So much to be Thankful for!

From Thanksgiving 2008 to 2009 has been filled with ups and downs. I have so much to be thankful for, and I love the Thanksgiving holiday! This Thanksgiving was the first time in four years that my ENTIRE family was able to get together. Let me tell you how much has changed since then...
a sister in law...welcome Courtney to our crazy family!
and FOUR grandkids!...Kassi, Tyler, Trevor, and baby Weston!
Last time we were together there was no kiddie table. We got together at my sister Amy's house, and it was a great day! A little Macy's Parade action, the nephews wrestling uncle Jeremy, a little attitude from Kassi, FAMILY...and plenty of food! Hope eveyone had as wonderful of a Thanksgiving! :)

Trip to PA

Going back to my high school roots. I moved from PA when I was almost done with my jr year of high school. I moved during the 2002 Olympics, and have only returned once, in 2003...yep, 6 years ago! My best friend, Anna Margaret got engaged this year and I decided it was time to head back to good ol' Lewistown for her special day. I had a blast! Unfortunately, my camera batteries died, so I didn't get many pictures of me with my friends, but here are a few of my trip.
This trip meant a lot to me. I think living in Utah is great, but I am surrounded by good people and goodness. Don't get me wrong, that is a great thing! I think lately I have just been wrapped up in the overwhelming stresses of life and forgetting all that I have. I was a little nervous to head back, afraid that I wouldn't fit in anymore. I am not the only one married, but I was the only one there with kids...two! To my great surprise, I fit right back in, and felt very welcome and loved.
Talking to people and talking about Ricky, Kassi and Tyler also made me realize how beautiful my life really is, and how much I am blessed. Too bad others had to point it out to me, but I'm so glad they did! I am so grateful Ricky supported me going, and that my mom was able to come and help out with the kids so I could have that break to go back. It really was a trip I will cherish forever!

Halloween 2009

Halloween was fun...Ricky was a bum and didn't dress up this year. The kids are at those perfect ages (3 1/2 and 2) where they thought trick or treating was the greatest! Another plus, Kassi wanted to walk so we were done pretty early! It was a blast!

Beautiful October

October really was a BEAUTIFUL month. Ok, I'm a little partial to the month of October because Ricky and I got married in October, but it really is one of my most favorite months. This year was no less spectacular! We celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary by painting and working on our house. It was great! I enjoy every minute I spend with Ricky, and I love working side by side on our home. The month was filled with outdoor playtime, and playing with Ty's birthday presents. Halloween pictures will be next post. Here is what the first half of October looked like!

September

September was a crazy month. Ricky and I both started school full time at Utah State University. He was attending classes on main campus in Logan, and I in Brigham City. We also started working more with Tyler and the Up to Three program, to help his social development. We take him to the ABC class in Brigham City every Monday for 90 minutes, then he has 2 at home visits every month also. The first few weeks were rough, but we got settled in. Then our Expedition broke. It needs a new engine, but we didn't have the money to fix it, so we got by with one car. September was super stressful, but we got through it. We also took some time off to celebrate Tyler's 2nd birthday on the 27th. It was a blast! He got lots of boy toys (although he still likes playing with Kassi's babies too!) and had an amazing Cars cake...if I do say so myself! ;) He is so precious and we love his SO very much!

August 2009

My mom came out to Utah for a visit the last week of July. The kids and I followed my mom back to Colorado the frist of August, along with my older sister, Amy, and her 3 boys, Andrew, Landon and Trevor and my sister in law Courtney, with my nephew Weston. It was a fun trip! I forgot my camera, so I have no pictures. Here are some pictures of the rest of August though. My flowers were beautiful in my front yard, the kids playing in my shoes, Ricky with the kiddos, and Grandma Allred with most of the grandkids (Weston is missing :() August was lots of fun!

Fun Filled 4th!

I love Independance Day!! This year we went to Elwood for a yummy breakfast and games, then loaded up Ricky's parent's canoe and headed up Logan canyon to Tony Grove Lake. We had a great time. The kids loved being in the canoe, and did great! After canoeing for a little while we got out and went for an easy hike around the lake. Kassi walked most of it and Tyler loved it while he was being held. :) We came home and grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, and just had a wonderful 4th of July, topped off with fireworks from the comfort of our couch from Boston! Hope you all had a great holiday. How grateful I am to be an American!

Blessed

This past weekend my family had the joy of spending time with my mom and dad. This has happened a little more often since they moved to Colorado, thankfully! Ricky and I drove down and met them at the Ogden Temple. I brought my camera and couldn't resist taking a few pictures of the people I love the most! How blessed I am for great parents and a great family!

My family!

Kassi smelling the flowers...

Tyler the stud

I love this picture! Ty looks really cute, and Kassi is totally picking flowers!

Guess she needed to hold it to smell it!

At least she didn't break these ones off!

"He loves me, he loves me not"

Daddy and Tyler playing on the grass

Now if only they would smile for the camera

This is what happens when we tell Kas to put her arm around Ty...she squeezes him and he trys to push her away.

Kassi and Tyler with Grandma and Grandpa Allred

This is a really cute picture of grandpa and Ty at the water fountain.

After we were done taking pictures at the temple we went to the Treehouse Museum in Ogden and let the kids loose. It's a good thing we only have two because they took off in different directions as fast as they could go! We will need to go again so they can play with all the different activities. Here are some fun pictures taken at the museum. Riding horses

She loves trains!

I don't usually like pictures of myself, but I didn't think this one was too bad. I was trying to get a shot with the pretty fish behind me, but the fish didn't really show up in the picture.

This was the favorite for Ty. I think he came back to it about five times.

Playing with the farm animals

There's a smile! She never looks at the camera, but I'll take it!

It is so fun to see her imagination take off!

Kassi and I playing with the animals from Kenya

One more family shot

My very cute mom and dad. I love you both so much! Thanks for spending the day with my family! The kids loved it! You guys are great!