There was no snow by our home, everything had melted. So we decided to drive clear up on the east side to make certain it would be worth our drive. We ended up finding a great hill located on a elementary school field. It only took two runs until Houston got injured. I am keeping an eye on him, meanwhile... I he is acting normal. I hope he didn't break his nose.

some more christmas morning pictures with my angels

Rain or Shine

We thought we would inform you of our Cancun trip we spent over new years...

I wish we had some pictures, but... Austin lost our smart card to our camera. :( Which means our valuable Christmas 07' are kaput! We are just sick about it. I took about 5 pictures on Christmas day with my large Nikon camera, so that is all we have. (we do have some video too).
Somehow, when he was taking out the battery to charge it, the card dropped out along with it. He didn't notice it, until we took the camera out to take pics it was M.I.A. SAD,SAD,SAD!
I told Aust we should replay a part of Christmas. He thought that was silly. Years from now... they wont know the difference. The ones of Christmas that I do have, I will post.

Anyway, Cancun was eventful. Three out of the 7 days I was quarantined to my hotel room miserable with a horrible case of Strep. I wanted to go home early. But could not. Since no prescriptions are required in Mexico, I was lucky to send Austin on a quick errand to the pharmacy that was 5 min. away from where we were staying. We were trusting enough (and I was desperate) for any form of relief. I needed to be relieved of this misery. With glands swollen large enough you could see them on the exterior and interior, even down to the smallest task of opening my mouth to brush was painful! My words were kept down to the bare minimum. Those Damn Antibiotics didn't kick in until I was LITERALLY on the flight home (it took 2 1/2 days to work).
Other than that, we were made great use of being on our own...
The first few days were spent trying to get some sun in the overcast and windy weather.
Just the novelty of being with ourselves as a couple is priceless, we have so much fun together and are able to reconnect. It is fun just to be silly, immature, dorky friends together.
Although Cancun was not what I had hoped for... It came at a good time. Upon arrival, Austin and Tom are on the cell phones, scheduling, consulting, selling, bargaining, brainstorming, stressing their little hearts out! IT'S PEST CONTROL TIME...AAAAAHHHH!

Holiday Celebrations

It's sad to think yet another Christmas has come and gone. In song:"I cried, the day that I take the tree down, for I want this season to last all year round"...
Alot happend to our little family over these last couple weeks. So, I hope your seated.

Christmas always happens the same... Austin swears it we will spend a bare minimum on eachother, I stick to it... he doesn't. I find my dads christmas spirit in me, he spoils everyone rotten. I buy things for my kids, then I see something elses that would bring another smile to their faces. I end up with a crap load of things I forgot about, and am now reminded on the night before... wrapping some and saying, "holy crap... I'm taking this one back, and that one", etc.

All in all this was a wonderful christmas because my kids are now old enough to understand what is going on. The looks on their cute gleeming faces... it's all worth it.

Although this was last years nativity play... it is darling and I wanted to share with you my little darlings. They were so good at paying attention as daddy read the stories about why Christmas is such an important holiday to many.

I have made it a point to let the kids start using their own money for gifts for friends and family this year. With there new "reaching for the stars" chart... they earned plenty of cash doing there own chores. After we exchanged the christmas gifts to our friends, Houston tells me"Mom, I feel good inside". I am so proud of Houston and Taryn for how they grasped the whole christmas spirit this year!

All wrapped up in Momma's wrapping paper!

Allred Cousin's at Meme and Papa's christmas party.

Santa was a little weird this year, I think he spiked his egg nog with some peppermint schnapps!

My kids told me on the way home, "that was a FAKE santa, I know it"! You blew your cover santa! Not very good considering my kids are 6 and 4!

Santa, you never asked the kids if they were being good little boys and girls this year. You also forgot to ask what they are asking for christmas this year.

Silly Santa!

Houston was an angel for his school Christmas play. (wearing daddy's white golf shirt)

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1513591675

Take a look how I elfed the Allred crew...
Christmas 2007

Oh my gosh! It has been since july I posted new updates. Thanks Natasha for hounding me, because of your persistance, I am alive once again.

My love bug

My little, little guy...I could not go to bed until I commented on you could I? This was such a fun year. An old pic but a favorite of mine. You were a two year old that never went through the "terrible two's". Have you ever gone through a "terrible" behavior yet?

"I have the bestest Idea" says Houston. "We can go to bowling! Is it your day off dad; so we can go today"?

You are always coming up with ideas on how to have more fun with you family. You are the glue that sticks us together, my little man.

You are SO Strong!!!!

The night before you started you skateboarding camp you made certain that I would prepare you a healthy breakfast. Just so you would preform at your "bestest". You requested scrambled eggs (you hate eggs) and oatmeal with a glass of orange juice. Oh, and don't forget to make me a mommy drink that I can take with me (which is sustain, like gatorade). You gobbled every bit up and afterwards flexed you muscles and said... "See, look it worked, I can lift up a table". (you lifted the coffee table, so proud of you :) )

I am so fortunate to have you personality around. You keep me sane. You always know when I need a hug. You are so delicate. You automatically come up to me or rub my back and say, I love you mom. I know you do. I thought you would have grown out of it by now, which I feared. To this day, you give me constant affirmation. You are a softy like your daddy. And that my sweets it one of the best traits I find in him. Don't ever stop. Love you 16. -Mom