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

Sunny Seattle Saturday Evening

Thought we would get out of the house, enjoy a yummy burger at Blue Moon and walk around Fremont. It's always fun to get out, especially when the sun shines...

Saturday, May 28, 2011

YW-Cake Decorating Night

These are my cute Mia Maids. I love them to death, though we are missing Kim. These girls are so special to me. I am so blessed to call them my friends. I hope that they see me not only as their leader, but a friend who cherishes them and the choices they are making. I am thrilled to experience this time of their lives with them. Above-Liah and Ashley-Mom who taught us how to decorate cakes and her cute daughter, Ashley, though out of habit, she's "Ash" to me.

Below-Abby and I decorated our cakes together. Since her mother makes wedding cakes for a living, she is already a pro. At least she likes eating frosting as much as I do. I knew she was my kindred spirit. So glad I have her for another year and half. And BTW, I am told she does a perfect impression of me and my "talking." Hey there Gurly Girl, one of these days I have to hear it, or else I will get Hannah to do it for you. ;)

Julie and Grace

Julie has become a really good friend since our move out here. In fact, just on Sunday (yes, mother's day), she picked up Jack and Megan at the urgent care I was being treated at for my arm, so they didn't have to wait in the lobby. Thank you, Julie!

**Julie has children exactly the same age as mine. David who is the same age as Jack. Daniel is Megan's age and cute Braeden is Surrey's age. B&S go to nursery together. They are such toots too! Jack is excited to have real playdates with these boys. Megan likes her friend, Jessica (D,D, & B's older sister) the most. Who doesnt' like another girlfriend to play LPS, PPs, and Barbies with? We just are anxious to live closer to them.**

Julie with Grace and then of course, Grace (below) is enjoying her frosting. Yes, the girls painted their faces with frosting. Fun to see them enjoy themselves. Thank you, Mrs. Julie J for letting us come to your house. You are so welcoming to all who enter and lately it seems like all the big activities end up there. I promise I will open my doors to all future activities. I promise. I promise. I promise.

Grace, you're so silly. But I somehow recall Abby and Caroline having a big part of frosting the faces... Silly girls, but you gotta love them.

Here are the official Issaquah Charlie's Angels, armed with pink, purple, blue, and yellow frosting. Beware, they know how to use them too.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Mother's Day 2011

Friday, May 6, 2011

Darrin surprised me with this floral bouquet delivered to my door. I was utterly shocked, but happily surprised at this fun gift. Every time we walked through the door, Surrey, would point at the balloons and say: "Oooohhhh!" Darrin has known me long enough that my favorite color is yellow and so I absolutely love, love, love yellow flowers-all kinds too. (Cannot wait to plant yellow tulips this fall in our new house. It's so much fun to watch them grow and blossom in the Spring, especially after a long, dreadful winter.)

Sunday, May 8th, 2011

The weather was just gorgeous and sunny. So we headed over to Magnusson Park to feed the ducks. After all the food was gone, Darrin, Jack and Megan started a stone throwing contest. Surrey even pitched in with a few stones here and there. They were aiming for the buoy/post behind Jack. It was harder to hit than we all thought, but good, plain fun.

I really love my family. I feel so blessed to be their Mother. I sometimes wonder why the Lord blessed me with these children. They deserve so much more, so much better than I. I pray each and every day that I will raise them righteously and honorably in the Gospel and in the world. There is so much to teach them. I feel overwhelmed most days. It's harder than I ever imagined, but filled with so many precious moments that I wouldn't wish away. These children will have so many experiences, that I just pray Darrin and I are prepared to help them along in their journey in their lives and back to their loving Heavenly Father. I love you Jack, Megan, and Surrey. I love being your mom.

Windermere Regatta 2011

25th Annual Windermere Regatta

Seattle, Washington

Saturday, May 7th, 2011

Jack and Megan sitting on the official U Dub Husky, just outside the Husky Basketball and Football stadium. I am starting to think that maybe our first Allred dog will be a Husky. With the white hair and blue eyes, he'll fit right in. Just need a puppy, as with our children, this dog will need to be trained to be patient from all the malling it will get from our notorious three some!

The girls were so entertained by all the boats.

It was fun to watch all the teams compete.

Maybe we'll get a rower out of one of our children...

With all the water around us, maybe we will. Megan?

The boat parade after the regatta was finished. The very last boat is the Seattle Fireman's boat. It shoots off water as it makes its way through MontLake Bridge.

All the children got their first Husky Dog. Fortunately, it is stuffed for my sake...

no potty training required.

Our Almost Blue House

Thursday, May 5, 2011

The exterior painting has finally started (and then stopped due to bad weather)-yippee! We are so thrilled. So now the Allred's live in an all blue house. The trim will be white, along with the garage door and front door. The stone should soften it up a bit, I think. Actualy, I have no idea as how this will all come togther. I am relying heavily on our architect and contractor. He has worked with Buchan Homes for quite some time and so am assuming

he knows how it's going to look, right Dave? ;)

http://www.buchan.com/ (John F Buchan Homes)

The interior is a really soft buttercream (almost the color of margarine). The tile was delivered yesterday and so were starting the prep work for that. All the millwork (craftsman) was delivered as I was taking these pictures. Really excited to see it all come together. Just so ready to move in. It will be soon enough, as we leave Seattle in 5 weeks to head to Utah for 3 weeks, where we till stop in Boise for See Jane Run Half marathon Father's Day weekend with my sis and her family. Then spend the rest of the time with my family. We hope to see our cute new Allred niece and just relax, relax, relax. I am sure my parents and siblings will keep us busy with swimming and BBQs. Good times ahead...

Because we are celebrating Darrin's birthday with a BBQ in the back!!