniences that only a minivan can offer. more trunk space, more seating, a DVD player, automatic sliding doors, cup holders for the kids...etc....

but then my mind flashes back to the days in our hunter green (the most popular color in its day) Ford Aerostar, with the hood that made the car look like a torpedo on wheels. then there were the days in the tan Dodge Caravan with the faux wood siding, where we'd spend most of our family vaction driving time building blanket forts in the back. was there a seatbelt law back then?

and I ask...could I really go there? me. a minivan mom?

Then my friend Sheena mentioned something about a new VW concept car fashioned after the classic microbus. knowing my husbands LOVE for the vintage bus, i had to look into it.

here is what i found. what do you think? i think momma like...

november + sunshine = beach day

what's that you say...beach in november? Yes siree. Apparently summer temps are sticking around this year. So much for a winter pregnancy. I'm sweatin' bullets in my maternity jeans and compression stockings.

I shouldn't complain. It's always fun to go to the beach especially with friends like the Southwells. Troy got in a little surfing, I chased Jack in and out of the water 500 times, and most importantly, we all got a little time to soak up some sun.

So, if you are reading this from some miserably cold state like Utah, Chicago, Virginia, Wisconsin, or Idaho....eat your heart out! And hurry up and get a ticket out to California.


Um...yes...that is my belly. sheesh...


Making dad's dreams come true.



Ezra...check out the splash from my rock


The sand BOOGIE

Bah Humbug!

I feel like a big Halloween SCROOGE! I thought I would be okay not dressing up this year, but when the real day came I was sad.

We were supposed to be the Flinstone family. I thought I was buying a dinosaur costume, but when I got home Troy informed me that it was a DRAGON, not a DINO. Plan foiled! I better start planning for next year so this disappointment doesn't happen again.

At least one of us enjoyed Halloween in costume.



Yee-haw. That horse hair tickles. Now let me at it so I can have a taste.


Mom...it's 85 degrees here and I am sweating bullets in this fuzzy get-up!


Just your friendly neighborhood dragon.


Getting a workout before the Chili Cookoff.