Hurry Up Daddy ! ! !

Poor Avery. She was waiting for Daddy to take her out in the snow and play. We actually had snow yesterday that has stayed - so both the kids are pretty excited about that. Bob took Avery out to play while Noah finished up his school.

She was actually waiting pretty patiently. I wish I had waited a few seconds after I took the last picture because as Bob was putting her down, she fell flat on her bottom and just sat there. It was kind of funny :-)

Well off I go to clean bathrooms - I know not a glory job, but somebody has to do it - especially with a boy in the house whose aim is just not quite right yet :-)

Have a great weekend everyone - Lisa

Pinewood Derby Blowout ! ! !

Monday night was the annual Pinewood Derby Races. This was our first experience with this and let me just say some of these people take it VERY serious (all in the name of fun I'm sure). I must say that I am very proud of Bob. He did not get too crazy this year even though I know that he wanted to. Noah did very well. He won all three of his races. His car is the blue one closest to him. He also did great in his interview - - Yes they even have to go through an interview process of how they built their car. The only problem he had was that he takes everything so seriously. I told Bob he was going to have an ulcer before the end of the night. He was just "so worried" about everything. I think next year might be better since he will know what to expect. I think he really enjoyed himself though. This coming Monday is Blue & Gold Banquet so I will have more Cub Scout pictures then to share.

I am off to check on my sick boy. Avery went to bed last night with a "tummy ache" which we didn't take too seriously because it was more of a "I don't want to eat my supper ache". This morning she laid around for about two hours, but seems to be doing better. Now Noah is sick with a "tummy ache" and has been laying in the tub for about an hour . . . so we will see. Have a great weekend everyone.

Lisa

Noah's Music Program

I just realized that poor Avery is getting left out again. I am going to have to take a few pictures of her this week and post them up here, just to even things up a bit.

Here are a few pictures of Noah's Music Program. He did a GREAT job. Bob and I were SOOO proud of him (even if he did forget to introduce us).

He has one more year to go and then we will be looking for a new piano teacher and guitar teacher. Can I just say that I am really going to miss this program. It has been such a great overall music program for him. Avery will be starting this fall and I'm really excited to see how she will do with it as well.

2 out of 3 . . . "It's my best record ever ! ! "

Let me explain the title a little bit. By the pictures I'm sure that you can guess what Noah has done. He lost his first TOP tooth ! ! ! We have been wiggling this tooth for a few days now, but it finally gave way this morning while he was brushing his teeth. He really looks like a toothless grinner now :-) When he called Bob to tell him this morning, Bob said that 2 out of 3 isn't bad (meaning he saved 2 but swallowed 1). Noah said "Not Bad! It's my best record ever!" Kids really do say the funniest things.

I hope you all have a wonderful day - Lisa

Playing Catch Up

Well so much for 2008 slowing down. I know it has been FOREVER since I posted. Sorry about that everyone. Here are a few pictures of Christmas that I have been trying to get up. We had a great day just sitting at home and snuggling with one another. The kids did wonderful. They were very patient as they had to wait until almost 10:00 or so before they could open their gifts. Every year we struggle with how to best teach them about the true meaning of Christmas, and this year was the first time we saw them actually have their hearts in the right place. They did wonderful as we got up and took our time making breakfast and starting the fire. We really wanted them to focus on Jesus' birth and our family before we allowed them to tear into their presents, and I must say it was SOOOO much better that we.


Bob read the story of Jesus' birth and then they gave me the cards they had made for me. I think it was one of the best Christmas mornings that I can remember. It also helped that we had 60 degree weather as well. The kids had made our neighbors cards, so after they unwrapped their gifts we all got on our sweaters and walked up the street to deliver them and wish them all a Merry Christmas.

Just a few pictures of the kids opening their gifts.

Mississippi Fun . . .

We are back from our trip to Mississippi/Memphis Tenn. Here are a few pictures that I took of the kids and Bob swimming. It was a great pool for the kids as half of the pool was 3 to 3 1/2 feet deep so the kids had lots of room to swim around. They both did great in the pictures - below you will see Noah going UNDER the water and Avery jumping off the ladder to Bob. She is definately our water girl. She will go all the way under without

plugging her nose.

Avery jumping to Bob. This was her favorite thing to do. I must say that this was not one of the more fun moments for Mommy - but she did great. Hope you have a wonderful rest of the weekend - Lisa

Gingerbread Delights

Today has been such a good day . . . we just sat at home and relaxed today - something that we don't get to do very often any more. We decided to bake gingerbread cookies and decorate them this evening. Let me just say that bowls of icing in front of two kids is truly a setting for a mess and a sugar rush . . . and memories.

After they were all done decorating we snuggled in and had a movie night - baths - and bed here we come. Have a great rest of the weekend everyone. . . and remember to take some time to be with those you love.

Lisa

Mammoth Springs

On our way home from Mississippi we stopped by Mammoth Spring Arkansas at the dam - it was SOOOO Cold ! ! ! It was fun to stop by and see the train depot and dam. Noah was a little scared crossing the dam, but he eventually did it with the bribe of the train depot on the other side. (Oh the methods of parents)

Pack Meeting

We had our pack meeting this past Monday and Noah was one of the boys who presented the colors. He did a wonderful job. I did a horrible job at taking pictures this time - we were all scrambling around trying to get the boys around all the different stations to work on their crafts and invitations for the Blue and Gold Banquet coming up in February. They all did a great job considering they did leather work, beads, stamping, and painting.

I promise to do better next time with the pictures - Have a good night - Lisa

My little crafter

We went to Joplin today to a craft show at Cecil Floyd Elementary - can I just tell you if you have not yet experienced that it was quite the adventure. I have never before been to such a crowded show before. I wanted to go down and check it out because I would like to start doing some shows this coming year - but honestly I think it was just a bit too overwhelming. The foot traffic was great for a show, but it all seemed a bit too disorganized and cramped for me. If Bob wasn't with me I know I would have never had been able to find my way out of that place - of course this is coming from the girl that gets lost in the mall. Needless to say I am a little directionally challenged.

Anyway when we got home this afternoon both the kids wanted to craft. Here is a few pictures of Avery and her "craft table".

She had 6 notebooks liked up and ready to go. I don't know if I am going to live to love this or live to regret this . . .

I hope everyone has had a great weekend. We will talk to you all soon - Love Lisa

Not one, not two, but THREE . . .

Yep you heard it right - we don't just have one, or two but THREE trees this year. Dad (aka Grandpa Allen) if you read this don't fall out of your chair - Bob thought that it would be fun for the kids to have their own trees so we put up a 4 1/2 foot tree in each of their rooms and let them decorate them. I must say that it really was a lot of fun going with them and letting them pick out all of their ornaments and lights. Now brace yourself. . . I even put up some light outside. I know- I know . . . what has come over me.

This is a picture of the tree in our living room. We still haven't put up a big tree in there, but hey it's a start at least

The next picture is of Noah's tree - he picked out cars and blue lights

to hang on his. He was really excited when we found the star for the top . . . the only thing is is that it is so bright it lights up his whole bedroom . . . but he likes it.

Avery picked out bright colors. She ahd picked out cell phones and puppies, but Mommy wasn't quite ready for that.

So I think I am caught up for the last three years with three trees this year (right Dad ! ! ! )

Okay everyone have a wonderful weekend - Lisa

My Sanity has returned ! ! !

YEAH ! ! ! ! Bobby made it home tonight around 5:30. The kids and I met him at the airport. They each made a sign for him. It was so fun to watch the kids as Bob came down the escalator. Noah held up his sign and was SOOOO proud to have his Daddy home.

I think we will all sleep a lot better tonight than we have this past week. No coach for me tonight I am sleeping on the pillow top ! ! !

So here we are all snuggled in our pajamas and ready for our "Movie Night". Just between you and me I don't think Bob is going to make it much past the previews - he is pretty wipped out from the day of travel. :-)

So off I go to get in my snuggle time too. Have a great weekend everyone.

Love to all - Lisa

Just a quick note

I don't want you to think I have abandoned you all. This week has been so crazy. I hate when Bob is gone - it seems to throw everything out of wack and to top it off it's the Christmas season. I've really tried not to make things to hectic, but to be honest I am failing miserably. It seems that every day has something and every moment is spent thinking of the things still to do. Okay now I will take a deep breath - finish up school for the day - get Noah ready for music (please God let Avery sit through the class okay) and then off to the grocery store tonight since our refrigerator is looking a little like a big empty box rather than a thing to hold food.

I had all intentions of making and sending out Christmas cards this year, I have the design I bought the paper - but guess what the Allen's Christmas cards are going to be in e-mail form once again. I have thought about starting to make cards now for next year - I still probably wont be able to get them out in time. :-)

Okay I am off to finish up laundry and school - practice Noah's solo before music and some how get Avery to take a nap (okay I know that the last part is probably not going to happen, but a Mommy can dream can't she).

Have a great weekend everyone - my sanity (Bob) will be back tomorrow night. YEAH ! ! ! !
Lisa

Christmas Countdown

I Know . . . I Know . . . It's been a while.

(Photo of front porch) - I cannot believe that we will already be changing this to Christmas in a week! Where has this year gone?

Sorry everyone - this week got away from me. Everyone is doing much better. I think we are all over the stomach flu - - YEAH ! ! ! Noah is doing really well in school. I have been meaning to scan some of his cursive writing papers - Bob says that he has better writing skills then him, but if you have ever seen Bob's writing you know that's not too hard to beat ;-) I will try to remember to do that this coming week.

Well I am missing my kids BAD today. Uncle Bill and Aunt Kris took them for the weekend, which I am so thankful for. It is something that both Bob and I want for them. We love that they have the opportunity to have that relationship with our family. I know that they need a break from Mommy sometimes - especially when they are with me all day every day. Poor Noah just needs some "Dad Time" he says (Crush my heart - but I know he doesn't mean anything by it.) I would want a break from me too :-)

Okay off I go to finish laundry. Bob is mounting the bathroom sink to the wall as we speak. I hear the screw driver turning YEAH ! ! ! ! Trim and doors here we come . . .

Everyone have a wonderful weekend - Lisa

Mom - below are some pictures of the front living room and dining room I took so you could see. You still can't see the true bottom color of the dining room, but at least you can get a picture of what it looks like now.

The oak cabinet is the one that we just got for all the school supplies and books. It is a little oranger than the cabinets, but Bob thinks it will lighten a little bit too.

Outside Fairy

Just a few pictures I took the other day. It was actually nice outside for a change - so the kids and I ventured outside. I told Avery to get dressed - can I just say you never trust a 4-year-old girl to get dressed by herself. Believe it or not this hodge podge outfit really surprised me because she is SOOO picky about what she wears. (She must have gotten that from Bob).

Anyway there you have a few pictures for the week. I probably wont post for the rest of the week. Noah has been up all night with the stomach flu - and I am going to try to get everyone (including Mommy) to take a nap this afternoon. Bob is still not feeling 100% either, but he was able to go to work this morning. Hopefully this will be our big family bout for this year and now we will be all done with it (okay I can dream can't I). Have a great day and weekend.

Lisa

Saving the Earth (Well Trying To)

A few weeks ago Noah and Avery decided that they wanted to plant a tree. They found a big branch and then "planted" it in the ground and piled the rocks so that it would stay. I'm not sure if you can tell in the picture, but one of the branches broke off at the top and so they fixed it with scotch tape. The innocence of kids is wonderful at times. To my surprise it has survived a wind storm and a rain storm. Who would have guessed :-)

Our Weekend . . .

No pictures today (sorry Grandmas).

Bob and the band had a long but very good trip to St. Louis on Friday. They had four church youth groups that came with about 75-80 kids. They made it safely back home around 3:00 am Saturday morning . . . so he was just a little tired. Saturday they had the opportunity to play at the Spanish Family Night at our church and again they had a really good crowd. The workers did a wonderful job putting everything together for the evening.

It seems like everyone down here is coming down with something - and Bob has caught it as well. He was running a fever this morning and has been congested. His fever broke this afternoon, but he is still feeling pretty under the weather. So far the kids just have a little stuffy nose in the morning - but nothing serious.

Yesterday the weather station over by our house had their Open House so we took the kids thinking that we would just go and look around for an hour or so. Well we stood in line for 2 hours and were there for 3 1/2 hours, but it was so much fun for the kids. They were able to play with dry ice, watch a weather balloon launch, and write with lightning. (Mommy was just a little nervous about that).

Some of you have been wondering how school has been going for us . . . BUSY . . . I cannot believe how quick the day goes. We have started a new Bible and History program and Noah LOVES them. I cannot believe how much of a difference this year has brought for both the kids and I. I must confess that at times it seems a little overwhelming as I wonder how to fit everything into our day, but God knows best I just have to follow His direction. I will try and post some pictures later this week with some of the projects we have been working on.

Okay enough for tonight. I am going to eat some popcorn drink a cup of tea and then head off to bed. I pray that you each have a WONDERFUL coming week.

Lisa

Scout Awards

Tonight was our big pack meeting were the boys received all their awards they earned. Noah earned his BobCat Badge and two achievement beads for his WolfScout Badge. The boys were really excited to get their badges - and our little guys did great as they waited patiently for everyone to get their badges.

Who is that GORGEOUS den leader ? ? ? Oh that is my fabulous honey . . . He is such a good leader for these boys - I am so thankful that they have a Godly role model for their leader.

Each of the our Wolf Mothers received a special BobCat pin that the boys pinned on. We were just a little nervous about this . . . but surprisingly there was no bloodshed :-)

Avery really enjoys going to the meetings as well - I didn't get a picture of it, but as the boys were saying the pledge she had her little fingers up to her brow saying it right along with them. I think it is going to break her heart when she discovers that BOYS scouts is for BOYS only and she will have to go to GIRLS scouts one day.

Congratulations Andrew & Melissa

My cousin Andrew is getting remarried tomorrow - so I actually sat down and made a wedding card and matching envelope. I have been wanting to get back to crafting, but I just have been so consumed with repainting and redoing the house that crafting keeps getting pushed further and further down the line. I must confess that it felt good to get ink on my fingers again.

Anyway I'm really excited for him and his soon-to-be wife. For all of you who know Andy we have been praying for a long time that God would send him a help meet. He is such a wonderful

guy and Bob and I both think a great deal of him. Congratulations to you both - see you tomorrow at the wedding ! ! !