Alldredge Almanac

Friday, January 30, 2009

Carson's 1st Snow Fun!

On our way home - there was NO WAY - we were going back through Vegas and Hoover Dam. So - we went over Kiabab instead. It was a nice day - clear and beautiful. We stopped at Jacob's Lake and let Carson get his first feel of snow. We were only stopping for a minute to let him touch and feel it. He loved it - without even any gloves on his hands. He kept digging in the snow and playing with it.

He even wanted to play in the little patches of snow.

Doug and Carson by the BIG pile of snow!

Doug showed him how to make snowballs. He would make these little tiny snowballs and throw them at Kristi and Dani.

And would laugh and laugh when he threw them.

This kid loves to throw! He kept calling it "ice" "play ice" is what we kept hearing.

When We went to put him back in his carseat - he threw a temper tantrum.

He made his whole body stiff as Doug was trying to put him back in.

For the next hour or so he would sniffle and say "No Daddy - ice".

Poor little boy - we took away his fun.

I just had to take this picture. I don't think I have ever seen snow down on the flat area when you come off of Kiabab. This is the overlook before you take that winding road down.

Here's another shot of it.

We finally made it home. It was fun seeing everyone again. It's good that Carson is getting to know his Grandma's and cousins.

I was glad to be home.

Sorry Lisa - I know you love your Honda Odyssey - but we did not like traveling in ours.

Doug said it was his one and only trip in the van. It is now up for sale. Why? Too noisy when we traveled. It made our ears ache! We could hardly hear our music from the wind noise. Next trip - different vehicle. Don't know what yet - have to sell the van first.

Horatio

I'm not very good at telling my kids about their family history. They know some - the basics about them, but not like they should. This trip we stopped and let them see the "Horatio Pickett House". Horatio is my great-grandfather. His family helped settle St. George - with his mother and brother. Horatio was born in Winter Quarters. His home in St. George has this plaque outside of it:

Here are Kristi and Dani standing outside the house. It has been fixed up and someone lives there now. It's good to see old homes like this taken care of.

AS we were leaving - Kristi wanted to know if I had known personally Horatio Pickett. Let's see - he was born in Winter Quarters while his mom was crossing the plains, he built this house in 1869 for his wife and kids, he died in 1939. Hmm - do you think he was alive when I was born? I'm not THAT OLD Kristi! (I guess she didn't read the plaque - at least the last of it)

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.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

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.