Anna, I haven't forgotten about You!

I seem to have a hard time blogging during the summer and now we're into fall.
Sad that my daughter wanted me to blog/brag about her during school last year and I just never got around to putting the pics and story together, so here goes.

We rescued a cat from the pound last year whom they named Cooper. I like the name so that's what I call him. Molly calls him Crookshanks after the Harry Potter crazy cat. My seminary kids called him Mufassa from Lion King. David calls him Roto, who knows why? Anna calls him all four names depending on her mood.

In the spring Anna auditioned for the jr. high play and was caste as the cook in "Alice in Wonderland" You're probably thinking, "I don't remember a cook" well apparently the original version had it, or maybe the jr. high just needed more characters.
She has good friends who came to support her and one artistic friend who worked behind the scenes and had a delightful time putting on Anna's makeup.


Towards the end of school,Anna decided to give her lovely red mane to Locks of Love


Attending a week long Christian Youth Theater (CYT) camp, she got a main role as Captain Hook - Exciting! Good thing she has short hair.

She was thrilled when a new friend, K moved into the ward and they could go together.

Even more thrilled that Molly would take time out of her busy schedule and come watch the performance.


AZ to visit Family


and catch lizards

and hike with cousins.

Back at the ranch.
She's has quite the eye for nature and takes good pics, so here's a few of hers for you to enjoy. These were all taken last week on a stroll in our neighborhood.(in between conference talks)





Yes we do live by a creek with the greatest walking/riding trails EVER!




She also has an ear for nature. She heard this woodpecker and tracked him down.


I'm telling you Fall is truly the best in the midwest!






Rumor has it she's starting her own blog since she's feels she's been forgotten this past year. Good thing.
Unbeknownst to me she took this shot off our deck the other night.
Pretty cool I must admit.
Night, night


Anna, how could I ever forget you? ♥

Card Boat Regatta

Crystal Lake's Cardboat Regatta is one of my favorite things to do now. I love all the creative kids. Anna and her friend Shelby accompanied me to this fun event. Their favorite boat was "Angry Birds meets Smurfs"

My favorite entry was the Elvis elves.




Two Elvis boats racing and then sinking.

Is this why it's in the dollar store?

My baby girl turned 12 back in July and she celebrated with her friends. We bought a bunch of neon glow in the dark gadgets and then these cute decorations to adorn our dining room. So it took her 10 yr. old friend to point out to me that they misspelled Birthday. What is this world coming to?



After 24 yrs of having a kid in primary - I'm officially DONE!!! Not that it was a bad thing, it was great. My children have had wonderful teachers and leaders but it's time to move on. So yeah my baby is in Young women's now at church. Hard to believe.
She's a sensitive, sweet and lovie child, oh yeah, she's not a baby or a child anymore. She loves her family and shows it quite openly. She just has a big heart. I love how she enjoys the piano so much when I don't even know a C minor from a B. I'm truly blessed to have her in my life.

Looks like her friend Alyse is smoking. hahha

Allred Adventures - Part 1

It's been a busy, busy time during the past few months in the Allred household.
Early morning seminary ended in May, which saddens me yet quite thrilled that I don't have to prepare lessons and get up at 5am every school day.

Not all of my students were here. A couple from the other class jumped in so it all works out.

Then my adorable granddaughter moved in with us for a week and she brought her parents as well. Isn't she sweet?

They now live in Hyde Park, 50 miles away while Jonathan works downtown. Don't get to see them as often as I would like, but take any second we can get.

A week and a half before girls camp, our camp director had to relenquish her duties due to shingles. OUCH!!! I won't even go into the chaos about getting ready for camp as the ward camp director. Love the youth, love my girls and since it was Anna's first time - why not?
I'm kind of embarrassed to call it girls camp compared to what I experienced in AZ. It's more like a girls getaway. Camp Matawa. We stayed in nice cabins with bathrooms, showers and even a kitchen.



Lots of fun activities for the girls such as tomahawk throws




Canoodeling - Only 4th yrs.


Because of the rain the first day, archery was moved indoors, here's my Maid Marrion


Horseback riding (not our girls - just gleaned it from the camp site)


Service project besides mulching the camp trails, they made baby quilts for Haiti children. (Anna is down in the corner with her hand over her face)

Anna's favorite - swimming in the pool during FREE Time

You're probably wondering why all the boy scout shirts - well the theme was super heros and we were "Wilderness Explorers" from the movie "UP" We even had grape soda cap pins as well as a couple more that matched our personalities, thanks to Hannah & Co. (I'm the cyclops in the back with the visor on - Running on fumes) These girls do not like to sleep.

Hannah is going to kill me if she sees this pic, but she doesn't read my blog only FB. I love Hannah!! She's an instant Party!!

Now my favorite part about camp was watching Molly shimmy up the Alpine tower, not once but three times. She was the ONLY girl in camp who went up more than once and the ONLY girl who chose the most difficult side to climb.





Let's just call her Spiderwoman.



Scariest climb of all. Jump out to the suspended log, then climb up top, jump to the other suspended log. She did not get nerves of steel from David or I. Just for the record.





Notice her swinging from the top - aiyyyaii yaiii!!




The thrill of accomplishment. AMAZING!!!

Hey Kylie going up? The view is awesome!!

Thus ends part 1 Adventures for the Allreds
(Thanks to Kelly Sadowski for letting me use her superduper camera)