Christmas 2009

We had a great Christmas this year. The boys loved everything they got and still believe...whew! We stayed home this year and just hung out, played with our toys, relaxed and had some of our favorite people over for dinner that night, The Sorenson Family! I attempted (seriously attempted and never will again) to make pies, pumpkin and coconut cream. After my fourth attempt at the crust I gave up on perfection and went for just edible. They were o.k. I guess, but I stick with brownies and leave the pies to the professionals (my Mom and Aunt Robyn) :P. We had a blast playing games and laughing our heads off with a little High School Musical 3 blaring in the background. It was no "Professional Job" (thanks though to Kaitlyn and McAli for appreciating the details), but it was a great Christmas!

Santa Claus is coming to town!!!

Alex was the most concerened this year about making sure that Santa knew exactly what he wanted. He finally settled on a bow and arrow (something he had failed to mention to Mom or Dad, luckily there was one left in southern utah on Christmas Eve and we helped Santa to find it!) :D Dallin looks so grown up, almost too big to sit on Santa's lap. Derrick told him he would stay put long enough for a picture if Santa would hand over the candy he was sure was in his bag. Funny...and Zeke stayed long enough to snap a shot and then busted into tears. Zeke didn't quite make it all the way home. I looked back and there he was with visions of sugar plums dancing away propping his little head up like this. So cute!

Christmastime!!!

This is my new favorite Christmas song. I love the video that goes with it. This is what it's all about wrapped up into one cute song! Enjoy and Merry Christmas from the Alldredge Family!

Traditions...

For about four years now I have been really struggling with the "stocking issue" as I affectionately refer to it. I have wanted cute, handmade stockings and have made several attempts to do so, but I've hated them all. When my mom was down for my birthday, we spent the day sewing pillow cases for the kids for Christmas and she taught me a new trick for an inside-out seam. After weeks of thinking about it I decided I would again attempt the impossible and make more stockings, using my lessons as a guide! I am over the moon to report that I did it! I actually made stockings for all of us that I would use again the next year without embarrassment! I am very proud of them. They are uniform, country-ish, christmas-y and not too girly all wrapped up into one. They even have lining in them! I seriously can not believe I figured this out with no pattern or help! Whew! One more tradition in the bag!

I am also adding the pillow case tradition to the list as well. The kids loved it and they are darling! Thanks Mom!

Happy Birthday Dallin!

Dallin turned seven this week! I can not believe I am old enough to have a kid this age, let alone how fast he's grown up! He's been so excited waiting patiently for everyone else to have their birthday so that it could be his turn next.
He was so excited about the remote control car from Grandma, and is still wants the RC helicopter for Christmas. I think he really liked having something that all the other boys wanted too! :P Dallin wanted chocolate cake like Alex---I guess they take after their Mom in the cake respect---I LOVE chocolate!
He is growing up WAY too fast! He is so smart and talented. I don't remember boys this age being so responsible. He takes note of everything and is very curious. He has tons and tons of friends, loves school and life. We are very proud of him!
A side note:
You know as parents when you are trying to talk to each other and you don't want the kids to know what you are talking about so you spell out the word, for example:
"Hey Dustin, do you want to go for a drive and get some i-c-e-c-r-e-a-m?"
Well that doesn't work in our house any more. Dallin is on to the trick. He comes over a few minuets later ever time and says something like, "Hey Mom, when are we going to go get that ice cream that you were spelling out to Dad?" Darn-it! Our secrets are out! LOL! Happy Birthday Dallin!

Happy Birthday Alex!

Happy Birthday to Alex! Our little guy is turning 5! I can't believe he is five already! It's funny because I kind of mark the time we have lived in St. George by how old Alex is because I was pregnant with him when we moved here. He represents big changes in our lives (for the better) and so many blessings.He has been so excited about his birthday. Counting down the days. He knew exactly what he wanted and what he was going to wait and ask for for Christmas. Smart kid. He really really wanted walki-talkies and a chocolate cake. The walki-talkies were a hit, and I did my best with the cake. (I ended up way sick with an ear/jaw infection - no fun.) Alex is such a hoot. Always acting and loves to play. Can't wait to go to kindergarten next year. Some of his most recent accomplishments are writing his name, and crossing the monkey bars at the playground without missing one or falling. We love you Alex!

Happy Birthday Dusty!

Dustins birthday usually falls on or right before or after Thanksgiving. So we were still at his Mom and Dad's this year because it was the day after...yep, that's right...BLACK FRIDAY!!! He's always a good sport about it though, even though most people forget...this year it was his Mom! I came up for breakfast, gave him his birthday kiss and wished him a "Happy Birthday" and she felt so bad she lit a candle and put it in his pancake. We had fun going up the canyon to find the perfect Christmas tree and he wouldn't rest until he found it. It took a good hike and a lot of pulling and tugging and some very wet and exhausted kids, but he did it! It was perfect! The ride home was a little slow with out (HUGE!) tree taking away the jet stream, but it was worth it. The house smelled great when we got it inside and all decorated. We ended the day taking a few family pictures and heading home. Happy Birthday Dusty---We LOVE you!

Over the River and Through the Woods....

Happy Thanksgiving!!! This year we spent Thanksgiving at Dustin's Mom and Dad's. We had a great time! We got there Wednesday night dove right in to a "P.J." party with the kids. I made them all pajama pants (at the last minuet, my first attempt at sewing anything that you can wear---very fun and surprisingly they all fit!) and got them shirts to match. They started out with a pillow fight and ended up watching "UP" on Grandma's projector. They loved it!Thanksgiving Day was full of lots of good food and funny conversation. There was even a "who could wear the silliest sweater contest...I think Ryan won the prize, his even had blinking lights!
After dinner everyone relaxed and enjoyed the company. It was even warm enough outside for the kids to go burn off all the slush they drank...Dustin's parents are finishing their addition and it looks like a real cabin inside. It was fun to go "Over the river and through the woods" to Grandmas for a real old fashion Thanksgiving!

We have much to be thankful for this year, but most of all I am thankful for my family. My little boys and the smile they put on my face each day. I am thankful that we are all healthy and strong. We have been blessed!

29 and staying put!

This year I turned 29 and I have to admit I was just a tiny bit upset that I am almost 30! I know i've told everybody that it's no big deal, but now that I am the one on the edge of the proverbial cliff it's a little unnerving!LOL! This was however a great birthday! And who's to say I can't turn "29" again next year right? My Mom and Holly came down and fussed over me and catered to my every whim. We had great food, a cute cake and a nice visit. Thanks Mom, for making me feel special! Dustin surprised me with the ENTIRE box set of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Women---my favorite show growing up and I am sure he will regret this when I'm glued to the TV and not to the washing machine! LOL! I Love it! Mom gave me all new towels and rugs for my bathroom---something I've needed for a long time and refused to indulge in. It's so fun to have all matching stuff! I got lots and lots of new books so when I get a headache from watching Dr. Quinn I can sit in the tub and read---another one of my favorite pastimes! Dallin and Alex are glad that one more Birthday is done and are couting down the days until Dustin's so that their turn will be next. Thanks everyone, for making my day so special! Let the parties begin!

"Guess what mom..."

Derrick's new thing lately is saying "Guess what Mom?" and then when I say "what?" he says, "I love ya!" I love this. He says is at the most random times, usually when I'm getting after him about something he's done that he shouldn't have, and it pulls me right back to reality and reminds me that this is all worth it. I am thankful for my kids and the things they teach me each day. To be kind and to love unconditionally. Other things Derrick is up to are picking things up off the ground. Everywhere he goes he finds things to pick up off the ground. Weird things, money, BB's, weird rocks. His eyes are constantly scanning the ground for weird objects. He says he "lookin' for treasure" and although the "treasures" are not always pleasant, I love that he is so curious.

This is another funny conversation between him and I in the car...

Derrick: "Mom how did you grow up so big?"
Mom: "I ate all my vegetables."
Derrick: "What are Veg-la-bles?"
Mom: "Things like carrots and celery."
Derrick: "So if I eat a LOT of carrots I'll grow big?"
Mom: "Yes--so we are going to need a LOT of carrots"
Derrick: "Ya, and we're going to need a LOT of dip!"

LOL! Derrick loves to dip anything. If it has ranch dressing on it, he'll usually go for it---even carrots.

Other things I don't want to forget are:

*Zeke's open mouthed kisses. You know when he comes at ya with a big open mouth like he's singing you're in for a slobbery smooch! :D Love them!

*Alex likes to get himself dressed-he doesn't like the shirts I pick out for him anymore.

*Dallin likes to get his own milk on his cereal.