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

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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!

One of THOSE Days!

You know - as a mom - you better just PLAN on days like mine was today.

Not that PLAN is the word I would use.

I made my PLANS today,

had the day all PLANNED out.

But -my PLANS got changed.

Kids are good at that.

Changing your PLANS!

I had finally gotten Carson fed, bathed and dressed.

As I did for same for me (bathed and dressed),

He decided to play a game (or try to play)

I mean - out of the game closet.

Not just one game, but or 2 or 3, with pieces.
Mancala, Connect Four........

Or course, his getting out games means big messes!

So - took me a little bit longer getting out of here than expected.
Change of Plans!

Finally - off I go. First stop - post office.

Mail Mother's Day cards (sorry moms, grandma and Jo, you'll get them late).

I also have packages to mail to Jana (FINALLY) and to Jeremy.

As I stand in line - I get a call.

It is a BIG change of PLANS!

It's the high school calling.

About Kendall.

He's been in an accident and is in the nurse's office.

Could I get there as soon as possible.

Come to find out - on the way back from lunch,

Kendall is sitting on the top of the bed of a truck.

Yes, you read right - on the top - you know the tall part that surrounds the bed.

He fell out.

In the road - going, oh 40 or so miles an hour.

By the way - he will need to go to Urgent Care.

Like I said,

BIG change of PLANS!

Since I didn't know how long I would be at Urgent Care,
and since I was already at the high school - I checked Jason out of school.

Babysitter for Carson! Since I was dropping him and Carson off at home.

I just had to get my camera - good mom that I am!

Here's Kendall waiting in turn at Urgent Care.

You can't tell by his smile, but he was in ALOT of pain!

His shirt was shredded from the accident.

They had to cut it off of him.

WARNING!!!

Graphic picture to follow. If you don't like blood - don't look.
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Yuk!

Road rash, road burns, his fingernail on his pinkie was grounded - grated off.

Broken pinkie. Will probably have to have surgery and pins.

The nurse tried to at least clean off his pinkie - before bandaging it.
Using a bristle brush. Ouch!
Good thing they put a topical pain killer on it first.

Oh yea - and he now had some Vicadin in him too.
Kendall said shortly before the accident, while sitting in the back of the truck,
The thought came to his mind of what he would - or should - do if he fell out to protect his head.
He fell out - and he protected his head just like he had thought about.
He told me "I think I'm a little psyhic. "
I told him it was the Holy Ghost giving him warning. That even though he has quit going to church, the Holy Ghost was still there trying to help him. He just needs to listen.
He was blessed he wasn't hurt worse.

And now,
I have some PLANS to make for tomorrow.
Maybe this time they'll work out.