It's Jo's Birthday!

Today is the birthday of my beautiful daughter-in-law, Jo. She is not only beautiful on the outside - but even more beautiful on the inside.

Jo is so talented. Just check out her photography webiste to see what a great job she does. (Link is to the side)

She is so open and friendly with everyone. Jo is especially good with kids - they all seem to love her. She is such a great mom to EmmaLee and a wonderful wife to Jeremy. What more could a mom ask for her son and grandkids?

We love you Jo and we are so lucky and blessed to have you a part of our family!

I stole the picture above from Jo's webiste. You can see how pretty she is!

An adorable family!
Camping this summer
Hanging out in the pool with EmmaLee (and Carson)

18 months Old!

Today Carson had his 18 month check-up. He's still a skinny little pip-squeek. Weighed 22 lbs 7 oz - which keeps him barely in the 10th percentile. In height and head size - he is 50th percentile - at 32 1/4" tall and 18 3/4" head circumference. He may be small - but he is a fast little bugger and a climbing fool! We haven't had to take him to the emergency room yet - but I foresee it in his future. He was happy that he only had to have 1 shot this time. He was quite the trooper for it too. With all of his running and falling, climbing and falling - he is learning to really deal with pain. He usually just gets up and is off again!

25 Years

25 years
That’s how long it’s been
Since you came into my life.
You brought me happiness
And joy
From the moment I saw you.
You meant love
And commitment,
Hard work and sacrifice.
You’ve been a part of my life,
Every single day for
25 years.
Now, you’re gone.
Leaving me with tears
And sorrow.
My heart broke
When I noticed
That a part of you was gone.
I searched
But you were nowhere-
Not to be found.
I couldn’t watch
As the rest of you
Was taken away from me.
But I realized -
The love, commitment,
Joy and happiness -
They are still there.
You were only the symbol.
All of it's still here
In my heart for
25 years.

Notice anything missing?

Doug put this ring on my finger (the engagement part of it) 25 years ago this month. Here it is - off my finger after all this time! (well - it's been off a short time during those years!)
In fact - I haven't taken it off in probably 2 years - so I endend up having to have it cut off.

Should I get a completely new setting - or just a new diamond in my old one and have it fixed up? I'm leaving it up to Doug - maybe he'll surprise me with one or the other on our 25th wedding anniversary!

Our little 1 year old!

One year ago today Doug and I became Grandparents to the cutest little girl - our sweet EmmaLee. She is so adorable. She is very dainty and quiet (the opposite of Carson!).

She has the biggest, bluest, prettiest eyes and an enchanting smile. How we love our little girl!

Happy Birthday sweetheart!

He's how old?

My wonderful husband celebrated his ? birthday last week. It was a fun week - but I didn't get much blogging done - so here Doug's Birthday!

He got these fly shooters - one from Dani and the other from EmmaLee!

In case you can't tell - his cake is decorated like a baseball hat - done by Mikel and Kris. The little cake to the side was the leftover from cutting the cap for the hat - so they decorated it like a football! (Matt tried to get all the candles on the hat cake - but it didn't quite work out) Hmm - wonder how old Doug is?
Doug is such a wonderful man. He is a great father - and even a better husband. I think he was happy with his birthday cake, ice cream and gifts! He deserved more - but I did the best I could! (I could go on and on about how great he is - but I'll hold myself back)

I love you Doug!

Freebies on your birthday!

Don't you love getting things for free? I do. It is lots of fun when you can get it on your birthday too! I mentioned before about a blog I love - Freebies4 Mom. Well - as part of that blog they have a list of places that give you free stuff for you birthday. So - if you have a birthday coming up soon - or someone in your family does - check this site out http://freebies4mom.blogspot.com/search/label/birthdays and sign up today! Yea for birthdays!

Plumber anyone?

The kitchen sink had been leaking down the hose on the faucet (all in one faucet/sprayer).

It has a lifetime warranty for parts - so we ordered parts and they came today. Doug went to replace them - and they didn't send all that we needed and what they did send - wouldn't work.

His 1/2 - to hour job kept going - going- and going. He finally went and bought a new faucet. Things didn't get any better - he can't get the old one out of there and well - some other problems. He finally gave up about 10 pm. So - no water in my kitchen.

Anyone know a good plumber to call on Monday?

It's My Turn!!

Carson and EmmaLee are learning to be good friends - but they are also learning to fight over toys. Let me tell you - EmmaLee doesn't back down from Carson - she gives it right back, even if she is 6 months younger!

First - EmmaLee got on the little truck to ride - then Carson got her off if it and climbed on. She wasn't taking that from him and started pushing and pulling on his shirt.

That didn't work - so she decided to get on it anyway - she wanted a ride!
Carson wasn't happy with that and got really upset - so Matt is comforting him. EmmaLee got what she wanted - the truck to ride!
Another thing she loves - phones and remotes. She'll carry them around everywhere!

Having Fun with Uncle Vaughn

Vaughn is so good with kids - he can keep them entertained and make them laugh!

Here he is playing with EmmaLee

Has both kids involved now!

Bye Vaughn - come back again - longer next time!

Good-bye to Grandma

Good-bye Grandma! We loved having you and can hardly wait to have you come down for a longer visit!

This is about as long as we could get Carson to sit still with Grandma! He just wants to go-go-go!

He did keep Grandma entertained though!
What would the visit be without Princess? She just took over my spot on the sectional - would sleep there most of the day.

1st Doug Alldredge Reunion

Clear back in July - in fact - July 4th weekend - we all went camping. On Sunday, we had all of our kids there and had a great time and a fabulous dutch oven dinner. We decided it was officially our 1st Doug Alldredge Family Reunion. Here are a lot of pictures. Enjoy!

Here's Kendall working on the buggy. We just got it for the kids to ride. We are still deciding whether to keep it or not. It's fun - but not as fun as the other toys to drive.

Doug as the big fisherman - catching the biggest fish!

Jeremy, Jo and EmmaLee getting ready for a ride.
Carson loved being outdoors. He was dirty all of the time.
Dani helping out with the trench - well sort of anyway!
This is us all loaded down to go home. Notice all the toys? It was a heavy load! The other vehicle had to pull the boat.


They were having a fun time visiting - but seemed to stop when I went to take the picture!

Jeremy brought up the hammocks he got in Venezuela. It was a hit!


This is Jason- hiding behind the helmet. All the boys LOVED the dirt bike. Jeremy even rode it after wrecking on it - going to urgent care - getting a boot to wear. The dirt bike was never idle long!
Helping fix dinner.
The chef - and a good one!
No - he really didn't ride it by himself!
So - there you have it. I have lots more pictures and it was hard to decide which ones to post.

Jo posted more pictures on her photography blog and Mikel has some on her blog. You could check those out too! (of course - they posted those in July, just after the trip!)

We are probably going camping again Labor Day Weekend. I sure hope so. It is so much fun - and lots cooler than Mesa!