Candy With A Side Of Gingerbread House

We gathered with most of the Ely gang at Gram and Papa’s to build our Christmas Gingerbread (graham cracker) Houses. Gram always decks the table with bowls and bowls of beautiful, delicious candies and cookies to decorate with. We started with our new opening ceremonies parade around the tables marching and singing “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”. The kids had a blast and scored a lot of candy. Thanks to Gram for another great night of tasty, constructive activity.

Thanksgiving With The Algers

The Alger Thanksgiving was on Friday this year at Grant and Joanna's (Richard's sister). They have a beautiful home and splendid yard and garden. Mom and Dad rented a bouncy thing for the grandkids, who loved it. It was yummy and fun to hang out with 44 members of the family plus a few extras. We missed our missionary nephews Phil (Peru) and Chad (Korea) and Richard's brother James, who was away at work keeping the world safe from evil, he is a deputy sheriff.

Bouncin' Mania! At one point the kids figured out that if they all ran to one side they could tip it over. Great idea until it collapsed a bit and trapped them. Nevertheless, they did it again.

They have a great conversational area on their porch.

Mmmm, pie and a huge red bowl of whipped cream!

Papa decorated Laney's hair like a flower princess.

Pretty gardens and silly kids.

Grant decorated Zanna with beautiful leaves. She looked like she belonged in "A Mid Summer Night's Dream".

Fun In The Wild Outdoors

I pruned some of our trees to make it easier for us to remove the vacant beehive. The kids love to have the branches to play with. They also had the big boxes from Sara and Laney's new bunk bed. One evening, a few weeks ago, we all were in the back yard enjoying the cool evening air. The kids had fun building a fort, Rich, Laney and Tim were swinging away and I was relaxing on the porch watching it all with Zanna. The best way to spend an evening, for sure.


Lovely faces!

I hope you are not blinded by the glare off of the back of Richard's legs!

Catching Up On Life

I have been so behind on posting lately. I am trying to catch up and also to make up for not updating my little bro Gavin, he's on his mission in freezing Idaho. I email the posts to him to keep him in the know on everything Alger. (Sorry I missed writing you last week, Gav! Hope these make up for it.)

Boy Kitties

Richard and Laney were laying on the sofa having a snuggly conversation. Laney was talking about a boy kitty. Richard asked her how she knew it was a boy kitty. She said, "Daddy... boy kitties have red feet." It was one of those "Duh Daddy, everybody knows, why don't you" moments. So, next time you are wondering whether it is a boy or girl kitty, be sure to check their... uh... feet!

Sara Got Her Ears Pierced!!!!

Sara has be waiting a long time to get her ears pierced. Richard and I decided that she had to be at least 8 years old and REALLY want them pierced before we would let her. Sara came to her daddy on Sunday morning, a week ago, and asked him very sweetly. He told her to ask him again after church and to write a poem about it. That evening, Sara, who had enrolled Sam and Josh to sing along, sang the poem she had thought up during church and through the after noon.

"Oh Daddy, Oh Daddy please let me pierce my ears.
Oh Daddy, Oh Daddy, it will dry up all my tears.
Oh Daddy, Oh Daddy, you been the best dad for years.
Oh Daddy, Oh Daddy, please let me have fancy ears."

She was so darling that Richard melt like butter. He said she could get them pierced. Then he said it was sweet of her to write him a poem about it and ask what made her think to do it. I thought he was joking but he really had no recollection of asking her to write one. Both Sara and I heard him though. We laughed.


The next day we went to Claire's.

Virgin Ears


A bear to love.


A little more painful than she thought.

Yea, fancy ears! Sam went with for support and bought her a pair of earrings. So sweet!

Oh, and when we walked in the door at home to show off her sparkling ears, we found Laney asleep on the stairs. Apparently, she became exhausted while brushing her teeth and passed out on the bottom step.

Halloween Pictures, Finally

So, my mom gave the photos a while ago but I just never managed to get them posted. I am sure you have all been on pins and needles waiting for them. Here they are...

Sam the ASU Fan and Detective Travis, his friend.

Josh the Mysterious Man.

Tim the Dragon Boy.

Daniel the sort of scary, but funny clown.

Princess Laney and Prince Nate.

Sir Drew the Black Knight.

Tinker Sara.

Richard in his everyday attire and Ballerina Zanna.

Glamorous Jen and Piratess Steph.