Greer Pastures

Happy Birthday Cinnamon!

2012-01-26T13:55:00.000-08:00

Charlotte has been obsessed lately with her bear, Cinnamon. Cinnamon eats with us, watches movies with us, checks the mail with us and is a very good napper! Charlotte informed me that Cinnamon's birthday was January 4th, but she was not going to leave me alone until Cinnamon's birthday was properly celebrated! So, we invited a few friends over and gave Cinnamon the time of her life (and probably Charlotte's as well). Char's had a little cough the past few days and just this morning she told me how glad she was that she wasn't sick for Cinnamon's party! What a crack up she has been. And so ready to grow up. Other information I've gathered from her over the past few weeks...

Top 10 reasons why Charlotte would like to be a Mom right now:
1. To have her own phone
2. To have her own gum
3. To have her own purse
4. To have her own makeup
5. To get her ears "peered" (pierced)
6. To put a feather in her hair
7. To dye her hair
8. To make her own dinners (or rather decide on her own dinners is more likely what she's thinking)
9. To have a real baby of her own
10. To be a mom with me!

(Side note: I was trying to remember a few of the reasons she'd mentioned so I asked Char, "Why was it you wanted to be a mom?" Answer: "Oh, I don't want to be a mom anymore." "Why not?" "Because I didn't know you had to die." So apparently she thinks I'm going to die soon...fabulous!)

Pine Top 2012

2012-01-16T11:29:00.000-08:00

With Bekki and her family in town from China, the Allred clan all took a couple trips up to Pine Top to catch some "major air!" The kids had a blast sledding...even Hazel until I went down with her and we had a bit of a crash landing. Fun times!

2011-10-06T14:53:00.000-07:00

This is the moment when it's time to throw in the towel and call it quits. The moment where I look at my blog header and realize we're one child down and soon that number will grow to two. But then I have another realization. The pictures in our home are proof of just three grubby, little Greers vacating our home. And I'm probably not allowed to call it quits on my home (or am I?). So maybe, just maybe keeping the blog (and the house) will shame me into including our sweet little Hazel Nut in the mix. Problem is, I can't even remember how to change that photo. And so the shame lingers on...along with the blog.

But just so I don't completely destroy Hazel's self-confidence here are a few pictures to prove she's alive and well in the Greer home.

China: Part III

2011-01-19T08:23:00.000-08:00

Can't find my Great Wall pictures! I'm sure they'll show up eventually. Meanwhile, here's Part III

Tongli

This place was so awesome. They call Suzhou the "Venice of the East" because of all these little water towns they have surrounding the city.

This guy was making hair combs out of some sort of animal bone...whatever that thing hanging over the side is.

And this guy totally stole the show. He was busting out song in Chinese intermittently trying to get us to buy his "ginger sugar." Looks like taffy to me. Kind of doubt it actually tasted like taffy.

Notice the exposed bum crack on this little dude...nice!

And another one.

Sweet baby Jackson

We took a ride on these gondola type boats. Beautiful weather, scenery; interesting scope. All around a very lovely time.

Views from our row around town...

If you paid this guy, he'd push his birds down to grab a fish. Kind of sad and interesting to see.

Trying to be Karate Kid.

People left notes all over this really cool paper store.

Poor Dale, patiently waiting with all the bags while we girls shopped the day away.

China: Part I

2011-01-01T21:09:00.000-08:00

Get ready to scroll. Lots of pictures. Very little commentary.

Strolling around the streets of Shanghai...

There's a sweet baby Jackson in there somewhere...

Home of the first Communist party meeting--very important...

More streets of Shanghai and views of Pearl Tower. Soooo pretty!

Beijing:

The Forbidden City...

Outside entrance to Drum Tower...

This lady was not happy that her charming salesmanship did not result in my buying her plethora of tourist goods...

On our way up the very steep flight of stairs to the drum tower...

Inside the drum tower...
These drums were pretty awesome and would probably have been even more awesome if we had made it on time for the performance. Next time. Hazel looks like she's having fun, huh?

The Olympic Green...

Bird's Nest

Pretty much there are guards everywhere doing a whole lot of nothing--except smiling and waving when they catch you taking their picture!

Pictures of the Great Wall next!

Time for a new header?

2010-11-25T22:10:00.000-08:00

Every time I go to change it, I can't bring myself to do it. Partly (let's be honest), because I'm lazy; partly (let's be even more brutally honest) because I looked a whole lot better then than I do now; and partly (here's the kicker) because all our gazes are pinned on Ellie who is SUCH a ray of sunshine in my life right now and without whom our home would be a whole lot more contentious. But, poor Hazel's going to wonder about her significance in the family! So, maybe by Christmas? Not making any promises.

Really I just wanted to add my thank yous to all y'all's blogs out there. I left my family for a ten day hiatus half way around the world and am humbled, knowing that an amazing husband and true friends made that possible. It meant so much for me to get to see my sister and her family (including their new addition to the family, baby Jackson) in their element and spend that time with them. So, Josh in case I haven't said this enough, thank you for holding down the fort, pulling through for Jonah's surprise star student of the week, getting the kids bathed here and there, speaking in church, getting in those last billable hours...all of that AND getting the morning dishes done. It's more than I manage. I love you 2 lbs. cot. Happy Thanksgiving!

Pictures of China to come (I really hope)!

Giveaway for Tonight!

2010-11-06T14:14:00.000-07:00

I have 2 free tickets to tonight's Symphony of the Southwest concert (see previous post) for anyone interested and in the area. Let me know! Also, there's a promo price of $8 for students and their families. Just use the code YOUTH when purchasing tickets.

Let's Play Music!

2010-10-21T10:19:00.000-07:00

Big Giveaway...Free Tuition!!

http://makingmusicians.typepad.com/making_musicians/2010/10/big-giveawayfree-tuition.html

Who wouldn't try for a chance at free tuition? Plus it's an opportunity to get the word out there about this amazing program.

Here was my response for why I love 'Let's Play Music.'

The answer is a no-brainer. Something very miraculous happens when practice time comes around at our house. The kids enter the music room with SMILES on their faces. Yes you heard that right, smiles. And not even the sarcastic ones they often flash me. 100% genuine. Any organization that can make music such an enjoyable part of our lives will forever have my support! And of course our blessed teachers have everything to do with that success. A humongous thank you to our LPM teachers, Ms. Rosanne Tidwell and Ms. Melanie Wallace in Gilbert, Arizona! We love you!

It isn't real.

2010-10-04T16:16:00.000-07:00

There's no such thing as Autumn come September 23rd in Arizona no matter how many pumpkins we pick, how many pictures we take in the corn patch and how many wreathes adorned with red, gold, and orange we hang from our doors. You fellow Arizonans know what I'm talking about. Can feel my pain even. We've all tried desperately to bring on Fall. I hate to contradict the kids' teachers when Ellie comes home saying, "Mom, it's Fall now and the leaves are going to change colors and start falling from the trees!" But still, some effort has to be made. I want so desperately for it to at least feel like Fall. And so I take the pictures and hang the wreaths.

These pictures were taken near Young at Mom's house where it's about 10 degrees closer to being Fall. Thanks Mom for the pumpkins!

Pumpkins with cousins.

I'm loving Char's faces lately. This one here matches the way she feels about Halloween. A little apprehensive. She has informed me that she's not going to Halloween because there will be scary witches.

Mom, baby Noelle, Char, Ellie, and Grandpa Dale

Ellie's PInkalicious 5th Birthday!

2010-09-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

Princess Ariel's Debut

2010-09-22T09:54:00.000-07:00

(Please excuse Ariel's immodesty. Her top is in the shop.)

A Hunting We Will Go: Part II

2010-09-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

I know in the past I've perhaps hinted that I'm not crazy about Josh's latest obsession with hunting. And maybe it's not fair to call it an obsession. Not the point. The point is, I may have to eat my words a little. Saturday night Josh decided it was time to get the kids out of the house and took all three (Hazel can't hold a gun yet) out to the desert to shoot some dove. Time to myself with just the babe...how can I complain? The kids had a fabulous time. Jonah and Ellie shot their first dove with a little help from their Pa. And Jonah learned the art of wringing a dove's neck. Oh yes, I'm about to throw up just thinking about it. I'm praying very hard that these "life skills" Josh thinks is appropriate to teach Jonah are going to save us in times of famine because I can barely stand to think of how else they might be useful. However, the situation is hopeful. Dove was on the menu for Sunday night dinner. I was skeptical to say the least. Amazingly, all three kids ate it...ate it all gone in fact! Granted, Josh had done his darndest, calling in all his culinary skills to ensure the kids' satisfaction. Turns out dove's not bad when you marinade it in milk, lime and about 50 various spices for three days and then smother it in BBQ sauce before grilling it. Of course once you get past the BBQ sauce, you're still eating dove which is the part I have trouble with. It's not entirely unlikely the kids just didn't chew. Still, I'm impressed.

A Hunting We Will Go

2010-08-31T19:56:00.000-07:00

I'm amused by how the dynamics in our family are constantly changing. There was a time, if I think really hard, I can remember it was all about Jonah and Ellie. I can recall video clip after video clip of them playing around, being goofy together. Then Charlotte "came of age" and suddenly it was all about Ellie and Char. Best of friends, joined at the hip, staying up 'till 9 pm every night playing hard. Charlotte wouldn't even let Jonah wake her up from her nap today. She wanted Ellie. And Jonah accepted this like it was the most natural thing in the world. So, now that Ellie has gone off to school with Jonah this year, it's been fun to see the shift back towards Jonah and Ellie a little bit. Every day I pick the two of them up from school, they come walking toward me, hand in hand; the way they've been walking from the moment Jonah picks Ellie up from her classroom. Oh my precious...is all I have to say about that.

Then there was this morning. Perhaps you weren't aware, but September 1st is a holiday here in the Valley of the Sun. And in our family it's second only to, say Christmas. I know you're racking your brain trying to come up with something. Give up? Okay. Dove Hunting Season (yes...it's deserving of all those capitals). Don't feel too bad. I wasn't aware myself until a certain abandoned talent resurfaced in my husband, many years after we married (I'm quite certain I would have at least hesitated when Popped the Question had I known about this hidden talent). Needless to say, Jonah is ecstatic about getting to take a school morning off to hunt with Dad. And this year's special because Ellie's four now and can go with the boys. Early this morning as I lay in bed with a few tiny extras, I hear Jonah whispering to Ellie the delights tomorrow's hunt holds for them both. Jonah was giddy with excitement perhaps more for Ellie than himself. "Ellie, I just know you're going to love it!" He told her all about his hunting vest that holds bullets in the front, dead animals in the back. He told her about waking up early, about the different kinds of birds they'll encounter.

It has been fun to see Jonah and Ellie get a little of their alone time back. Meanwhile, Charlotte has gotten to bestow all the hugs and kisses she wants on her baby sister with minimal competition (there's still me!). And I'm so grateful for this time my babies get to be young, carefree and so excited about life. Suddenly I understand the wisdom in "becoming like a child." I could for sure use a little more of that in my life!

I've been neglectful of Hazel. But of course she's just perfect. She could be more perfect if she'd take a nap longer than 30 minutes, but I'm fine settling for perfect. She's so tiny, but so wiry. She does this funny thing when I put her on her knees where she hops up onto her feet. I see yoga in her future. How else do you explain her downward-facing dog at 5 months??

(I'm bummed the pictures are blurry. I'll have to try again soon. )

And finally, here's Charlotte's first day of preschool. She cried the first day, but then came home and threw up that night so I'm thinking it was more being sick than being sad. She now regularly gives me reports on how she's held up in preschool. Today's report: "Today I was happy, Mom! When my tummy hurts, I not going be happy, but when my tummy doesn't hurt, I going be happy!"

P.S. Grandma, the kids thank you for the fun postcards you sent them! Hazel thought the most of them.

Random

2010-08-23T16:06:00.000-07:00

Part of what has taken me so long to blog is trying to organize it all. So I decided not to try and instead just get it done.

School and the craziness has begun. Trying to have a good attitude about that. Our California trip was amazing and I'll soon have to post, but meanwhile Jill wrote a sweet post about it here.

Lately I've been chuckling at the funny things the kids come up with.

Char: "Mom, can I please change my name to Ellie?"

Me: (heartstruck) "Why? Charlotte is a beautiful name."

Char: "No it's not. Charlotte is a silly name." (Keep in mind, everything is silly to Char. The girl at the mall who's hair was blue and who's ear had a thorn through it was silly. Sadly, the only comment Charlotte made to her was, "Why isn't your hair purple? I'd like mine purple.")

On to first day of school pictures...

First day in the first grade.

First day of Kindergarten!

Charlotte was not happy to see Ellie go.

Reconciliation.

Child #2 handed over to the public school system.

I think over all Ellie's first day of Kindergarten was a huge success. Well...there was the "Meet the Creature" night where in Ellie's words the teacher was "...kind of freaking me out." Oh yes, and the fact that she was accidentally sent home on the bus the first day of school in place of an Eliza. So maybe it was just a memorable first day of school!

Moving on with the randomness...

Last night the girls' dinner conversation turned to 'What I want to be when I grow up.' Ellie wants to be a "Put cute princess paint on your cheeks and make your hair and put on a dress and put on shoes--I mean slippers, maker." All this in addition to her previous desires to be "...a mom, a hair maker and a ballet teacher." Char's ambitions are no less impressive. She wants to be a "...mommy baby diaper changer." Oh, and a ballet teacher just like Ellie. No surprise there.

Also last night Jonah and I had a "discussion"on why he hasn't gotten the Wii back yet. When I tried to provide him with an explanation he slapped his hands over his ears and exclaimed, "Why don't you just stop this nonsense and give me the Wii back instead!"

Today Jonah redefined The Golden Rule: "I'll be mean to you if you are mean to me."
It's not exactly the way we've taught it at home. And for sure not the way it goes in The Bernstein's Bears: The Golden Rule (courtesy of Chik-fil-A).

Charlotte: Upon waking up from her nap, still laying in bed. "Mommy! Wake. Me. Up!"

I really do love my kids. I can't help it if most of what makes me laugh, makes them cry. That's just the way it is. It could be worse. We could both be crying.

Allred Hotel

2010-07-29T20:18:00.000-07:00

I went back to the house this morning and took some pictures--for the last time! I still can hardly believe it. I actually ran into the new owners who were doing their walk through and it was just so crazy to try and picture any family other than ours living there. The wife was super cute and had the thought that she might pour cement near where our hand prints are on the sidewalk and add their own. I almost started bawling right there.

Anyway, here are the pictures. I became a little obsessed with the apple.

Jonah, practicing his hand at photography.

Here I was worried the scorpions were going to come out and get me when really I should have been worrying about the ants that were crawling into Hazel's car seat, biting her chubby little legs!

Blog Fog

2010-07-27T21:29:00.000-07:00

Somehow I'm just not feelin' the whole blog thing. It seems everything I really want to say is either too personal or too lame to put out there. And yet, I've loved having the blog to keep track of our lives, however lame. So I'm torn. And undecided--which means you get to put up with me for a while longer...if you're still there that is :)

Tonight Josh and I went to the temple. I didn't want to go. We had a million errands to run before our California trip this weekend and I'm stressing out (which Josh has informed me I am not allowed to do). But because I try to be obedient every now and then we went and I'm so glad we did. I just kept having the overwhelming feeling that I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I got to leave a little more grateful for my religion and a little less worried about whether or not we'll have toilet paper at the beach house. Granted, the gratitude only lasted me about 6 seconds before I started worrying again. Hey, that just means I need the temple even more and that's not a bad thing.

For the Greer archives:

Char is officially potty-trained! I'm going to ignore that she peed on the floor yesterday and today. Those isolated incidences were strictly random and are in no way indicators that I have failed in my third attempt to successfully potty train our children. Seriously, would that be depressing or what?! Right. Moving on.

My childhood home is sold. It was sold once before...and then purchased again. But I'm afraid the permanence is real this time. I didn't expect to be very emotional about it. It's hit or miss with me. I cry without fail when the plane's going down in 'The Incredibles' yet I didn't see the sale of the home I lived 18 years in as much of a tear jerker. Then I took a couple friends to the house for some end of the season apple picking before closing date. I gave them the grand tour, showed them the "secret" room and the memories came flooding back. I'll admit, good and bad. That house holds them all. Moving the infernal, scorpion-infested wood pile along just about the entire perimeter of the yard. The gardens, corn patches and bountiful fruit tress. Best friends' homes on either side of mine. Playing 'scarder than heck' with the lights off, pitch-blackness, going around the house trying to scare the heck out of each other. Our hand prints in the sidewalk that curves around the house. Skating parties out on the driveway where you could hear us making up dances to 'Bar, bar, bara anne.' The music. Always the music with my mom and her fifty violin students, my sister's twenty, my ten. And my Dad. I'll miss my Dad in that house. He's everywhere in it. It was his dream. How grateful I am that he took a chance in building that home. I have all my childhood memories to thank him for. While we were picking apples, one of my friends asked, "Did you know you had a cool house?" I'm not sure I thought about it when I was a kid. Lots of my friends had cool houses. Looking back I realize just how "cool" it was. And again, I'm nothing but grateful. Farewell, old 158th street home. Serve your new family well.

Hazel/Charlotte

2010-06-28T15:06:00.000-07:00

These are some of my favorites from when Hazel was about 2 weeks--taken by Jill, my super awesome photographer friend. If you haven't checked her out yet, you're totally missing out.

Have you seen this yet??

2010-06-15T22:44:00.000-07:00

I'm ready to trade in my Odyssey.

Oh yeah...

2010-06-15T22:25:00.001-07:00

it was Char's third birthday almost a month ago! Story of my life. I feel like everything's slipping through the cracks. I could not wait for summer to hit just so things could slow down. Wishful thinking.

My attempt at a recap (in reverse order since I'm too lazy to fix it!)...

Sadly, I only managed one lousy picture of Char's birthday. We had family over for dinner, presents and cake. Charlotte, in all her three year old glory, rules the roost around here. All it takes is one look from those huge, puppy dog eyes of hers and you're in trouble.

Right after school let out we headed up to Haigler where Mom just finished her new home! It was gorgeous and of course very nice to get out of the heat.

The kids did great on their recitals. Char was hilarious trying to play her fingers (which she doesn't know how to do yet). Everyone kept laughing which just fueled the fire.

Ellie had several little friends in dance class with her. The girls were darling and Ellie loved her "hound-dog" skirt (danced to 'You Ain't Nothing but a Hound Dog').

So that's it for now. I'm hoping the rest of this summer can just chill a bit!

Hazel's Blessing

2010-05-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

The pictures are grainy but it was the best I could do with a screaming baby.

Hazel babe, I love you but am thinking it would be nice if you didn't have to scream every time I put you down :) Other than that, you are a perfect angel and stared right into Great Papa's eyes during the beautiful blessing your father gave you.

Still love you to pieces,
Mom

P.S. Compliments to Grandma Allred for the exquisite baby's blessing gown she crocheted!

What goes around comes around.

2010-04-30T12:34:00.000-07:00

Hazel,

Of course I was right.

The only sure way of relieving your two-day constipation was to replace the snuzzler I had previously removed from your last blowout. The second I did, was almost the exact second you took care of business.

So baby, you can thank me for relieving your pain...and cleaning up all that poop. I'll be expecting repayment in say, fifty to sixty years.

Love,

Your ever devoted Mother

Dude.

2010-04-22T21:46:00.000-07:00

Sleep my treasure,
Close to mother.
Sleep my baby, dude?

This is how Ellie was singing the lullaby in the back of the car. And then she asked Char, "Do you know why I say 'dude?' It's because the baby is a boy. Girls are ladies and boys are dudes."

She said it so matter of fact...I couldn't help but bust a gut. She didn't see the humor in it. Never mind that the word there is 'do' not 'dude.'

Still, she kept singing along like a rock star. "Char, listen. This one's about a girl baby. Sleep my treasure, close to mother, sleep my baby lady."

So in case you were wondering, boys are dudes.

T-ball

2010-04-16T08:26:00.001-07:00

When I asked Jonah which he preferred, soccer or T-ball he said, "I like them about the same." After pondering the matter a few seconds more he countered, "Well, I like T-ball better because I don't have to run as much...and we get to sit out for a long time." So basically what you're telling me Jonah is that you don't like sports. And I'm thinking, if that's the case why am I loading up four kids in the car twice a week, adding to our already crazy schedules to have you participate in something neither you or I enjoy? It's true. I admit it. I don't like sports. At least not your typical American boy sports...football, basketball, baseball. To this day if ever you find me in a sports arena, I may appear to be intently following the game when in reality I'm more likely to be pondering life's quandaries. Give me volleyball, racquetball, ping-pong--but who's heard of a 6 yr. old ping-pong league? In China maybe?

Yet amidst all my complaints I have found one reason for the twice-a-week, self-inflicted torture.

Pictures.

And my heart melts to see him in his very professional looking get up, even if it is just T-ball.

By the way, he has come to enjoy T-ball quite a bit of late and so I'm feeling much better about the craziness.

And while we're on the subject of Jonah, I don't think I ever posted pictures from his SIXTH birthday. Oh my, the boy's growing up too fast.

We went with a Batman theme this year...

...the kids had fun with the black frosting.

The girls bought him this water gun for his birthday, but one water gun in the possession of a six year old boy against two (now three) defenseless girls equals major trauma. So that night we bought two more to even out the playing field. Problem solved. Except maybe for Char--she can dish it, but she can't take it.

2010-04-14T20:27:00.000-07:00

I've found I can get a lot done while nursing...especially when the girls are such willing models for an impromptu photo shoot on the couch. Truth be told, I was nursing, they were begging me to take pictures and the camera happened to be within arm's reach. I actually prefer to get nothing done while nursing. I figure it's about the only time I get to spend with child #4 and it's precious--especially now that she's busting out smiles and coos for mom. I couldn't be more in love.

Mr. Bubbles...

2010-04-09T18:25:00.000-07:00

Don't ask how he came to be thus (I don't remember), but for some reason that was the name Josh bequeathed dear, sweet (hot) Michael. And last night we saw him in the flesh.

Good times were had. Thank you Mr. Bubbles (and Uncle Fennemore for providing the tickets).

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T10:17:00.000-07:00

The Easter Bunny was very good to us this year...

Here are a few more of the kids Easter morning.

Hazel decides that we're done.

Hazel Julia

2010-03-16T21:17:00.001-07:00

Now ten days old, meet the newest love of our lives...

I feel great really. Other than the emotional blow Ellie dealt me minutes after arriving home from the hospital.

"Mom, why is your stomach still big?"

"Well, it takes a little while to get back to normal." (Never mind that "a little while" translates to about a year for me) And then I motioned, "At least I'm not this big anymore."

"Yeah, you're not one hundred big!"

Nothing like a 4 year old's honest convictions to boost your postpartum self esteem.

Got giggles?

2010-02-24T18:57:00.000-08:00

I was laying down the other day and for some crazy reason Jonah gets it in his head he wants to rest with me. Not quite one minute into our rest and Jonah starts laughing.

"What's so funny, Jonah?"

"I was just having a funny dream. Remember at Haigler the bat that was in my suitcase?"

"Yeah, I remember. That was kind of funny." (I'm thinking maybe terrifying's a better word.)

Quiet. And then Jonah starts laughing hysterically.

"What's funny now?"

"I'm having the same dream."

And I'm thinking, I desperately need a nap right now. But then before I know it I can't stop laughing either. And so I guess what I desperately needed was a good laugh. Thanks for keeping me in line, Jonah.

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T13:05:00.000-08:00

Can you feel the love?

And see the stamps all over this girl's face?

I'm a mean, mean mom..

2010-02-05T19:40:00.000-08:00

...or so I've been told by my 5 year old. Not only am I a mean, mean mom but if I don't give him 5 pieces of candy, read him a story and sing him a song tonight, I'm not getting a Valentine from him. This makes me a sad, sad mom.

"Well, I'll still make you a Valentine, but you're not getting two."

And one is what I got.

Charlotte Get Your Hair Cut

2010-01-24T16:16:00.000-08:00

I take a quick jaunt to Alabama and come back to what has gently been termed a "pixie" cut on Char. If we're being honest it could more accurately be called a bush-wacking by Ellie. Still, I have to admit, it's pretty cute. And now we're twins cause I did the same thing to mine (without Ellie's help).What's funny is that if you ask Char who cut her hair she'll tell you "Amy" (the lady at the salon). Her loyalty is to her sister...a good thing? I'm still deciding.

Not related, but note worthy is that I love, love, love that Jonah considers himself the authority on birds. He for sure knows more than me on the subject (which he's very quick to point out). During lunch the other day he turned his chair around to watch the birds after which his sisters quickly followed suit. It was a little surreal. Silence during meal time. I love that bird feeder.

Christmas Past

2010-01-08T08:06:00.000-08:00

Here was our Christmas in a flash.

Ellie's Dance Recital "Up on a Housetop." She totally succeeded in teaching the entire thing to both Char and Josh. I should get a video of that!

Christmas Eve

Christmas morning

"All for the Little Ones' Christmas joys."

Mermaid Mountain for Ellie. (Note: When the 'Constuctive Playthings' catalog inexplicably shows up in the mail next year 2 weeks before Christmas--throw it away immediately!)

A dolly for Char.

And Lego Star Wars for Jonah.

Josh totally got me this year by planning fake magnetic earrings for the girls' stockings and letting me think he put some in my stocking as well so it was a girl thing. They weren't fake and they weren't magnetic.

Char wins this year for being the most excited. True, she didn't have as clear an idea what was going on as the other kids, but this is also why she was so much fun. Every present was the best, including the $1 dollar dolly and clothes Jonah got her.

I'm not sure I've fully come to terms with the fact that the boys in our family are hunters--I just didn't grow up that way. Jonah on the other hand, has completely and irrevocably come to terms with it and was thrilled to have his very own hunting jacket that holds bullets in the front and dead animals in the back. Okay, I may never come to terms with this.

I'm much happier to see him building Legos with Dad.

Ellie's obsession with headbands has no fashion sense to it, but boy is it cute! The one she fashioned the other day had about 5 different clips attached to it. And yes, I let her wear it to church.

Hope everyone had a very merry Christmas!!

Deck the Halls

2009-12-21T07:44:00.000-08:00

Ellie has been decking our halls with various ribbon scraps she finds laying around the house and is convinced..."Santa's going to be like, this house has the prettiest decorations!" I quite agree, Ellie.

Jonah had an interesting derision of this particular carol. Rather than 'Tis the season to be jolly, he's been inadvertently singing "Change the season to be jolly." I'm loving it, especially considering my efforts of late to make this holiday as stress-free as possible. We've been having a blast. This week, like everyone else I'm sure, we have something every night. This is how I've decided to approach the busyness. Do we have time for it? Yes. Are there any major conflicts? No. Do we want to be there? Most definitely. So, what's left to be stressed out about? Nothing. We're changing the season to be jolly this year and reaping the benefits.

And these are just some fun pictures of Jonah with the geckos we found in our wood pile. He's fearless with these reptiles.

Holiday Cheer

2009-12-16T13:11:00.000-08:00

Here's something fun to do this weekend. I'm not playing this concert, but thought I'd still try to get the word out!

An Afternoon of Christmas Delights

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The Symphony of the Southwest invites you to attend our "Afternoon of Christmas Delights" THIS SATURDAY, Dec 19, 2:30 PM, Ikeda Theater @ the Mesa Arts Center. This special concert features Arizona Soprano Lisanne Norman (See details below) performing An Old Gaelic Carol, O Holy Night, Gesu Bambino, What Child is This, and the Twelve Days of Christmas. The audience will be invited to sing-a-long as the orchestra plays well known carols and popular Christmas songs joined side by side with the Youth Symphony of the Southwest. This program is a sure fire to put you in the holiday spirit.

SPECIAL OFFER

**Enter promo code Santa when purchasing tickets for $10 tickets per person.**
Tickets can be purchased at the Mesa Arts Center Box Office 480-644-6500 / online at

QUILT RAFFLE
In addition, we will be displaying a special quilt that will be raffled off at the end of the season as well as many other wonderful gifts you can purchase during the intermission. For pictures and further information about the quilt, click here.

For further information about the Symphony of the Southwest, visit our website: www.symphonyofthesouthwest.org

* * * * * *
Lisanne Norman

Our featured soprano soloist, Lisanne Norman, has been describe as, "A voice with limitless power and faultless technique." She has performed with Arizona Opera, Phoenix Metropolitan Opera, Utah Opera, and the Prague Radio Symphony Chamber Orchestra.

To listen to this marvelous voice, visit her website at http://www.lisannenorman.com/lisannerecordings.html

* * * * * *
Symphony of the Southwest
Quilt Raffle

This is the special quilt made by Janet Haas which we'll be selling raffle tickets for at $1 each or 6 for $5. Tickets may be purchased at the concert or call the Symphony office for more details at (480) 827-2143. All proceeds go to benefit the Symphony of the Southwest.

Ebenezer Greer

2009-12-09T12:32:00.000-08:00

Why does the most wonderful time of the year have to be the most insane time of the year? It doesn't feel like Christmas if we just hang out on our rears at home and miss out on all the seasons' delights: concerts, temple lights, boutiques, family parties, etc. And yet, that stuff makes me a little crazy. I'm looking for an expert out there that can tell me how to manage it; how to hold on to the traditions without going absolutely berserk.

I'm frustrated that two thirds of our children are already old enough to know exactly what they want for Christmas and fully expect that Santa will get it for them. I'm frustrated that the more they understand, the more about presents it becomes despite efforts to focus outwardly. And I'm frustrated that I'm letting it become about presents by stressing out over all the shopping. How sad is it that I'm already looking forward to the day they don't believe in the Fat Man so they can gain a little perspective into how the buying toys thing is linked to the Mom and Dad's budget thing?

Wow, I'm really starting to sound like a Scrooge. Maybe I could take a lesson from that literary fellow because seriously, I don't want to spend the holidays stressed and yelling at my kids...or in chains for that matter.

I'm thinking my biggest problem is having grand expectations of how this Christmas Season will go. Throw that out the window and maybe I'll be okay. It's worth a try. Not that we'll quit it all; I'm just going to enjoy the things we can show up for and not worry about the rest.

And with that I'll post some pics of the kids I took for Christmas cards (another stressful event that I'm trying to forget about).

Char loves that "ooster" (rooster) necklace she's wearing, and has been wearing for probably a month now.

So the most stressful thing about these pictures is that the red barn looking building is actually the cutest chicken coop ever located at a friend's house (so grateful she let me come use her backyard!). That doesn't sound stressful until you consider my kids were absolute sissies about the chickens. Charlotte was really freaking out and the other two weren't keen on them either. And the things don't exactly leave you alone to go about your business either. They were a little pesky. Ironically, the picture I love best (didn't post...it's our Christmas card!) worked out so nicely because they were keeping their eyes on the chickens. Really I ought to be thanking them. Anyway, I'm glad that's over with and next year I'm looking forward to a real photographer to take charge (that would be you, Jill!)

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-28T11:22:00.001-08:00

In a moment of insanity I said I would host Thanksgiving for my family of 33. And in retrospect, I'm so glad I did! Josh got to cook the turkey trying his hand at an outdoor pit, I got to make myself crazy with preparations for a perfect Thanksgiving dinner (maybe I'd let that one go next time) and we discovered our little home could do it! Not without a bit of crowding, but then my family is big...we're a crowd wherever we are.

I hope they all enjoyed it as much as I did!

Maddy, Faith, Emma and Ellie...cute girls or what?!

The extent of my creativity comes in the form of plagiarizing other people's brilliant ideas. This one comes from my friend Shawni. I loved it! Thanks, Shawni!

Notice a bit of role reversal? I tried to tell Josh that "MOM" inside-out was still "MOM." But when it comes to these big events he might as well take the credit. His smoked turkey was a-maaa-zing! I'm not one for turkey ordinarily, but was all a gobble about this year's bird. A job well done to my honey.

Char can't get enough of her cuz, Preston. Of course he is the only one that will give her piece after piece of "gon" (gum).

The feast...or half of it anyway.

A little hanging out after stuffing our faces with turkey and not yet quite feeling the effects of the tryptophan.

I love that these cousins are all best buds.

And of course I love, love, love my Allred girls! Here we are in order from oldest to youngest even (left to right): Cassi, Mikki, Kristin, Bekki, Mom (a little out of order, but then probably younger in spirit than all of us put together) and me.

Thanks to Mik for being our Thanksgiving photographer!

Shark Tooth

2009-11-12T19:22:00.000-08:00

There's a pile of yucky dishes in the sink that need some serious tending to so of course I'm blogging. The way I see it, life history also needs tending to and if one has to go...well then I'm perfectly happy to plop my tired little bum into a chair, force my tired little eyes to stay open (at 8:24 PM) and document the oh so exciting events of our oh so exciting family. Actually, this is a big one and I've been meaning to get to it for a while...

My Jonah bubs has lost his first tooth! And grown in two more. It's a little creepy looking. See for yourself.

This was taken before the one fell out. We've still got one more to go before he no longer looks like a shark.

Jonah's note to the tooth fairy was cute...

Translation: "I want the tooth fairy to pick up (my tooth). Love, Jonah." And then partially erased at the bottom, "Lost my tooth." He wrote that while Josh and I were scouring the house looking for the lost prize. We eventually found it...in the garbage.

A friend just wrote a cute post, The Truth Fairy, and it was something I've been thinking about lately. I was so afraid Jonah was going to ask if the Tooth Fairy were real because I don't ever remember believing it as a child. And I wasn't sure if I was prepared to lie about it either because let's face it, she doesn't play a super important role in the land of make believe. I'd say she ranks right up there with the Easter Bunny (not a fave with me). But more than that, I was afraid if he figured out the Tooth Fairy weren't real he'd assume Santa was no more either. A truly devastating thought.

And yet, I'm not a good liar. Let's just say I let out a big sigh of relief when he took the announcement of a magical fairy who comes in the middle of the night to snatch your tooth from underneath your pillow leaving a few coins in its place, without question.

This one's for the whole family!

2009-11-10T12:38:00.000-08:00

Tubby the Tuba and Friends, Nov 21st

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Dear Friends,

Tubby the Tuba will be performed at the Mesa Arts Center - Ikeda Theater, November 21, 2009 at 2:30 PM. This concert is held on a Saturday and will be held in the afternoon at 2:30 PM.

Tubby the Tuba and Friends will be a fun afternoon for the entire family with the Youth Symphony performing Debussy's Children's Corner, Symphony of the Southwest performing Carnival of the Animals featuring acclaimed pianists Walter Cosand and Robert Hamilton, and finally Tubby the Tuba will be narrated by special guest, the Honorable Scott Smith, Mayor of Mesa.

Concert is at the Mesa Arts Center - Ikeda Theater, November 21, 2009 at 2:30 PM. Tickets may be purchased through the Mesa Arts Center Box Office for $17. Memberships are still available starting at $50. That's the equivalent of going to the next three concerts and getting into the final concert free. And we've got some great concerts coming up with the Christmas Delights concert, the Space and Science concert performing Holst's The Planets, and our Mother's Day concert "From Paris . . . with Love." It's a great season and a great value. More membership options are listed below or can be found at our website: Memberships

This will be an entertaining afternoon, so be sure to invite your friends and family. They'll thank you for it!

* * * * * *

Walter Cosand

Walter Cosand, pianist and Professor of Music at Arizona State University, studied at Eastman School of Music with Cecile Genhart and Barry Snyder. He also studied with Joerg Demus in Europe on a grant from the DAAD. He has won several significant awards including the Eastman Concerto Competition, the grand prize from the International Piano Recording Competition and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.
For more information, visit http://www.waltercosand.com/index.html

* * * * * *
Robert Hamilton

Hamilton has made countless concert tours of four continents, appearing in the major halls of most music capitals. His orchestral engagements have included the Chicago Symphony, National Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Grant Park Symphony, Chautauqua Symphony and S.O.D.R.E. Mr. Hamilton has been heard over numerous radio networks including NPR, ABC, BBC London, Voice of America, Armed Forces Network, DRS Zurich and Radio Warsaw. He has recorded for Phillips, Orion and Summit Records.

Hamilton currently has an exciting class of international students at ASU, and has given master classes throughout the world.

* * * * * *
The Honorable Scott Smith, Mayor of Mesa

Mayor Smith serves on many boards and committees a few are the US Conference of Mayors Advisory Board, National League of Cities Transportation Infrastructure Committee, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Board and Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Council Executive Committee.

Professionally, Mayor Smith has worked for both Price Waterhouse and ExecuShare, LTD. He also worked for the University of Phoenix as an accounting and finance instructor. Most recently, Mayor Smith served as President for both Great Western Homes and K. Hovnanian Homes.

Mayor Smith earned a degree in Accounting from Brigham Young University, after completing a two-year mission in Bolivia. He continued his studies at Arizona State University earning a Master's Degree in Business Administration and a Juris Doctorate.

Do your feet have names?

2009-11-09T13:05:00.000-08:00

If you were to ask Ellie this question, the answer would be, "Yes!" And then pointing at the bottoms of her feet, "This one's Jonah and this one's Ellie."

Josh and I discovered this little secret of hers during Sacrament Meeting yesterday when, shoes kicked off, she was sitting on her knees facing the back of the pew. I look down and on the soles of her feet were written "Ellie" on her right foot and "Jonah" on her left. Looks like we need to have the FHE lesson "Our Bodies are a Temple" tonight...again.

I got a picture of it later, but it had already faded quite a bit. A close look though and you'll see what I got to see in the middle of Sacrament Meeting...not the most opportune time to bust a laugh.

Halloween 2009

2009-11-04T19:36:00.000-08:00

I have to admit, Halloween's not my favorite. The gore, the cheesy Walgreens decorations, the bucket loads of candy that inevitably I end up eating, the endless costume parties...it's all a bit much for me. This year however, I took a more chilled approach. The kids wore whatever costumes they wanted to the various parties, we carved pumpkins last minute with no expectations of winning any contests, after trick-or-treating we sat around our fire pit in our driveway with good friends and family and a few days later we set up a makeshift store of toys/gifts that required payment in candy so that hardly any is left. All in all, I'd say Halloween was a huge success. The kids are now gearing up for Christmas, asking every other minute how far away it is. It's the most wonderful time of the year around here.

Pictures from Halloween...

These are from the Allred get together we had before trick-or-treating...

Just a few of the Allred cousins getting all geared up for some serious candy snatching.

2009-10-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

Doesn't it look like Jonah could really adore a baby brother???

Unfortunately, he'll have to put that thought on hold cause we're having another GIRL!!! Yea for two bedroom homes (kids rooms, that is) and three little girls! I may really be hoping for a boy next time around (assuming I'm still sane enough for that).

Meanwhile, Jonah has contented himself with his new pet snake, Tiger. I know, I'm so full of surprises today and believe you me, the snake was a definite surprise. I've always maintained a very strict "No Pets" policy in our home, but I caved when Josh's uncle called wondering if Jonah would like to take custody of their 15 year old King snake. Well, that right there was promising. They only live 18 years or so. And the maintenance is quite manageable...if you can get over the live mouse being strangled to death about every other week. Charlotte thinks it's pretty cool. "Mouse dead?" she asks as she watches with her face pressed against the glass. Yep, we're raising some pretty tough kids who already at the age of two can understand and accept death as a natural course in life. Great.

The first day Tiger made our home his (or hers...not really sure) I though he'd escaped because I couldn't find him anywhere in the cage. I called Josh to tell him he was coming home that second. Luckily, I took another good look and saw he was hiding under the straw. No other close calls so far and for the most part I can content myself with the fact that Jonah is one very happy boy.

Ducks Unlimited

2009-10-12T07:04:00.000-07:00

Jonah received a package in the mail the other day and oh man, you've never seen a happier little boy. And rightly so, for this was a very special package--an exclusive offer to be a member of the Ducks Unlimited society.

Jonah could not stop talking about his special package, complete with mailing labels, stickers of ducks and a business card (which he promptly found a special place for in his wallet so as to keep it safe from his sisters).

The best was Sunday when he said to me, "I can not wait for church today. I'm going to ask Marc (one of Josh's buddies who he's been duck hunting with) if he's a member of the Duck club too!"

Can you believe some people would call that junk mail?

Death by Limes

2009-10-01T09:44:00.000-07:00

I know, you didn't think it possible. Our lime tree is tearing me apart piece by piece every time I go out there to harvest or water. You're thinking, ever heard of sprinklers? Yup, they're there and they're broken. So I put on a brave face for the kids, act like it's no big deal, go out there and come back fingers pierced, scratches adorning my body.

A little foresight last winter would have been helpful. Being somewhat new homeowners, we didn't even think to prune the trees. They're out of control. And being stuck between two narrow walls, it's literally like crawling through a maze of thorns. But, on the up side we have a TON of limes, so if anyone's interested I'd love to earn a few more battle wounds for your sake!

Other gardening news...

Our basil has taken off. The cilantro's still thinking about it.

The tomato plants are getting bigger..

And we've already harvested some of our corn. Props to Josh for our amazing garden!

Any Scott MacIntyre fans out there?

2009-09-30T07:29:00.000-07:00

I'm actually not playing this concert, but still should be good!

Gala Benefit featuring Scott MacIntyre

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A big thanks to everyone that has supported us in the past: those that have been donors, ticket buyers, volunteers, and board members. It would not be possible for us to continue without you. Second, we have an exciting deal to offer!!!

Scott MacIntyre will be helping us open the season with a blast in our
Gala Benefit concert. The concert will be held in the Mesa Arts Center Ikeda Theater Oct. 17 at 7:30 PM.
Scott MacIntyre was a finalist on the hit show American Idol. Original works by Scott MacIntyre will be performed in addition to a Tribute to Henry Mancini, Hungarian Dances by Brahms, a Chopin Nocturne, Elton John's Can You Feel the Love Tonight, Lovland and Graham's You Raise Me Up, and medleys from the Sound of Music and the Music Man.

Tickets for this special event must be purchased through the Mesa Arts Center Box Office for $55, $45, and $35. Now here's the deal! For $50, you can attend the Gala Benefit Concert with Scott MacIntyre and all four Symphony of the Southwest concerts this season! That's right! Our Silver Memberships start at $50 and include priority seating to all concerts including the Scott MacIntyre concert. More membership options are listed below or can be found at our website: Memberships

This is a perfect opportunity for you to experience the Symphony of the Southwest's entire season full of music which will delight family members of all ages. Don't miss out! We're looking forward to seeing you at our first concert!

Single ticket prices are $17.
To purchase, call the Mesa Arts Center box office at 480-644-6500 or online at https://boxoffice.mesaartscenter.com/Online/.

* * * * * *

Scott MacIntyre

Scott MacIntyre began playing piano by ear at age 3, though he has been visually impaired since birth. He has been profiled on CNN, Sky News Europe, USA Today, and other media as pianist, vocalist, and songwriter. He has independently released 6 full-lengh CD's was one of the 13 finalists on FOX's "American Idol 8" and has written in genres spanning pop, rock, punk, jazz and classical.
Local Phoenician, Scott MacIntyre earned his bachelor's degree from Arizona State University at age 18. Scott MacIntyre then attended graduate school in London, England.

Scott MacIntyre Performing:
No Fear
The Search is Over
Mandolin Rain

For more information regarding Scott MacIntyre, please visit the following links:
http://www.scottmacintyre.com
http://www.myspace.com/scottmacintyre
http://www.twitter.com/idolscott

Cheeto Art

2009-09-27T09:31:00.000-07:00

I'm astounded. We've managed to produce a creative child.

I think this totally has the potential of becoming the latest new thing.

(That last lower case "e" is ginormous. Hopefully you can still make it out.)

Ellie turns FOUR!

2009-09-22T15:04:00.000-07:00

First we celebrated with all the Allred family September birthdays...

Somehow of the six or so Sept. birthdays, only Uncle Tyler and Ellie showed up for the blowing out of the candles. Their gain. That was a yummy cake.

And then the day of we had Greers over to celebrate. After my last cake attempt/disaster, I decided to play it safe with cupcakes.

A very grateful Ellie and her cute "Aunt Shell." Michelle made the darling tutu for her.

Our very own Aurora

2009-09-10T11:42:00.001-07:00

This will probably only be funny to family and those who know Char well, but I couldn't resist.

Dove Hunting

2009-09-10T09:35:00.000-07:00

Yet another thing I didn't know about Josh when I married him--he likes to hunt. Not a fan myself, but Jonah and Ellie sure love waking up at four in the morning to go out with him which melts my heart a bit so I think I can handle it.

Like father, like son. Hunting is just one of the many subjects about which Jonah would say, "I know more than you, huh mom?" and he'd be right.

My brother Ben and his son Cubby, who Jonah worships and would follow around all day if he could. Cubby is a very patient, sweet boy.

That's a fake action shot right there.

This was on a different day actually where Ellie got to see what the hype was all about. I stopped keeping track of how many times they went out. And I'm trying to forget the bacon-wrapped dove Josh grilled the other day....gross!!

Of course, yes.

2009-09-10T09:13:00.000-07:00

Jonah has found a new way to answer in the affirmative and I must say it's following quite nicely along with his most recent motif of "I know everything and I am in charge."

After getting home from friends the other night, I asked "Did you have a good time?" He answers, "Of course, yes. Why would you even ask? Did you hear me playing the Star Wars game or the fighting game?"

Well, he is in Kindergarten now so I guess he would know everything.

Super Gibson

2009-09-03T14:09:00.000-07:00

My amazing friend Brynn has just begun a blog that will follow the progress of her 5 year old son, Gibson who has Cebral Palsy and a rare brain malformation called Perisylvian Dysgenesis. He has recently been accepted to undergo a procedure in Germany that is very likely to help his condition.

This boy is the sweetest, most fun little guy you'll ever be around. Check him out and if you're feeling generous, I know they could use help financing the procedure in Germany. She's hoping that with enough publicity, the procedure which has been so successful for kids/people with all sorts of disabilities such as MS, Parkinsons, Diabetes, and even Autism, will soon be available in the U.S.

Here's the link to her blog and another website with more info. on the Germany procedure.

http://supergibson.blogspot.com/

http://www.xcell-center.com

Pass it on!

Don't knock Aqua Fit

2009-08-19T11:51:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I'll be the first to admit. Whenever I pass by the big open window displaying the pool at the gym and there's a "class" in there, I think to myself, "There's that old fogey class again that for sure couldn't do anyone like me any good and stink! Now I can't swim laps."

So this morning when it was the only class available at 9AM, and I was in the mood for a class (feeling a certain lack of self motivation), I had to swallow my pride a little, put aside my annoyances and join the ranks of flabby skin and wrinkly bodies. Heck, I'm half way there anyway.

It is true that I'm not in stellar shape like so many of you out there, yet I really didn't foresee the class being much of a challenge. Let's just say those wrinkles and sags showed me a thing or two. I discovered muscles I didn't know I had and am already 3 hours later experiencing a body in discomfort.

The dynamics of the class really are pretty funny. You've got the old lady in the blue swimming suit standing in her own corner, isolated from the class. Then there's the two gossips who mosey along chatting more than exercising. It was very cute. Not a lot of males, but a couple who to me didn't look at all like the Aqua Fit type, but more the body builder type. And finally, the cocky 28-year-olds like me who didn't realize they were going to need a defibrillator by the end of class.

But, I'm thinking that water exercise is making a come back and that you all should join me in this Friday's class!

Fourths

2009-08-19T10:18:00.000-07:00

If the subtle "three behind him" didn't give it away, maybe this will...

I caught the kids playing at this game the other day. Can you tell what's been on our minds around here???

Number 4 is well on its way. 12 weeks tomorrow and I'm shouting for joy cause that means the nausea is on its way out. Still tired like heck, but I'm pretty much that way pregnant or not so...no big deal! Baby Greer #4 will make its entrance into the world some time around March 5th. And that's our exciting news!

Firsts

2009-08-18T19:36:00.000-07:00

My firstborn is in Kindergarten....ahhhgggg! No worries. And no tears. School lets out at 10:43 AM for crying out loud (yes...I will cry about that)! Half day Kindergarten. I've discovered, it's not such a bad thing. Set aside the fact that I barely have time to do one load of laundry, I've really enjoyed having plenty of time with Jonah for practicing, reading, play dates, etc. That being said...I'm looking forward to first grade.

Meanwhile, Jonah absolutely loves school and he's setting a great example for the three behind him. Ellie constantly talks about Jonah's "Kinter-garden" and can't wait until it's her turn.

Jonah's super cool "Clones" backpack. Will this kid ever get over Star Wars???

Getting ready for our first walk to school. I love that the school is a five minute walk from our home (well, it would be if Jonah could focus on walking and not everything else around him).

Jonah with his new friend from down the street.

One last peek through the gate as I sign my son's life away to the public school system.

Greer-isms

2009-07-21T13:33:00.000-07:00

Jonah-isms:

-Blowing me my own kisses. This is done by putting your hands to a loved one's lips, having them kiss your hands and then blowing them to said loved one.

-Biting blanky (his or Char's when his is not immediately available)...all day long. And this little guy's starting Kindergarten this year?

-Mentioning casually to me on a long-ish drive that "the moon is appearing."

-Conversations that almost always start with "Mom, do you know what a bazooka is?" and "Are Star Wars guns real?"

-Wondering out loud "Is Heavenly Father real?" (Are you getting his obsession with real v. imaginary?)

Ellie-isms:

-Declaring everything around her to be "prettiful."

-Making up "Tisha" songs (her galmour puppy dog) that always involve Tisha looking in the mirror, going to church and playing with friends.

-Singing Tisha, Barbie and various Primary songs at the top of her lungs, with a variety of voice inflections, modulating keys every three notes, eyes closed, head swaying as if she were the next Hannah Montana.

-Forever getting just one more hug or kiss out of me that I'm sure is going to tear the flesh from my body before I finally close the door at bedtime...only to hear her for about another hour playing in her room.

Charlotte-isms:

-Non stop talk--about 20% of which is decipherable by others, maybe 60% by me and a good 90% by Ellie.

-Singing with perfect intonation and rhythm the Star Wars theme song...also at the top of her lungs.

-Strutting around as Ellie's pet puppy. She does the pant, beg and "woof" all quite well much to Ellie's satisfaction.

Nate Graduates

2009-07-20T08:27:00.000-07:00

The whole fam got together to celebrate--swimming, Guitar Hero and all around great family fun.

Sundry Sundays

2009-07-19T18:31:00.000-07:00

Most Sundays we either have friends and family over for dinner or are at family's for dinner. Today however, we did not do either. Just us Greers. Jonah asked, "Who are we having over for dinner?" When we replied no one. He looked incredulous and followed up with, "Well, are we going over to Grandma's?" Nope. Still incredulous he asked, "Why?"

Sometimes you gotta have absolutely nothing to do on a Sunday evening. And when this sort of Sunday comes up don't be surprised if after reading, games, physical activity and the sort, the day suddenly ends at 6:20 PM. Kids in bed, probably two out of the three already asleep....

This is how it happens. You wear your kids out with every possible activity you can think of (cause you have the whole day to do so) and when one asks, "What else should we do?" another comes in from the other room and replies with great authority, "Nope. It's seven...firty...one." (Bedtime is at 7PM around here.) And that's that. You read scriptures, story and a song and it's all over...

And then you go and thank your lucky stars that your three year old daughter doesn't know her sevens from her fives.

Anybody want a peanut?

2009-07-07T16:31:00.000-07:00

Bet you can't guess what the theme was...

The Inconceivable Lofgreen Family Reunion

Missy: A family reunion can be a........fuss.
Kim: Not when it includes all of........us.
Missy: After all what would be the........harm.
Kim: Going to Haigler would be a........charm.
Missy: This is not a very good rhyme.
Kim: Come anyway we’ll have a great time.
Grandma: Enough of that!
Missy: Will your relatives help you get ahead?
Kim: Only if you see them before you’re dead.
Grandma: No more rhyming now, I mean it!
Kim: Anybody want a peanut?
Grandma: DYEEAAHHHHHH!

As You Wish
You are invited to attend the 2009 Lofgreen Family
Reunion, Thursday July 2 to Monday, July 6 at Lofgreen
Acres on Haigler Creek in the land of Gilder. Please join us
for a battle of wits, or hiking to the cliffs of insanity for a
swim, or fishing for shrieking eels. Enter the Princess
Buttercup Beauty Contest, make a sword or simply relax
and enjoy each others company. All this and much more.
It’s inconceivable.

Quad rides with Dad...

...and Grandma.

Uncle Kim trying to make Liam smile. Not sure he got a smile out of Liam, but it sure worked for the rest of us!

Fishing for Crawdads.

Swinging with Grandma Great. Ellie and Char started belting out some primary songs and Grandma, ears just a little sensitive in her 90th year, had to cover them up. Is she so cute or what? We may have wore her out just a little :)

Some Grandma Great bonding time for Ellie.

The Florin Olympics...

Faith, our very determined and courageous contestant.

Josh and Preston making mischief.

Mom and Dale.

More very competitive contestants (that would be Josh I'm referring to).

Fishing marbles out of the ice cold eel infested water. Jonah and Ellie are actually really good at picking things up with their toes--do it all the time at home. Definitely a Josh trait.

Tug of War.

And the water fight that ensued.

Ellie couldn't get enough of her new relatives. She absolutely adored my Aunt Amy and her daughter Stephanie, or "Lephanie," as Ellie called her.

Princess Buttercup Beauty Pageant. I think Maddy was the winner.

Crafts. I stole this idea from a friend. Thanks Jill.

Sword Fighting...

Charlotte took it pretty seriously.

The "Six Fingered Man" pinata. Kim made this beauty.

Jonah took down the Six Fingered Man on his first swing. There was a lot of gusto that went into that swing.

More severed body parts.

My "Wesley".

Uncle Nate and Charley being silly.

Such a fun time. Can't wait to go back.

Happy Father's Day!

2009-06-20T21:01:00.000-07:00

To my orchid loving, garden growing, book reading, paper obsessing, fishing, hunting, future quail raising, family devoted husband. We sure love you. Happy Father's Day!

My sister-in-law gave me the idea and letters to make this collage for Josh to take to work. Man am I grateful for creative people in my life. You'll have to use your imagination to put the pictures side by side since I've no clue how to do it.

Cute Lil' Things

2009-06-17T18:59:00.000-07:00

As I was singing Ellie "Families are Forever" tonight for her bedtime song, she said very matter of factly, "Mom, I want to share my life with Jonah." Oh good! Cause some days I'm wondering if they want to spend even an hour with each other, let alone their whole lives. I was touched and marveled at my sweet little babes.

About a week ago we had plums starting to ripen on our tree, but as soon as they do the birds are there to peck them to pieces. I was expressing my frustration and Jonah said, "I know Mom! We can build a trap for the birds." And this was the idea he came up with.

He wanted to fake out the birds by building a nest with Easter grass and eggs that would surely lure the birds in at which point we'd cover them up with a towel and take them prisoners. He spent a couple of days watching and waiting for his contraption to work. He mentioned that one did get close. I love the way his mind works. Priceless.

Mary, Mary quite contrary, how does your garden grow?

2009-06-09T12:31:00.001-07:00

With watermelon and cucumbers and pretty carrots all in a row.

Josh has been obsessing over his little garden and we are now enjoying the fruits of his labors. Anyone have any good cucumber recipes?

They're quite tasty!

And here's a cool picture Josh took of his $5 orchid. What you can't see is the 80's, lilac vase it came in. No wonder it was so cheap.

"I'n Tuuu!"

2009-06-08T19:44:00.000-07:00

Seriously this girl turned two and thinks she rules the roost. It's been coming on slowly, but man...tell a girl it's her birthday and it's all over. She informed us more than once that it was her day--to get the mail, to choose the pink dishes, to open the presents, etc. She couldn't be cuter and I love her guts.

My first attempt at the birthday cake...

And my second...

Personally, I think I did a much better job the second time around.

And what's up with the funky coloring in every photo? This is what I get for trying to shoot without my trusty auto function. Nicole...help!

Summer Days

2009-05-22T20:15:00.000-07:00

Here's a little of how we've been spending our lazy summer days.

Who needs a pool? The kids were making up routines as they "super-jumped" (Ellie's word) their way across the sprinklers. So much fun! Char was sure to keep a safe distance though. She wasn't as thrilled with our pool substitute.

What are summer days without watermelon? Sadly, not from our garden but hopefully soon...

Ellie and Charlotte being silly..

Recitals

2009-05-17T20:29:00.000-07:00

Char was hamming it up at her very first violin recital. She doesn't know how to do a thing but get up there, pretend to play and take one fine looking bow, but don't tell her that.

Jonah's Let's Play Music recital. He and his friend Andrew kept themselves pretty well entertained.

This was the 'hound chasing the fox' puppet show his class demonstrated.

Mother's Day 2009

2009-05-10T12:47:00.000-07:00

I love the little Mother's Day questionnaires they do in Preschool. Where certain questions about Mom are asked that are sure to produce wild, unbelievable yet sadly revealing answers? I got a little insight to what my kids were thinking about me this year...

Ellie's

My mom's favorite food is...salad.
My mom's shoe size is...3.
My mom is ...7...years old.
My mom's favorite thing to do is...cut paper.
My mom does what all day...clean the washer.

Not too bad I don't think. And then there's Jonah's.

How old is your mom...89.
What color is her hair...brown.
What is her favorite thing to do at home...work.
What is something she does not like to do...not letting me play Wii (I'm pretty sure he got his negatives mixed up).
Where is her favorite place to go...to the gym.

I'll have you know a few things, Jonah. Despite my cracked, wrinkly looking feet that according to you are "old," I on the other hand am not. I wouldn't put working straight up at the top of my 'favorite things to do' list either. Think, steaming hot bath with a good book and you're getting there. And while, yes technically you could probably call my hair color brown, my driver's license says otherwise and will until my dying day (probably true considering there's something like a 40 yr. expiration date on AZ licenses). So other than my not wanting you to play Wii every hour of every day, I'm afraid you've missed the mark a bit. But that's okay. I can understand that the perspective of a 5 year old is well, a little skewed? I suppose the same could be said of 28 year olds as well. For example, when I took you to that violin camp all day with Ellie....I honestly thought you were going to love it! You don't remember? Here's a picture...

Certainly you remember what you said to me as we were leaving? "Mom, that was the meanest thing you've ever done to me."

I haven't forgotten.

But thank you for Mother's Day! It means even more to me that my little "leprechaun" would be so excited to clean up the house for me knowing all the mean things I've done to you! I love you so much. You totally made my day, sweet boy.

I'm not sure what exactly this contraption around his waist is supposed to be, but I thought it was hilarious. The princess purse especially is a nice touch.

Yes, I did put most of that together for him and yes, it did take nearly all day. Totally worth it.

Copper, cotton, citrus, climate, cattle.

2009-05-01T15:15:00.001-07:00

In my attempt to discover new reasons for loving Arizona other than the 100 degree weather in May, I've come up with one. Citrus. It's one of Arizona's 5 C's you know and I've got it in my backyard. Well, everyone does but I didn't know I did until this year when my two trees decided to produce.

I'm thinking they're lemons. And I'm ecstatic because from the look of things, we may actually get some next year too!

Ellie brought me one of these and told me we had "green berries" on our tree...

And while I'm on the agricultural subject, I should mention that we finally started a garden! I use the term "we" very loosely as it was pretty much Josh that did it. Cucumbers, carrots and watermelon. We're starting off small because let's be honest...our past record shows little to no success in the garden department (unless you count accidentally growing pumpkin from the compost pile a success).

It's alive! (You have to look pretty closely to see any evidence)

Now let's just see if I can keep it that way.

Date opportunity???

2009-04-16T13:43:00.000-07:00

An Exclusive, Private Evening of Classical String Enchantment

Enjoy light refreshments & an adult evening out with class, culture & friends!
To Benefit
Symphony of the Southwest
-

DATE: Friday, May 1, 2009

TIME: 7:00 PM

LOCATION:
The Home of Dick & Marilynn Pixler
460 S. Riata St.
Gilbert, AZ 85296

RSVP Kindly Requested. Contact:
VerRona Grandil: 602.692.0020
verronagrandil@gmail.com

Mendelssohn & Debussy Performed By: Cathy Worcester * Jesse Gross *
Richard Chelpka * Patricia Cosand * VerRona Grandil * Mark Engelsman

Click Here To Be Included On Our Mailing List

Symphony of the Southwest Office Is Moving As of May 2009
Our New Home:

122 N. Macdonald Street
Mesa, AZ 85210
tel: 480.827.2143
www.symphonyofthesouthwest.org

Easter 2009

2009-04-15T13:42:00.000-07:00

Easter was lovely this year. We had rain all day Saturday (hurray for Arizona rain...love it!!!) and then Sunday was sunny and gorgeous. Some (okay, a LOT of) pictures to prove it.

Easter with the Greers on Saturday...

Classic Ellie...bum crack forever showing.

Easter morning at home...

Easter with the Allreds on Sunday afternoon...

Pretty in yellow (Kristin, Emma and Jana)

Josh, always the chef...

My brother Nate is the bunny and his lovely fiance, Jenna.

Bill Bitter bought a bit of butter...

2009-04-14T20:23:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned they used to call me "Butter-ball?" Well, I have a protege. Introducing "Butter-ball Char."

You can see she wasn't so sure of the texture in the beginning. More the feeling of "get this stuff off of me!" was in order. But I insisted, ensuring her that it takes but a moment before you're sure you were meant to be a butter-ball.

"Hmmm...yes, I can see you were right, Mom."

"Definitely my calling is clear. A butter-ball I am!"

And then there's Ellie.

We were getting dinner at DQ last night (on my way home from the gym...can you believe they place that thing right there in the same parking lot?) and as the guy was handing over the kids' meals, "hot dog, chicken and here's your cheeseburger," Ellie said quite seriously, "Cheese booger? Who got the cheese booger?" I laughed a little and explained no it wasn't a cheese booger but a cheese burger. She thought for a moment and then just started cracking up! The whole way home Ellie and Char couldn't get enough of that joke.

And I'm thinking the sad thing is Ellie probably would love some cheese with her boogers.

Lake Havasu Tri

2009-04-03T08:13:00.001-07:00

Recognize the two guys on either end? I didn't either but that's because we don't have T.V. I'm told they're the two cousins from this season's Biggest Loser. My sister and brother-in-law are big fans. Anyway, we ran into them at the tri and are pretty much best friends now.

My seester and me all happy before the start of the race...

And this is after finishing the bike portion. I affectionately named my bike "pinky" but actually I have no affection for the thing. In fact, at one point on our drive home we thought it had fallen off the bike rack and I was jumping for joy until we realized it was just hanging by a thread. Darn.

I think I'm done with races for a while.

Private

2009-04-03T08:01:00.000-07:00

One home break in, one car break in and two fraud alerts on our credit later and I am now officially paranoid. I'm taking the blog private. Feel free to leave a comment if you'd like an invite. I feel dumb doing this but even dumber not after these recent violations. Seriously, some people!

Happy Friday!!

How many times were you pinched today?

2009-03-17T21:33:00.001-07:00

I've never been a big St. Patrick's Day fan. In fact this may very well be the first year I've even remembered that today was the day. Nothing against the Irish...I'm sure they're in my blood somewhere. Somehow it just wasn't a day I took notice of...until this year (thank you Rhonda). A friend put together this "treasure" hunt and now I've officially made my kids' lives better than my own. Just don't look too closely to see there's not a speck of green on either Ellie or Charlotte. I don't think they own any green clothes, and let's face it--I'm not that good a mom to go out and buy them some.

Here they are, so excited to get going.

The hunt is on. I'm actually surprised Ellie's bum crack isn't showing here. Maybe too much info. But, seriously I can't get anything to stay on that girl.

Stealing the leprechauns hard earned jewels. (Is that how it works? This is their stuff that we're hunting for? I don't think I ever got the story straight.)

I tried to be artistic here. I think the 50 mm lens would have worked better...or maybe not.

Why does every holiday have to be about candy? Am I the only mom out there that thinks this is ridiculous??? Cause we all know who really ends up eating it :)

Tonight Jonah said, "Mom, there weren't very many leprechauns today. We didn't see any!!" I tried to explain about them being sneaky and all. Again, did I get that right? Someone please set me straight on all this leprechaun business!

Oh...and I got rear-ended today. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Jonah turns FIVE!

2009-03-16T13:55:00.000-07:00

Yikes! One in school this year. I feel official. I have to say, I was nearly on the verge of tears all day thinking about this little boy of mine who's not so little anymore. Better capture the moments now. In the morning he opened presents.

A camera...

Dueling transformers...

If you know Jonah, you know that he LOVES his "blank." Can you see the passion on his face for this thing. I know...it's really nappy. We've already begun to talk about what will happen when this one is no longer. No worries. He's found another that he really likes too. Great.

I'm no cake expert, but put some Star Wars figurines on top and you're good to go. Jonah was thrilled with it.

Ahhh...so sweet.

The only thing Jonah asked for his birthday was to go to Game Works, so we grabbed a couple cousins and family and headed down there Friday night. He pretty much stayed at this dinosaur hunting game the entire time...until he was informed there were Star Wars games as well. Where did this fascination for Star Wars come from?? Oh yeah...thank you Josh.

Char was absolutely mesmerised by this place. She mostly just stood around, eyes wide, watching all the people at their games--until she decided on one of her own.

And of course Ellie didn't lose any time spotting out the pink games.

Josh and Rob apparently were creamed by their dad. President's got skills all right.

And here are a few from his soccer game Saturday. It was a crazy busy day for him with the game, two friends' parties and a Sun's game with Josh that night. I'm pretty sure he had an awesome fifth birthday.

Pima 2009

2009-03-12T15:52:00.001-07:00

Last Saturday we drove out to Pima to place the headstone on Dad's grave (only four years later :)) I thoroughly enjoyed every minute we had to reminisce and recall tales of Dad that still absolutely amaze me. Anyway, here are some pictures that sum it all up.

To cut, or not to cut? That was the question. $80 bucks later and still no deal.

Sweetness itself.

Cassi and Alden lookin' swell.

Kenny and Cynthia reunited after a long army absence. So cute!

Bek and Char sharing some luvs.

Lizzy's excitement for Nimbus!

Meagan and Ellie...BFF.

My G.Q. brother, Ben.

Jonah found this windmill at the cemetery. My apologies if it looks familiar to anyone.

Mom placing the flowers at Dad's headstone. The rock is significant. It was Dad's favorite and I'm not sure why, but it was lugged to every home they ever had. I think he's very happy with it.

Dad's older brother and probably best friend, Uncle Bill. They are so much alike. It was great to be around him and so well reminded of Dad again.

The original Allred clan. Only Andy is missing. Darn that army job in Georgia!

And the whole Allred clan...give or take a few. It was a little windy.

Afterward, we drove up the road to Thatcher for a picnic celebration of March/April birthdays.

Matt and Mikki looking suave as usual!

I don't know what kind of a face I'm making, but Josh sure looks content.

2009-03-06T13:12:00.000-08:00

My only goal today was to have the kids get their rooms clean while I "supervise" (which means pretty much I clean while they play). Yet, here I am blogging instead because for probably the third day in a row now, Jonah and Ellie are playing so perfectly with one another I hate to interrupt (...and it's possible I might be a tad on the lazy side).

So, I'm on the computer getting stuff done when I hear Jonah give the pledge of allegiance for some game or the other they're playing. I love his rendition.

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation...(pause)...under Heavenly Father...(pause)...and that's all!"

I'd say that about sums it up. At least he got the most important part.

Can I just say, I love my kids!!!

Re: Hijacked - Ragnar Del Sol

2009-03-02T08:40:00.000-08:00

Just to clarify a few things. First, I didn't train daily. Second, I had by far the woosiest runs of the twelve. And third, Josh was most definitely the hero of the day, since not only did he let me run on his birthday, but he gave up a few hours of it to sit and watch only one runner come through. Probably not his most exciting birthday to date. So, thanks babe for letting me have my moments of craziness and supporting me so well through it all. You're the best and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Oh yeah, and Josh is doubly awesome because of the birthday presents he gets for "himself."

Pretty red shoes...

Wii Star Wars...

Water colors...

Is this the best dad/husband (did I mention there was a gift card to Anthropologie in the loot too?) or what? We love you Josh!!

And a few more pictures from the race.

This husband/wife couple ran together and it was so sweet to watch them cheer each other on...

A little pooped after my last run...

Can you believe these crazies??? I think they represented the "Whine, Whine, Wine?" Group...

Last runner, last run...

The kids look thrilled to have me back, don't you think?

Any takers for next year???

Hijacked - Ragnar Del Sol

2009-03-01T07:52:00.000-08:00

Amy is amazing! Several months ago she approached me about a relay race. This was not your mom's 4X100 relay, this was a knock-em-down, barf-it-up, cry-yourself-to-sleep Ragnar relay race approximately 200 miles from Prescott to Mesa. I can vividly recall the conversation:

Amy: Do you want to run a relay race?

Josh: I think I'll pass?

Amy: It will be fun.

Josh: Fun? Where the race?

Amy: From Prescott to Mesa?

Josh: Are those streets in Gilbert?

Amy: No, they're cities?

Josh: That's about a gazillion miles. I think I'd die.

Amy: We could do it together.

Josh: I'll watch the kids.

Amy: Actually, family is going to do that. However, we need some volunteers.

Josh: Do they have to run at all?

Amy: No

Josh: Are you sure?

Amy: Yes

Josh: We'll if you really need volunteers, I guess I'll do that. Too bad we can't run together.

Amy: We can find someone else to volunteer?

Josh: No, I'm committed. I'd hate for people to think I was slacking. Maybe next year.

And with that Amy began a dedicated training regiment involving daily runs for over three months. This weekend, thanks to the help of family and dedicated volunteers (without which the race could not happen), she ran the race. They started running at 7:00 a.m. on Friday morning and finished at around 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Running through the night she always maintained a bright and enthusiastic outlook that is an example to us all. The kids an I are so proud. Because of her example, next year I'll see if there is a volunteer position that involves a light jog.

Congrats Amy. Congrats Yoggers. You've made us proud.

2009-02-21T15:40:00.000-08:00

It's a lazy Saturday. Actually, it's been a lazy weekend with Josh on a camp out, Ellie a fever and me not a whole lot of motivation other than to "finish up" ten or so more loads of laundry. So this afternoon I put down Char, turned on Dora Saves the Snow Princess (last night's movie pick) for the third time that day, and went upstairs for a glorious nap. A while later Jonah comes up and asks if he can make us all some ham sandwiches for lunch. Why yes Jonah, you can. He then comes up about five times more, each time saying, "This is the last thing...can you open the cheese, can you open the mayonnaise, can I microwave it?" Etc., etc. Finally, I hear him getting everything put away and one last time he comes up with kind of a nervous look and asks, "Mom, did you still want a sandwich?" I guess in all the excitement he forgot mine.

It was sweet and I was just happy he could assist me in my weekend of laziness. Thanks, bud.

Yup, definitely used the microwave...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S...

2009-02-13T06:02:00.000-08:00

...a little early cause Josh and I are skipping town for a romantic getaway 40 minutes away. Sweet!

Jonah's Valentine's spoils from his preschool party...I thought the "Love Bug" was especially cute.

Ellie, wishing she had a Love Bug of her own...

Ah...the sharing of the spoils. Can't remember if that was forced or not.

And what Valentine's would be complete without these sweet babies?

All Grown Up

2009-02-12T06:47:00.000-08:00

It's painful to behold. This little girl doesn't want anything to do with "little" anymore.

Big girl dresses...
Grown up talking on the phone...

BIG cups...she screams at the offering of a sippee.

And the worst and best of it. Oh how she loves her violin. It makes practicing with the others challenging, to say the least.

What's a Mom to do when her littlest is all grown up?

More Cultural Opportunities...

2009-02-02T05:52:00.000-08:00

Love of Music...

Chocolate Sunday:
Sun, Feb 15
1:00 - 4:00pm

Treat yourself and benefit the Symphony of the Southwest at the same time.

Join us for an afternoon of musical entertainment, sweet indulgences and prizes from Crackers & Company, Jamba Juice, Sweet Cakes, Trader Joe's and more. Proceeds benefit SSW.

Email us for advance tickets. $20 or $25 at the door. All ages and all you can eat!

Ashley Manor
1380 S. Price Road
Chandler, AZ 85225
(480) 847-2479
Click here for map.

Dear Friends,

Celebrate the month of February with the love and passion of classical music. Mozart, Chopin, Mendelssohn and sweet treats await you.

Musically yours,
Symphony of the Southwest

My Classic Valentine Concerts

Two evenings of passion, romance and piano brilliance with the young winners of the international Schimmel piano competition featuring the music of Mozart and Chopin.

Sat, Feb 7 @ 8pm
Mesa Arts Center
Ikeda Theater
1 E. Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85211

Tickets $27 & $17 adults, $10 students/kids
Click to buy now or call MAC Box Office 480.644.6500

Sat, Feb 14 @ 7:30pm
DC Ranch - Homestead Community Center
9797 E. Union Hills Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85267
Click here for map to venue.

Tickets $17 adults, $10 students/kids
Email for advance tickets or call us: 480.827.2143 ext. 1.

Chamber Concert Series

SYMPHONY OF THE SOUTHWEST STRING QUARTET with the Paradise Valley United Methodist Church Choir featuring the elegant and timeless classics of Mozart & Mendelssohn. Two dates, two Valley locations!

Sat, Feb 21, 2009 8 - 9pm
Paradise Valley United Methodist Church 4455 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

All tickets available through the Paradise Valley United Methodist Church tel: 602-840-8360
Click here for map to venue.

Sun, Feb 22, 2009 2:30 - 3:30pm
West Valley Art Museum
17420 N. Avenue of the Arts, Surprise, AZ 85374

Tickets $15 and under available through the West Valley Art Museum tel: 623.972.0635
Click here for map to venue.

Symphony of the Southwest, Music Played to Inspire.
Announcing our 2009-2010 Season. Season tickets available this March.

Wintry Weekend

2009-01-28T13:42:00.000-08:00

Growing up I thought you had to go to Utah to find snow. Years older and wiser, I've learned that my beloved Arizona holds, if only nominally, some wintry pleasures! We spent last weekend up at Pine Top with most of my family and had such a wonderful time. The kids could hardly contain their excitement at the prospect of snow, and when they woke up to it Friday morning, they were all smiles. Not to say we didn't have our fair share of tears...mostly Char's. She had kind of a love/hate relationship with the snow...

Half smile, half tears. That pretty much sums of the bulk of the trip for her. She did enjoy eating the snow, however.

Prepping for a huge snowball fight with cousins...

My beautiful nieces...

And another...

Building a snowman (...from three, already-formed snowballs. Yes, we stole some one's broken masterpiece. But if you knew how arduous a task it was just to plow our way through to its far off location in 3 ft. deep snow and me in nothing but jeans and some waders, you'd take pity on us!).

We felt instinctively that the snowman was a Bill and Mary fan.

Singing a little Thumpity, thump, thump as requested by Ellie.

The hill off which Jonah caught some "major air." Three feet off the ground is what he'd tell you.

So long fair hair...

2009-01-15T20:07:00.000-08:00

Out with the old--or in this case the less than perfect haircut your brother decided to give you on a whim...

...and in with the new. I love it, Ellie! You are an angel.

On another note, I have a children's book recommendation to make. It's titled A Long Way from Home by Elizabeth Baguley. It's actually nothing too special except the bunnies' names are Noah and Ella and as if that weren't coincidence enough, the story might as well be the telling of our every day lives with Jonah and Ellie. It's about a bunny, Noah who gets sick and tired of his bunny burrow with his squishy siblings, in particular Ella and decides to try out life on his own. Of course he discovers that it's cold and lonely and longs for his snugly, warm sister. Sweet huh? I can almost believe that to be true of my own Jonah and Ellie.

More Family Pics by Jill

2009-01-07T19:06:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, blogging didn't make it to my very short list of New Year's resolutions this year (longer lists have not served me well in the past). So these are a little late in coming. Still, I wanted them to make the blog. Thanks again Jill (I'm seriously going to bug you to teach me how to use the new lens!).

Okay, so we've gotten some pretty good use out of that old bucket. And I'm pretty sure I have my Dad to thank for it.

Christmas 2008

2008-12-27T06:11:00.000-08:00

The Fat Man was good to us this year...most of us that is. Despite Jonah's fervent prayers that "Daddy won't call Santa different words," Josh still didn't get the boat he's wanted for the past three years. That's what you get for calling Santa names at our house.

Jonah and his pirate ship

Ellie and Char got a dollhouse and Ellie has hardly stopped to play with anything else.

And a stroller for Charlotte. She loves it!

Christmas Eve with the Allreds/Porters. We decided to share the kids' pipe talents with the family.

Jonah was the Drummer Boy in the Nativity.

Ellie was an Angel, though as I recall, the angel bit was strictly an act. That's what you get when you drag your 3 yr. old to party after party with ne'er a nap.

The whole crew.

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!!!

Char Pictures

2008-12-21T22:40:00.001-08:00

Gotta love this girl!

Because I know you don't already have plans for this Saturday afternoon...

2008-12-17T00:36:00.000-08:00

Bring the Family!

Dec 20 @ 2:30pm Mesa Arts Center

An Afternoon of Christmas Delights

Featuring Handel's Messiah, Greensleeves with Youth Symphony of the Southwest & Interactive Christmas Sing-A-Long

Adult Price: $27 & $17

Child Price: $10

Our Gift to You!

Your Adult Price: $17 & $10

TO REDEEM
USE PROMO CODE:
PARENTS & FRIENDS

To purchase, call 480.644.6500 or click here

Holy Jolly

2008-12-09T20:49:00.001-08:00

We've been having fun with Christmas carols this year. I'm pretty sure Deck the Halls has most of our 5-and-under-year-olds slightly confused. I've heard several variations, all very amusing. Around our house it's "Deck the halls with holy jolly..." (not to be confused with holly jolly) And Ellie...well, she has the "fa la la la la" part down. Heck, what am I talking about? Five and under? I can never remember all the words to that song. But then I'm notorious for making up words. It's good to know I've passed something on to my kids.

Here's the kids' recent favorite. Jonah on lead pipe. Ellie on back-up pipe. Charlotte, prima ballerina extraordinaire and occasional jingle-beller. Mom, up and coming director, producer and photographer.

Note Jonah's concern for Ellie's "form".

Other fun/funnies...

Making forts

Sleeping in tents

Being prepared for "bad guys" at all times

And Santa's Little Helpers

Tagged

2008-12-08T07:23:00.000-08:00

Tiffany invited me to bold what I've done on her list...

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked (Tiff...if I remember correctly, we actually did this together. Hawaii! Remember???)
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung Karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance [not the patient]
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check [not on purpose]
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

I think I'm boring and need to be more bold!

You're all tagged! Ha!
Just paste this list into your blog and bold the ones that you have done, and unbold any you haven't.

Awesome pics

2008-12-05T09:10:00.000-08:00

My friend Jill is a great photographer. Here are a few she casually shot, testing out the location, lighting, etc. I think they're amazing. Of course the portrait subjects may have something to do with that :)

Thanks, Jill!