Celebrating Ashley's 18th Birthday at Apple Hill!

To celebrate Ashley's 18th birthday this year, she and her friend,

Matt drove up to Apple Hill to spend the day, since they didn't have school.

Ashley has a very cool birthday 11/11/91, Veteran's Day

and has never had to go to school on her birthday!

Brooke, Bree and Mom decided to head up to Apple Hill

and surprise her with birthday cupcakes and candles,

a birthday sign, party hats, and balloons.

We headed up to our favorite spots, High Hill,

and spread out the tablecloth, blew up balloons,

rolled out the cupcakes, threw confetti everywhere and

waited for Ashley and Matt to arrive.

Yes! She was surprised

and thought it was hysterically funny

to see Brooke and Bree holding up the birthday sign for her!

It's nice to know that Ashley and Brooke will forever be "the little girls",

Even when you are 18 years old!

Brooke and Bree, waiting for Ashley to arrive!
Standing with the sign and balloons wasn't enough...
they had to get on a bench to get Ashley's attention!


Ashley and Matt laughing at Brooke and Bree,
standing on the bench holding the sign!


Happy Birthday, Ashley!

Ashley blowing out her candles!

Actually, we couldn't get the candles to stay lit

because the wind was blowing them out

but she was gracious enough to pose

for the all important "blowing out the candles" picture!
Thanks Ashley! You are a good sport!

Ash and Matt. Cute.

Brooke, our 16 year old, that loves to party like a kid!

I think she wore that hat the rest of the day! JK!

Actually, I think she gave the party hat to the little kid

that was crying because he wanted a hat and balloon

but his mom told him that "he wasn't invited to our birthday party."

Matt and Ashley at High Hill, one of our favorite stops at Apple Hill.

Matt really got into the party blowers!

I think that is when the little boy started crying and

told his mom that he wanted to go to our party.

Matt made it look so fun!

Mom and Ashley at High Hill, right by the fishing pond!
We love that place.

So many good memories...

like the time that Dad was helping Tyler,

who was only about 4 years old,

catch a fish in the net, they got a little too close

and Tyler fell into the fishing pond!

Brooke and Bree, standing in an apple orchard.

Matt, jumping in a cornfield.


Ash and Matt, in front of the old mill.

Brooke and Bree, looking cute!

THE DONUT EATING CONTEST:

After eating their last donuts...feeling a little sick!

GBHS Homecoming 2009

Ashley was excited to be in the Homecoming Royalty court this year

with many of her dearest friends from high school.

Her dad was honored and excited to be her escort during the half-time festivities

but a bit nervous that he might trip going up the stairs to the stage,...fortunately he managed them quite well and didn't make a scene. Good job Dad!

Ashley looked beautiful in her gorgeous red dress

and fabulous red shoes!

Dad wanted to make sure that his suit complimented her outfit

so I had to go out and buy a new tie to match the dress!

They both looked smashing

and made a darling looking couple!

It was a fun night for us all!
Homecoming 2009

Ashley coming around the track in the convertible.

Dad helping Ash out of the car.

Dad whispering to Ashley, "You are a princess!
You will always be my little princess!"
Something that he has said to all of his girls
as far back as they can remember.

Father and daughter, walking arm in arm,

across the stage together! Cute!

Dad telling Ashley again, "Remember you are a princess
and you will always be my little princess forever!"
Then he gave her a kiss
and as usual, a few tears were shed by dad
...a tradition that he has continued
everytime he shares a sweet or
sentimental moment with his kids.
Gosh! I love that about that guy!

Ashley standing with her good friend, Mason James.

Dad and Ashley after half-time, posing on the track.

Ashley and Brooke together!

Ashley and her proud parents!


So glad that Kimber could come out
and enjoy the Homecoming festivities and take pictures!!

Ashley and Craig, better known as "Team Crash!"

Ashley and her dearest friend,

Spencer Kimes, who won Homecoming King!

Earlier that day at the rally:

Ashley and Brooke just before the rally!

Ashley with her rally escort and favorite teacher, Mr. Pagel.

The infamous Team Crash looking so fine!

Spence and Ash

Ashley and Mason

Kimber's weekend in Granite Bay

Kimber came home this weekend

to watch Brooke run at Subsections down in Calaveras County.

She has never been able to watch her run in a race

and decided that she better come out before the XC season was over.

This was the only weekend that she was free to come home,

and she picked a great weekend

because she was also able to see all the GBHS Homecoming festivities,

(which included Ashley in the Homecoming royalty court at halftime on Friday night),

we all attended David Wilkes wedding dinner on Saturday night

(which was fabulous and fun for Kimber's to see so many dear friends),

and we enjoyed listening to Ashley sing a solo in church on Sunday

(which was truly amazing!)

It was great to have her home and have her join in on all the fun!

Here are some of the pages that Kimber made for Brooke from Subsections.

Brooke had a great race and is looking forward to Sections this weekend!

Tyler and the cutest little Cougar fans!

Tyler's little cousins love and adore him! They adore him so much, that little Josh decided to dress up as "Tyler, the back-up punter of the BYU football team" for Halloween and my sister, Mary Ann's little girls, Molly and Megan were BYU cheerleaders! Tyler had to go by and take pictures with his little fans on Halloween night. Cute!

Tyler and Josh

To read more about Josh click here: http://bradandcindipearce.blogspot.com/2009/10/joshs-herotyler.html

Tyler with Megan and Molly

Three-peat XC League Champion

Brooke ran a great race yesterday at Cross Country League finals and won with the time of 17:07. Amazing!

Here is Brooke at the 1st mile marker, holding off her challenger, Karlie, a freshman from Oakmont.

After the next loop, they are running side by side but Brooke looks relaxed and confident...and like a giant next to Karlie, who is so teeny tiny! I never thought that I would ever describe little Brookie as a giant but seriously, next to Karlie, she looks huge. Pretty funny!

Then at the two mile marker, Brooke made her move and took off on one of the downhill slopes and never looked back. It was a great finish. Karlie had a great kick but Brooke held on and finished strong for the win. I think Brooke was surprised that she ran such a fast race. Her time was a minute faster than last year.

Each year, the league meet is always on Halloween or the day before, and the girls always say, "We should have made capes and dressed up as Super Grizzlies!" So this year Brooke and I bought neon green material and stuff to decorate 7 capes. I sewed the capes (I know, you are all impressed, but trust me...that's about as creative as I get!) and the all of the girls came over to our house and decorated the back of their cape. They turned out pretty cute and they had fun warming up in them and wearing them on their cool down after the race. The girls were sure that they would intimidate the other teams by wearing the capes. I'm not sure about that but it sure made for some cute pictures!

Brooke on her "cool down" wearing her Super Grizzly cape.

The back view of the Grizzly cape!

The GBHS girl's varsity team running with their capes.

Brooke, showing off her cape. So cute.

The girl's running off on their cool down after the race.

The top 7 finishers in the league.

Proud parents with their league champion.

Brooke and her former track coach, Randy Sturgeon, who came to support her and cheer her on to victory.

Brooke and Coach Pozzi

Uncle Scott and Uncle Bruce came to watch her race.