Return to Arizona

We safely arrived back home in Snowflake. We enjoyed cool rain storms through northern Texas and into Arizona. Most of the 18 hours of driving were actually quite enjoyable, long but fun too. Emma did so well. We had a basket of toys on one seat next to her and books on the other. She really did entertain herself pretty well. We split the drive into two shorter days which helped a lot. The hotel stay on the way out was miserable. We tried putting her down in a crib first, and then the bed, then in my arms, then the crib and finally in the bed again. However, last night was wonderful. She laid right down in the bed and went to sleep!! We all slept in as we were in no hurry to get on the road. Emma woke up at 7 and even went back to bed with me till 8am.

It was so nice to visit all the family. It is a blessing that they are all grouped so close together right now. That will probably change quickly in the next year. We were able to see James and Jamie's beautiful little girl, Summer. Emma took right to her and even held her. Her favorite was to keep pinching Summer's nose and saying "poopy." We went swimming, go-carting, out to favorite restaraunts not found in little ole Snowflake, shopping, to the park and Carusel, and of course Harry Potter (Emma did not go to that). We also got to be present for my brother's exciting news that his wife is finally pregnant after so many years of trying. Congrats you two!

The hardest part is of course saying good-bye. I hate that part. I'm not a huge hugger but like to give and get them, just seem to forget to do it, but I hate good-byes. I do them quickly and jokingly to alleviate the crack and pain in my heart and the tears that always flow either in the plane or the car as we drive away. Distance is made so much easier travelled than it was 100 years ago but yet still seems so hard. I love our little life in our little town in our little house but I ache for my family. I look forward to many more trips...and dread many more good-byes. Pictures to follow in the next few days.

Congratulations Cale!

So Cale has continued playing on our old ward's softball team since he started there and they went all the way to the tournament undefeated. Well, the tournament finals are this weekend and we will miss them and the sem-final game this Thursday. Cale is really bummed about this as he has really enjoyed the guys he plays with and the sport. Tonight was the final game for him and they were playing the "best" team in the league. Our church actually combines our stake with the Taylor stake (right next to us) and also allows other churches not of our faith to play too. The game tonight was against one of the other best teams out there, one of these other churches. They gave us a run for our money (ok, the games are free, but you get it...). At one point we were down 17 runs. They call the games at 20 runs ahead. We have always been on the other side, never down. Well in the last couple innings, the guys rallied and came back to be ahead 18-17 and then the other team had bats and scored 4 runs. We luckily had last bats and needed 4 runs to win. The first two outs came way too quickly which left Cale batting with 2 out and still 2 runs down. He'd had a good night all night but this hit was the most important. Emma and I were praying, "Just don't get out, Just don't get out." We knew Cale would be devestated to lose the game and not get to play again. The first pitch came and Cale took it. It was a high ball deep to left field. Emma and I began chanting, "Please be over his head, please be over his head..." It was! Cale batted in all 3 runners and cleared 3rd base as they called the game! Way to go Cale! We are so proud of you. The stands went crazy. Everyone was screaming and cheering for Cale! Emma started cheering "Daddy, Daddy." We love you Cale and just wanted to share your fun night! If you can't compete in the tournament this weekend at least you went out with a bang!!

New Number

So with all the changes we have been making, here is another one for you all. We are dropping our cell phone and going back to a home phone. Here is the number: 928.536.5298

Bugs!

I have enjoyed many of the changes having moved to Arizona; however, I have not enjoyed the huge bugs during the summer months! Grasshoppers everywhere, beetles, cockroaches, and strange spiders that have luckily been few in number but creepy and gross none-the-less. Tonight however, was the grossest of all, maybe because I found it crawling on the floor of my daughter's room and maybe my protective mother bear instincts kicked in but after turning Emma's room upside down looking for anymore we determined it safe to put her to bed. I then began my crazy internet search for this disgusting inch + long bug. It looks like a giant ant and I mean giant. I have finally determined it to be a Jerusalem Cricket, harmless but can leave a painful bite. It also makes a slow drum like sound that sounds like water dripping, which Cale now tells me he heard earlier today in the bathroom! Please let it be the same bug and just made a journey to Emma's room rather than having one in there too! If you click on the title "Bugs!" at the top of this post it will take you to the creepy picture.

Danae pleae still come visit us! We are spraying for bugs ASAP!!

Updates!

Well, we officially moved into our new home. We have been very busy with lots of little things and a couple big things like painting and the giant leak in the ceiling! Apparently our inspectors missed the broken condensation pipe in the attic. Thus, for the week we ran our air conditioning the condensation water was just piling on our ceiling until it finally started leaking and almost crashed in. It is now fixed and awaiting my paint job. I offered to paint to keep the bill lower for the inspectors and because I'm gonna paint over it anyway.

As for painting, we have been enjoying the freedom of getting to choose anything other than white walls! However, some colors have been harder to pick than others. Pictures to follow when we finish!

Our yard is our other big project. We are currently trying to just control the weeds, price fencing, plan a sprinkler system, level and fill the yard, sod and plant flower beds! Yes, it is a lot and will take years to complete. However, Cale did get his solar path lights in!

We miss everybody and are so greatful to all our friends and family that have helped us save costs on kid clothes (thanks Rayann) and other things to be able to save for our house! Come visit! The door is always open (actually they are always locked since Emma can open these style doorknobs but we'll unlock them for you!)!

The Allen's are Moving!!

After 6 1/2 years of marriage, we are finally settling down in one place long enough to purchase a house! Yippee! We are so excited to no longer be renting apartments, no matter how nice they may have been. We thought we'd post some pics for you all to see. We purchased a 1/2 acre of land with the house. the house was built in 2005, 1500 sq. ft. and has only had one set of renters/people live in it. It's been empty for the last year and is actually in great shape. It is 3 bedroom, 2 bath with attached garage. The ceilings are all vaulted helping it to feel bigger. The back has a nice big covered patio and as you can see, the yard needs a lot of work.

The office

Emma's Room

Emma's Bathroom


Master Bathroom

Master Bedroom

Master Closet

Go Carting!

Children MUST be at least age 2 to ride the go-carts. Well, I guess Emma looked that big cuz nobody ever asked and so Cale took her riding with him. She loved it and so did dad! However, she did start to slide down under the seat belt towards the end of the ride. She tried so hard to stay up but was just too little, even if she's taller than most two year olds!

Emma turns 15 months!

Well, my little Emma is now a big 15 months old! She had her doctor's checkup and was still big! She is over the 95th percentile for height (34 inches I think) and is right at the 95th percentile for weight, 27 pounds (with clothes on). She is currently in a growth spurt I think because she had lost 3 pounds a few weeks ago but must have shot up in height since she was eating tons!

She got her last shot today until she is 4 years old! She was such a brave girl. She didn't even cry at all. I strategically gave her her sippy cup of milk right before the shot was given. She flinched but decided she liked the milk and wanted to keep drinking. Why did I not try this bit of inspiration months ago?!! She was very happy to get her sucker though and enjoyed that all the way home.

Danae Comes to Visit...again!

Danae was able to come visit again and we were so happy to see her! That is a second visit for those of you trying to win the favorite Auntie position, FYI. Emma obviously adores her and had lots of fun making a new friend! We took Danae to Flagstaff to meet her ride on Monday night. She had gotten a hotel there for the night and left Tuesday morning. Since she had a nice hotel and a pool, she/we took Emma swimming. Danae and and I opted to watch and film and so Cale had fun playing with Emma in the water. She loved it. She did not want to get out and the pool was cold. So cold, that her lips kept chattering. I'd make her get out for a minute, literally, wrap up in a towel, and then she'd jump back in whether someone was there to catch her or not.

Favorite Memories From Texas Trip!

I have finally gotten around to posting some pics from our trip to Houston. Here are some favorites:

Wrestling with Grandpa Scott and Grandma

Uncle James and Aunt Jamie (had to put her cute prego tummy in here)

Stroller walks to take the girls to school in the mornings with Grandma

Scary Uncle Craig! lol

Grandpa's Chair

The piano and Krista

The Blocks with Uncle Brett...so much that we bought our own!

The Stairs! We need some of those.

And the trampoline! We definitely need one of these.

Back!

My new phone has finally arrived and you all may now contact me again at the same number as before to tell me how wonderful I am! Just kidding, but my phone is working again! Hallelujah! I definitely realized in these 2 weeks without a phone two things: 1- nobody calls me and 2- I make so many calls just for everyday life! THe good news is that now Emma has her very own phone(the broken one) and I have my very own phone. So far she seems to love getting to play with the once forbidden phone! We'll see how long that lasts!

Help, help, help!

So our phone is dead....dead dead. Which means that all of your lovely phone numbers went with it. So if you could be very kind, please send me your phone numbers to my blog or my email. I may have some in my address book but just in case, please send them to me! And until we get a new phone, we can be contacted through email or you can leave a message on our phone and we will check them often and email you back!

Texas!

I did not drop off the face of the blogging world again, I did not feel the need to post for my family as I was with my family...in Texas!!!! I decided that I needed to see my family and they needed to see Emma so I conspired with my sister-in-law Brittany who is living with my parents right now (with my Brother too) to plan a baby shower for my sister Jamie but from a far here in Snowflake, Arizona. We researched a day that would work and everyone thought that I was just planning it but not coming for it. Well, in the end the secret spread to my mom and to Brittany's hubby, my brother Brett. Not bad though with so much family around. My mom even kept it from my dad! So, come Saturday night, my mom tells my dad that her sister is flying in and is stuck there in Houston for the night and could they go get her and let her spend the night. He thinks it wierd but agrees only to later see some lady not his sister-in-law waving like crazy right in his face! he finally focuses and the surprise begins! we then head home where Jamie is hanging out with the family. I got as far as the window next to the door before being spotted by Krista who runs screaming, "It's not Susan, it's Kara!!!!" It was wonderful. The shower went great. THe week was too short but lots of fun. everyone loved to see Emma so big and grown up and got lots of play time with her. Emma loved the trampoline and all of Grandma's toys!! We now need more toys, especially blocks. I miss them all already but am so glad I went. The surprise topped it off. i loved all the surprised faces!

Easter Egg Hunt

This was actually Emma's second hunt of the day. The first one was the town Easter Egg hunt and although they had a 1-2 year old category, it wasn't what we expected. Parents pulling their kids along and throwing in eggs as fast as they can. Poor little Emma barely got 1 egg! Oh well.

This hunt was much better. For starters, Emma was the only hunter! We had lunch at cale's parents house and put eggs out in their yard for her to find. Thanks to the morning town hunt she knew exactly what to do and loved it!

More Cooking!

I couldn't resist putting some more pictures of Emma helping me cook! She loves to help every time I cook anything and this time she found this apron of her daddy's and had put it on. (I shortened it up for her after a little while but she put it over her head).

Swim party!

As many moms know, some days are just forever long. This was one particular day and it was only 8am! So I called my next door neighbor and asked if her daughter Shandelle wanted to come to a swim party! We put them in their swim diapers and swim suits and into the tub! They loved it. I made the cutest video as well but accidentally deleted it. So sad. It was perfect but now you'll just have to imagine the kisses and hugs they gave each other and of course all the splashing!

Dancing

Well, I think I am finally caught up for now with Emma's progress. She sure is cute and always keeps us laughing. She is still the huggable, loving little girl she always was. I'm so greatful that she didn't "grow out" of that. I love her hugs and her kisses, and her smiles. I also love to watch her dance.