24 Things to Love about Emily Allred

My oldest daughter is 24 today and far, far away.
I had to post a few items about her since I love and miss her so much.
In random order.
First off she was a Great Baby who pacified herself by sucking her thumb then gave it up on her own when she turned one. Now what kid does that on her own?

Which leads to the 2nd great thing about Emily -- Fiercly independent.

3. An extremely hard worker. She's like a whirlwind when I ask her to clean up a room.

4. She is a very good Pianist and also played violin. She wanted violin lessons when she was in jr. high but I could not afford everything this talented girl wanted to learn.


5.artistic and creative.


6. great at word games
7. athletic (She even beats boys)


8. wonderful teacher
9. hiker/camper


10. Enjoys reading
11. spiritual
12. served a mission in South Korea


13. loves fish now. Who would have thought?


14. "just like a mom" That's what she used to say to Landon when he wanted mom.


15.fun loving


16. positive attitude


17. sensitive
18.good friend



19. adventurous
20. smart


21. good listener like her dad
22. loves her family
23. quiet


24. Daddy's Girl


HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY!!
I Love you so much,
Love,
Mom

Will we hike in Heaven?

Last week between my birthday and Father's Day, five Allred's, five Hansen's and a Crane did a quick hike from the North rim to the South Rim. The timing was terrible and it cost too much money, but I relished every minute of it. Hiking wears the body, but invigorates the spirit. Hiking reawakens the wonder and reverence for the majesty of God's creations. Hiking forcibly removes those narrow blinders required by a career and broadens our view of what's really important. Hiking is an old man's opportunity to prove that the old legs can still set an imposing pace. Hiking is embracing the challenge of a 3:30 AM start and watching the gradual sunrise awaken the wonderful colors from the shadows of the night. I have no doubt that Heavenly Father takes time to enjoy the grandeur of his creations, but does He do it with boots on? It's one of those questions that will have to wait until the next life to get the answer.

I owe a lot of thanks to a number of people who allowed me to really enjoy this weekend:

Tami and Anna - Tami for letting me go and Anna for understanding that she's just not big enough yet. Make it through sixth grade cross-country and we'll talk again.

Leland Hansen - The man has boundless enthusiasm and makes things happen. Thanks for committing me to come and bring my kids.

Grandma and Grandpa Hansen - Our chauffeurs. They drove us to the North rim and met us back at the South rim. I love talking with these two wonderful people. Our roots go back to the same parts of Northern Arizona and we can feel the connection.

Emily and Molly - This picture will explain it all. Emily flees to her fantasy world whenever trauma should be unavoidable. Molly always seems a naive victim of circumstances beyond her control. (29 degree weather and no jacket or long pants.) Both provide unending humor. Who else would spend their Friday night in the Grand Canyon earning their Junior Ranger badges?

Jonathan and Landon - An hour or so of wonderful dad and sons conversation sitting in the Bright Angel Creek soaking our anguished feet. Thanks for breaking away from work and school to be together. It's been too many years since we got to spend time with each other and just talk in a quiet environment.


Mom, Paula, Grandma - Food, lodging and family time on either end of the trip.

Kate and Ellie - Giving up Jonathan for a few days and even better bringing him down and spending a hour with me. This grandpa loved it.

Next year - A location where all can come, but still a challenging hike for those that dare. Banff Canada????

Adios Em

uhhhhh I made her wear her pink birthday cowboy hat that her dad got her. She's such a good sport. He made her wear it for 3 hours before she got her next present.


After a little over 5 months Emily has moved on.

*I will miss her doing the cross word puzzle every morning and occasionally asking me for help. Not my cup of tea but I do know useless trivia from the decades before this one. Then David would correct her puzzle in the evening and tease her about the words she made up, always made me laugh, she's so creative.

* I will miss her teaching Anna how to play the piano (since I can't). She was stricter than Sis. Brown so Anna probably wont miss that part.

*I will miss her creative fun things she did with her sisters, like making rafts to float in the retention area, having ball wars in the basement with Anna and her friend Lexi, playing games, dressing in Korean garb and playing tennis when there were 30 mile winds. She said it wasn't windy where they played. Yeah right?
*I will miss her cute smile and laugh.

* I will miss her making me faces at me.
I will miss her obsession with trying to catch the kamikazee chipmunk and then the conquest.


*I will miss her spiritual insight, sometimes she was over my head though, that's what I love about her, she's brilliant.

* I will miss her helping me with computer stuff.

* I will miss her Korean verbiage. Even though I never got it. Fun to hear her and Molly share the differences between Chinese, Korean, French and English words. Quite the combo huh?

*I will miss her and Molly camping out in the basement every weekend for late night movies and talk. (I won't miss the debris)

* I will miss her trying to get me to eat Kim chee, squid, sushi, asparagus, wait no I won't. But it was fun watching her try.

She's going to back to BYU to finish up school and it's where she should be, even though this Mama is sad to see her move so far away. I only cried a wee bit . Which is good for me.
I love her and will miss her. At least she gets to spend some time with JK&E. That does make me happy.

Four Drivers and a Funeral

28 hours of straight driving will get you from Lake in the HIlls,IL to Cottonwood, AZ. Thank goodness for four drivers.
The first thing Anna did after hugging Grandma was go hunting for Lizards.
Anna and her cousins Traygon and Cheney taking a break from Lizard catching
The funeral was lovely. All the grandkids sang "I Am A Child of God". Tender to watch Traygon trying to be brave and his little sister Chaney patting his back, offering comfort when she was having a hard time also on that last verse. Just got to me. Such sweet, sweet kids.
David and his 2 brother in laws named John spoke. Such a great tribute to Norman. He really did touch tons of people. The place was packed. Afterwards we headed to the cemetary for the final resting place of Norman.
David and his sisters saying a few words. Then David asked his uncles and aunt to say a few words. Aunt Donna said, "I hope I'm next because I can't bear to bury another brother" Uncle Dale responded with his arm up in the air, "All in favor" quite comical those uncles are.

Then back to the church for lunch and visiting with the families






So good to see cousins
The following day we decided to drive to Disneyland with countless cousins and Grandma didn't even hesitate when David invited her to come. Her bags were packed within minutes. So a convoy of three cars headed to the Happiest Place on Earth. There were 15 of us and we never took a group pic. bummer. I took a few others mostly under protest.
Buzz and Anna




I did learn that if you go on the Grizzly River Run that you should bring an exta pair of dry socks. Emily and Molly's socks never dried off and they were ever so smelly on the ride home that night. Yes we were insane to spend 2 full days at Disneyland then drive 6 hours to Mesa.
Some things never change!!



















Why did it take us only 27 straight hours of driving from Az to IL? hmmm... maybe because lovergirl would only let us stop and eat one meal and then she gave us a time limit of 10 min. "I have to work tues. morning so I need my sleep" was her reply. We arrived home exactly at 9:08 just like Darla (our GPS) predicted and who should drive up at 9:15? Yep Loverboy - Life goes on <3

Look what happens when you've been cooped up all winter and the sun comes out!

It was over 50 degrees today and the sun was shining bright all day so my 2 older daughters put on their shorts and made a boat out of inner tubes and a sled.



We really don't have a pond or lake in the backyard, it's just a retention area - hey but it was water and they wanted to float. Who cares if it's the snow run off.






Emi really needs to find a boy friend