He Graduated!

Kendall Alldredge

Westwood High School

Class of 2009

It was a rainy night here in Mesa.

They hold graduation at all the high schools in Mesa in the school football stadium.

They thought about splitting the class in two- part in the auditorium and part in the gymnasium. But - since it was ONLY rain and no lightening, they did it outside.
Can you see all the umbrella's and ponchos?

This was the smallest graduating class at Westwood that any of our kids had been in.

The school Choir and band got to sit under this huge tarp.

Lucky! Jason was one of them.
This isn't a very good picture - but best I got of Kendall receiving his diploma.
YEA - he Graduated!

Doug and I got a little wet - don't you think?

Kendall looks very happy.

Here he is with Marie (they're just friends???)

His good friend, Nacho - and yes, it is a nickname.

High School graduation wasn't the only one Kendall had this week.

Here he is after his Seminary graduation.

Kendall, we are proud of you and all you did to get to this point in your life.

Congratulations! We love you.

Update time

So - here it is. Lots and lots of updates. Hope you enjoy them.

In fact, I did so many posts - they don't all fit on this page.

If you really want to see them all - you'll have to go to "older posts".

I may have time to do one or two this week before leaving for the Alldredge reunion, but then again - maybe not.

It's a busy week. Last week of school, graduation for Kendall, shopping and packing for trip.

Oh well - that's my life.

Enjoy the updates.

I've spent way too much time on the computer doing them.

So you better appreciate all my time spent.

Mikel and Carson

I think Mikel has missed Carson the most since she moved out. He has really missed her too.

When she took care of him the weekend Doug and I went away - they both loved it!

Saturday Mikel picked up Carson and took him to her apartment complex to go swimming.

He was so excited.

Here he is all ready - waiting while she puts a carseat in her car.

Off they go.
Thanks Mikel for spending time with Carson.
He loves it!

Dani's Fun Weekend

Dani and her friend Ashley had a sleep-over Friday night.

They had fun doing each other's hair.

Saturday I took Dani, Ashely and another friend, Julia to Broadway Palms Dinner Theater.

Well, in this case it was lunch and a kids play.

It's an all you can eat buffet. They loved it!

Three Friends.
The got to see "The Emporer's New Clothes."
Afterwards the cast comes out - signs their programs and will answer questions the kids have.

Here they are with the maid, jester (who ended up being the lost prince) and the wardrobe lady.
Here's Sinister - the Prime Minister, Mr. Stitch and Mr. Sew.

With the Empress, court herald, and the Emporer.

The girls had so much fun. They loved it!

Finger Repair

Yep - Kendall had the surgery on his finger.

He had it on the 13th.

I had blocked out my entire afternoon - and part of my evening to be at the surgical center.

Surgery was scheduled originally for 4:30 pm, they called the day before and changed it to 3:30.

Kendall had to be there 2 hours early - and it was 45 minutes away.

We got there in time. Checked in. Sat down. Then they called Kendall back early! The surgeeon was ahead of schedule. How great was that! Instead of starting at 3:30 - it was 2:30! We also saw one of our other doctors - Dr. Lee. He's the orthopedic doctor that has seen all 5 of my oldest kids for one reason or another. I've seen him too. He's the doc for my bad knees and he did Jeremy's shoulder surgery. He even came and spoke to Kendall for a few minutes.

Here's Kendall before they took him back to surgery.

After the surgery. He looks a little spaced out - don't you think!

You can still see he is pretty banged up and it is scabbing over.

The doctor put a pin into his finger - from the top. The end is sticking out of his finger.

In 4 - 6 weeks - when it's all healed, they'll just pull the pin out.
Kendall had a lot of people talking about his "accident". He also got a lot of advice given to him about not riding in the back of trucks anymore - especially sitting on the side like he was.
Hope he listens to them.

Oh yea - we left there just past 4:00. Dropped off his prescription and was home by 5:00.

I love it when you get done early with something!

Wrestling Awards Night

It was that time of the year - wrestling recognition night.

Kendall and Jason both got their varsity letter/pin.

Here's Kendall with Isaac - one of his friends and fellow wrestler.

Doesn't Jason look thrilled to be there. Hey - he should be happy - he was on varsity!

Jason also got an award for being a scholar athlete. Way to go Jason!

Kendall got one other award. It was called the "six pound orange" award.

It was for the wrestler who had a hard time making weight.

Kendall only missed one time making weight.

However, it was the second day of a tournament - and he was over by .2 lb. It was a tournament he had a good chance of taking 1st at this tournament.

So - the coaches were just kind of ribbing him about it.

I wish I could say I was only overweight by .2 lbs!

Way to go Kendall and Jason. You both worked hard.

Wrestling is a very intense sport and you both had a good year.

Concerts

Monday - May 11, was one of those conquer and divide nights. Two concerts - different schools -and on different sides of town. Carson and I went to Kristi's band concert. Doug went to Jason's choir concert. I wish I could have made both. Jason's school choir has one of the most amazing programs - and one of the best in the state. Doug said is was an awesome concert. For those of you who know Doug well, for him to say that about a band or choir concert means it was very - very good. Sorry I missed it, but I'm glad I had a chance to be at Kristi's concert.

Here she is - playing the flute, which she loves!

Carson behaved pretty good, much better than I expected. But - he does like music so that helped. (Isn't the little girl behind him just so adorable!)
It also helped that I had smarties in my purse - his most favorite treat ever!!
He is getting into sorting - "two's" is the one he likes to do most.

Tuesday night was Dani's choir concert. Doug and I were both able to make that one.

She didn't tell us she was doing a trio. It was a big surprise when they announced her name.

The final song was "Take Me Out to the Ballgame".

How appropriate for our family!

Great job Dani, Kristi and Jason.

You all did a great job this year in your music.

I am very proud of you.

Matt's Birthday Celebration

It seems like most years Matt and I have gotten to celebrate his birthday and Mother's day on the same day. This year it was different in one way - he now gets to celebrate Mother's Day and his birthday with his wife!

Jo took him out to dinner the night before for his birthday. He fixed her dinner on Mother's Day. Sounds like a good trade to me (she didn't have to fix dinner either time!)

Later that evening they came over for him to open presents and cake/ice cream.

Here he is with a little helper opening his present.

Matt got this Diamondbacks hat - and another hat as presents. Good choice for Matt. He is always wearing hats!

He got this tool set from Doug. Now he's a married man - he needs to start his own collection of tools - don't you think?

Let's see - he also got new Sunday shoes from Jo, and from the family he also got a tarp for camping and a few small camping items, hunting/hiking socks and other socks. I think that was it. Matt - did I miss anything?

Here he is with his cake.

He tried really hard to blow out all his candles but didn't quite make it.

Must be getting old.

Matt was the best Mother's Day present I ever got.

Hope you had a Happy Birthday Matt!

Mother's Day

Here's the flower I got for Mother's Day.

Thanks Carson!

(side note - just after taking the picture - Carson got it and TORE it up. Thanks Carson.)

Here's the rest of what I got. Doesn't look like much - but it was great!
My main gift was the ticket there to go see "Wicked" in July - and good seats too!
I got a couple of cd's, gift card to Deseret Book to buy "Forever Strong" when it comes out May 26th. If you haven't seen the movie - you ought too. It is great! At least I think so!
I also got gift cards to Jamba Juice and Cold Stone Creamery - gotta love that!
Plus a shirt and Dani gave me the decorated tin and clothes pins and Mikel is going to take me shopping for what I want. Oh yea, I also got some sunday shoes (forgot to put those out.)
I loved it all. I loved the time to relax. I loved the muffins Kristi made me. I loved the dinner that they fixed for me. I loved spending time with my family!

Here's the mom-to-be opening her gift.
She also got gift cards to Jamba Juice and Cold Stone.
Maybe she'll have a craving for them one of these days.

I Try!

Little Mr. Independant's favorite new words "I try" - and he says it for everything.

If you won't let him try - he'll figure out a way to try it himself anyway.

One Sunday afternoon - while I was taking a nap, the other kids caught Carson on tape (or in this case - pictures).

The pictures tell the story.

Enough said

other than

.

.

.

little stinker!

Announcement

November 22, 2009

That's the date.

EmmaLee is going to have an Alldredge cousin!

I'm going to have my 2nd grandchild.

Congrats Matt and Jo!!!

Now the guessing

and waiting

begins...

Boy

or

Girl?

Miss EmmaLee

Just a few of my last random shots of EmmaLee.

She is so cute.

I am really going to miss this adorable granddaughter of mine!

Any shoes lying around - she'll wear.

She especially seems to like Mikel's shoes -

those high-high heels!

Such cute ittle feet in Mikel's shoes!
Wearing Tyler's boots (Jeremy's friend)

Silly girl - showing her messy face.

Happy Birthday Matt!

Happy 23rd Birthday to my handsome son - Matthew!
(Well - this is for the 9th - even though I posted it late at night on the 8th!)

Don't you think he looks so handsome?

Just kidding Matt. This was his halloween costume back in 2007.

Here he is - very handsome and happy with his wife (fiancee at the time) Xyonane.

(we are very glad to have her in the family. Good choice Matt!)

Just a few random shots of Matt the last few years.

Yes - he loves camping and riding the toys!

Meeting - and holding Carson for the first time - on our trip back to pick him up from his mission.
Reunited with his two best friends - Carlos and Josh.

Just a few things I love about Matt:

His compassion for others. Even as a little boy he was compassionate. When Mikel was in the hospital as a 10 month old we took Matt to see her - he cried when he saw the IV in her head. He kept saying "they're hurting my little sister" He was 2 1/2.

His acceptance of everyone - no matter what. Matt was - and is - able to make friends with everyone. I would never know who Matt would bring home from school to our house. He didn't care if they were rich or poor, or what color of skin - he accepted and loved everyone. (He's still the same).

His smile. Matt has a 100 watt mile (or maybe brighter).

His hugs. He gives the best hugs - just enfolds you in his arms.

His love of the Lord and his ability to feel his spirit and presence.

Two stories - again when he was just 2 - we were at Sacrament meeting. A special musical number was being sung. Matt was listening to it and started pointing to his chest and saying "hot, hot". He could feel the spirit of the song.

When he was about 3 years old he asked his Dad and I why Jesus didn't visit him anymore.

We started asking him questions and he told us about this person all dressed in white who would come at night - he could see him. He wanted to know why he didn't come anymore.

He has always been this way.

Thanks Matt for your example to me all these years.

I love you.

May you have the best and happiest birthday ever!