Back In July

I have so much to catch up on from the summer.

This is from our summer vacation when we went to the

Oquirrah Mountain Temple open house.

It was so beautiful and we are so glad we went and really looking forward to when the

new Temples in Arizona have their open houses!

Identity Crisis

Dani and Kristi pulled out the costume box a few weeks ago.

Carson has been loving it!

However, he couldn't quite decide what he wanted to be.

Our neighbor gave us this Thomas the Train costume - but Carson added his own touch - the cow costume.
We have quite a few wigs. Carson loves to wear this one around the house.

Oh - and he isn't going to be Thomas the Train, a cow (we're sending that one to EmmaLee),

or wear the wig. Something more simple. I am not into doing much this year.

Pictures will come later. I promise.

Yeah-yeah-yeah

I know it's been - well - a long time since I blogged. What can I say? Not much.

Here's just one picture to let you know what we've been up to.

Daddy/Daughter date for Achievement Days on Oct. 20th.

I sure hope you know - these are costumes! Doug and Dani don't really dress this way all the time. And - they aren't really that nerdy.

Let me tell you - convincing Doug to dress up wasn't the easiest thing to do. He wasn't at all excited about it. In fact, he just doesn't do that - ever! But, because he loves his daughter, he did it - just as long as it included no make-up or anything else like that.

They ate dinner, played games and carved pumpkins. Their pumpkin was a "nerdy" one like them. It is now wearing glasses on my front porch.

A Quarter of A Century.....

That's how old Jeremy is now!

I can't believe it. Just saying that makes me feel old!

Jeremy - I love you.

I hope you had a great day.

I am truly honored to be your mom.

You are a wonderful man.

I couldn't have asked for a better son.

You had your moments growing up, but you turned out great!

I must have done something right all those growing up years in teaching you.

You have been the best example to your younger brothers and sisters.

You are a loving, considerate husband and father - and son!

I only wish you weren't so far away, but I know you are where you are suppose to be.

I am proud to be your mom!

Here he is at 4 1/2 months old. Isn't he so cute!

We call this the "hobbit" picture. Jeremy had to serve for a few months in Dallas while waiting for his Visa to Venezuela. Here he is with Shawn Bradley - who was in his ward.

Missionaries - they'll give a discussion to anyone!
Looking forward to marriage! So very handsome (just like his dad!)

With his beautiful bride. They were - and are - so happy together!

Jeremy - you did a great job in your choice of an eternal companion.

Here is the little family - at Mesa Falls in Idaho.

( I "borrowed" this picture off of Jo's blog. )

I love you Jeremy!

It was Jo's Day!

I am a little late posting this today but.....

Happy Birthday Jo!

Our family was so blessed when Jo became a part of it.

Jeremy could not have found a better partner for time and all eternity!

Jo is a wonderful person - inside and out.

She is always so willing to help out anyone when they are in need.

She is friendly and out-going. I don't know anyone that she has met that hasn't grown to love her. Jo is always so upbeat and happy. That is such a wonderful personality trait she has. She is a wonderful wife to Jeremy and a super mother to EmmaLee. How lucky they are to have her! Jo is a very talented photographer. If you haven't checked out her blog or website - you really need to. I totally love her pictures. She does such an amazing job.

When Jo married Jeremy - I didn't lose a son - I gained another daughter, and most importantly, I gained a friend, one I have missed so much since she moved to Idaho.

Thank heavens for cell phones!

I love you Jo.

I hope you were able to enjoy your day, even with being sick and having a struggle the last few days.

Here's Jeremy and Jo when we visited them a month ago.

Jo and EmmaLee

Last November - before the haircut.
Taking a break when loading the trailer for Idaho!

One of her many bridal pictures. Isn't she beautiful! I love her smile.

Happy Birthday Jo!

2 Today!

Little Miss EmmaLee is 2 today!

I sure wish I was up in Rexburg to celebrate with her.

We did have a birthday party for her when we were up last month, but I still miss this sweet little girl!

Enjoying her ice cream - like all Alldredge's!

Here's their little family.

And here she is - 2 years ago.

Doug and I actually missed her birth. We had gone to the Alldredge reunion and she was born the day before we got home.

And here's the new family. Don't they look happy.

I LOVE being a grandma - and I hate living so far away from them now!

EmmaLee is quite the little girl. She is so dang cute! You'll have to check out Jo's blog to see some of the things she gets into. Especially check this post - it made me smile and laugh
http://joalldredgephotography.blogspot.com/2009/08/makeup.html

Happy Birthday EmmaLee! Grandma Loves you and misses you so much.

To My Best Friend - Happy Birthday!

Today is Doug's birthday.

I sometimes find it hard to write about Doug, even though my whole life now is influenced by him in some way. The person I am, our children and who they are - have been because of him.
Our life is a shared one, in every aspect. He is not "just" my partner or "just" my husband, he is my very best friend and has been for nearly 30 years.

I know in today's society, some feel that your "spouse is your spouse" and "your best friend" is someone other than your spouse. Maybe that's why so many marriages are in trouble. When you are struggling, happy, sad, - you should be able to talk to your spouse about it, which is why Doug is my best friend. He encourages me, uplifts me, listens to me, comforts me - he does it all - as my husband and as my best friend.

Doug and I talk on the phone at least four or five times a day. It may be about little things going on at his work or home, or just to see how I'm doing. I know when he is stressed about work - or when he's not - who he had lunch with if he didn't make it home, just about all the little things going on in his life. I know what he thinks about the world today - politics, sports, - you name it, we talk about it. We can talk about anything and everything. That's what best friends do.

Many times when I answer the phone, just hearing his voice will give my heart that little jump of excitement, even after all these years! When he walks in the door after work, just seeing him makes my day that much brighter.

I know what Doug has sacrificed and given up for me and our children. I have seen him grow and accomplish so much in our years together, both professionally and personally. I know he still will accomplish so much more. He is strong, loyal, and honest with all those me meets and works with. He is no different at home with our family. He is what he portrays himself to be - there is nothing fake or false about him.

Doug is a great father. All of our kids love and respect him, honor him, and look up to him. They all talk to him about their lives, what is going on with them, and ask him for help and advise. He is so patient, loving, kind, long-suffering (which I'm not) with them. Our kids love spending time with their Dad.

When I was a little girl - and even a teenager - I never dreamed I could have a husband as wonderful as Doug. I never dreamed I could love and adore someone as much as I do him.

I didn't have any idea we could be so happy together, that our family would be so happy.

Happy Birthday sweetheart. I love you. You deserve the best day ever. I am so looking forward to celebrating many, many more birthdays with you.