Go Cougars? Go Utes?

Uncle Randy is NOT going to be happy about this!
Happy BYU vs U of U game day!

Annual Pie Night!

Just wanted to send out an informal invitation to all of you for the Gifford Family Annual Thanksgiving Pie Night. We will be having pie around 6:00 and games around 7:00. Come at any time, we would love to have you all come!

I'm Stuck!

Kids are so funny! Our nephew Kristian was at our house today playing with Ivy. They love playing together! While they were playing, Ivy came running in "Dad, Dad, come and help Kristian... He is STUCK!" Can you see the problem? Funny kid could not figure out how to get his hand out and still hold on to Elmo! Dave thought we should just leave him there all day and see if he figured it out on his own :)

All he does is Sleep!

Just thought I would share another picture since they change so much in the first few months. Once again he is sleeping, seems like he does a lot of that! (that is a good thing!) He is getting SO BIG, he is already up to 10 1/2 pounds at 5 weeks old. Definately my biggest baby!

Basketball season

Austin just finished up his basketball season. This is one of his favorite sports to play! He was more than excited when another coach called and asked him to be on a comp team that will be starting in a few weeks!

The perfect gift for under $1

Every year I have a hard time finding great ideas for the perfect Christmas gift without spending a fortune. I know many of you probably have this problem also. Well I thought I would share this Christmas letter and gift idea with you......(I stole this from Stacie and Whits blog!)

My dear friends,

Somewhat embarrassing to admit, I'm not getting an annual bonus and Christmas is tight this year. I will be making bedroom slippers for you all as gifts. Please let me know your sizes. You'll most likely agree that it's a splendid idea, and should you wish to do the same, I've included the instructions below.

How to make bedroom slippers out of maxi pads: You need four maxi pads to make a pair. Two of them get laid out flat, for the foot part. The other two wrap around the toe area to form the top. Tape or glue each side of the top pieces to the bottom of the foot part. Decorate the tops with whatever you desire, silk flowers (this is most aesthetically appealing), etc.

These slippers are:
* Soft and Hygienic

* Non-slip grip strips on the soles

* Built in deodorant feature keeps feet smelling fresh

* No more bending over to mop up spills

* Disposable and biodegradable

* Environmentally safe

* Three convenient sizes: (1.) Regular, (2.) Light and (3.) Get out the Sand Bags.

I've attached a photo of the first pair I made so that you can see the nifty slippers for yourself.... Awaiting your response. It's crucial that I get the right size for each one of you.

I hope you can't stop laughing. Have a great day!

Cake Dilemma!

As many of you know, when my kids have birthday's, I make them any cake they want. Well Ivy turned 3 on Nov. 7th.... all week long I would ask her what kind of cake she wanted. Every time I asked she would respond, "I want a toe cake". A TOE CAKE? Where in the world would she get that idea (David!). So all week long I tried to talk her out of a toe cake. I would ask her if she would like an Elmo, Boots, Dora, Care Bear, Polly Pocket cake... anything but a toe cake. Her reply was always the same... No I want a toe cake. She would tell me, "A toe cake is funny.... Elmo is not so funny!" Finally on Thurs. I relented and told her I would make her a toe cake. I have never seen a child so happy!

Now my next dilemma was convincing her we needed a whole foot with FIVE toes and not just one toe like she wanted. It took some bribing but she finally relented and said I could make a whole foot cake if she got to eat the toes. Now.... what kind of party theme goes with toes? Off we went to Zurchers. Luckily they have all sorts of party ideas and Ivy and I settled on having a luau party with flip-flops, toe rings, and grass skirts! The party ended up to be a blast.... the cake however... not one of my best (I am embarrassed to say!)

Here is the final outcome flip-flop and toe ring included... Yes the purple toe nails were her idea.

Ivy blowing out her candles. When we were having cake and ice cream she wanted to make sure that Grandpa Gifford got a "Toe" because he doesn't have any. (They were cut off by a lawn mower) Ivy.... ever so thoughtful!

Opening presents. She was very spoiled and got LOTS of presents.... twin baby dolls, clothes, puzzles, polly pockets, mermaid barbies.... every thing a 3 year old needs! Wow what a party.... Good thing I have till January to plan my next party!

Pumpkin carving

Happy Halloween to everyone! We had a great holiday (mainly because I am on maternity leave and did not have to deal with Halloween at school which is pretty SCARY itself!)

We started the holiday with some traditional pumpkin carving and then Dave took the older three out trick or treating with his sister Nicki, while Grandma, Oakland, and I stayed behind to pass out candy. Oakland was kind of fussy so I was holding him quite a bit and answering the door at the same time, I can't believe how many kids asked me if he was a real baby or just part of my costume! Even worse, I can't believe how many kids believed me when I told them he was just part of the costume! Ha!

Later that evening Tami and Angie's families came by to show off their cute costumes and stuck around long enough for Hunter to get his eye gouged! That was my big scare for Halloween, Hunter coming upstairs with his whole eye covered in blood! Luckily it looked worse than it really was.

So I am retarded and I am having a horrible time today moving my pictures around?!? So they are not in order! Oakland was a bumble bee. He still is not impressed with this outside world... Every picture I take he looks so bored!
Erin wanted to be a cheerleader this year after her week at cheer camp! Why she wanted pink hair... who knows...it's Halloween so anything goes!

Austin was a skeleton. Obviously!

Ivy was a carebear. She too is looking very bored with it all, but in the end when Erin and Austin were both tired of walking up and down our big hill, it was Ivy that wanted to keep trick or treating! She was a hoot... She would go to the door and ask the people "one or two?" meaning could she take two candies. We told her this was impolite and to only take one, but she didn't care!

Here are the pictures of the pumpkin carving (I told you they were out of order). Here is Ivy with her finished project. (She had some help from Dave)

Here they are scooping the guts out. Ivy did not like that at all. She was not about to stick her hand in there... Do you really blame her?

Erin did not mind the goop (she has never been too concerned with being neat!)

Here is the whole crew. Austin just got out of the shower, so he is looking a little slicked in the hair!

What a great Halloween! I hope all of you had a great Halloween also!

4th

My friend Cyd tagged me with a photo tag. You are supposed to take the 4th picture from your 4th folder. So here it is all the girls in my family! My sisters Angie and Tami, my mom, and me! This picture was taken about 1 1/2 years ago when my cousins Sandy and Bill were visiting. So tag to all of you who are reading :) (thanks Cyd!)