DRAMA!!!

These pictures are from Luke's sealing to my sister Emily's family. They adopted him last January and the paperwork was finally finished and he was able to be sealed to them. It was so sweet to be present for that. On a side note; Yes, I got bangs. I needed a change.
Link helping Daddy change the oil. Precious.
When I put on this shirt that morning Link told me it was a police car shirt. I didn't understand why he kept calling it that. Then I saw him pointing at the cut little patch. He thinks it's a badge. CUTE! I didn't even realize he knew what a police uniform looks like. Smart boy. This is him yelling, "NO!" when I asked him if I could take a picture. Another genuine moment from Dee Doo.
Did I mention we went on the amphibian at Jason's parents' house over the holidays? This machine is soooooooo fun. Thank you Mom and Dad Allred!!!!

Now, to the title of this post. I went to TX last week for the entire week- from Monday to Monday. It was sooo much fun and included lots of unwanted drama. I'll get to that in a while. These little helpers are helping Grandma Becky make lemon bars. She's so patient. I just don't have it in me to let kids do that stuff...definitely something I need to work on. I cannot even begin to explain the amount of fun and bossing around Ella had at the Crofts with Kate and Tayler. We went there to welcome my sister Rachel's little Lauren. Ella was in heaven.
This is a little elephant Ella wrapped in a warm "blanket". Such a little mommy.

Before I went to Rachel's mom dropped me off at one of my best friends' house- Alicia (top). It was just like old times. Laughing, eating, & shopping. At least that was the plan until one fateful night we went to eat at On the Border. We got there at 9:40. The place closes at 10. PHEW! Just in time! Alicia and I were thoroughly enjoying our bordurrito when my teeth clenched something unmistakeably metal. As I re-opened my mouth and examined my burrito I saw a metal something. I pulled it out and we soon realized that it is a blade. Yes a blade. Long story short I am fine. On the Border is sorry for almost killing me and thought they could ease my pain and suffering with $10 gift certificates. I was fine with that until the next day I got thoroughly sick. And I'd like to give a little shout out to Alicia who took care of my children happily for several days. You're the best! Anyway, I went to the doctor only to come to the conclusion that they lost my urine (sorry to be explicit) culture and couldn't verify whether or not I had any kind of serious infection (i.e. e coli). So basically, I was gonna get some sweet moola for my pain and suffering and now I am not because of some idiot doctor. So I spent the bulk of my less than glorious vacation with extreme back pain, headache, nausea, and vomiting. UGH. Thanks On the Border! Can I make reservations to use those gift certificates???? And I know what you're all thinking.....and no- there is nothing I can do about it.
So one of the nights when I was racked with nausea, I pulled my self out of bed and Alicia and I met with our old college roommate. Looking at this picture (above)...yeah, I look sick and nasty. But it was SOOOOOOOO fun to get together with Angela. She is optimistic and fun to be around. Her bluntness is refreshing and exciting. Thanks Ang!
The community bath/pee tub. You know how that goes. This is Logan, Alicia's little boy on the right. Cute little buy. He was so good at sharing all his toys with my possessive lovely children.