Family Time at Mukilteo

We walked by the beach and the lighthouse,

ate some Ivars,

and walked on the ferry just for a beautiful ride across the water.
Not only did we do this while waiting for the ferry to come back . . .

But we also played a riveting game of charades.
Luckily we were the only ones in the waiting area while that was going on
or some strangers would have been quite entertained (or frightened)
or forced to join us.
Darn--no pictures.
I guess I was too busy acting out surfing
and trying to guess which Star Wars character Ky was each time.

Words of Mine

Quote board is up and running again. A sure sign of normalcy returning into our lives.

Some events last week made me project what it might be like to parent my boys as teenagers. And the glimpse that I had made me frightened. Those years are coming too quickly. I have been making a list in my head of specific things I need to do and become as a parent before we get there. Or we will not all survive. I really should go write that list down somewhere. . .

Two chickens died over the Christmas break. It was sudden. And it saddened all the males around here. We don't know cause of death, but chances are heart attack or female complications.

Eric started a new job at a new company. Wow. We can't believe it actually happened. He's been ready for a change for quite some time now. An opportunity fell in front of him and he took it. This is week two of the new job. He has a longer commute now (yuck). But there are many other great benefits (yay). And so we are trying to figure out his new schedule and adjust our lives and routines accordingly.

Kacin is recovering from ear infections in both ears. Four sets of tubes and we can't shake the ear troubles. Poor kid.

I am giving myself until the end of this week to have our library/office cleaned up. That room has become a catch all--papers, Christmas decorations, preschool stuff, church bags, primary projects, you name it and the room is holding it. But by the end of this week I am determined to get everything back in place.

The Littles are napping upstairs right now. Except D is not napping he is singing away. I love it! It is a sweet sound. Well, it is at least until he gets so loud and goes into high pitch scream mode that he wakes L up. Then, not so sweet. But, right now, I am happy listening to him sing and clap for himself.

Two Little Girls

These girls are too cute together.
My neice and L have the same birthday,
But they refer to each other as "baby".

Kacin's Baptism

Before Kacin even turned 8,

he finished the Book of Mormon.

What a big accomplishment for a boy

who tells me all the time that reading is a waste of time 

so he doesn't need to do it.

But he did it.

And oh how I hope his mind has been changed about reading this book--

for me, reading this book is one of the best ways to spend part of your day.

Kacin made the decision to be baptized.

He was the only one from our ward getting baptized that day.

I know he felt special with so many family members and friends there to support him.

He was happy.

After the baptism,
we came back home for lunch
and then Eric presented Kacin with his own set of scriptures.
He received his scriptures and then we watched the Kacin movie
(my sister made a DVD of pictures of Kacin with music).

We love you, Kacin!

To the Airport

The night before Kacin's baptism,

we had four people coming in from two different airports.

On our way to airport #1,

we made the drive through deception pass.

This scenic route included a ferry ride

and a stop at the beach.

A foot popping kiss.

Cama Beach

It may have been sunny,
but it was a cold, cold day
when we ventured to Camano Island
for a picnic on the beach.

It made me grateful to live in a state with so much beauty.
But
next time I want to enjoy it on a warm summer day.

2013 Begins

Allred Family Theme 2013:

 "Be Steadfast and Immovable Always Abounding in Good Works"

 Mosiah 5:15

We don't usually choose a scripture, but E and I had spent a few weeks talking and thinking about what we wanted our family to focus on this year. We knew the concepts that we felt would be good for us, but we couldn't find or think of a good phrase. The day before we were going to sit down and present the theme to our family, I realized this that was hanging on our wall was extremely fitting for the goals we had in mind (in front of our face the whole time!). E agreed. And that's how it came to be.

The question we will each answer on Monday night during FHE after we have said the theme together is simply "How did you live it this week?"

Our Goals:

Family

1. One service project each month

2. Write in our journals each Sunday

Kacin

1. Earn bobcat and wolf in cub scouts

2. Learn 2 magic tricks

3. Play Book of Mormon Stories on the piano

4. Use my skateboard once a week

Kyler

1. Read the Book of Mormon again

2. Play two songs on the piano from the hymns mad easy book

3. Earn bear in cub scouts

4. Participate in a swim meet

Mom

1. Practice yoga 3 times a week

2. Communicate more often with my extended family 

3. Read the RS study manual

Dad

1. Read the Book of Mormon daily

2. Become healthier through exercise and better eating habits

2012
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2010