Merry Christmas to me!

Merry Christmas to me! This was my present from Doug. Christmas morning I opened this tiny little present. Inside was a camcorder tape case with a piece of paper in it with this picture of a 18oo (something) pump organ. At the bottom were the words: Coming to your home soon. Merry Christmas! Love Doug. Jeremy and Jo found it at a yard sale, bought it, and decided they really didn't have room for it - so Doug bought it for me. Isn't it so neat! And it really works - gives your legs a workout too!

More Christmas morning part 2

So - I kept hearing that I wasn't keeping my blog updated. Can't say that now. 4 in one day. A record for me. Are you tired of our Christmas yet?

Here is Dani with her rollarblades. Isn't that a happy smile!

Kristi is very excited to get an MP3 player - a 4 GB one.

Jason loves his paintball gun. Watch out everyone.






















Carson isn't sure what is going on - or what to look at next. He was so interested in everything going on - and into everything!

More Christmas morning

EmmaLee enjoys presents too - even wrapped ones. Just something to play with.














Kendall and Matt enjoy their morning.














Jo with a new CD!














Jeremy with his daughter and his little brother.


















Now, here is Doug enjoying being both Dad and Grandpa on Christmas morning. Aren't they cute all together! (Doug is wearing the new hat Matt gave him!)

Christmas morning part 2

When kids get older - stuff just gets too expensive, so they get less presents. Here are Mikel and Matt - sharing their gift left out under the tree from Santa, a 6 pack of IBC rootbeer!















Jeremy, Jo and EmmaLee were able to come over early that morning to open presents before getting together with her family. Santa left them a nice gift!




















One of the gifts Mikel opened was Guitar Hero 3 to go with her playstation 2. It was a hit!














Matt wanted -and got an Ipod - and even the red one he wanted.



















Most of you don't know that Doug is really funny when he watches "Deal or No Deal". He thinks the banker is always low-balling the contestants - and is always figuring out the odds of whether they should keep going or not. So, Santa left him the game to play on TV.

Christmas morning

Here are the kids with their gifts that Santa left unwrapped on Christmas morning. Aren't they cute in their new pj's! Carson like his new truck to ride!



















Dani loves the Littlest Pet Shop things and was happy to get this big playset for them!



















Kristi worked this summer to buy her own Wii. She is very happy to get another controller and game to play!



















Jason loves the Command and Conquer games and got the 3rd one. He was disappointed later though when we realized ou computer graphics card wasn't big enough - that we have to go get another one before he can play the game!



















Smelling good for the ladies is important - right Kendall! He got some "good" cologne - none of that cheap stuff for him!

The before and after of Christmas

I love Christmas! I love the sights and sounds of it all. I love the music and the lights. I love the decorations and the smell of the tree. (Every year Doug tries to talk me into a fake tree and I just haven't been able to do it!) I have a small Santa collection - wish I had more. I love all the different kinds of Santas. This is the Santa's I have in my entryway to my home. The one thing I don't like about Christmas - all the work. Or should I say - all the work I allow it to be. I stress about if my kids are going to like what I get them, stress about getting my packages sent in the mail, making my cards and writing my christmas letter and getting them sent, getting all the treats made for the neighbors and friends. I get so busy with all this stuff - that sometimes I forget to just stop and enjoy it all!


Anyway - here is our house on Christmas - before and after the opening of the presents.





It may look like a lot of presents - but remember, we do have 8 kids, one daughter- in- law and a grandbaby.





The clean-up begins - or should begin anyway. It's a lot of work after Christmas too!

Stunt man

Tuesday was a really hard day for me. It started off with a phone call letting me know a good friend of our family had been killed in a car accident the night before. She had recently just moved from our ward, but the family decided to have our ward do the funeral since she had lived in the ward for over 10 years. The meal will only be for 250 family members. (This is the 3rd funeral in a month that I have had to do as Relief Society President). I had to make a lot of calls that day. I felt like the phone was permanently attached to my ear. At one point - when I was talking to Doug - I could hear Carson in our closet. Oh - oh. Doug had all his hunting stuff still in there - he hadn't had a chance to take care of it. I look in and see Carson. He had pushed over one box and was standing up on the other! I think I have a climber.

Here he is after climbing down. His shirt was so appropriate that day too. It says "I do all my own stunts".












Later that evening as Doug, Matt and were finishing cutting up the elk, Carson decided he was hungry. We keep the cereal in a small cabinet my the table. He has figured out that if he gets a box a cereal, bangs it on the floor, the top will pop open and out comes the cereal. I think I will need to put a lock on the cabinet!



So when I am having a rough day - this little boy just brightens it. I will have to post some pictures of his happy, smiling face.

Here comes Santa Claus!

Here is Carson's first time meeting Santa - and no crying. Dani and Kristi didn't cry either. Imagine that! Of course, Carson doesn't hardly cry with other people anyway. This is at the ward Christmas party. See what Doug misses by not coming? Or course - being out of town was a pretty good excuse. We'll let him get away with it this time!

I'm back!!!

It has seemed forever since I have posted on my blog. Well, it has been over a month - since Nov. 7th. So sorry! Things have been crazy around here. I have so much to catch everyone up on. I will be doing the catching up in random order - just whatever I feel like telling you about that day! Doesn't December seem like such a crazy month. Not only does Christmas cause so much time and effort - but it seems as if everyone has to schedule something big during the month too! We had school concerts, dance recitals, piano recital, ward parties, work parties, wrestling tournaments, and don't forget - Doug's elk hunt! It makes me tired just thinking about it all. Here are a few pictures of couple of the events we attended. Enjoy.

It started off on Dec. 1st with Kristi and Dani's dance recital. Here is Kristi doing one of her clogging dances. She has only been taking for less than a year and is pretty good! Way to go Kristi. (Kristi also had a school choir concert. The gym was so packed though - we were standing in the hall and couldn't get a picture!)














Here is Dani at the recital. She is taking tap and ballet. Here she is getting ready to start the tap dance. *She's the one in the red skirt - in case you couldn't tell. It is hard to get a good picture sitting in the back of the auditorium - and with most of the lights off. Our camera is good - but not that good!














Jason had a school concert in which he was in both the band and in the choir. (Good thing they performed at different times during the concert!) He plays the French Horn in the band and tried out for the concert choir for the first time ever - and made it as a bass. Good job Jason!
*Jason is the one on the farthest left on the back row.


















It seems like everyone year when it is time for the ward Christmas party - Doug is never around. This year he was at a banking seminar in Las Vegas. I think he planned it that way on purpose! It is just me and the kids that go - or at least some of the kids. Here is Dani performing as an angel in the Nativity. Can you find her?














Last - but definitely not least - is Dani's piano recital. I was very proud of her to get up there and perform. Dani has only been taking lessons since that last week of October. She played two songs and did so good for being just a beginner.
Hooray for Dani!








I will try and get a few more posts done in the next few days - around all the Christmas shopping, wrapping and baking still left to do!

Deer Garden

Whew - it is hot here! If you didn't know - we have been having record heat for November. This IS NOT good for hunters that bring their deer back home! You know - heat, dead animals - you get the picture, but at least you don't get the smell that goes with it! Anyway - needing to do something with the head/antlers until my dear husband can decide whether to mount them or throw them away, he got very clever. So - here is the Alldredge deer garden. Tell me what you think! Will it catch on? Will we grow anything?
Doug buried the heads - with the antlers sticking up! How clever is that? Well, it seemed pretty clever until Jeremy pulled them out to start working on them for doing a home mount. Whew - bad news. But, it was a pretty neat sight while it lasted. Our dog - little ol' Oscar wasn't sure what to think of the sight, but he sure liked to dig at them. We stopped that in a hurry when it started!

Here comes another hunting widow weekend for me. Doug is taking Matt, Kendall and Jason out for their hunt. Carson will be the man of the house - with just the girls home. We'll have to have a big party - but don't tell the guys!

Halloween Day!

Just a few pictures from Halloween! I had to show this picture of Carson taken earlier in the day. He is getting very brave letting go of the couch. Usually is stands there with one hand just touching the couch. Isn't he cute in his "I love Mummy" shirt! I love him too!







Well, you already saw Carson and Dani's Halloween costumes from the Fall Festival, but here they are again. This time Kristi and Mikel joined in. Mikel was just on her way out to a young adult party. She went as a softball player. (Hmm- now wasn't that a stretch! She is such a good softball player too. She was just re-living those high school years!) Kristi is a witch - but a "cute one" as she would say. None of those warts, black teeth, ratty hair for her! Then, of course we have our "Spiderella" and our "hunting dude". Man, you should have seen the haul of candy that Dani and Kristi (and even Carson) brought home. Enough to share with everyone and last until Christmas!
Isn't Jason just one cool kid with all of his "bling, bling".

Kendall had a costume too - but had changed out of it before he came home. I told him "I want pictures!" So, when I get it - you'll see it!

If you have a few minutes - take a look at Jeremy and Jo's blog and see the cutest picture ever of my granddaughter, EmmaLee. You'll have to admit - you haven't seen many babies cuter than her!

There were so many kids trick or treating around our neighborhood. Doug stayed home to get ready to leave again for the Jeremy's deer hunt. He said everytime he turned around, the doorbell was ringing. He didn't get anything done! Poor guy. That's usually how my days go at home - constant interruptions that nothing gets done. He is off again, and this is just another post from the "hunting widow!"

Here's Jason!

I just have to let you know what a great kid Jason is. Last night was the Fall Sports award for the Freshman teams. Jason got a couple of awards. One for being the player of the game against Carson Jr. High. The other was for the top Special Teams player. He was also "nominated" for the top offensive player. Doug and I were able to really observe how well the other players looked up to Jason. He was a leader on the team. We are very proud of him in all aspects of his life. He is also a scholar athlete - which is wonderful. Jason has never gotten less than a 4.0 since he entered the 7th grade. Here are a few more pictures of Jason!

Here he is on the football field, #33 - hot and sweaty as usual. Jason played on the offensive and defencive teams - besides the special teams. He was one of the leaders in tackles, scored a few touchdowns, kick-off return specialist, and on kick-offs - he was like a missile in finding and running down the ball carrier - he could get to him faster than most of the team, even when Jason was clear across the field. He is one fast kid!




Jason after the game - with his friend Nick. They are both glad the game was finally over. They were just out of gas!


Jason is now moving on to wrestling for his winter sport. He hasn't done much wrestling, but is really looking forward to it.

Jason also plays the Frech Horn for the top concert band at Kino. He is also in the Kino Choir, singing bass. This is a whole new adventure for Jason. He was quite excited to make the choir. His director was excited to have him too - no one else can hit the low notes like Jason can!


Today - Halloween day - was crazy hair day. Here is Jason modeling his hairstyle for the day. Isn't he just the cutest thing you ever saw with that hairstyle!


We love you Jason and are very proud of you and of your accomplishments. Keep up the good work!!

Opinions

You all ought to really be proud of me to even make this attempt at a blog. I am really trying to get the hang of it! So - here are a couple of questions for you all - and I would like some answers! Do you like the smaller or the larger pictures I have used? The ones seem a little too small, but then the others seem too large, and there is no between size for them. I am adding enough information or not enough? Is there anything you can help me with on the blog? See, I am having this womanly self-esteem issue of it not being good enough - that it doesn't match up to all of those other great blogs. And now that I have really bonded with all of you, I have another question "Do these pants make me look fat?" Just kidding - I don't really want the answer to that one! (I already know that answer)

The Mighty Hunters return!

Success - Success! Our mighty hunters return - and this weekend as a hunting widow has ended! I know how I'll be spending my nights this week - helping cut up and freeze all this meat!


Here is Mikel with her deer - a 3 point! Way to go Mikel. This is her first time ever getting something on a hunt. She was very excited. Doesn't she look like a mighty hunter? Well, she did in the picture she took on her camera out in the hills, but I didn't have that one on my computer. Maybe I'll try and get it for my next post. (It will give me something to plan on anyway!)


Here is Doug with the deer he got. It is a nice 4 point. Mikel said he is just like a little kid when he - and Mikel - got a deer, with him pumping up his fists in the air and even a little jump too!

Here the two mighty hunters are together. Good job you two! Jeremy wasn't able to get his deer this weekend, so he and Doug will head out again next weekend to try. Good luck Jeremy - and to me as I become the lonely hunting widow once more.

Fall Festival

What a fun time Dani and Carson had at our ward fall festival. No one else in the family was able to attend - too bad for them! Enjoy the pictures.


Here are our two little cuties! (Can you see Carson? After all - he is hidden in those clothes and with that paint on his face.)



Playing games at the festival. Dani is helping Carson at the fishpond.

Did you find Carson yet? Here he is with our good friend and neighbor, Suzanne.









Matt was complaining that I never put anything about him in this blog. So Matt - this is for you! Isn't he a handsome dude! He is dressed up and ready to go out - to the Young Single adult halloween party that is. (He doesn't want you to think this is his regular attire!) Don't those velcro shoes really add to this costume? Hey Matt - love those glasses!

A Fall Weekend

When most people think of fall - they think of leaves changing colors, falling leaves, cool weather. Well, here in my neck of the woods I think of fall and a few other things come to mind; football, World Series, and being a hunting widow. What is a hunting widow you say? Well, when your husband is gone for practically every Friday and Saturday scouting or hunting deer and elk - you are a hunting widow. It's a good thing I have my football games to watch, the world series to watch (even if the Diamondbacks aren't in it) - and my kids to keep me busy (notice I didn't say to keep me sane?). Good think I like the meat (from the hunting)!


Dani had the opportunity Friday night to cheer at the local high school varsity football game. GO WESTWOOD!!! She loved it! Here she is with her friend, Jamie after they were done. I wish I had an actual picture of her cheering, but my camera wasn't that good. All the pictures were too blurry. She loved the jumping, kicking, clapping, and cheering for her Westwood Warriors. Go D-A-N-I !!!

Saturday night we had our fall block party. The kids had a lot of fun - as you can see. Here is Kristi bobbing for an apple - and got one. Carson has his own way of bobbing for apples - making the apples bob!

While Dani was busy in the "build a Scarecrow" contest, Jason and Carson were just hanging out and watching all the fun. Dani's team didn't win, but they sure built a cute scarecrow!

There was also a pumpkin decorating contest. Kristi and her friend Selena did theirs together and won first place! You can't see it in the picture, but it is like a lite-brite and the little lights flash off and on. Here is Dani with her entry into the contest. A Raggady Ann cleaning pumpkin - what a combination. Way to go girls!

Now it is onto other things this week. Doug, Mikel, Kristi, Jeremy, Jo - with EmmaLee - are leaving for the deer hunt on Wednesday. Here I am - the hunting widow. Good thing I will have my football game (Go ASU) to watch on TV and the World Series will be starting too. (I am such a sports junkie). Good luck to all those hunters - I will be looking forward to seeing them Saturday night!