December 28, 2010

From Us to You

We didn't send out Christmas cards this year.

but if we did.

it would have probably looked something like this...


We hope you all had a great Christmas weekend.  Santa was very good to the boys and we had a wonderful time with family.  We are still in celebration mode this week, cleaning, cooking, and looking forward to spending New Year's Eve with good friends.

How are you spending you're New Year's Eve?

December 20, 2010

6 Is The New Black...

He was due Christmas Eve. 
I begged him to come 2 weeks early...and he listened.

Nolan William Allen
8 lbs 6 oz
100% Perfect!

His first task was to undergo a kidney removal surgery.  He did amazing and graced us with his first smile the day after surgery.  He was born the middle child and has lived up to his title ever since.  We have endured a lot with Little Bear.  From surgery to stitches, laughter and tears, fits and snuggles.  Nolan has taught us patience and acceptance.  His passion for life is something everyone can learn from.  He has a shear determination to experience everything life has to offer.  He is a force to be reckoned with.  The word "Can't" is not in his vocabulary, for Nolan can and will do anything he sets his mind to. 

He has his father's eyes...and his strength.
He has his mother's heart.
He is our middle boy.
Our pride and joy.

He is 6 now...and it looks good on him!


 

 
 

 





December 06, 2010

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...(la, la, la, la, la, la, la)

To celebrate the first weekend of December, we headed up to the snow for our annual Christmas Tree Hunt!

The weather couldn't have been better. 
We found the perfect spot for the kids to play,
made a campfire,
and roasted hotdogs and marshmallows.












There is nothing better than meeting a couple of great friends at the top of a mountain and enjoying some Christmas memories!
The entire highway was full of people. 
Like we were all a part of some special club and they closed the road just for us. 
It was such a neat feeling driving past everyone. 
Each around their own fire pits, eating, drinking, laughing, playing in the snow.
Finding the "perfect" tree.  It had holiday movie written all over it. 
These are my boys, hunting down the perfect tree.
Jackson was in the backpack on my back.
(I must have drawn the short straw for that one.)
Emmett chose the tree this year.  It's a bit smaller than usual with not as many branches, but when he saw it the coulds parted, sunshine burst down, and Angels were singing (What, that's not what happens to you?)
We cut it and kept it, made it our own.
(Handsome tree carrier not included.)

Here she is. 
The Allen Family Christmas Tree.
(I envision you all with smiles on your faces, oh's and ah's.  She's a beaut, Clark!)
What is your Christmas tree tradition?

December 03, 2010

The Halls Have Been Decked.

The stockings have been hung.
(Hand made with love by my Momma.  She's the greatest!)
 The Christmas town is out.
(This is only part of it, I have to spread them all around the house in order to fit.)
 

The Holiday's just wouldn't be the same without it.
It's officially here. 
Nolan counts down to December the whole year (it's his birthday month)
It's Hubby's favorite time of year. 
I've embraced the cold weather. 
"Jingle Bells" echoing in my ears.
Parties are being planned, our social calendar is full. 
The tree comes this weekend (pictures to follow). 

All smiles in this house.

December 02, 2010

Giving Thanks...In A Nutshell

Crafts are becoming a huge part of our routine.  It gives the boys something to do, lets me dig into my giant supply of scrapbooking equipment, and we get to decorate the house when we're done.  These are the boys turkeys....adorable.
 We spent Thanksgiving out at my in-laws.  It was wonderful.  Good food.  Good company.  And an EPIC football game orchestrated by Emmett himself.  These are our numbers we were supposed to wear on the back of our shirts.  Emmett spent days preparing for this game.  There were 2 teams with Emmett (Cowboys) and Nolan (Patriots) as captains.  As you can see, Emmett's team was all boys, and Nolan picked all the girls...and Daddy.
 It is going to become our new tradition. 
We all had a blast and in the end I think we tied. 
(But who's really counting?)

 

This was our attempt at a family photo (with the hopes of using it for a Christmas card), but as you can see, I have a very uncooperative little family. 
(To the cloud, as they say.)
It was a great day.

We at way to much.

Laughed so much we cried.

Cooked and cleaned together as a family.

And were home and in bed by 9:30.

Success!

November 12, 2010

Chocolate Bar.....


I don't know what you're talking about...