Catch up!

The last few months have been quite hectic! I feel as though I am behind in EVERY aspect of my life right now. I guess that just goes with the time in my life now. But, even though I can't seem to catch up I am so very happy with life and our family. We are so blessed and it is something that I try not to forget. Jeff and I are good and enjoying the amazing weather we've been having. I don't think I can remember a nicer spring and start of summer. It's been gorgeous! The kids are great and really looking forward to school being over. As of today they only have 2 more days of school! WOW, that went by fast. Abigail loved 2nd grade and had a great year of friends and learning. Wyatt loved Kindergarten and he did so well. We are so proud of him. Can't believe he will soon be a first grader. Shane continues to be a very happy little guy who wants to be just like his older brother. He is into everything Wyatt is into. It's pretty cute! He loves basketball, baseball, bikes, bubbles. If it starts with a "b" apparently Shane loves it! Laine is almost 6 months old now. She is following in Shane's footsteps and is just about the happiest baby ever! She loves to talk and coo. She's rolling over, pushing up on her tummy, and loves to grab her feet. She is such a joy to have in our home. We wouldn't have been complete with out her! We also have one more new addition to the family. He is 3 months old and the cutest thing you've ever seen! Oscar is his name and playing is his game.



Oscar is our new little Boxer puppy. The kids have been asking for a dog for years now, and when I say kids I mean Jeff and the kids!! I guess I finally gave in. We are loving him and are glad that we got him. There have been plenty of moments over the last several months where I say to myself...."What have we done!", and I'm sure there will be more of those moments, but he really is great and we love him! The kids are a big help with taking care of him. And as soon as he's old enough he'll be my new running partner! Can't wait. :)

Well, that's pretty much the catch up for the last few missing months of blogging/journaling. I added a bunch of pictures below of the kids and us of the goings on in our family.

Enjoy Grandma, Mom, Dad, and Brandie! We'll see you soon!!

Love to all our family!

Go Green!

I'm not usually this organized with clothes and outfits but this year for Easter I planned ahead and had the whole family match. It was a lot of fun and I think it turned out cute. I know it's not going to be to much longer before the kids grow up and won't let me do these kinds of things! :) After we were all dressed, which is a feet in and of it's self, we knew we had to take pictures before we headed off to church. Because who knows what we'd look like 3 hours from now! So below is some of the silly, funny, and cute pictures we were able to get!













We spent the evening at Jeff's parents home for dinner and a little Easter egg hunt. It was a great day!

Spring Break 2009

Spring break in Seattle was absolutely beautiful this year! The sun was out and the temp. was great. We had a couple of fun day trips early in the week. I took the kids to Seahurst Beach/Park in Burien, with Becky and her kids, to look in the tide pools and play in the sand. Then sun felt so good! The tide was high so we didn't get to look in the tide pools but the kids had a blast climbing on the logs and building in the sand. Can't wait for summer!






We also went to Snoqualmie Falls one afternoon. It was beautiful. We had fun but it was a little hectic. I think that this little trip was probably one of the first times I've taken all 4 of the kids on an outing (besides the store) with out Jeff's help. It was a little stressful but I think the kids had a great time anyway, despite mom being a little crazy!


In the little town of Snoqualmie is a neat Train Museum. We stopped there before the falls and got to get up in this little engine. It was fun to get up close to all the old trains on the lines.



Then unfortunately after these fun days I got pretty sick with a sinus infection. So, I was out of it for the rest of the break but the kids still had fun. They went over to Great Grandma and Grandpa Allen's house for a sleep over which turned into a 2 night sleep over. They always have so much fun! They told of late nights, movies, yummy food like donuts, and just about what ever they wanted. Can't wait until I'm a grandma and can spoil my grand kids too!

This weekend is Easter and so now we are trying to focus our thoughts and hearts to celebrating this special holiday. We are looking forward to remembering the Saviors Resurrection as well as a few special treats from the Easter Bunny.

Portland, Oregon

Our family just took a little weekend trip down to Portland Oregon a few weekends ago. We had a great time. This is what we did while we were there...

We went to see the second largest year round running water fall in the US. It's called Multinomah Falls. It was amazing. What a site to see. The kids loved it. We couldn't believe how loud it was. They have is so beautifully presented with stone walk ways, nice paths to hike up to the top of the falls and a wonderful bridge that you can walk across and get an amazing close up view of the falls. Definitely worth seeing if you are in Portland!

Laine got a good look at the falls and liked it! I don't think she could open her eyes any wider even if she wanted to.

Then we took the kids to the Portland Children's Museum. That was a lot of fun. They had a Bob the Builder exhibit and Shane went nuts over that. Here he is driving the tractor.

Wyatt worked on fixing some pipes! Maybe he'll be a plumber some day.

Or, maybe a dentist! He had a lot of fun playing in this alligators mouth! :)

Abigail and Wyatt had fun in the "garage" making things that they could take home with them.

Our hotel was right across the street from the Portland Temple in the Lake Oswego area. The whole area was gorgeous and the Temple was spectacular. It's such a beautiful design and the stone around the outside is incredible! We really enjoyed walking around the grounds and feeling the spirit that is always at the House of the Lord.


Then, the real reason we went down to Portland...A group of friends and I took our daughters to see the Broadway show Wicked! It's such an amazing show. I saw it for the first time in Chicago. I brought home the music and Abigail and I love listening to it. Abigail knows all the songs and asked all the time when I was going to take her to see it. So when we heard it was coming to Portland we got tickets. It was such a fun night. We got to get all dressed up, go out to dinner and then enjoy the show. As I knew she would be, Abigail was completely taken by the show and loved every minute. Then after when we were walking out we got so lucky as to be walking past the back door where the actors were coming out. So Abigail got her programed signed by Glinda, Fierro, Nessa, and Bock! It was so exciting. They are all truly amazing at what they do. We were bummed not to be able to meet Alfaba but I'm sure she was still inside trying to "de-greenify" herself! If you haven't seen this show yet, go see it!! It's coming to Seattle in September!!!!!


The girls had a fun Birthday Party sleep over in celebration of Brynly, Reanan, and Katie's birthdays in March. They painted toes, played games, ate food, and stayed up late. What fun!

We had a fun time as a family. It was a perfect little get away and I'm so glad that we had the opportunity to go. Our hotel was fun and when we weren't site seeing we had a great time at the pool swimming and splashing! Here's a picture of Laine relaxing on the hotel bed. She had fun too!

We are now looking forward to our next family trip which will be in a few weeks. We are taking the kids to Disneyland!!! Can't wait :)

Laine Katharine Allen

Our little Laine was born January 2nd, 2009. Needless to say it's been very busy in our home since she arrived and I haven't taken the time to sit down and do this sooner. Life is getting back to normal now, or a new normal any way, and so I better get back to writing these important events down!

Laine was born at Overlake Hospital. The grandmas were there and couldn't wait to meet there new granddaughter with there names. Laine was named after both of her grandmas, Marlaine and Mary Katharine. Here's a few pictures of us at the hospital that morning before Laine was born.




Here's a picture of my new best friend!! I wish I had had this on all my other births. It's called the Bair Hugger. It's like a giant blow dryer blanket. They lay the blanket part over you after surgery, turn it on, and it blows hot air all around you. It was so nice and really helped reduce the shakes. Normally I lay in the bed for hours sick to my stomach and shaking. The Bair Hugger took care of the shaking. Now if there was a way to make the sickness disappear! :)

Me with the Bair blanket on!

Here she is! She was so beautiful and perfect. Laine was 7lbs. and 18 inches long when she was born. She had dark brown hair and long beautiful fingers, just like her sister had when she was born. In fact she looks so much like Abigail did when she was born. What fun sisters are!


Here she is at home. She looks tired...It's hard work being a baby.

Laine's first bath. She loved it and was very content and calm.

Jeff blessed Laine on Sunday Jan. 25th. It was a special blessing. I am so grateful that her father is a worthy priesthood holder and could give her this blessing from her Heavenly Father.

2009 was a special year for our family. It's the year that our first child was baptized and the year that our last child was born. We are truly blessed as a family and are so grateful for each of our children. Here's a picture of Daddy, Abigail in her baptism dress, and Laine in her blessing dress.




Here's a picture of Laine in her Valentine's outfit. She's an adorable, and chunky little Valentine. In fact she is our fastest growing child yet. At her 2 month check up she weighed 11lbs. 9 0z. and was in the 75% for her age. She's a super eater and a very happy baby. We are thankful every day that she has joined our family. Her brothers and sister love her so much and are always willing to help out and hold her.



Well, there is a brief recap of the last few months and what we've been up to. Baby, Baby, Baby! We are so blessed and I am especially thankful for this time in my life. Thankful that I am able to stay home with my children and enjoy every moment as it comes!

New Years Eve

Another year gone, but we love a good New Years Bash! We had a great time ringing in the New Year with friends and family. Thanks to the Collings for hosting and having all us crazy people over. I am especially grateful that my mother could be here with us to celebrate all the way from Colorado! All the kids were able to stay up and see midnight and beyond, even little Shane. Can't believe the amount of energy they have. I wish I had half of it!

Looking forward to the next New Years celebration!