More Pictures of the Allred Family

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Some new pictures...

Birthday Girl and the umbrellas...

The weather was absolutely gorgeous last week. In fact, we finally got our family photos taken...anxious to see how they turned out. We were at our local FM when I saw these umbrellas. The girls just couldn't part from them, despite the fact that there wasn't a cloud in the sky-shocker, I know. So for an early birthday present, the kids got umbrellas. Cannot believe my oldest girl turned six. She's growing up so quickly. I just love her to death. And BTW-she has become this little photogenic girl. She loves getting her picture taken.

Salty's Half Marathon

My cute friend, Natalie, mentioned that Salty's Restaurant in Alki Beach, is hosting a half marathon. So...I registered, despite the advice of my Orthopod and PT (both ITBs pulled and right hammie ripped). So with vigorous PT and semi (light) running, I pushed through their advice.

Well, to my surprise (ok, totally forgot) Natalie, Carmen, and Jeremy all showed up at the same time as I did. These are all friends and members of my same ward. Instead of striving to beat my record (1:38), I ran with Natalie all 13.1 miles and ya know what, it was a blast. She and I chatted the whole time. OK, at about mile 12 we both were ready to be done. Not from talking, but from running. The run was beautiful-all along the Puget Sound-and the company ideal. The skies cleard up and the sun broke through. What a beautiful Fall day for a run!
My Future Runners: Megan, Surrey, and Jack

2:07 time under the circumstances, I'll take it!

Next Run, Lake Sammamish Half in the Spring. Natalie, ya with me? Carmen too?

My soccer kids

So both my kids weren't thrilled about playing soccer, again. But it's the unofficial state sport, along with LAX. EVERYONE has a child on some select or city soccer team. Plus it gets our children out playing, exercising, and doing something outside the home. So soccer it is...

Jack has become the perfect little goalie, despite what he thinks. He's actually really good at it and it's the perfect position for him. Megan will do anything with chasing the ball and scoring a goal. Offense just may be her thing. We lucked out this year that no one-I mean NO ONE-wanted to coach Megan's team and so we, OK, Darrin, got nicely delegated the part. It's good for him to get out, coach little girls, run around a field with his swarm of bees. It's been fun for Megan too. So despite everything, soccer has been a good thing for our family.

Yep, that's Darrin in the blue shirt and shorts chasing after the never ending running away ball. But we surely love these girls: Go Robins!

Entry and Dining...just about done!

So our dining and entry are just about decorated now. We put the additional woodwork in and then the painting done. Big mess, contractors, painters, etc...but are thrilled with the result. Our dining room table was delivered admist the mess, but it had a huge gauge down the middle and so are waiting for a replacement. Mid November delivery, kidding me? I guess we will have it in time for Christmas Eve dinner?

And I love my rug. So me!!

Remlinger Farms

Saturday, October 8, 2011

The weather was absolutely beautiful for a Fall Day here in the PNW. So after soccer games, lunch, and naps, we headed up to Remlinger Farms to pick pumpkins, ride the trailer (hayride) and gobble up freshly dipped caramel apples. So fun. Love this time of year!

The House in Progress...decorating that is!

The decorating is still in progres, but we're mostly there. These are pictures I took with my phone (as I am still unsure [9 months later] how to download all my photos from my awesomeness Nokia).

Here lies "The Girls Room" and it's the cutest thing ever. I fell in love with these quilts from PB Kids months ago and so bought them with all the fixings and just put them away until move in day. I just adore them and the girls seem to think they have a fibbity fab room as well. Comes with shutters and walk in closet (with window [yep, it's that big]).

PB finally delivered my barstools-yay!! I have been waiting on these since we closed on the home in July..back order...ggrrr. Kids were excited to finally eat breakfast at the breakfast bar.

We did white craftsman cabinets with Santa Cecilia granite and almond subway tiles for backsplash to match the Santa Cecilia. Didn't want to do bright white tiles, as they would have blended even more with the cabinets. Thanksgiving...here we come...though I think we'll be spending it with my family in SLC.

My Perfect Sweet Peas and Our House

Darrin took this picture with his phone a couple of weeks ago-yep, we're up and ready for church in our new house, which we love, love, love. My mom came out for a week to help decorate! Next on the list: dining room furniture. Pottery Barn-here I come!

Just one of those days...

Today was just one of those days...lady at the grocery store yelled at me (Lesbian Liberal...ggrr), Jack forgot his lunch (hence the reason I was at the store); Darrin's too busy to come home at night, yet alone take a minute to talk on the phone; Surrey's even more clingy than before; sweating all the time and really ready for Fall; no time to do hair AND makeup; house a diaster, despite my best efforts to clean every day; weight climbing, so on a diet (hence my crabbiness as all I want are peanut MnMs and a large Diet Pepsi); Jack is struggling in school and doesn't want to participate on his soccer team; did I mention Darrin's never home?


I have made a personal goal to read from the scriptures every day. Three weeks later, I am doing better than I ever expected. Today though, I thought I needed something more personal. So I logged onto LDS.org and fell upon Elder Nelson's talk from April Conference: "Face the Future with Faith." I read the following: "Strength comes when you remember that you have a divine nature, an inheritance of infinite worth. The Lord has reminded you, your children, and your grandchildren that you are lawful heirs, that you have been reserved in heaven for your specific time and place to be born, to grow, and become His standard bearers and covenant people. As you walk in the Lord's path of righteousness, you will be blessed to continue in His goodness and be a light and savior unto His people."


As I reread that comment, I stared at the picture below, which sits on our desk at home. It is of Me and Darrin on a ferry to Nantucket just a few short years ago (May 2007). We were out on Cape Cod for a week with Darrin's boss and wife. I remember that day if it was just yesterday. I remember even 11 years ago agreeing to face life's greatest challenges, trials, joys, and blessings with Darrin, not knowing what lies ahead for either of us. I didn't care, as I loved (and still love him) so much, I was just so happy to have found him.


I try not to use "why" in dealing with personal trials or struggles, but instead figure out how to cope and manage through them. Today was just one of those days when I guess I needed to remember my divine nature and that this is all for my good and true everlasting joy.

Happy Anniversary...11 Years Strong and Counting...

Yep, we are officially in the double digits marriage.

Darrin and I celebrated our 11th Anniversary last weekend-Friday, August 19, 2011.

Since my mom was in town, she watched the kids so that Darrin and I could enjoy a quiet evening at one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle: Chandler's. It's on Lake Union and a view to die for. We watched sea planes land and take off. We ate fresh crab and gobbled down creme brule-absolute yum! We brought home Nanny a slice of key lime pie to say thanks. And of yeah, more crab.

Darrin surprised me with a dozen yellow roses in a green glass rectangular vase at our table with a note that read: Eleven years counting and still going strong."

I love you Darrin. Grateful for the good times and not so great times.

I just love being married to you!

Happy Birthday Surrey

Surrey turns Two!

July 10, 2011

We happened to be in Utah for her birthday this year. Our home in Issaquah wasn't quite ready for us to move into and our rental was up in Seattle in June. So...we visited family for 4 weeks. It was a fun time for all of us. Unfortunately, Darrin had to leave back to the PNW to his project with Boeing, so we sayed back with Nanny and Papa Ford.

Surrey celebrated 2 birthdays while in Utah. We had a huge combined birthday tea party with all her cousins and friends to celebrate Megan's late birthday and an early birthday for Surrey. We then had another party with all the Ford cousins on her official day. Good times. Sadly, Darrin wasn't actually in town on her #2. Starting to see a pattern...

We love you, Surrey. So blessed you came to our family!

Happy 4th Of July 2011!

Independance Day 2011

The Ford Family had a 4th of July Celebrations at Nanny and Papa's. We swam, we ate, we played, Marion sewed, we talked, and we watched fireworks. We went to be exhausted from all the playing. It was a great day!

Sparklers, sparklers, and more sparklers...I had to help Surrey with hers. She just had to try it, especially all her cousins were lighting them. After one, she was done. Phew!

Monday, July 4, 2011

Utah

Happy Birthday My Birthday Girls!

Princess Tea Party

Since Megan didn't have an official birthday party in Seattle and Surrey's birthday (#2) is approaching here soon, we had a Princess Tea Party with all our family and friends at Nanny's during our visit to Utah. Megan was so excited that the day couldn't have come sooner. Surrey, on the other hand, didn't seem to care for any of it. In fact, Nanny bought her her very own princess dress to wear to the tea party and she only wanted to wear her swimsuit. Some days you just have to pick your battles...right? Then when it came to the actual princesses arriving, Surrey screamed. Then came time to blowing the candle out of her cupcake and she screamed even more. So she missed out on opening presents till later. (Surrey [and her mother-me] needed a nap more!) To Megan, the birthday was a success: friends, family, food, cupcakes, balloons, presents, and lots of laughs. What more could you ask for?

Well, Surrey's birthday is this weekend and so we just might have to open her presents, sing happy birthday, and eat cake then. Despite everything, I surely love my girls. They are so much fun. Hope that this is just the beginning of more fun, more laughs, more parties, more cupcakes, and more friends. This is just a great time in their lives and am so thrilled (and blessed) to be a part of it.

My niece, Hayley, was so sweet to dress up like a Princess and really cater to all the girls. We loved having her as the Queen of Princesses.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Happy Father's Day 2011!

I know that I was blessed to be born into a family with extraordinary parents and siblings. My father is truly a golden star. The past couple of years through health challenges, I have come to pray, plead, and ask for just a little more time with the greatest father I know. And fortunately, through my loving Father in Heaven, He has allowed that. I am looking forward to the next couple of weeks to build more memories of him for myself and my children. The other fabulous father I personally know is the father of my children. I love him. I love him. I love him. Each day I recognize more and more how imperfect we both are as parents-children love to help you learn those valuable lessons-but I know wouldn't trade our children in for the world. Parenthood is a bless'ed experience for all those given the opportunity to be one.

Sunday morning-the day after the race-we woke up, ready to go celebrate Father's Day. Since we weren't home-we actually are technically "homeless" at the moment-we walked over to the local family owned homestyle restaurant for a yummy, warm, made with a little extra TLC hearty breakfast. I actually ate the best omellete ever. After our tummies were full, we got back in the car for yet another long drive to Northern Utah. We stopped in BC to spend the afternoon and evening with the Allred family. It was great to get out of the car for the day and enjoy the company of our in laws.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Boise, Idaho

See Aly Run...

About 6 months ago my sister, Corrine, approached me with the idea of meeting her family (with mine) in Boise over Father's Day weekend to run the official: "See Jane Run" Half Marathon. After much thought, I signed up for yet another one. This, however, would be Corrine's first. Of all the half's I have run-and hope to run many more-this was one of the best, by far. First, it's all women, duh? And secondly, it was all flat and paved (most of the way). We ran along the green belt running path the whole way. We ran by the river, through a beautiful neighborhood, fabulous outdoor shopping, center, back on the path and into the park-where the starting and finishing lines were. It was fun, encouraging, and a great way to spend a couple of hours with my sister. Hope to do it again next year, as I can't convince her to run again any time soon. Any who, this is us, just about ready to run.

We had the best cheerleaders at mile 12. It was so encouraging to see their faces and slap their hands as we ran past them. Love them all!

We did it. Yep, all 13.1 miles across Boise. We got our medals, chocolates, and wine glass to show we actually did it. I am so proud of Corrine. She should be thrilled. Now, I just have to convince her to do it again... next year!

13.1 miles down! Now if only I could get skinnier legs.
Maybe I need to eat less MnMs? Probably.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

I love it! I love it! I love it!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

The House-May 26, 2011

The girls are sitting on the walk way to the sidewalk. We have another (above and to the left of Moo) that goes to the driveway. It's all exposed aggregate too, which is required by the city, which is so nice, as that is so much better than cement. Our driveway and back porch are exposed aggregate too. Cannot wait for our patio furniture, wood burning fire stove, and gas grill (Darrin doesn't know yet, but that's what he's getting for his birthday) to sit outside and savor up the summer months.

The glass window above the front door was finally installed. Yippee!

Matching PJs

I absolutely love Costco PJs. They're cute, comfortable, affordable, and come in sets (a top, shorts, and long pants). I just cannot resist them when we shop there, which is pretty regularly. I am so sad to say that Jack no longer fits in them. He's moving on to Big Boy clothes. Fortunately, my little girls do. And what's even fun, I can get them matching PJs, plus it reduces crying and fighting later over who has what. Yes, it has come to that now. These girls squealed when they saw the purple pants. The shorts are purples striped-so fun!

Thursday, May 26 2011