Christmas Morning

This isn't even Marcus' present, it is an old pocket watch from Alan's mission.
Most girls might not be this happy to get some Bakugon dudes.

One of the items on Allie's Santa List--a watermelon!

Christmas morning was all things good and magical other than a bit of unhappiness from Allie because of some phone usage restrictions. But her mood cleared and everyone enjoyed the day. I got a tightness in my stomach as I have all season long thinking that this or that something would be Beau's last... (at least for 2 years). When we went with the Junks and the Tony Allred Family to Christmas Village, I thought how sad it will be to come next year with out my Beauy. And when we invited Bailey and JLo to go with us to the Christmas Program at the Conference Center, I knew that Beau wouldn't be with us next year. (Though truth be told, Alan isn't as crazy about the program as I am. I absolutely love it. The music helps me feel the spirit more than just about any other Christmas activity.)
It was snowing madly that day so we waited in one of the buildings on temple square and watched the big flakes coming down. Every one just seemed extra happy. We tried unsuccessfully not to laugh when JLo called the "Spoken Word" the "Smokin Word"--thought that was what his Bishop had called it. After we got home and I'd made a big brunch and we were all talking and laughing around the table I thought, "I couldn't be happier or feel more joy!" Then my heart lurched and I thought of next year when I would probably be missing my son and feeling quite homesick for my little buddy. Of course I want him to go on a mission and really wouldn't want him to be anywhere else, at least theoretically that's what I want but oh how I love that boy! Best not to think on it now and just enjoy having him around during the days when the rest of the kids are in school.

Family Photos

Just a few photos from our family photo shoot. I take everyone else's photos and most co-operate quite nicely. But my family. . . well it was a struggle. I made it as easy as possible, spent about 20 minutes rather than the usual hour I do with other families. Didn't go anywhere special and still there was some complaining. But once at my friend Sheridan's they lightened up and even had, dare I say, a bit of fun. I sure love these people!!

HALLOWEEN! 2009

Polygamist wives. We were hoping to get the rest of our "sister" wives to join us, but no you all just stayed home with your children.
Mia as a Mafia boss.
Marcus as the Joker. But who is the creepy little kid whose head looks like it is growing out of Marcus' shoulder?
Mahamid - Allie I started making this costume at 2:00 on Halloween Day! Why? What is wrong with me? I swore about three times as the thread broke or the silky material slipped, but dang it turned out cute!
Some Out back Aussies.
Allie with friends Wolverine, and Sparkle Girl (?).
There is just nothing clever to write about this photo other than Damn those teenagers are good looking people.
Mom and Dad and Chris in full costume.
Siegried and Roy, the illusionists!

Once again had a great time at the Junks Halloween Party. As much wonderful food as ever, and Kathy and I got great laughs from all the new comers. The Wives were Kathy's idea and at about 3:00 she ran to Savers and got us these lovely dresses. Amazingly she said there were lots and lots of similar ones if anyone needs good quality Sunday/Shopping/Gardening/Work dresses.

HEARTBREAKER!!

They were picked to win in all the polls. . .
They played hard and sacrificed their bodies, played through the pain. . .
The Allred fans were out in full force and with spirit a plenty. . .
The school was supportive. . .
Even the Colonel was present. . .
And yet they lost, and it hurt!


It could have gone either way on any given day. Bonneville was probably the better team, but they were both good. Close shots barely missed the net and bounced off the beam, others t amazingly went in--a missed block here, a slightly wrong angled foot there, and the next thing you know the Championship had slipped away. 2 to 1. Lots of the girls cried. No one wanted to go out and get the second place trophy--it was big, it was pretty but nobody wanted it. Theoretically being the second best team in the state of Utah, basically a silver medal should'nt be anything to scoff at. But I noticed once the trophy was retrieved it was cast aside, sort of kicked under the bench. No one wanted pictures of themselves holding it like they did last year with the 1st place trophy, no one wanted to carry it on the bus, and the girls don't really care that it is going in the display case. Competition is a weird thing. It is so fun to be THE winner, and so awful to be the LOSER. I remember trying out for Tigerettes back at OHS and even though everyone assured me I would make it, I did not. The pain of the loss seemed almost unbearable as I watched all of my friends run forward when their names were called. I remember the sinking feeling of still sitting after the last name had been called.
My Allie cried for awhile and let me come down on the field and hug her for a long time. She was depressed she said for most of the next day. I watched her going on the internet and reading all of the press releases, looking at the photos of BHS in tears and Timpanogas shouting for joy. I once heard a friend of Missy's say, "2nd place is just the first looser." It shouldn't be like that, but try telling that to Allie and her Bonneville Soccer team.

Maddog and Nitro

Most of the kids came up with their own nicknames, Carson is Nitro and Marcus the maddog.

My favorite photo, I just love that they are all one huge ball of grimaces.

Maddog "almost" getting the tackle.

This is Marcus' first year playing football for the Jets. He is on cousin Carson's team and seems to enjoy it even though he isn't really the star (by any means). We all had sort of hopeful expectations since Marcus' is I think the fastest kid on the team, but well he apparently is a wee bit timid. But Coach/Uncle Mike has helped make sure he gets in his ten plays and usually many more than that. He loves to tell me about the plays he "almost" made. "Did you see I almost made an interception, my finger tips were like half an inch away." etc. etc. The weather has been nice and it has been all sorts of fun sitting on the sidelines with the Junks, and Grandma Marilyn who is as Andre puts it, "Way too into these games." I passed the camera off to Andre at one of the last games and he got some really great action shots. We all usually get a snowcone or other treats and cheer the boys on. They will be going to the playoffs this saturday and haven't lost a game or even been scored on. I love football! Go Jets!

This Is What Happens When the Mom Is Away

So I came home from Shannons where we girls were doing a lovely service project--making dolls for little girls in Haiti. This is what a found when I walked in. A grape eating contest. Though the grapes kept coming out--Eeeewww gross!

Little Bits of This and That

A little boy's shoe flew off just as Mia was chasing him and beaned her in the head. But did that slow her down? No not one bit-- you will see from the next photo that she chased him down and got his flag. Allie and I laughed and laughed as we watched her walk back to the line rubbing her head furiously and saying "OW!"

Mia catching the ball in her favorite of all sports--FLAG FOOTBALL!

Allie decided to ask JLo to the dance with two live red bellied frogs. He apparently is deathly afraid of amphibians of all types so she thought he would love these. Oh and they are poisonous, so the sales lady told us not to tough them without gloves or to wash our hands thoroughly before touching our eyes or face. She didn't say what would happen if we did on accident tough our faces, but I shudder to think. Its so Allie. Now I hear that one of J's friends will be answering a girl with live chickens (got the idea from my girl). Seriously! Chickens!!

Favorite neighbor Ben banged open the back door and yelling loudly, announced, "Hey everyone, I got me my new good Knight uniform for Halloween, and you get to all see me now!" He then ran into each kids room waking those who thought they might sleep in a bit to say, "Ta Da!". Then in a flourish he raced out the back door assuring us, "I'll be back!"

Beautiful Sara with adoring men.

Little Christian got married last Friday. Here is his mother and aunties happily enjoying the pre wedding dinner the night before. I remember all to well, the night before my wedding and can't believe that Christian, our beautiful little boy is now a married man. Kathy had great decorations and the dinner was great, mmmm Greek chicken and cheesecake.

Homecoming Dance

Allie and JLo

Jasmine and Jake

Allie and friend Lexi

Something is funny--at least to Allie!

Some of the girls

This past weekend was Bonneville's Homecoming. Allie was trying to be a good sport about our finances and was happy, she said, just to borrow a dress. But though we tried on many dresses, most just didn't fit her cute muscle-laden body. She finally settled on one from Beau's girlfriend, but two days before the dance she tried it back on along with some cool shoes but seemed very disappointed. The dress' sleeves hadn't fit right, so I had picked them off and added wide straps, and the stomach was sort of tight and wrinkly, so I bought a big wide white ribbon, then added some rinestones to "fancy" it up. But Allie just got sort of sad looking in the mirror and finally said, "I just look so plain. I don't feel at all pretty." Jasmine and I were trying to be upbeat, but the dress really was pretty dang tight. I even ran to Priscillas that night since she said she had a few dresses, but still none of these worked. Allie was resigned to wearing the black and white dress, but got a bit teary. Well most of you are mom's. What would you do? Of course rush down to Cliftons early the next morning to buy her the dress she is wearing above. Luckily it came with extra fabric so I could make straps--modest it up a bit. And it was all worth it to see my girl so happy and thankful.
I love teenagers. They are so emotionally crazy, but full of life and fun. I went shopping twice with Allie and Jazzy, and they let me in on their Girls Talk, and explained to me how things "are" in their world. I just loved hearing them talk about boys, and clothes and school, and friends. They are so vibrant and full of life, it sort of rubs off on you--it did on me.

Soccer Starts With a BANG!

Allie featured on the front page of the Standard--schooling the goalie!

Yesterday's game against a very tough Sky View Team. Allie had a great game.

SkyView wasn't going down easily and our girls took some tough trips, hits and falls.

Allie's friend Lexie getting shoved from behind and doing a nice summersault. She was up and had the ball back in about two seconds.


I love soccer! Kathy has told me on several occasions that she thinks the game is boring, but I just love, love watching Allie and her Bonneville team. Even though soccer doesn't have huge scores there is always fast, rough action. Yesterday one of Allie's friends, named Jaden (who was the Region #1 all star player), was just getting tired of being double and triple teamed. She would constantly be getting shoved on both sides. Finally she just slugged one girl super hard in the back--and right in front of the opponents sidelines. Well as you can imagine, their parents were FREAKIN out but the ref didn't see it. I know it isn't right but I had to get a laugh--of course if it had been Allie that got slugged--different story. But this Jaden is just this little, sweet looking blond thing, but faster than lightening and I was totally surprised, because she isn't a dirty player. Soccer is truly a contact sport and these girls are so tough. I know if I took one hit I would be whimpering and leaving the field, but not these girls. Abbey Ulrich took a huge head to her mouth hit while going up for a header. Her lip was all bleeding, but she kept wiping it off and sucking it down so the ref wouldn't see it and make her leave the field.

Allie has had a great beginning to these games. She scored twice their first game, one the next and two in each of the following. Having had absolutely no team athletic ability in my day, I am just in awe watching girls who do have it.