St. George Trip

Surprise - is what we said when we arrived in St. George. Doug and I decided to take a quick - and surprise trip to St. George. We hadn't been up for over a year - in fact, since Jeri's funeral. Danette and Carl were the only ones that knew we were coming (hey - we needed to let someone know so we had a place to stay!) Kristi, Dani and Carson were the only kids that went. The others had work, wrestling practice, or whatever it was.

We usually always go over Kiabab on our way, but there was suppose to be a big storm, so we went Vegas way. MISTAKE! The trip was going pretty good until we got close to Hoover Dam - when it came to a stop! It took us 2 hours 15 minutes to go less than 5 miles. An accident? Construction? No - pedistrians crossing the dam. There are no "walk now" lights - just crosswalks. So - the pedistrians just crossed constantly. About 1 car would get through at a time - every few minutes. UGGH - very frustrating.

The girls were good - watching movies or listening to their MP3 players, playing games. But Carson - you would have thought he would be crying and wanting out. But, he is such a good kid and we heard not even 1 cry. He kept himself entertained. One time I turned around to check on him to see how he was doing and saw this:

Crazy kid! At least he was happy.

Another interesting happening: One of the many times we were stopped - we saw two small bighorn sheep coming down to the road. They stopped - looked both ways - then crossed the road - right in front of our car! (Carson LOVED that and didn't stop talking about it for the next 2 hours!) Here is a quick picture I took after they crossed as they were getting ready to go up the hill.

We were two lates for the surprise party Danette was having at her house. We were suppose to get their for the family dinner - but didn't get there until they were about done playing games.
We really surprised them all - especially Doug's mom. I'm glad Cheryl took pictures - because I didn't! I'm also glad Cheryl took pictures of her little boy - Zachary and Carson playing together. I meant to take more pictures while there - but didn't until it was almost time to come back home. Oh well, at least I have memories.

St. George

Just a few pictures from our time in St. George (hmm-is 8 pictures a few?)

This is the get-together at my mom's house of my family. I didn't get pictures of all - but most.

This is Kathy and Brad - with a few of the great-grandkids.

Most of us were in the livingroom visiting. I love getting together with my family!
It had been over a year since I had seen them - so we had a lot of catching up to do!

l-r: Aunt Nancy, Doug, Brian, Hiromi (Brad's wife), and Kelsey- the oldest great-grandchild!

Here are my mom, Kallie's friend, Kenzie, Jeanene, Gary and Kallie.

Brian's family: Corey, Stephanie (David's wife), Hailey, and David

We were able to help celebrate Tina's birthday while we were there.

Korie, Carson, and Justin were caught having a tea party in the bathroom. At least they weren't using toilet water!

I wish I had taken more pictures at this party - but I was too busy talking. Imagine that - me talking too much!

Danette and Carl were wonderful hosts and let us stay at their house. Our kids loved it!

Here's Kristi with Danette's boys playing the Wii. Someone always seemed to be on that game!

Dani and Kinzie loved spending time together. Dani wishes we lived there so they could play all the time!

Carson and Grandma Pickett have something in common - they both LOVE popcorn.

Carson would just sit there and share Grandma's popcorn bucket.

It would be nice to see everyone more often, but life is life - and a job is a job - so here we are in Mesa and they are in St. George.

Christmas in January

We really didn't do Christmas in January - that's just when I'm posting the pictures!

Here are all our stockings filled Christmas morning. Quite a few - wouldn't you say!

Jeremy, Jo and Emma stayed the night - then Kris was at the house early to be there for the present opening, so of course Santa filled his stocking too!

Before the presents were opened.

Now you may think that's a lot of presents but divide it by all of us - wasn't really that many idividually. Remember - 8 kids, 2 parents, 1 grandchild, 1 daughter-in law and 1 daughter in law to be, Kris, and oh yea - Oscar, the dog. Even he got some presents! So - that's 15 of us.
Here's Carson - reving up his engine on the new power wheel.

Dani enjoying her DS.

Jason playing his new Xbox game - with Kristi waiting to play her new Wii game.

Kendall showing off his new stereo.

Mikel and Kris playing her new electronic battleship game she got. Never again will we have to hear about the one Jeremy broke at Christmas that she had just gotten. (By the way - do you like Mikel's footsie pajamas?)

This was just too cute of Carson and EmmaLee sharing a ride on his powerwheel.

Christmas Day and Eve are now done! Still more posts to come tomorrow of other Alldredge clan activities! Aren't you glad you have something to look forward to.

Christmas Eve 2008

I am - FINALLY - getting around to getting our Christmas pictures up. Shame on me!

Christmas Eve - and Day - we had all the kids here. It was so nice. We also had

Xyonane's mom, step-dad, and other family members with us. It was great getting to know all of them. Kris also spent the evening at our house. We had lots of good food (couldn't go without those bacon-wrapped chestnuts!), sang songs, read the Christmas story and each opened a present.

What a surprise - PJ's!!

Here's Carson in his new pajamas - and playing with Matt.

A view of a lot of the family/friends - with Jo feeding Emma (in her new pj's). I guess she didn't eat much before.
Jo with her mom and step-dad.

Jason and Santa's little elf, Kristi.

Mikel and Kris, Matt and Jo with EmmaLee.

Well, didn't get pictures of everyone - but they were all there! My picture taker must have been sleeping on the job.

We Have a Date!!!

July 17th!

It seems like a loooonnnng ways away - but it will go fast!

check out Jo's blog: http://joalldredgephotography.blogspot.com/

for more pictures of Matt and Xyonane - new engagement ones taken just over a week ago (and some really cute ones of EmmaLee!)

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Oh - and I promise

I promise to get some blogging done this week -

updates from the crazy life

of the

Alldredge Clan in Mesa!

Draper Temple

I ran across an article about the Draper Temple and its open house.

Look at it here and see some beautiful pictures of the outside and inside. http://www.ldsmag.com/churchupdate/090114tour.html

Sure wish I could take my kids and go visit it!

Blue Boy

Blue boy Carson - literally. And before you go much farther - no - I did not get pictures!

As I was taking care of some stuff - Carson was quiet - too quiet. I started calling and went looking. At about the same time he started screaming - not a good sign.

He came walking towards me - hands out, mouth open- crying/screaming. His hands were covered in blue - and blue was coming out of his mouth - with his lips, teeth, chin all blue.

Instead of taking a pictures (which any good scrapbooking mother would do) - I rushed him into the bathroom to find out what it was all about (as any regular - not scrapbooking mother -would do!). Stripped off all his clothes and diaper and threw him in the tub with water running - with him still screaming. I washed and washed and washed his hands - and he even let me keep putting a wet washcloth in his mouth trying to get the color out. Out came the toothbrush and toothpaste to use on him - which really helped. Kept washing - got a lot off, but not all. My blue boy. Come to find out - he found an old Easter Egg box in the bottom of a drawer (which he obviously emptied) and put one of the dye tablets in his mouth. It must not have tasted very good. I think when he went to take it out - he saw his hands getting blue from it - which scared him and made him cry and scream - which made more dye coming. Crazy kid.

So - I get him all dressed again and when I was talking to Jo on the phone - he gets a pen and drew all over his legs.

Yep - it is one of those days. I will really need the peace at the Temple when Doug and I go tonight - so nothing better stop us from getting there!