Misguided

I feel sooooo dumb and soooo bad and I have learned a huge lesson: don't post about a deal until you are sure it's for real! Okay, the deal is for real....however....just for that person the email was sent to. I had it forwarded to me from a cousin. Her and I just assumed it would work for anyone. I am soooo sorry. This is why my dad calls me, "ready, fire, aim".

Update FYI

I just had a serious blond moment/day. Ok....so the code I thought I typed in correctly is totally incorrect. My friend had a hard time getting her book and she told me....oops, wrong code! So sorry Teryn! The code below is all correct except for the last segment. The correct last segment of that code is:
PXWFF
Everything else is ocrrect. Good luck and let me know if that works!

FYI

Hey all you friends looking for a steal for V-day. My mom told me that Shutterfly is giving away a free 8x8 portait book. You just upload your pics, write your text and viola! You have a gorgeous thoughtful gift. Go to http://ck.shutterfly.com/inspire/?cid=CKMDJANSVFB and then you enter in the code at check-out. It expires Feb.28tt so you have some time. They have some great ideas like "The ABC's of Jason" (my husband's name) or, "A Tribute". I handmade a book last year "The Reasons why I Love Jason" and it was much appreciated by him....but a lot of work for me. Here's the code:
CK47-EXTE-XNUT-PXVVFF

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.

New Year's

New Year's Smooches from my one and only This is right after he won American Idol. We got together at my brother Josh's house and played American Idol and Rock Band all night....until 12. Earlier that afternoon we got tickets to Cirque de Soleil. That's what the below pic is from. Happy 2009 everyone!

Christmas at the beach

On Christmas day we went with my side of the family down to St.Simon's Island for the weekend. We stayed in a GORGEOUS house and enjoyed each others' company and the beautiful weather.
Here are the stats from the weekend:
-3 boys brushed their teeth with hydro cortisone cream
-$200 poorer for pushing cousin Parker in the pool with his camera and phone
-20 people in a 4 bedroom house. In consequence.....
-3 nights of no sleep
-6 people squeezing on a bike
-15 people squeezing in a tree
-2-Jake Hutchings winning American Idol twice (once I was the runner up...YEAH!). We didn't even know he sang. He does. On a side note I would like to say Jason has since claimed the title of American Idol. He scored 85,000 points on "Come Sail Away" by Styx.
-3...the number of times we watched "Mama Mia"
-2- our two kids slept in Grandma and Grandpa's room. THANK YOU!!!!
J and Link strolling along the beach.
Family picture after the hot tub.
Ella's playmates of the week- her cousins, the twins, Sophia and Lillian.

Link has a secret love for Beau. He just chooses to show it by screaming at him and telling him to go to time-out.
Ella making a sand angel. It's as close as we get in GA to making snow angels.
Ella looking classy as ever.


We were so lucky no one fell out. It was VERY crowded.
We look thrilled. I know. Maybe it's because we are very close to the beach's shark infested waters. Seriously, St.Simon's Is. has some of the most shark infested waters. You couldn't pay me to stick my toe in that water. People fish for sharks off the pier. Ew.
We had SO much fun renting these bikes. Ella and Link couldn't get enough.

Lincoln's totally ineffective helmet. He would NOT put it on correctly and he refused to take it off. He was trying to make a fashion statement.

Squeezing into Emily's van on the way to renting bikes. Safe, I assure you. I think we squeezed about 12 people in there. Four in the trunk alone. It was a good excuse to cuddle.

Ella enjoying the pool. When she got out she was purple for about an hour. It was kind of cold to be swimming on Friday.
Link being the terror that he is throwing water on people. He even had the audacity to sneak up on Grandma and pour a bucket of chilly water down her clothed back. Sorry!
This is Jason's idea of a vacation. Mine too I guess. But someone's gotta make sure the kids don't drown. J works so hard...he deserves it. We had so much fun. Thanks for taking us Poppy and Grandma Becky!

Christmas

This is Ella's new kitchen. She makes a mean lunch!


This is Lincoln's Thomas the train tent. When I put it on the list for Grandma and Grandpa Allred I had no idea we would have to build an addition to our house to fit it inside. OOPS!!

One of Lincoln's favorite toys. This was a tool box from Santa. It's awesome b/c the tool box actually looks a lot like Jason's. Link hasn't put it down since and the goggles....well, they don't come off the head.
Ella's Christmas loot from Santa. This year we celebrated Santa at Poppy and Grandma Jewkes' house. Santa knew we were there. Smart guy.
Link's loot.
The classic stair photo.
Allred Family getting ready to see what Santa brought.

Christmas...another one has flown by. This year I have to say it lacked a little bit of the Christmas spirit for me. Maybe it's because we weren't able to give as much as usual with the economy the way it was. We received a ton. I believe the age-old adage, "'tis far better to receive than to give". Yes, yes, it's true. We were the "Kranks" this year. SORRY!!!! It was so fun to see the kids rip open their presents. They were excited for about the first ten, then when Ella started saying, "I don't want that"...I knew it was too much. UGH. Maybe it was because almost everything I got her was from a garage sale. I take pride in that by the way. Here's my re-cap:
Sounds of Christmas
"Mommy....open!"
"I don't want THAT"
"When do we open more presents?"
"Can I have this candy?"
"That's mine!"
and
"Thank you" preceded by a , "_______ , say thank you".

Rock n' roll baby

Last weekend our friends hosted a rock band party. Jason was the star in my book. His falsetto is amazing. He can rock some "Journey" or "Styx". I am your biggest FAN!!!

First and foremost, my best friend and roommate from college came to visit me. It was a gift to her from her generous husband, Dustin. Thanks Dustin! We had so much fun just being giggly girls and reminiscing. Alicia is such a good mommy and was a great example to me of how to have joy in motherhood.


How much does Jason look like Colonel Sanders from KFC? A lot...I know. We had so much fun making ginger bread houses for FHE. Jason was a great sport and let me put icing on his face. I think he'll age well...the white looks good on him!
Link on Grandma and Grandpa's tire swing. This is the look of pure joy.



Last week the city of Hampton (where Jason manages the dental office) had a parade. The kids were ecstatic to see real reindeer. They were fearless when it came to riding on the float too. The picture of Lincoln and Jason is from the float.

O Christmas Tree...

We did it again....we managed to get the most beautiful Christmas tree at an amazing price, while having an old fashioned experience. What more could you ask for? There is the GREATEST tree farm in Griffin. This is our 2nd year going to this farm....and it did not disappoint. We found this voluptuous beauty right away for meager $36 and some sweat on Jason's part. Call it love at first sight. We knew it would fit perfectly in our dining room window. Jason got down and cut down the tree like a real man. GRRRR.

VICTORY.......VICTORY!!!! You're so strong!!!

The following pictures slightly capture the excitement Ella has for Christmas trees, presents, candy canes, and all things festive. I have never seen her so excited for something. And, to my excitement and advantage, this is the first year we have been able to use this line, "Ella, you need to be a good girl so Santa will bring you presents.". IT WORKS!! I've been waiting for this year to come...when I could milk that line for all it's worth. When does that line take effect for the following year? February? Let me know.

Ella's idea of how to decorate a Christmas tree. All the decorations go on one branch, right mom?
Ready for church on Sunday.

The finished product...with lights only.