June Random

Twenty two years!  

We celebrated at our favorite restaurant-Carvers!  Their stuffed fillet minion is to die for-literally.  Every single day I am thankful I decided to marry this handsome fella.

  He completes me.

Alyssa went to a week long camp with her bff Lil.  Clear Creek is a tradition around these parts.  She was so excited.  She missed us horribly, slept in the counselor cabin, sang songs, went on hikes and caught herself a real live pot gut. in that very can she is holding.

  It doesn't get much better than that!

Meanwhile back at the home front,  I found this note on the whiteboard written by a very sad, very forgotten and apparently very lonely Ashlyn.  

She can barely breath without her sister.

It was a really really long week!

One word:  World Cup  (okay that was actually two words)

The boys convinced us that this was so special, so rare they just had to watch it, even if it meant breaking the Sabbath.  And.......we let them.   

 At least they stayed in their church clothes.

Our first ever Sunday evening Preach My Gospel study group.

Look at how hard we are studying.

I love these boys!  

They are going to make great missionaries. 

 Every single one of them!

Happy June!

May random

Legacy School Choir Spring Concert. 

 Alyssa had a big ole solo in this here production.  She belted out "Let it Go" like never before.  She even had an Elsa braid.  Where does she come from?!

They call me mother. 

 It is music to my ears-most of the time :) How have I been so blessed?  Look at them.  Healthy, happy, showering me with gifts and food.  It was a wonderful Mother's Day.

But the best was yet to come.  Skyping with my firstborn, the one who started me on this amazing journey of motherhood.  Hermana Allred was also healthy and so so happy. 

 Best Mother's Day present ever!

Pokemon.  

He eats, sleeps and breaths them.  He sorts and trades and collects and organizes and re-arranges--all day, every day.  He is obsessed and he will tell you all about every single one of them.  All you have to do is ask.

Braces.  

Again.  

Because we like to do them twice around here.  The first time he didn't get his "last meal".   I promised him that he would get it the second time around.  And I am a woman of my word.  He didn't touch the corn, and I believe the apple bite was just staged.   I think he only ate the caramel and the heath bar.  That's my Brycie!

In honor of Kara's birthday we hunted down a donut truck with the Matthews.  It was delicious.  Don't believe me.  Ask the dishes.

A typical Sunday afternoon.  All of the board games are pulled out and played.   No friends, just brothers and sisters and soft hymns playing in the background.

 It makes me smile.  

Bryson's countdown to the last day of school.  I will translate because no one on this earth can read this child's handwriting.  It says "can;t touch em they are for school countdown."

  Your welcome.

Senior recognition night at the high school.  

Craig, Caleb and Tyler. 

 All received scholarships.  

All are incredible young men. 

All have some pretty incredible parents also.  

I turned 44.  I am old.  And I am loved--just look at that spread!

Third grade economics fair.  He sold pet rocks and tickets to play his Verticon game.  I am hoping he made millions. 

Almost every day these girls are outside playing in these high heel shoes.  Every day.  One day I asked them, "what exactly are you playing?"  The reply came easily, as if I should have known.

 "We are playing high school."

How silly of me.  

I totally should have known that!

April random

Presidents Report.  He did this all by himself.  Not one lick of help from anyone at home.  He did it all in school.  Oh how I love his teacher!

My teenage boy's toothpaste drawer.

Now that is just sick and wrong.

And I couldn't help myself.  I had to clean it.

But give it a few weeks and it will be festering once again.

I love boys!!

March random

Kara's best friend got married this month.

Kara was not there.

Well, not really there.

Lindsey had Kara's picture blown up and she put it on a stick.  Stick head was waiting outside of the temple.  Stick head was at the luncheon and stick head was floating all around that reception.  Stick head was definitely there, Lindsey made sure of that.
 I sure miss that beautiful stick head.

This picture is all about Moby, our neighbors dog.  Our neighbors dog that my kids consider their dog as well. This week a tragic accident occurred.  Sister Capell tripped and fell.  Sister Capell tripped and fell right on top of teeny tiny Moby.  Sister Capell broke her arm and she also broke Moby's back.  I knew my kids would be devastated by this news.  I was right.  But I was prepared.  I slipped out that morning right after I heard the news and picked up some chocolate covered dog bones and some chocolate for humans too (both from the same store--that is a whole other story)  After school my kids wrote notes and drew pictures for Moby, oh, and for Sister Capell.  They delivered them with the bones and chocolate.  Both are going to recover, Moby probably sooner than Sister Capell. 

 We hope the chocolate will help.

I had to work early on St. Patrick's Day so I couldn't wish them luck as they left for school, but I could leave them this treat to wake up to.

And when I came home they had the green dinner all served up and ready to go.

  I am the lucky one!

Ashlyn came up to me to show me her new teeth.

  She is an Allred all right.  Poor thing!

First ever General Women's meeting with my sweet Alyssa.  I loved being with her.  I loved when they had the Primary aged girls stand and sing "Teach Me To Walk"  I felt the spirit strongly.  It is a privilege for me to teach her, to walk with her, to witness her light.  It was a fabulous night.

I believe this was a game they called "Queens and servant."  He pulled them around and around like this.  He didn't mind being the servant.  And they loved being the Queens.  So it worked out quite nicely for everybody involved.

And now it is time to March on....right into April.