4th of July

Lily and my Mom getting ready to watch the fireworks. There was a live band performing. All the kids had a blast dancing...

John, Shauna and Claire (funniest kid ever) not sure what she's thinking here?

My Dad and Lincoln next to the really cool wall in Breckenridge

Easton couldn't get enough of this little guy. I think he sensed his "man ness" in his girly world...

Ava and Darin at the parade. We only saw about 15 minutes which in the mountain heat was PERFECT. I love the home grown parade in Frisco because they actually still throw candy. How great is that?

Bless the Jensen's heart for ohhh sooo many reasons, but here, for saving us seats for hours at the firework show...

Enjoying the show from really far away. Next year we are going to move a little closer to the "works."

The kids couldn't quite make it to the end. I was happy to be the one holding them both when the fell asleep. I love that. I love the Fourth of July. Besides it being close to my Birthday there are so many other reasons to love it. One being it's just good ole fun without to much commercialization...(is that a word?)

I had a Birthday!

I turned 35 and got to celebrate with all of these people! How lucky was I??
My day was so great with so much family around for Easton's baptism. Darin surprised me with a new slr digital camera with hd video. Finally we should get some video around here. I am so excited!! My friend Debbie and my friend Leslie each gave me beautiful necklaces. I love them both... Darin made an amazing cake. We picked my sweet sister Jarica up from the airport. It was a long drive from the cabin, but it was worth every second. It was so fun to see Jake, Jarica and Lincoln. I wish we all lived closer!

My Mom

Tomorrow is my moms birthday!
THE BEST FIVE THINGS ABOUT MY MOM
1- fun... not many moms are but my moms the bomb!
2-she just gets it she knows what a kid wants and needs.
3-not only is she responsible but shes also organized
4-she cares about us a lot!!!
5-AWESOME
pics of-My mom with my dad after his surgery,my mom with Madeline before her competition,My mom after Madeline fixed her hair,and me my mom and Paris on a hike.
written by:savanna Allred
I Love You Mom Happy Birthday!!!

Photo Shoot

I saw this Amazing Barn on the way home from church at the reunion. Impromptu photo session... I love the colors!

More of the Toad and Family Pics

Four Amazing, Fathers, Son's and Brothers...

We left all 11 grandchildren with the grandparents and went out to dinner. I think mom and dad got just a little more than they bargained for. I should have pictures of them here. We had a great time!

Janene and Beth being crazy...

Family Reunion

Chef Jared came up with the fabulous idea to grill our burritos...

Janene and sweet little Brindles.

Toad catching... This is an actual toad on his head! Count me out...

Easton's Birthday

Easton turned out last week. He had a great birthday! We had a pool party then we watched a movie on the big screen in our driveway. The only thing he really wanted was to watch a movie outside with the cul de sac. For one of his gifts I told him I had acquired a projector (thank you craigslist). He got tears in his eyes and gave me a big hug. Man, I love that kid. It was nice to have all the kids out of school so we could really make him king for a day. Happy Birthday favorite son of mine!

Mother's Day Redone

Today is Mother's Day! Thus the mass posting and Darin's afternoon nap. Mass posting because I've got time. The nap for Darin because let's face it, my job is exhausting:)
The kids tried telling me Happy Mother's Day on the way home from our trip to St. George,but I wouldn't have any of it. You absolutely can't be on the road for mother's day. You have have have to be at home to soak up every second of it. We had to postpone a couple of weeks and it has been worth every second of it. Here's the day so far....

Breakfast in bed. Oatmeal Brulee with fruit, yogurt and orange juice. I didn't really eat in bed because they decorated a chair for me in the kitchen. Mother's Day to me is really a celebration of my kids. I adore the human beings they are becoming. They make a better breakfast than I do. I gotta step it up....

We went to church and had lunch outside on the balcony. Have I mentioned I fall in love with Colorado every spring and summer. Truly there is no place in the world I would rather be. I would however like to transplant my entire family in my neighborhood. Ohhhh I would really love that....

Caprese Salad...

Freshly made lemonade. I love Mother's Day!

We couldn't order better Grandparents!

Grandpa spent hours setting up the zip line then hours hoisting kids up to ride it...

We are so happy to have Darin's parents home from their mission in the Dominican Republic. It is such a gift for us and the kids to live so close. They are so excited to take the kids for us. Darin and I have taken a couple short trips since they have been home. I love that I know my kids are with people who adore them almost as much as we do. Their house is also a slice of heaven for the kids. They make forts, zip line, swing and make up games. It's a kid's true paradise!

Celebrating 16 Years

We went to the Broadmoor for one night. This hotel is absolutely incredible. I love it here. It's definitely one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.

I am trying to find a picture of the necklace Darin had made for me. I picked it out of a magazine and had it saved in a drawer. He surprised me and had it made by a good friend and talented jeweler. It is incredible and such a sweet surprise. He has come a long way on his gift giving skills. The man is a pro!

We played tennis twice and ate like pigs...They have beautiful courts.

Since the second day was the sabbath. We didn't get to fully enjoy the amazing pool, but we layed in the sun and enjoyed the incredible scenery. I can't wait to go back. I can't wait to be married for one more year!!!

The Birthday Party

Here are the invites for Madeline's Party. I wish I took a picture of the finished product. We cut these in half and made a tri fold card.

Face Painting

Paris and her sweet friend Sierra served the girls Strawberry Crepes and Cake

All the friends who came to the party

Our master cake maker, he is amazing. His cakes taste every bit as good as they look...

The name plates before they blew off the table...

True Friend Debbie and her beautiful daughter Grace. She came the night before the party and helped me set up and make the party favors. Sooo fun and definitely one of her fortes...

Hair clips as party favors...

See the cute little Madeline cookies on the stand. Who knew 6 year olds would actually like them??? They ate em up!

The Greatest Gift

The greatest gift all wrapped up in Christmas Wrapping paper. I'm assuming he picked it because it was sooo colorful and since I don't micro manage. I let it be:)

Easton gave Madeline her present one day earlier. He just couldn't wait one more second. He would have given it to her a week earlier if I would have let him. The Book of Mormon with her name engraved on it, along with a picture of the temple. Solely his idea. Isn't that sooo sweet?