All because two people fell in love...

Proctor Family Party

This is a photo of the Proctor sisters' family party. The only one that was playing Waldo is Sue.
We had a great time together and appreciate the sacrifice of those who had to come long distances to be at our home.
Please notice the well-behaved grandsons in the foreground.
You can also see that our black & white baby joined the festivities, much to the delight of our daughters.

My Christmas Tree

Just so that you don't think that all New York is, is subways and their contents. Here is a picture of our Christmas tree. It is also shipped in from the north. Putting the lights and decorations on is left to a group of professionals and the "lighting" is attended by hundreds millions either in person or via television. It is the lovely tree in Rockefeller center.

If anyone tried to steal a silver bell off of this tree they would be arrested. Watch out Brie!

Merry Christmas!

Santa on the Subway

So the other day as I climbed on to my subway on my way home from work I realized that a very special person climbed on with me and took a seat. He sat by himself and didn't say much, just like everyone else. I was thrilled as I realized that given the option of sleigh and subway Santa chose to ride the C local. This particular Santa Claus was about 6'7 and black. Then a woman got on at 86th street and wanted to take a picuture with him. He would say nothing but HOHOHO. Which I thought was odd, since it doesn't say anywhere that Santa is like an animal with only one generic noise to make. Then I realized that this was a Harlem Santa (I realized this because he was on the local and didn't get off at 110th so he must live in Harlem) He was probably some crazy, drunk bum that found a Santa suit and thinking it would be warm put in on and slid the beard and glasses on just to be stylish.

Lesson Learned: When you are a dirty bum, dress up like a well beloved figure like Santa and Buddah and Tinkerbell and people will be happy to see you.

I hope you are all learning valuable holiday lessons this season.

PS Consider this my Christmas card as I have no plans to send any.

The Christmas Tree

Well, our tree is here. It is a grand fir and it is GRAND!!! It is really, really huge. The top goes to the top of the upstairs hall ceiling (15 ft.) it is 9 ft in diameter and beautiful and smells great. The 5 strings of lights I found won't even start. I am so excited, it is braced so the grandkids can play around it.
I was thinking - since the picture is on the 28th, and we want it outside, if we undecorate the tree, we can be in front of it. With a 9 ft diameter, we will fit. It could work really well.
So, I will consider this my Christmas present. We will send a picture when we get the camera back from Tawna.

nother letter

We got Evan's first letter from Seattle! It is on e-mail; does everyone look at e-mail, or do I have to put a note on the blog every week? We still don't know his e-mail address, or if he will have one, though I can't imagine he won't. Bryce do you use your byu account or your other one? Also, Alicia and Teresa which account do you use? Thanks

Family Foto Again

I couldn't imagine what this would look like, so I tried to look it up. This is right. Right? Except for we'll have 5 or maybe 7 different colors and the colors will be darker.

Regardless, in interest of a deadline to get this decided, Sarah is leaving on Sunday (out to Utah while I take finals) so if you want her to influence my choice of shirt/pants/shoes etc. (I really do) then we'll have to know by Saturday.

Also, this is going to be outside right? So sweaters are okay?

Allred Christmas 2006-shirt idea

I think Jessica was supposed to be in charge of this but we still don't have "Allred Christmas 2006" puff-paint shirts. I think this needs to go to a vote. To puff-paint or not to puff-paint?

I'll let Rod know we want to take the family picture in them. Is that okay with everyone?

Any thoughts? Do we want to create your own puff paint?

Materials Needed:
1 Cup Salt
1 Cup Sugar
Food Coloring

Instructions:
Mix together the three ingredients and place in a squeeze bottle. Squeeze paint out of the bottle onto shirt!

Tis the Season to be in NYC

So, I love NYC this time of year. It really is magical and amazing and hasn't been all that cold until very recently.

Mercedes and I love the NYC Marathon. We went last year and again this year and find it so inspiring. The runners run by our street at mile 22 so some of them are in pretty bad shape. It was so much fun to scream and yell with lots of other people.















A tradition for New Yorkers is to go and watch Macy's blow up their balloons on the Upper West Side. So a few friends of mine and I went and watched. This is me in front of Snoopy.

















Then on Thanksgiving day we went and watched the parade. It was cold and rainy but lots of fun. We went for the last half of the parade so most of the parents with kids had given up and gone home because they were cold and wet.

Evan's Spot

Since Evan was really bad in scheduling his whole mission thing, we now have an open bed for our Pismo trip. The choice came down to Scott's bee girl and Gma. Gma Won!!!!

Lights at Temple Square

I realize that many of you aren't around to see the lights at Temple Square so I thought I would attach a link for you.

http://kutv.com/slideshows/local_slideshow_331025246

Evan's 2nd letter

We got another letter from Evan today. It is great! I will put it on email because we need to start using that in 1 week when he gets to Seattle.
If you write to him on dearelder.com, his MTC address again is Box #321, departure date is 1205, which is when we will start needing to pay for the stamp.

Yokuts Park

I was going to go to Hart Park on Saturday and check out photo sites, but I didn't want to miss the glorious event on that day. So, I went by Yokuts Park on the way home from Rotary. This is what Bako looks like on 11/27/06. You cant see it in the picture but there is beautiful white sand and water in the river. Just for your consideration...

I have signed up with dearelder.com to send mail to Evan. It costs nothing while he is in the MTC and then is 39 cents (there would need to be an account with money) when he goes to Seattle. They print and deliver the mail everyday at noon MST so it can be same day delivery. Evan will be at the MTC until 12-05, so this is a good way to assuare that he will get our mail. The account is under Sue Allred, the password is Tudi52.

Evan's First Letter Home

Dear Home,

I am here safe in the MTC with my companion Elder Keller. They told me I have to write even though I just saw you a few hours ago so here's what I've done so far.
We waited in lines for everything. I got a Hep A shot and a tetanus shot which came to a bill of 66 dollars which I took out of my account with my debt card. Dad I need my line of authority mailed to me please. We then had lunch which we waited in another line for, it was good though. I've already seen one girl I knew from BYU-I but it was a little awkward. We just got out of a meeting with our branch in which Elder Keller was named District leader. He will do a great job I know. Hope everything at home is going great. I love all of you.
Love,
E Allred.

(I know Laura hates when missionaries write "Elder" so I figure she can imagine whatever she wants the "E" to stand for.)

Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!

I hope you all eat lots of food, and remember all the wonderful blessings we have in our lives. Here are some things we were Thankful for in 2004: If you would like to add yours to our lists, please do.

DAD
"As Thanksgiving approaches I have been thinking a lot about how blessed I am. I invite everyone’s participation in an exercise that helps me realize what a wonderful life I have. List 10 things that you are grateful for that do not relate to your family or the gospel/church. This is my list, in random order:

1. To breathe
2. Root beer floats on a hot day
3. Sequoia trees
4. The smell of a pine forest after a rain
5. Back rubs
6. Sunshine
7. Clean clothes
8. The sound of ocean waves breaking
9. Sunday afternoon naps with soft music
10. Chocolate
OK, so a couple of those had to do with your mother but you get the idea.

Love, DAD

UNCLE RUSS
Here's my list. I am grateful for:

1. A job that pays enough to pay my bills
2. My association with people who willingly give service
3. Fall leaves
4. A sense of humor
5. Good music
6. Food
7. Historic Architecture
8. Applause
9. Hope
10. Talents


LAURA
Great Idea!
Here's my list:

1. Fall- the colors, the smell, the fog
2. Home Ownership and the Equity that comes with it
3. 2:00pm-4:00pm... Nap time for the kids which allows me to read emails
from all of you.
4. A sewing machine- (okay, I don't have one. But what better place to do
a Christmas wish reminder.)
5. Cheddar Bialy from the Bagelry- a 12 year tradition
6. Airplanes- allowing you to live and explore places that before, could
not have been possible (Hawaii).
7. Epidurals- I have only recently discovered the joys of drug use.
8. America- and the men and women who are protecting it this very minute.
9. Weekends- We(Davin, Kea and I) get Brian all to ourselves-- unless
their is a football, basketball, baseball or tennis game on.
10. Cameras- to be able to remember our kids the way they once were, and to
send picts around to those very far away.

GMA
My list

1 St George
2 The Computer
3 Sun Rise and Sun Set
4 Flowers
5 Vegetable gardens
6 Letters to read and send
7 The face of a child
8 Not to have a operation on my knee
9 Good people to be with
10 Quilts
Do you want more?

ALICIA
My Thanksgiving List

1. Sharing a bed with someone at night.
2. The beach, the mountains, the forest, etc.
3. More experience with (and thus a better
understanding of) different people, cultures,
lifestyles, experiences than I ever thought I would
have.
4. Hope for a happy future
5. A BYU education (that one is for Scott)
6. First time experiences
7. Sunday naps
8. Travel
9.Self confidence
10. Feeling happy and satisfied with life every day

JESSICA
So here is my list, I could go on for days.

1) Dental Hygiene, as I have dealt with some people without it I have come to value it more.
2) Carpet without fleas
3) Warm jackets and blankets
4) Hot Chocolate with junior mints stirred in with a candy cane and sipped through a grasshopper cookie.
5) the founding fathers & the constitution
6)Economic and political stability
7)Computers- word processing, spell check
8) A job- Thanks Melody
9)The internet- Email, attachments, blackboard, google, online databases and journals.
10) Technology- airplanes, cellphones, satellite transmission

I am especially grateful that all the statues of BYU remain safely wrapped in their saran wrap cocoons to protect them from the heathen at the U of U the whole week.

TERESA
Some of the blessings I was thinking of have already been taken, but I will try to be
unique:

1. Watching a child learn
2. Way of life in the United States (today, particularly the way our government is run.)
3. Yummy, inexpensive restaurants
4. A constant paycheck (even when it doesn't go as far as you would like)
5. Crafts
6. A comfortable warm home that keeps the cold and rain out
7. A body, especially a fully functioning one. (the missionaries where over last night, and inspired that one)
8. Wonderful friends no matter where we live.
9. Marriage
10. Second hand stores! :)

LANDON
the Thankful for things seems like a good appetizer for thanksgiving, so
here's another addition.

1. Sarah (she is not yet technically "family" so it is okay to list her)
2. Computers (half of my classes wouldn't exist without them, but I don't
know how life would work without them either)
3. A science based major
4. Cars
5. Christmas songs
6. The Coco-Motion
7. Shoes that make walking all day comfortable
8. Climate control
9. Taste buds
10. That no one has to stay simply "engaged" forever

that's all folks.
Landon

STEVE
Here are mine, in random order:

1. Germany
2. Bed Time (Kids)
3. Missionaries that appreciate me
4. Arabic Studies
5. Naps on Sunday
6. The computer
7. Arriving in Germany and already having friends in the church
8. Calling my folks
9. The Christmas season
10. A Blue-Eyed Brunette sleeping next to me

Outside of those, I am thankful for the missionary work and for the
chance I have to serve those embarked in the great work.
And for all of you.

Steve

MOM
Here is my list. I left off bedtime because that was copying Steve.

1. Freedom and ability to travel
2. Freedom to have so many choices
3. A busy life - something to wake up to each morning
4. Health
5. Changes in the weather
6. Friends
7. Teachers
8. Mountains - different geography
9. Love
10. Being a stay at home Mom

Love, Mom

Are you sure?

I know. I know. We have given up on the beach family picture idea. And I understand why . . . although I don't think it would be that hard - we are going to be getting ready for the day anyway and we have less going on that day than the day of the Proctor party. Just as I was coming to grips with the new plan, my sister-in-law (Laura) posted her family's newest family picture. It is gorgeous. They were at the beach as a family and had it taken. Here it is. What do you think? Are you sure you want to give it up?
I've also included others that I found on the internet a couple months ago when I was looking at what colors might be good for us to wear. Looks pretty nice, huh? I guess Rod at Hart Park will do.

Christmas travel times

Jessica is buying her ticket home for Christmas. So that there is some coordination, here are the travel times as I understand them.

ARRIVALS:

Hughes - Thursday, December 14, 7:00pm at LAX - we pick up
Buchanans and Sarah and Aiden - Wednesday, December 20th, 12:30pm at LAX, renting a car.
Landon - Friday, December 22, 3:45pm at LAX - pick up or shuttle
Bryce - driving down Friday, December 22nd


DEPARTURES:

Buchanans - Thursday, December 28th, LAX return car
Hughes - Saturday, December 30th, LAX - we deliver
Allreds - Wednesday, January 3, LAX - we deliver
Bryce - BYU starts Monday, January 9th

Other agenda items:

Housing - Hughes downstairs at Allred's house
Allreds big bedroom upstairs at Allred's house
Bryce at Allred's house or Davin's bunkbed
Buchanans guest room at Skinner's house
Jessica at Skinner's house with Kea or at Allred's

Itinerary -

Saturday, Dec. 23: Proctor party here
Sunday, Dec. 24: Church, Evening program and dinner
Monday, Dec. 25: CHRISTMAS!!!,
Tuesday, Dec. 26: To Pismo, morning
Wednesday, Dec. 27: Home from Pismo, evening

The family picture is not finalized yet. We will let you know. We are very much looking forward to this time together! Any additional plans, let me know.

In Response

As you might suspect, there are a lot of Political Science Majors in law school, and I get my fair share of political opinions. So, in response to Dad's editorial, here is a video possibly representing the other side's position.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD6qZSsgv-8

Enjoy,

Landon and Sarah (and Aiden)

Everyone is Entitled to My Opinion

Laura gave me a sign that says, "Everyone is Entitled to My Opinion." Accordingly, I am sharing the Letter to the Editor, dated November 14, 2006.

New minority
As I read the paper recently, it struck me. I am a minority.
I know that now because I believe that: we are at war with Islamic fundamentalists; you need to shut up if you don't have a better idea; "W" is smarter than all of his critics and has more sense than the rest; Wal-Mart serves me well; the government serves me sometimes; attorneys made unions obsolete; man has an inconsequential impact on global warming; God and our Founding Fathers know that marriage is between a man and a woman; killing an unborn baby is not just a choice; a culture of hedonism is more dangerous than overpopulation; politicians cannot repeal the law of supply and demand and the moral majority is neither.
-- ROGER C. ALLRED, Bakersfield

PS We had a great time in Utah. You have heard the stories. I am just glad that Elder Evan is under the supervision of a good mission president to whom he will listen.

Evan's address

Thank you, Alicia, for a great blog on Evan's entry into the MTC. He seemed excited to go, but in a very subdued way. I am proud of him for his choice to serve.
What I noticed during the trip was that he spend a LOT of time on the cell phone. I really wondered how he would do when it was time to give it up. I half way expected there to be a new part of the MTC program that was the giving up of the cell phones, I am sure that he is not the only young man who uses one.
After he took his luggage in, he called the company to disconnect the service. He was shocked that the phone went dead as he was listening, but I am proud of him for his obedience. He will be a great missionary.

His address is: ELDER EVAN STANLEY ALLRED
MTC Mailbox #321
WA-SEA 1205
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604-1793

The 1205 is his departure date from the MTC. He will be in there for Thanksgiving. We were able to have a good dinner together at Tracy and Lauren's house on Sunday.

We had a great trip home. It is really nice to travel with 4 mature people in a car large enough for every one to have there own row.
Have a wonderful time together, Teresa and Jessica!!!

Evan Goes to the Temple

On Saturday, November 4th, Evan went to the LA Temple for the first time. It was wonderful for your mom and me to greet him as he came into the Celestial Room. What a blessing for us all.
As we stood there, I told him about the time that we were all together in the Jordan River Temple. The satisfaction of knowing that your children and children-in-law are faithful is greater than I can express.
I will let Evan respond to this Blog, since he says that he doesn't know how to post one.

Christmas exchange

I made the change on the Christmas list. Landon now buys for Laura.

Arizona

This is a picture of Sue and Lenny. Lenny was our guide to see the Apache Nation, just outside of Scottsdale. Lenny was raised in the "country" and is married to an Apache woman. He was illiterate until he was 28 years old. He now speaks 7 languages (three of them Indian languages) and has lectured many times on the Sonoran Desert at Arizona, Arizona State and UCLA. He was kicked in the eye by a horse a couple of years ago. He survived the operation and is back doing tours. He was a wonderful guide and a fascinating person.
Sue and I went on a 1 mile hike by ourselves. It was beautiful. The Superstition Mountains are behind me.
Oh, and I am a much smarter CPA now. Thanks to Millennium Energy.

Rotavirus

Little Brie is sick. Apparently she picked up rotavirus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotavirus) in Bakersfield - thanks a lot Tawna!

Brie has had terrible diarrhea and a horrible rash to boot that sends her into a screaming tantrum everytime we have to change her diaper. I have found that the best solution is to just stick her in the tub in some nice warm water. When we get her up in the morning she has usually filled one leg of her pajamas with poop (I say poop because I know Davin thinks that word is hilarious), so bathing her right away is our only real option.

Dr. Brian said that Rotavirus usually lasts about 10 days so we should be nearing the end. He also wants us to watch that she doesn't get dehydrated because that is usually what hospitalizes the kids that catch it.

I can't wait until Christmas in Bakersfield when all the cousins are getting each other sick. Teresa will be bringing some crazy Euro-trash virus with her kids. Aiden will probably have Cavalieritis, the Skinner kids Valley fever and we are freezing some rotavirus for Brie to bring back to b-town. Gee can't wait, should be lots of fun! Really though, could it be any worse than when everyone got sick in Christmas 2003?

Bumble Buchanans

Because we liked the idea so much of dressing like the Bumble Buchanans in the family picture, we just found the perfect outfits?

Good luck to the rest of you in coordinating with us.

Love,

Bumble Buchanans (BZZZZ)

Allred Family Portrait

Yep, it's true. In just a couple short months we will all posing and smiling together for the new and improved Allred Family Portrait. We have lots of new additions - Sarah, Aiden, Jacob, Kea, Blake and Brie. And we have a deletion - Evan. You know me, I like to help with the coordinating of clothes for each and every family picture, so I thought I would start that discussion. Hopefully the plan will be to take the picture on the beach during our day at the beach after Christmas. Dad says he is finding a photographer. If that is the case, I'm assuming our clothes should be casual instead of formal, right? So, two ideas that Laura, Mom, Dad and I (Brian wanted nothing to do with it) threw around were:

1. We all wear jeans. Then each family will have a base color that is theirs for their sweater type tops. Mom and Dad want to be able to tell who belongs to which family. Laura is thinking this might look like "Rainbow Bright on the Beach", but I'm saying the colors don't have to be primary colors. And we aren't going to have all matching brightly colored Hanes t-shirts like we are going to Disneyland or a family reunion. You simply have your top mostly that color. The colors could be muted colors in blue or green or brown, etc.

2. (I think I like this the best, but then we can't tell family connections and everyone could think Tawna and Brian are married all over again.) We coordinate using the colors khaki, white, blues and brown. I think that would be gorgeous on the beach. You could wear whatever you'd like.

3. Or a new idea. Does anyone else have an idea for what they think would look good?

Ok. Thanks for your support.

Halloween in the Village

Every year for Halloween there is a HUGE parade in the Village. Anyone who wants can dress up in a costume and march down 6th Avenue or stand along the sides and heckle the procession of costumed freaks. I chose to join with the costumed freaks and march down the street amid cheers, jeers and nearly nude men and women. There were several Steve Irwin’s (Crocodile Hunter) complete with a sting ray stab wound, several strippers (of the firewoman, policewoman, nurse and flight attendant variety) and LOTS of people who chose to let halloween be their excuse to wander around in their trashy lingerie. It was amazing, energetic, insightful, educational and offensive all at once. (As so many things in this city are)

Any who, the shrek couple was one of my favorites. I can't get the rest to load. Which is probably best, so that our family blog doesn't turn into one of "those sites."

Worship and baby news

Laura should be home tomorrow to give the details, but "the boy" is safely here. The baby will come in a few days, when they make sure his lungs are clear. Sue and I will be leaving for Scottsdale tomorrow if Sue is sure that Laura will be OK without her.

Now for worship, thanks to those who took time to respond to my request. This is what I understood from your messages:
1. Worship is "pondering godly things." - Teresa
2. "It involves service." "Understanding their (The Father and Son) motivations and characters precedes becoming like them." - Jessica
3. There is a religious worship and a temporal worship. "Elder McConkie's talk lists dozens of things that are worshipping including: being married, doing service, studying the gospel, paying tithing, using our talents, etc. In fact he says, It is ten thousand times ten thousand things." "Clearly, sacrifice is an integral part of worship." "Like all commandments, if we are worshipping as we should we will be rewarded." - Sarah
4. "It is an active word." "Feelings of deepest respect, love and awe put into action." "The dictionary says it is a religious word to describe respect." - Sue
5. "To say that worship is service or it is going to church and learning about God simply turns a perfectly good word (worship) into a mere synonym with no meaning. I think worship is praising God and reverencing him (kind of a passive, frame-of-mind activity) which leads to other good things like serving, learning about God, etc." - Landon

There seems to be two camps.
1. Worship is a mental thing. (Teresa & Landon)
2. Worship includes service. (Jessica, Sarah, Elder McConkie and Sue)

I am sure that we all agree that people who worship would serve, if they truly worshipped. It is interesting that the scriptures say that we are supposed to, "worship (and love) God with all our heart, might, mind and strength," but there doesn't seem to be a real definitive definition of the word. We go to the temple and to church to "worship" and serve but do we know what it really means?
It seems to me that service is one of the fruits of true worship (Sorry, Elder McConkie) and worshipping is done while bowing down or on our knees, as Landon said. I don't think it is synonymous with praising either. We could spend our lives saying, "God is Great" or "Smile, Jesus loves you, " and I don't think that is necessarily worship.
This is my conclusion, I think that worship means "reverential gratitude for God." It is a mental act of recognizing all the wonderful things that God has done for us and how much we feel loved by him. This is what I ponder during the sacrament and while in the temple. It is uplifting to me to confess my appreciation for my Heavenly Father and my Savior. When I do so, I feel like I am worshipping.

What do you think?

Skinner Update

Laura went to Memorial Hospital with contractions 5 minutes apart on Friday. She is still there and the doctor is trying to induce her, but no luck so far. It looks like she will be there until the baby arrives. I will post more when we know.
And, yes Brian is with her.

Canceling comments

How do I cancel a comment when have posted 2?

Krista's PREformance

These are pictures that I took on my cell phone, so this is as good as it gets. This picture was taken at the end of the concert. The kids surrounded the audience and were singing a African song with drums and other percussion instruments. It was great. The choir members were supposed to be swaying with the beat, like any good African would do. Krista, who you can't see in this picture, was across the room. Based on the swaying, she has no African in her. The gals in front of me and some of the guys in the front of the room were rockin' out. When I commented to your mom, she said that you kids get your "lack of soulfulness" from me.
Does the Driller Cafe bring back any memories?

This is Krista performing. She is the one between the music stand and the piano. She did a good job and, as you know, she loves to sing. The choir sang almost all non-English songs. I enjoyed the Italian and African but I really didn't care for the Japanese, which was the majority.

Thanks for your cell phone answers. It makes it easier for me. I really enjoyed your different insights. Can I make one more request on my "What is worship" question?

Krista's Request

Krista asked that I post this blog for your responses. Hopefully, this will prompt more response than my 10/6/06 request.
First though, Katy and Tyler Nichols are the proud parents of Lucy Ann. She weighed 6lbs 10 oz. and was 181/2 inches long. Everyone is doing well. Russ is a proud grandpa. I can email you a picture if you want. She is a beautiful baby.

Second, I told T&K that I would buy them a cell phone if they got nothing lower than a "B" on their report cards. (We are trying everything to motivate them.) We have talked about getting them cell phones for safety and our convenience when we need to track them down. I told Krista, who was motivated, that the rest of you would not think that it was fair that she get a cell phone when no one else was given rewards for grades. I told her, and all of you, that your grades were your reward and would give you greater opportunities.

So, do you think my bribe was fair?

All about me

This is a picture of me and a couple of my buddies in SanFran. I want to tell you some of my news.
1. I went to my cardiologist at UCLA, Dr. Kobashigawa. He said that I am doing better than before. My ejection fraction is 25-30 and normal is 50-60 but my body is compensating somehow. He gave his approval to go to Europe and do what I want to do. He will see me every 3 months to find out how I am doing. He also said that if he got a heart offered for me, he might just "pass" at this time. I am sure that my heart will not improve but it is nice to be back to a more normal life.
2. Your mom and I are going to S. Lake Tahoe for a business meeting Sunday to Tuesday. We just came back from a 2 day trip to Irvine. What a life. I am going to ask for a raise.
3. We signed our new Trust documents yesterday with Mel Thompson, so my affairs are in order. It follows the details I emailed to you.
4. As I think you know, 5 weeks ago I was released as YM President and sustained as Priest Quorum advisor and the ward bean-counter (Financial Clerk). Brody Buck, Natalie Hawkins' husband, replaced me. He is a great guy and will do a fantastic job. Anyway, I finished my on-line training for the clerk job last week. Yesterday, Pres. Thompson released me because with the new ward bounderies, they have called someone else to be the clerk. I have never been fired so quickly in my life. I enjoyed the clerk job but I understand what is needed and I am very happy being the Priest Quorum advisor. Anyway, I thought it was funny having a calling for 5 weeks.
5. I enjoyed General Conference, as usual. The message that impressed me the most was Elder Holland's strong witness of the involvement of the First Presidency in all the issues facing the church. I have a special place in my heart for Elder Holland. He is the only apostle that has ever given me an abrazo and thanked our family for our missionary work.
6. Finally, I have been pondering the topic of "worship." We went to the temple on Monday and this was still on my mind. I still don't think that I really understand what worshipping God means. Do we worship when we pray, go to church, serve in the Nursery, attend the Stake luau, pay tithing, count tithing.... What do you think?
Love, DAD

FIND THE ELEPHANT

I thought it would be fun to play a game called "Find the elephant." I have pictures taken at The Great Kern County Fair, the Allred house (newly painted green) and the recently decorated Skinner house ( see the Skinner blog for more). See if you can find the elephant. I was going to post one picture but Krista said that it would be rude. I don't know what she meant but I am posting 3 to make it more interesting.

Washington Seattle Mission

Well, the moment finally arrived. Evan, Mary and Bryce came up from Provo at about 5:30 and Evan was so ready to open that big white envelope. But, the family was not gathered in Bakersfield so we waited. To help the time pass we had dinner together. I made my very first meat loaf with Mom's recipe. Finally we had everyone on the phones and Evan tore into his Mission Call. He opened it, read it, then smiled big and announced in a very pleased voice . . . . Washington Seattle Mission. He will be speaking English and entering the MTC on November 15!!! So soon, I know.


A big congratulations to Evan. We know he will be a great missionary and love serving in Seattle.

IT'S HERE!

Evan's Mission Call just arrived at our house. It showed up at Mom and Dad's house on Saturday and Dad overnighted it here so that Evan could open it. I'm dying to see inside, but the church is of course smart enough to make the paper of the envelope VERY thick. I tried holding it to the light and peaking in the sides, but no luck! We'll have to wait for Evan I guess. He will be here about 5:30 or 6:00 pm our time. So be by your phones. 

Remember Labor Day?

So now back to me! There has NOT been a fair with livestock here in NYC but everyday is like a circus in the subways and I often feel like we are cattle, herded in and out of subway cars and up and down stairs in large silent masses with the occasional "moo." Only the "moo" is from some psycho who smells like a walking piece of poo. I will include pictures of subway adventures as soon as I work up the nerve to take them.

In the meantime I wanted you all to see more of my Labor Day trip to Maine.

While sitting in our hole of a hotel room on Sunday a mouse ran across my foot and then went in a bag and scatched around, so we decided to head for the Ben and Jerry's Factory in Vermont.

Hurricane Ernesto was giving Maine a pounding anyways.

So we headed through New Hamshire and on to lovely Vermont. We decided to stop off on the way to Ben & Jerry's at Joseph Smith's birthplace in Sharon. That place is absolutely charming. We listened to a Senior Elder rattle on about Joseph Smith for like an hour and a half.

It was interesting to go to Sharon only a month after going to Palmyra and note how very involved the Lord was in the lives of all of Joseph's family members to make it possible for him to be in Palmyra and physically able to hike up the hill Cumorah and carry around heavy plates.
This is the monument dedicated to him on his 100th birthday. It is a polished shaft 38 and a half feet high. One foot for every year of his life and a polished shaft because Joseph Smith once said “I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; … knocking off a corner here and a corner there. Thus I will become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty.”

After Sharon we went on to Ben and Jerry's. We were really hyped up about it and had driven like 6 hours. It was cool but not as cool as a six hour trip should have been. We got free samples and saw how they make ice cream. My favorite part was the view. Vermont is just beautiful. I am not sure I would love it as much in the winter but our weekend there was magnificent. This is me up by the ice cream graveyard where they have tombstones to all the icecream flavors that just didn't work out.

The Great Kern County Fair

These are the pictures that I took with my new cell phone at the GREAT KERN COUNTY FAIR.
The first is Krista and Sue at the Boy Scout Potato booth. During the first week of the fair, Sue and I worked 2 times each and Krista worked 3 times. She tells us that they can't get along without her now.














This is a picture of Sue eating her favorite fair food - the apple dumpling. See her post for the recipe. I spent most of my time on one of the white benches listening to music or at the hypnotist. I also looked at the people staring at pregnant cows. The people are a lot more interesting than the cows. I can see pregnant at the Skinner's house. (Baby Charlie or Rico).
There is a great assortment of people at the fair. I have a hard time deciding which has the best branding, the cows or the people. The cows do have pierced ear tags, but they are smart enough not to go for tongue piercing.
My favorite fair experience - I walked over to the livestock area and got a good whiff of the hay/manure/cows and it took me back almost 40 years when I lived with my Uncle Scott and helped my cousins milk 40 cows each morning and night, hauled hay and rocks, irrigated with canvas dams on the canals and when I learned that I needed to get a college degree. They were wonderful summer vacations and great memories, but I will take my office job any day.

Apple Dumplings

Well, I had my Apple Dumpling yesterday and have come up with the recipe. It is a sure way to make a healthy food decadent. Not quite as bad as the hugely popular deep fried twinkies covered with powdered sugar.

Apple Dumplings:

Granny Smith apple, cored
6" square pie crust (about)
brown sugar
butter
cinnamon cream cheese frosting

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

1/4 cup butter, softened
6 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Cream butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Add sugar until smooth. Add vanilla and cinnamon.

Pack brown sugar tightly into cored apple. Sprinkle pie crust with cinnamon, wrap around apple. Bake about 25 minutes until golden brown. While baking, melt butter and mix with brown sugar to make a thick syrup. Make cream cheese frosting. When apple is baked, generously ladle brown sugar syrup over it, then put large dollop (1/2 cup?) of frosting on top.

Enjoy!

Hope you are having a great day!

Happy Holidays!

We are set for our family reunion at Pismo Beach. The place is cottage-inn.com for a preview. We are reserved for 12/26/06. We have 2 King rooms on the ocean and 5 double-queen rooms, not on the ocean. So it looks like we will spend our gatering time in the rooms of the Buchanans and the LA Allreds. Speak now or forever hold your peace, if you have any questions.

interesting

I always find it intriguing that dad has had so many changes of heart and life improvements in the last couple of years. While it is of course good, I wonder if the new dad is as effective as the old dad. The thing that I love to brag about the most when describing our family is the fact that my parents will have all 9 children together standing in the Celestial Room within a couple of years, and even better with 9 worthy spouses. I cannot think of a greater accomplishment than that, or one that so very many members of this church would do anything for, and yet feelings of insufficiency arise. I have looked for years for another family that has a similar record, there are plenty that have a lot of kids, and plenty that have a lot through the temple, but 11/11 is impressive enough for me. So it makes me wonder what outcome would be reached if Alicia were to ahve been born within the last couple years of Dad's spiritual growth.
In summary, dad, thanks for everything.

THE FAIR

YAY!!! We love the fair! I was waiting to see what Laura would post, great job! Yesterday was so crowded, probably because it was in the 80's rather than 100 like it usually is. There was even a thing in the paper about it always getting hot again for the fair. Krista and I loved seeing it with the Skinners. At the goat pen a little girl said, when looking at a pygmy goat, "Look at the baby cow." That is why fairs are important. Laura and I loved the baby pygmy goats, their owner said they are better pets than dogs. The potato booth has been remodeled, it looks nice inside, but they painted it pea green outside. Krista and I loved working there. 5 more times to go.

We will not be getting Evan's mission call this week. They are sent in online and there were some glitches. His papers finally went in last weekend (17th). I figure he will get his call while he is in Utah for conference and the following week. So there is still time to vote in the poll. Brady's papers went in about the same time as Evan's, unless there is a glitch with his, too.

Our ward is being realigned this week. We will get some of Oaks ward. My primary girls said they like the small ward because they get to do a lot. That is telling the truth. We have about 10 kids in primary. It will be interesting.

On a serious note....

I have been talking to Jessica about a friend of hers that is dealing with some very difficult health problems that probably will be fatal. Jessica’s roommate is getting married in the near future. These two women are having very different life experiences. We know that the Lord will make it fair, in the eternal scheme of things, but that doesn’t diminish my sympathy for the one who has to suffer.
As I was pondering this idea, I thought about my own life and how happy I am. I wonder why I am so fortunate to have had parents who loved me and cared for me, food, clothes, shelter, freedom, the ability to enjoy my senses, a loving wife and wonderful children and grandchildren, great in-laws, the ability to think and work, a relatively healthy life and “a peace that passeth all understanding” that only the gospel gives.
I just read a book that Scott’s dad gave them for a wedding present called Things that Matter Most, by Lowell Bennion. He discussed the things that he valued and our lists were very similar. I would guess that would be the case for most LDS people.
As I was contemplating my blessings and my challenges, I came to a startling conclusion. If someone offered to give me a strong, healthy heart in exchange for what I have experienced in the last six years, I would say, “ABSOLUTELY NOT!”
About six years ago, I received “a change of heart” as described in the Book of Mormon. I had been a faithful Latter-day Saint, served a mission, married in the temple and served as a Bishop. I had taught, counseled and lead as a believer. My problem was that my heart was hardened to seeing my weakness. I always had to blame someone else for my anger and my other shortcomings. I was excellent at justifying my behavior and making others out to be the cause of problems. I deeply regret how I treated (and thought of) others, especially Sue and my children.
The good news is that I have a new heart. I am not perfect and I still do dumb things but now I recognize them and, given time, will deal with my bad behavior. I now understand how I can “love my enemy” and what I need to do to become more like the Savior.
I am grateful for all of you and the patience you have with me.

Evan's Mission Call

Evan is anxiously awaiting his mission call. His papers were sent in last week and now he waits at the mail box for the big white envelope that will tell him where he will be spending the next two years and what language he will be speaking. And, of course, when this will all begin. So, we are taking guesses as to where you think he might be going (Jessica thought this might be easier than emails). Submit your guess in the comments section. You can guess which mission he'll be going to and what language he'll be speaking. Good luck!

P.S. Watch out for any email scams trying to get you to give $100 to this guessing game. This is completely illegitimate. Please beware. 

9-11

This is the other blog that I wrote and lost.

As I was reflecting on 9-11, I remembered that Jessica was in the MTC and didn't know what was going on. So, today, in NYC was her first experience with the raw emotion that that day produced. How interesting to see it for the first time 5 years later.

I also remembered that Landon, at age 19, was home alone with Bryce, Evan, Tawna and Krista, who was only 9 years old. I am so grateful for how he handled things and for his maturity and his ability to make good decisions in the face of what was a very uncertain and scary day. Thank you, Landon

And I remembered Steve, who left Teresa and Steven at 4 months to go to Georgia and serve our country. Thank you.

I remember wandering around a deserted Washington D.C. all day. The mall was closed. Restaurants were closed. Cell phones didn't work. Flights out were canceled and cars were unavailable. The line to give blood was so long that they closed the line. We were grateful that our family was in the west.

I am grateful to live in this country, and for a president who is not afraid to mention God numerous times in his 17 minute talk last night. I am grateful for those who fight for freedom around the world. I am grateful for the Lord's hand in our lives and in the life of our county. I am grateful for each of you and your contribution to the great American lifestyle.

Bryce's trip

After having to ask for all my info ( I do have 3 accounts somehow), and not choosing a format, I am here. Jessica just called and walked me out of the problems that I created today. Thank you, Jessica.
I wrote this on Sept 6, 2006.

It seems the Allred's were destined to have car trouble before getting to school this year.

Bryce drove down from San Francisco on Thursday night, planning to arrive in Bakersfield around 5:00am. He was stopping on the way to visit some friends in the middle of the night. As always, I worry about middle of the night driving, especially when someone is by themselves, but Bryce arrived home safely at about 4:00 am.

Friday, coincidentally just before 5:00pm, he started to go to Christy Ray's and turned the car around in the driveway. As he got to the street, the front end dropped and the tire tilted in. The car was laying on it's front end across the sidewalk. He came in and said, "I think the axle broke on my car". The car had traveled the length of our driveway.

I had just talkied to Rick (our friendly mechanic) about Tawna's brakes so called him back and asked if we should just have it towed to a salvage yard. He came to look at it on the way to a soccer practice and said what was the problem. It would be about $400.00.

Bryce had a friend from Venice, Italy with him who was traveling in his own car; so he put his stuff in the other car and they left Saturday morning. They did have a sidetrip to the LA temple and Newport beach on the way, but arrived safely early Monday morning in Provo, yay!

As Bryce was traveling Thursday night, I woke up about 3:00am very worried and thinking he was in trouble. So I prayed for his safe arrival. I think that it is a miracle, with all the driving that Bryce was doing last weekend, that the car broke in our driveway and was easily ( I guess we should ask Rick) fixed. I am so grateful to the Lord for Landon, Sarah and Bryce's safe arrival at their schools. I know the Lord looks out for each of us, and that He answers Mother's prayers.

9.11 in NYC

So I have received several phone calls from people wondering about my 9.11 since I live in NYC and all. So, my 9.11 went a little like this:

I was supposed to be in the office at 7:15 to do some morning work but I was held up and late because the NYPD blocked off the street in front of my office to cars and pedestrians so that the President's dumb motorcade could drive by. When I got to my office there was an email from the Office Manager that said that we would observe a moment of silence in the office and "I recognize that on this tragic anniversary emotions and anxiety may be stirred up. Please be reminded the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a resource to you for these type of situations."

It was not talked about, only when I asked someone in accounting the date as I was signing a document I got a shocked and disgusted look and then quickly remembered.

I was talking to a friend of mine who is a native New Yorker and recently moved to BYU about 9.11. The interesting thing is that people here don't talk about it. It is too horrific and too close for them to feel comfortable talking. If you ask them directly they will just say a few things and in a very hushed voice. For New Yorkers, 9.11 is a day truly reverenced. My friend said that she talked more about it in the week since she has been in Utah than in all the five years since it happened that she was in NY. As though, for people in other parts of the world it was this crazy awful thing they saw on TV but for New Yorkers it was like they spent a few days in Hell and they don't want to talk about it.

As I was walking to the Subway after work I was thinking what that walk would have been like five years earlier. I know that all the subways were down and I could have seen the towers from my office. I would have seen people all covered in white dust walking along side me. It would have been truly awful.

As it was, I went home instead of to FHE which was going to be a 9.11 memorial up at a park by the church. My commute home is 45 minutes, that would have been an extra 45 minutes and I had to get a few things done. Saturday marked my one year in NY anniversary, so I gave in to the idea that I might be here a while and bought a bed. I slept on an $8 air mattress for 9 months before buying a real mattress. My real mattress has been sitting on the floor since then. Yesterday my roommate and her fiance helped me set it up.

Then I tried to make chocolate truffles by tempering chocolate last night at about 11 for my roomate Emily's bridal shower on Wed. It was a disaster as all the websites I read TODAY warned me that it would be.

So that is how I spent my 9.11. I did go to Ground Zero last year on 9.11 and I went on Saturday when Teresa's friend Jessica Jackson from Germany was here with her husband and his aunt. I was the tour guide.

My Candle on the Water

So in honor of Hurricane Ernesto some girls in my ward and and other wards jumped in a rental car and headed for Maine, in search of good times, lighthouses and lobster. We saw the Portland Head Lighthouse which is one of the most famous lighthouses in the world. We took a boat tour just to throw one back at old Ernesto, but Ernesto almost capsized the boat with huge waves. The intense wind did make for some great kite flying weather as you can see in the second photo.






We met a couple at the NASTY hotel we were staying at from El Dorado, Arkansas. They were pretty standoffish of the New Yorkers (you know, us being northerners and all) until I told them that I lived in El Dorado when I was little. We bacame fast best friends and I even picked up their accent. They claimed i was "getting it back." Whatever gets them to save me the good muffin at the continental breakfast, that is my motto. They introduced me to their son, the preacher, "she is from El Dorado." It was fabulous to be Southern for a day or two. I figure my southern roots can fluctuate just like my Mexican roots. You know, at my convenience and when it will help me get what I want.

So , I had an interesting conversation with Bryce yesterday in which he explained to me that the problem with girls is that all the "good ones" get married young. I stayed quiet for a moment as much because I didn't know what to say as because I wanted to see where he was going with this. He proceeded to explain that all the girls that are worth the time to date and get to know get married before they turn 22. I hinted that perhaps this particular complaint was being presented to the wrong audience. His response: "Oh yeah." So here is the candle on the water that I found for myself. He is the strong silent type, which, as it turns out, works well for me. Okay I will share more of Maine tomorrow.

Request:

Jessica I am throwing down the gauntlet. I want at least one blog from you a week. This is the only place I hear from you and I am always interested, so keep them coming.

Brian, Davin, Krista & I had a great time in the Rose Bowl watching a former BYU quarterback play the UofU.

I wore my BYU shirt and Krista made UCLA shirts for Davin and herself. She regretted it once we got to the game because, "none of the cute Mormon boys will talk to me because I have a UCLA shirt on."

Our seats on the 45 yard line, 16 rows up, didn't seem to impress Davin. He liked the nachos more than anything else. I enjoyed the experience more than the game. BUT, we all missed Scott being there.

Christmas Exchange List 2006

So, alas, here it is- Christmas shopping for Dec. 2006 may begin------

Alicia .......... buys for................ Teresa
Scott..........................................Tawna
Teresa........................................Bryce
Steve..........................................Sarah (have you two ever met???)
Laura..........................................Krista
Brian...........................................Alicia
Jessica.......................................Brian
Landon........................................Evan
Sarah..........................................Jessica
Bryce..........................................Steve
Evan...........................................Laura
Tawna.........................................Landon
Krista..........................................Scott

The limit again is $25. We are noticing that some people are getting the same people year after year. If you would like to switch the drawing to a rotation thing we can do that next year. What do you think?? Also- this is the official list. If you have something that you already know would be perfect for someone- just ask that person to switch. Okay. Great. Merry Christmas.

German mishap

Something quite funny happened to me yesterday that I will share. I am putting it on allredloop because it is mostly just for the family, and I don't want to mess up my Italy sequence.

OK, you know how many missionaries that learn a foreign language have a story of using the wrong word, to make what they are saying have a totally different meaning. I was talking to my new neighbor last night who speaks pretty good english. Enough anyway that we can have a conversation, but I have to repeat things sometimes and talk a little slower.
Well, our kids are going to school together, and we were talking about school. I was saying that the school that Steven and Nathan are in is called Preschool in the states.
Then I wanted to give an example of what "pre" was and I happened to know the German word for it. So I said,"like vor in vorspeilen." She just shook her head, and we moved on. It wasn't until I was going to bed last night that I thought about it, and what I meant to say was vorspulen which means prewash. What I said was "vorspeilen" which means FOREPLAY! Not the best example when describing preschool. :) hahaha