Parents Week(end)

Another crazy-idea-Todd and Becky-have: we drove like maniacs across country to spend a weekend with our three sons at BYU during Parent's Week. When we will have three sons there at the same time again?

Lucky for us, we had some friends who are just as senile that have two daughters attending BYU, so we had company. Good friends make the miles go by so much faster!

Landspeed record broken...and we didn't even have to use the adult diapers that Ken so graciously gave to us: 15 1/2 hours, with 17 of those minutes actually stopped (gas, food, restroom).

We had a GREAT time with the boys and wished we could have stayed another 48 hours. In pictures, here's what the weekend entailed:

Matt's ultimate frisbee game: (with friend, Brandon) They won--undefeated and ranked....
Garrett's concert by j.wride for family and close friends. Outstanding.
Julie was swamped preparing for the first home football game, but we were able to grab her for dinner one night (Brandon had to work, sorry Brandon) ....
Checking out Matt's wheels:
5K-- They did awesome! Brandon even won a $10 bookstore gift card.
Filling Old Mother Hubbard's cupboards:
And the big finale--the football game. We felt a little guilty enjoying all the concessions Julie had for us knowing that she was busy working and would be until the wee-hours of the morning.And at the mid-night hour---haircuts for all three boys.

Whew! An awesome weekend....too short, but it's a good thing WE'RE HEADING OUT AGAIN FOR HOMECOMING NEXT WEEKEND! No land-speed records this time, we're flyin (in an airplane, not a car).

MAKIN' MUSIC

Garrett would love to sit around all day makin' music..... however, life's responsibilities get in the way.

His band released their first CD. It's being picked up and sold by Best Buy.

He's a pretty talented young man...congrats on a great accomplishment, Garrett!

PS. Go to http://www.myspace.com/jwridemusic to get a little sample of their music

Blessed

In an effort to broaden my reading horizons, I decided to check out our ward's book club. I picked up this month's book "A Thousand Splendid Suns" a few weeks ago and couldn't put it down until I finished. Wow. Did it make me think and appreciate my blessings and my freedoms!

I am ignorant about life beyond the US border and what people in other countries struggle through daily. What a pampered girl I am. I now appreciate more the simple things in life through new eyes.

Highly highly recommend it.

Memory Bears

With all my extra time lately, I've been finishing up projects....inspired by you, Shay.

Grandma Hendrickson passed away two years ago. Grandpa let me have some of her clothes. I decided to make Memory Bears out of them, and attach a poem, like Laura did for all the Allred grandkids, but for the Hendrickson grandkids. While she had to make 54, I only had to make 20....a big difference. So you'd think the quality would be top notch, but it isn't.

I hope they enjoy them. When I give them to them. That might take me another two years.

Watermelon Wonders

Primary visits require a captivating treat....these watermelon cookies fit the bill.

Twenty-Five

I remember feeling so awkward telling people we were newlyweds.....how fast twenty-five years flies! I am so LUCKY to be married to my best friend. xoxo!

Missing Family

We got back from my family reunion just yesterday. It was great to be together. Really, truly was. I missed them as I was saying good-bye, as we drove the 6 hours home, and today as I reflect.

It was held here....
Broom Tree Resort near beautiful Irene, SD (Broom Tree Resort & Conf. Center). The Allreds have really moved up in the world !

One sister was in charge of the Family History segment and did a GREAT job. So fun. She created an "Authors" card came (wish I'd taken a picture) with each of us 9 kids and mom and Dad having their own cards/books and you had to collect all four books. Very creative. And this game...GUESS WHO? Various boards so all 54 cousins could get on a board.


And she made food for us to sample from our great-grandma, grandma, etc. I learned collard greens aren't as nasty tasting as authentic Johnny-cake. Who would have thought?! The Treacle was delish..
There was the talent/skit portion...We never lack for talent, but after 25 years it's getting difficult to come up with new material.One of my FAVORITE parts: CRAFT time for the girls and women. My sister in charge of this had us make scrabble necklaces and these cute boxes.
The necklaces are soooo cute and easy. Click here for the how-to link.

My sisters who organized it did a fantastic job of scheduling in free time for games, getting reacquainted, swimming, etc. We even did a service project for a few hours.

And the grand finale...THE MARSHMALLOW FIGHT. My sister, Kathleen, is a relentless competitor in the fight and is usually the last man standing.The "older" siblings tossed a few and then did this...

What a wonderful 4 days! I'm grateful for my family. Thanks for your wonderful examples and friendship. Love you all!