Ruff (puppy quilt)!

Here's another sewing project I made recently.  And it's already broken in...I found Nathan had grabbed it and cuddled up with it while watching ESPN.  He was sound asleep, wrapped up in Pink!

Love & Birthdays

Elder Hendrickson has been on his mission for nearly 7 months.  We miss him but are grateful for his hard work, sacrifice and faithful service.  In keeping with the Allred tradition we sent him a giant sugar cookie.  And one for his companion as well.  But it said "Elder Shroering."


A few of Todd's best friends stopped by on Friday to wish him the happiest of birthdays.  What would we do without Lincoln and Drew?!  They could not believe Todd was 48...perhaps because to them, he's a five year old (could it possibly be his level of sense of humor?)!

Education

Nathan has attended school six days in the last five weeks.  Christmas holiday/vacation consumed 2 1/2 weeks of that break, but the weather has been the main contributor to his lack of education lately.  Last week one day of school, this week so far...one day.   Yesterday when Grandpa came down to breakfast he asked if Nathan had school because there was a cloud in the sky!  It's about that bad!

In the last several weeks we did get significant snow.  And cold temps.  This somehow frightens the good people in Missouri.  When school is not in session due to the cold and snow, the kids have a hay day playing outside....in the cold and snow!

cRaZy

Challenge:  2011 Sew More

My sister shared her challenge to sew a project once a month , and since I had set a goal top sew more in 2011, I was delighted to hop on board.

Month #1:  Hot pads.  I started out making three from valentine scraps of fabric I had from last year's Valentine sewing project (table runners), then I caught the bug.  I ran and bought more fabric to make just a few for my visiting teaching sisters.  Then I thought about my daughters-in-law, and my friend, and then another friend....

 Snow day today....sew, sew, sew.  Fifteen hot pads!

It's a snow day again tomorrow.  Sigh.

All Good Things Must End

Sad, but true.  Christmas has come and gone.  We loved, loved, loved having the kids home.  For one day they overlapped and we had them all here (except Elder Hendrickson, of course).  

We did the usual Hendrickson traditions....caroling on Christmas Eve at the old folks home, taking the missionaries out for breakfast on Christmas Eve (all 10 of them!), ice skating, Japanese New Year celebration with loads of friends, and so much more.

Besides talking with our missionary son on Christmas day, which I did not get a picture of, here are a few highlights...

Madelyn gets a ride from a rather unhappy Jackson

The 1st Annual LS 1st Ward Father/Son Basketball Tournament

The cutest Santa in the crowd cheering Nathan on at his b-ball game....

Nathan's the one in red (white guy) at top of the key...LSN pulled off a win.

Our friend, Giana

 One of the blessings we enjoyed in December is Giana.  Her mom, a good friend, was having a difficult challenge.  Giana came over Friday nights and stayed until Saturday night all through December.  What a joy.  She brought a different perspective to our lives.  We enjoyed the Nutcracker together, the ward party, a movie, shopping and house cleaning.  She was a reminder of what really matters most at Christmas.

Ice skating with friends

Garrett and Saryn

We spent a night at a hotel on the Plaza.....soooo fun.  

Some Things are Worth the Discomfort

It's 60 degrees outside in Missouri currently....abnormal but not unheard of according to the history books.  We have had several hard freezes already, but the last few days have been beautiful.

As we are preparing to head north to visit my Mom and family for Thanksgiving, we see the weather forecast is not nearly so appealing.  In fact, there are several NEGATIVE numbers there.  Yikes! We've gone soft.

Feeling the love of family as we play, eat, run (Warner Wobble here we come!), eat, chat, eat will warm our hearts through and through.  What could be better? 

Well, okay, all of that at 60 degrees, but it is what it is!

Have a safe, warm Thanksgiving everyone!  Grateful for your love and friendship over the years.

Screamin' Eagle

It is finished. Kickin' and screamin', well, just lots of complaining, but he did it. Nathan finished his Eagle in May. His Court of Honor was held a few weeks ago (more kickin') with four other scouts from the troop who accomplished the same.



His project was planting over 700 plants for a rain guard at a city park.

Six years ago we couldn't damper his enthusiasm for scouting....Some day I hope all four boys realize and appreciate the lessons learned as they walked down the path to Eagle.

I'd say "congratulations", but it wouldn't mean much, so I'll just say, "Whew!" and can confidently say Nathan agrees.