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.

Beau's 18th Birthday

Fire engine truck--favorite present.

The Birthday Fairy lights the candles.

Beau turned 18 on July 6th. He had a great day in large part due to Bailey who planned all sorts of fun times in SLC. They rode the front runner, shopped, ate, watched a movie and then they came back here and we went out to eat at Beau's favorite restaurant--and now I can't remember the name--but the newer version of Lee's Mongolian BBQ. After, we came home for cake and as a special treat and surprise Marcus appeared as the birthday fairy wearing Mia's 3 year old tinker bell costume. As I watched Beau blow out those candles I had a quick flashback to his first birthday in CA. We invited friends and their kids over, the Neiderhausers, Zollers, the Wests and Alan's parents and sister Dee. I look at the picture of him with his cupcake and his chubby little arms and tummy and I think, "What wouldn't I give to transport myself back in time and be able to squeeze that little boy." It almost makes my arms ache. Mom has a theory that in the next life we will be able to pop in at various moments of our eartly life and re-live them. Actually feel, see, smell and enjoy some of our best times and not just as memories.

This Beau is becoming such an amazing son. He recently got his partirachial blessing, and has spoken in church and born his testimony and I can see his spirit just getting stronger and stronger. He knows what he believes and what he wants out of life. He is excited about going on a mission (hopes its somewhere in South America), and well, I will bawl my eyes out for months when he leaves. I sure love this boy!

Allred Family Reunion @ Soda Springs ID

Abe getting a leg up from Mike.

Nice Rodeo Wave Carson!

Allie learning to play tennis with pointers from Auntie Shannon.

Chris had no one to hug so he is just hugging himself.

Reed, angry with a few stray tears.

Marcus ready to ride.

I just like this photo with Alan in the background.

Nice moves Andre.

I love this little Penny more than I can say.

Alan flipping Mia and every other kid in the pool.

Cute Meg and Will.

That's my man, nice floatie

Beau didn't think Alan could still flip him. Wrong!

Me and my mate.

An ode to true love. . .

Eleven brothers and sisters, two incredible parents, eleven spouses, loads and loads of kids and no fighting, no gossiping-- just happiness. How did that happen? Seriously with over 88 people at our first, real Allred reunion and everyone just loved each other. I give the credit to Mom and her prayers. I also, give credit to her plea during our family meeting that we don't ever leave anyone behind. I thought the mtg., might be a little long, or boring, but I was very inspired listening to Dad, Mom and everyone who participated. Mark got me feeling patriotic, and proud of my country and I loved hearing the updates from various family members. I also give double high fives to Meg for planning this event. If she wouldn't have done so much to organize and plan and send e-mails, and encourage everyone to come it would have just ended up being a good idea. I love my family so much and feel I am not deserving of the love of so many people, of knowing no matter what trials come my way, I have loads of people who would "be there for me". Thanks to everyone for being so dang wonderful!!!

Meg and Josh's Temple Day. Hooray!

Megan and her mother.

I think I must really be Megan's mother gauging by the way I felt sitting there in the temple watching her and Josh be sealed to each other and their little ones. And also by the fact that I was the first one up to hug her and Josh after the ceremony was over. Alan sort of laughed and said should'nt you let her parents go first? I definately felt proud and happy, and weepy.

I remember I first layed eyes on her when I was a high school senior. I, along with my boyfriend, was looking at her through the nursery window when I fell in love with her.

I pretend that I am offended when several times people have asked if I was her mother, but really I feel so protective of her that I really could be her mom. And Alan loves Josh as a son, so there you have it-- our children married each other. Oooh creepy. But it really was a great day and little Reedums was a perfect angel standing quietly at the alter. I thought he might be screeching and yelling at anyone who looked at him, but you could see that he felt the spirit by how attentive and solem he was. And I was happy to be there with so many of the people I love, Alan, the sistas, the nieces and nephews, Mom and Dad, brothers, in laws etc. I just don't think heaven could be heaven if we aren't all there together.

Tuesday was Beau's graduation. It was a perfect day outside, sunny with a slight breeze. I could feel the excitement around me as the seniors laughed and took pictures and maybe acted a little nervous. The program was nice, not too long, short speeches, a few songs and then the actual walk to get the diploma. Mom and Dad came and it meant a lot. With 60 plus grandkids its impossible for them to hit even some of each kids highlights, but I sure appreciate what they can do. Later we had a cook out at Jill Junks house--tons and tons of food, then home for a bit to get ready for the Senior Grad Party at the school. It was from 9-5:00 a.m. Kathy was there since she was in charge of all of the parent volunteers, and it was her job to make sure each area was fully staffed. Alan and I along with another really fun couple were at the photo booth. I brought tons of costumes from Mom's attic. I thought the kids might think it was dorky, but no, they loved dressing up and posing in goofy ways. (Note the boy, in the green hat and green pantsuit sitting in the middle of Andre's group. He is wearing one of Grandma Wallaces' polyester outfits. I think she might be happy seeing it put to such a good use.) I have to say I had a great time. And even though we got to leave at 2:00 instead of 5:00, I was very tired the next day.