Joe's First Sled Ride

Joseph was sooo excited and loved it. Abby did too, but decided she has more fun sledding without trying to keep Joe from falling over. This weekend Spencer took Abby sledding at a nearby park with a pretty good hill. Some kids had even made a jump. She squealed and giggled all the way down and hasn't stopped talking about the jump all weekend!

BUSTED!

Eeeew! In his mouth and everything. Well, thank goodness it wasn't used. . .

There was an Old Lady

A while ago I was listening to Abby "read" (more like recite) books to herself. It was fun to hear how much she remembered from each book, most of it was literally word for word. She started reading "There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly", it was going great until. . .

"I don't know why she swallowed the fly,
I HOPE she'll die"!!

I cracked up, not exactly the original version, but is was original.

Simple and cute. And, this is probably the only "educational" song she knows. (the rest are Disney Princess and believe me, she KNOWS them). My favorite part is "ello-mello- p"
please excuse the nerdy voice at the end.

Bragging Rights

Now as an new aunt :) I get to show off my sweet nephews. The top two pictures are of sweet little Blake James, and the bottom two are sweet little Charlie Rex. Yea for family!

WOW

Would you look at the size of that Jack-O-Lantern! When my Dad does something, he does it all the way. This his giant pumpkin (home grown) for the fall. Abby could literally climb right in. How much did this bad boy weigh, Dad?

My Brag Moment

I just have to brag about Spencer and how amazing he is. He came up with such a cute FHE for Abby. It was sweet and short but is still sticking with her a month later.
We talked about what it means to be on the Lord's side and how we act on the Lord's side. (this maybe took 5 minutes). Then, Spencer stretched out a jump rope to make a line. On one side he placed a small statue we have of Jesus Christ and had Abby stand on the other side. Spencer and I were on the Lord's side and then played "Red Rover" to bring Abby over. We each took turns being the one to come over to the Lord's side. (Of course Abby wanted the statue to have a turn as well :) I'm not sure which was cuter, Abby trying to convince Spencer to do it, or Spencer's face as he said "Red Rover, Red Rover bring Jesus right over!)
Oh the innocence of youth!

It was such a good idea to help bring the message home. Spencer, I love you , my eternal companion. Thank you for all that you do to keep our family strong and faithful.

Happy Halloween

Our cute neighbors brought over a pumpkin just Abby's size for her to paint. She had so much fun that when she woke up the next morning she said "I'm ready to paint another pumpkin"

Cinderella, there really was no other choice. We took the kids downtown where they do trick 'r treating on Main Street with all the vendors. She got so excited and kept telling everyone "Trick or treat, look, I'm blue!"

Our own Super Baby

I'm officially an Aunt!

Jessica and Lizzie have both had their little boys during the month of October (Jess a few weeks ago and Lizzie just barely last Tuesday). Yeah!!! Now my kids have cousins and I get to be an Aunt! Both boys are adorable and sweet as can be. Jessica and Brent named their son Blake James Thomas. Lizzie and Landon named their son Charlie Rex Smith. Now hurry and grow up a little so the cousins can get together and really play!

Fun with Fall

Spencer was so cute. We all went outside one afternoon and hunted for great leaves. Abby has come to love "crunching" through the leaves with their fall crispness. Once we had a couple handfuls of different leaves, Spencer brought Abby inside and the did leaf rubbings with crayons. Abby enjoyed this and wants to do it again and again.

Just Hangin' Around

We're just enjoying Pj's and fun while it snows one day. Abby love to have Joe ride with her.

Smile for the camera, Mrs. Potato Head

Abby discovered how to be a mermaid! She just puts both legs into one pant-leg and wala! "Look I'm a mermaid!"

Bear Lake - Happy Birthday Ang!

For Angie's birthday (Spencer's sis) this year, she decided to celebrate by renting a wave runner on Bear Lake. Yesterday was a blast! Abby was so excited we couldn't even get her to eat because she was so busy. She loved the sand, mud, water, kids, and pretty much thought the wave runner was for her.
Joseph also enjoyed it. He didn't like getting his feet wet until he realized he could squish his toes in the sand. Spencer and I had a lot of fun celebrating with Angie and even got a chance to ride the wave runner together! I felt so carefree, probably one of the most relaxing moments since having kids. All in all, thanks Ang for picking a great way to celebrate!

I Scream, You Scream!

Last week Abby took her Grandma to Scoops for ice cream. She had so much fun that today she called up her Grandpa and asked if she could take him. I think she assumes this is a regular thing now.

The Many Faces of Joseph!

Woops! I'm a slacker!

Sorry I haven't updated in forever! Life gets going and I get very forgetful. So, hmmmm, the last little while what have we been up to? Well, my mom was AWESOME and took both kids for a full week so I could go to GIRLS CAMP!!! It was great and amazing. The girls in our ward are truly special and I've learned so much from them. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to get to know them better and grow spiritually, I really do have a special place in my heart for each and every one of them!
We really did have a blast, from them quoting Abby (you know, so I wouldn't miss her), to testimony meeting, skits, water fights and injuries (which received names by the way). I had a riot and can't wait to go again next year! Sorry to anyone who tried to contact me while I was away, I wasn't just trying to ignore you!

Joseph the Giggler

PICTURES!!

We finally got Joseph's 3 month and Abby's 2 year pictures taken.
Sadly Abby was coming down with a cold and
really just wanted to lay on the floor instead,
but I think they did pretty good considering :)
We love our little kiddos!

Joseph Allen Allred
Born on February 20th, at 7:57 am
7 lbs 8 oz * 19 1/2 inches
Stinkin' adorable!

He's finally here! Jospeh is sweet Abby loves being a big sister. She asks to hold him ALL the time. He never did turn, so I did end up with a C-section. This turned out to be a blessing because he was under some stress in the womb and getting him here quick was important.

Things were a little crazy at the hospital to begin with. His oxygen levels were low , his respirations were too high, and he had pneumonia. He was also throwing up anything we tried to feed him and the nurses weren't able to get an IV into him to give him nourishment. This was scary. Until they were able to finally get an IV in (around 8 pm) we thought he may even be transferred to Primary Children's.

I wasn't able to hold him until that evening when I felt good enough to get into a wheel chair and visit him in the nursery. Thankfully, once he had the IV, things began to get much better! The next morning he was able to be in the room with us!! His doctor decided to keep him in the hospital for a week to monitor him and make sure he received all the antibiotics to treat the pneumonia. And now, we are thankfully home with a healthy beautiful boy, yea!!! Thank you to everyone for all your prayers, concerns and love. We definitely felt your support,

New Calling

About two weeks ago I received a new calling, Second Counselor in the Young Women's Presidency! Way fun! It actually won't be too much of a change, just a little more work since before that I was the Secretary in Young Womens. Now I get to be in charge of the Beehive Mutual Activities.
But, the timing was a little stressful as far as the baby coming soon, because they still haven't called a new secretary, so I'm doing that calling as well. But, wait, that's not the end! Our Beehive Advisor (who teaches their lessons on Sunday) received a new calling the same time , so I'm also teaching Sunday lessons until they've called the new advisor! Thankfully I already know the girls, but I must say of all the times to be doing three callings, this is definitely a stressful one!! I feel like instead of getting everything in order right before the baby comes, they are rapidly piling up instead, aaaahhhh!! Hopefully the bishop has gotten the new ladies called this week so I can turn over those responsibilities to them on Sunday. And, phew, that will be a relief!

Latest Baby Update

I went in for an ultrasound today and found out our little boy is breech! Although he still has 3 1/2 weeks to turn, the doctor isn't sure he will! (The little stinker). Anyway, if he doesn't turn we may try to get him to during labor, but if there's any trouble it's straight to a C-section, yuck!
So, everyone pray that isn't the case, because getting cut open terrifies the living daylights out of me! My gallbladder surgery was bad enough and I was asleep for that! I'm just not big on getting cut open, especially while still awake. I know it's probably not that big of a deal, but to me it is, so pray your hearts out and I will too!

Oh yes, the doctor also estimates (key word) that he's already 6 pounds! Hopefully that's an overestimation or he better slow down for these last few weeks! :0) Am I a wimp or what!

Spencer's Crazy Contacts

Spencer has this great eye condition called Keraticonus, which I won't even try to describe beyond it makes his eyesight terrible! Bad enough that he reached the point his glasses or hard contacts alone aren't doing the job anymore.
So, he went to meet with a specialist in Ogden to see about getting some fancy contact lenses called hybrids, which are hard in the middle and soft on the outside. From what we understood this was one of his last options except a cornea transplant (yuck)! To our dismay the specialist had stopped recommending hybrid lenses because too many people were having problems with them. But, he still recommends the "old school" solution they call "piggy back". The idea behind it is the same as hybrids, only you wear two contacts in each eye, wild!
Soooo, that's what Spencer is doing now (wearing a hard contact on top of his soft one) and it is working great!!! Yea! He can see again and this was a way cheaper option than either a surgery or the hybrids, who knew.

Wyoming Winter Wonderland

As we returned home from church on Sunday, the snow just kept coming and coming. The only way Abby finally agreed to come inside was Spencer's promise to take her right back out after changing clothes and getting gloves. She held him to his promise!! My favorite pictures are these when she's still in her skirt and loving life! I'm so lucky to have an awesome husband who is willing to withstand the cold to let her have fun (while I relaxed in the warm, dry indoors).

Abby's first attempt at snow angels!

Once they finally came inside, they had hot chocolate with candy canes to warm their insides.

Children's Discovery Museum

While in Utah for the holidays, we also went to the museum.
Abby was in Heaven! She could barely stay with one activity
because she'd already spotted the next one she wanted to do.

She definitely takes after Spencer's love for climbing
and will climb everything (including trying the walls during Sacrament Meetings).

This horse was definitely one of her favorite parts and she's still talking about it.

Look who's in the dog house!


Melissa and Abby peeking in the "mouse hole".

Happy Holidays!

We spent the "after Christmas" holidays at my parents (the Westwoods). David had our family for Christmas and (with Mom's wonderful sewing skills) gave Abby this super cute apron, also the wicked awesome movie Kung Fu Panda!!

She enjoyed playing the piano every day while we were there, and insisted Landon sit and play next to her.

Grandpa got caught with a popsicle and sweetly shared with Abby, she remembers and talks about it"Papa gives Abby pops!".

"Wake up Papa!"
Sleeping on the floor, with Abby's toys in your arms is never a safe plan if you actually hope to get any real sleep!

Melissa, Richard, David and Jennie were nice enough to always make sure Abby had a controller too, while they played Landon's X BOX. She's pretty sure she's in the lead even if her controller is not connected.

Merry Christmas! (a little late)

We spent Christmas in Evanston which was so fun to be able to be in our own home for Christmas! We went up to the Allreds for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Abby of course was spoiled!!! And, she loved every minute of it. Her favorite seemed to be this lovely bouncy horse and her princess tent which she wants set up all the time!! Spencer and I enjoyed ourselves as well. My favorite gift was an extra special one from Spencer. He put it together completely on his own and called it "The Mother of Two Survival Kit". It came complete with coupons for anything you could think of, from diaper changes to back rubs to a full day where he takes both kids for a day and I get to do whatever I want! He was so creative with it and matched the coupons up with corresponding pictures of things (matches, MRE's, water) that would actually be in a survival kit! He even had an "official letter" describing everything and his own company name (AISI, Allred Indentured Servitude Inc.). How cute is that!

Storytime at the Library

Curious George came to storytime at the library one day and Abby STILL hasn't stopped talking about it. She got to sit on his lap, give him "high fives" and everything! Many kids were scared and wouldn't even go near him, but Abby liked him so much we had to come back the second day to see him again. She could not even wait her turn in line to sit on his lap.


Her other favorite part of story time is the "lemmy sticks" . After they read a story, every child gets two sticks and they use them to dance to music, while they click the sticks, or roll them or pat them on their heads. She loves this so much, Spencer finally made her some sticks of her own to practice with at home.