A little late, of course

Allred Family 2008-2009 Letter (You should get your personalized copy in the mail soon)


It is now official – This is The Bi-Annual, Around Christmas-time Roger and Sue Allred Family Newsletter. The good news for some of you is that you probably won’t see another one until 2011.

Krista is preparing to be the 9th Allred graduate of BHS in June 2010. Her life revolves around choir and her ITouch. She went to Lake Powell & EFY in 2008. Last summer was spent quietly contemplating what is going to be like to get a job.

Tawna is enrolled in the Medical Assistant program at LDS Business College in SLC. Last year she lived with Scott & Alicia while working. She worked at a Boy Scout camp this summer and just returned from nannying in Hawaii. Poor Tawna.

Evan returned from serving an honorable mission in Seattle, WA in 2008. He is now at BYU-Idaho studying general things and doing stuff – just ask him. His highlight of 2009 was his job driving a forklift.

Bryce graduated in Physics from BYU in April. He spent the rest of the year working at a cancer clinic in Bakersfield. He is headed to Tucson, AZ, in January where he plans to get his Masters Degree in Medical Physics, a wife and a dog.

Landon & Sarah gave Aiden, 3, a baby sister, Anne Monique on 4/9/08. They will add one more to the family in June ’10. Well, most of the credit goes to Sarah. Landon graduated from UVA law school and started a job in Salt Lake with a large law firm.

Jessica teaches English (ESL) in NYC at an inner-city junior high. She graduated with her Master’s Degree in April. She lives in Harlem where she is in the Stake YW Presidency and works in the temple. She visited Guatemala, Peru, Dominican Republic and Bakersfield.

Brian & Laura Skinner added Lila Louise to the family on 2/13/09. Davin, 7, Kea, 5 and Blake, 3, keep Laura from getting bored. Brian is a counselor in the Bishopric and working at a CPA firm. The kids terrorize the grandparents every Sunday.

Steve & Teresa Hughes moved from Germany to Brooklet, GA, where Steve works for the government in linguistics. Steven, 8, was our first grandchild to be baptized. Nathan, 6, Jacob, 5 and Brandon, 2, round out the testosterone team for Teresa to wrangle.

Scott & Alicia Buchanan live in Sandy, UT with their daughters Brielle, 4 on Christmas Day, and Ava, 2. They added Zachary Scott on 9/29/09 to the group of little Utes. Apparently, Alicia has minimal influence in that arena.

Roger & Sue hosted a family reunion in Tahoe in 2008, missing only 2 of the family. Then we went to Palmyra with Roger’s family for the older generation reunion. We also visited Seattle, Savannah, Charlottesville, New York, and England (with Rotary). Sue is busy leading Scouts and BHS Choir Boosters, in addition to her Nursery calling. Roger is healthy and busy being bossy. Piko the Wonderdog sends her woof, too.

Merry Christmas and may the Lord bless and keep you, our dear friends and family.

Utah Christmas Celebration

Christmas came and went and I did not take a single picture. This was taken by Jessica when the Utah family went to the Tepanyaki Japanese Steakhouse in Lehi, UT.
We had a great time. Jessica asked the Japanese cook where he came from. He answered, "The kitchen." And, obviously, someone did not hear, "look at the camera."



Thanks to everyone for the wonderful gifts. I have cuddled up in the Hughes blanket, walked Piko with my new warm gloves, had waffles from the waffle maker, tried to use the ice cream churn (sorry, no rock salt), listened to my Andrea Christmas CD, started my new book, wore my new red tie to Zack's blessing (in case Scott blessed him to grow up to be a Ute. Thankfully, he did not), and I am looking forward to the new pictures of the Allred posterity for the Wall of Fame.
I love you all and appreciate your kindness to your mother and me.

Merry Christmas from the Old Folks Home

Since many of you will not be home (ancestral home) for Christmas, we are sending this Christmas greeting to you, including pictures of all the wonderful decorations that your mom has arranged.



Bryce is headed to work, but paused long enough for me to take this picture. This might be a keepsake, since he says he is never coming back to Bakersfield. Please notice the new carpet going up the stairs in the background.


Krista welcomes you at the front door in her festive BYU red and a SMILE! We all know that Piko should have been in this picture too, since she is the most enthusiastic greeter, but we can only have one baby of the family.


If you have never seen her in the daylight, this is Tawna on the second floor. She spends most of her time at home just a few yards from here, under the covers. We are very understanding of her need for sleep, since she leaves the house at 10 pm to go play with her friends.


Evan left town a week ago to go to a wedding. This is the best I could do - a nice picture of T&K with Evan's Christmas stocking on the fireplace. I will have to drink his Christmas root beer for him.


This is your wonderful mother, standing next to one of the two Christmas trees she bought and decorated. This is her Nativity Tree, with the stars and bells my Grandma Schwab crocheted and ornaments that she received as gifts, including the new ones from Gma.


And finally, my favorite, the tree with the BYU ornaments, the golden seqouia pine cone and the traditional favorites. The BYU ornaments are placed high in the tree to represent the high regard we have for this wonderful university, and to protect them from Lila and other marauding grandkids.

We look forward to spending the holidays with the Utah families and send our love to the Hughes family. Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Favorite Pictures

Aiden and Piko developed a great symbiotic relationship. Aiden would put half of the Top Ramen in his mouth and the the other half would fall to the chair, where Piko would clean up for Aiden.


It was a great idea until it was determined that there was more Anne than blanket.


Ava says, "Why settle for one chupa when you can obviously use three."

The Grandkids

The girls luncheon.


It is amazing what happens when a video comes on. VCRs were a generation too late for some of us.


The turkey factory - made from Oreos and candy corn. Guess how long they lasted.


The Zack Attack in his Red Sox blankie. He appears to be looking for the pop fly, but he just likes to stretch his neck muscles.

Thanksgiving 2009

We enjoyed a full house of family for Thanksgiving. We did miss the Hughes and Jessica though. We talked about you. Does that count?
I don't know of a greater joy that a parent can have than a righteous, loving family. I thank you all for your goodness. I thank the Lord every day for your mother and you. I am most blessed.


The Before. Please notice the silver pewter goblets. I got these for your mother's Christmas present when we were in Utah this summer. I wanted to give them to her in December, but she chose to open her gift early; oh, and she chose them too.


The kids got to eat at their own table. Just give them all a can of soda pop and they are happy.


From one end...


to the other.

Finding your spot at home

Lila and her work-out equipment


Bryce's work out.


Apparently there was no room for son-in-laws on the couch. Steve, if you ever come to California, we will find you a chair. Promise.


Baby Tawna, Baby Zachary and Baby Piko. You choose the cutest.

The Beach

We had to beat back the crowds that wanted to share the beach with us on this 60 degree day.

Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenande

We went to Santa Monica the morning after the temple.


Everyone watching the street performer.


Riding the wild dolphin.


Hanging with the babies.


The 3rd Street Dancers.

At the temple

The Skinners, Buchanans and Bakersfield Allreds met at the temple on November 20th. It was the first time that Scott & Alicia had been back to the LA Temple since they were married. To celebrate, they brought their 3 children. I was going to take pictures of the session, but that is discouraged. So here are some at the temple apartments where we all stayed.


I call this one "Blake's Nirvana."


Grandma and Lila waiting for their turn to play ring-around-the-rosies.



Laura, Lila and Tawna in the dining room.

Christmas Wish List

Dad-

flowbee

warm gloves

purple leotard

Mom-

Long Sleeve T-shirts (memorable places: Dewar's, Motsumotos....etc.)

Waffle Iron

Alicia-

Toy Room

curling iron

jump rope

Scott- peace on earth, goodwill towards males

Teresa-

bedazzler

new baby boy

Laura-

Boogie Baord

Wouigi Board

Jessica-

Hammock

laundry basket w/ wheels

hamster ball thing (hamster optional)

Landon-

Fire starter kit

Spool of pink lace

diamond studed clip on earrings

Aiden-silicone butt cheek implants

Bryce-

Egg coddler

Evan-

brain

rocky series

pinky ring

Tawna-

lap band

snuggly (preferably with man included)

scriptures

Krista-

itouch apps

cell phone ear implants

if there are any issues or any peopl that would like to post their own lists above and beyond what has been suggested you are invited to add whatever you would like in the comments.

Random Pictures

This is what happens when I leave my camera out and Laura comes to visit.


This is a post-smore marshmallow face.


If you like slobber, you will love this picture. Be sure to double click on it for the full effect.


Proof that Krista still lives here.


This is Evan with his "No shave November" look. I can not wait until December.

Smores in the family room? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Skinners came over for Sunday dinner. Laura decided that smores would be fun for dessert. I had started a fire, so they wanted to cook marshmallows over the fire. I thought, "Food on the carpet? Are you crazy?"
BUT, your mom said, "We are replacing this carpet, let's do it." The rest is history.



Notice the table full of crackers, chocolate bars and sticky marshmallows. Another one of your mom's ideas. Thank heaven for Piko the Wonderdog and her assistant, Lila, to keep the floor clean!


The kids are having a great time.



Now I know why.



Please notice that there is no adult supervision. Where is the mother who had this great idea?

November 2009

This is a photo blog of what we have been doing lately.



Your mom and I went to an Eagle Court of Honor for Connor Smith and Scott Cooper. I was on the program to make a presentation and your mom is the District Chairperson. It is interesting that President Thompson sat in the "Presiding Chair" and the District Chairperson was not even recognized. Such is Scouting in the church.
I hope the Allred Eagle Scouts remember their commitment and did not get the award simply because their parents pushed them.



Shamim Azad was our visitor from Bangladesh. He was with the Rotary Group Study Exchange that sends non-Rotarians to visit other countries (Jessica - read this). They stay with Rotarians and spend their days being hosted. He spoke English very well. He is a banker and he said that they do all business in English. He is married and lives with his parents. Don't get any ideas.
He gave your mom the necklace she is wearing. It was made by a woman who is the recipient of a micro-credit loan. This is a fascinating program where banks make very small loans ($20-$100) to entrepeneurs in developing countries. The creator of the program is from Bangladesh. Shamim also said that they ONLY make loans to women, since, unlike men, they pay them back!
Bryce had to sleep in the game room.



We went to the Celtic Music Festival at Cal State Bakersfield. This is my hot date.
Actually, she was kind of cold, so she wrapped up in anything she could find.



This is the Wicked Tinkers band. They were great. There was a piper, drummer, snare drummer and horn (and didgeridoo) player. There were people all over the stage dancing. The band members were miked, so they came out into the audience.
The funniest part was when the band leader asked, "Are there any belly dancers out there?" Sure enough, some apparently random gal came up on stage and pulled up her T-shirt and did an impressive belly dance. That is not a question I have ever heard being asked before.

Bryce = Batman

Bryce was asked to be Batman for his work at CBCC (Comprehensive Blood & Cancer Center). Bryce tells me that since they treat cancer patients, they try to make Halloween a fun event for those that are treated that day.
I will let Bryce post any corrections/clarifications that need to be made.

Bryce made this costume from scratch. The body suit is for biking and the Speedo is a Speedo. He made the Batman emblem also. The amazing thing to me is that the hat and arm guards are made from cereal boxes and duct tape. Don't tell me that a Bachelor's Degree in Physics is a waste of time!



All dressed up and ready to go Trick-or-Treating.
In case you are as ignorant as I am, this is the original Batman - gray and black, and not just all black.



Yes, he made the cape from a $9 piece of fabric.


The Bryce Batmobile (Bratmobile for short)

Blake's Birthday Bash

As promised, I took my camera to a family event. It happened to be Blake's Birthday Bash at the park. Everyone who is anyone was there.



This is Bryce, Lila, Tawna, Brian and Blake. We call these candid shots. That is why Brian is looking away and Tawna is trying to flip me off.


It is always good to be the prettiest girl at the party, even if your mouth is full of grapes. No offense to any of the other ladies. I just have my biases.


Like I stated, "everyone who is anyone."



Blake got his cupcake, so nothing else matters.