Cousin Sleepover Part 2

Cookie Making...

Playing House...

This is Brooke Shadows (Abbey) and Stephanie Boyle (Brooklin). They just recently found out that they are adopted sisters. (?) Anyway, Brooke and her husband Tom have a daughter named Hallie. Stephanie and her husband Justin have a daughter named Lillian. They have all recently moved into a new house together.

Walking Dennis...

Watching a movie on the laptop...

Abbey hasn't been doing her doggie doo duty lately. Daddy sent her outside to do a quick pick-up after Brooklin stepped in some. Brooklin was very kind to offer to help. She wanted to be the scooper. Abbey held the bag.

Stay tuned for more sleepover fun!

Cousin Sleepover Part 1

Going great so far... :)

Jesus is the Reason...

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

Merry Christmas Eve!

Today we had our Allen Family Christmas Celebration. We went over to my In-Laws for a delicious Mexican Christmas Feast. We had tacos, tamales and beans and rice. There was apple pie and coconut cake for dessert. Delicious. After dinner we opened presents and had a great time hanging out with the family! The girls love to spend time with their cousins. Even Dennis had a great time exploring Grandma and Papa's yard. Chad and the kids played their annual football game out in the street.



















A couple of weeks ago, my mom posted about family traditions on her blog. She asked others to share some of their family traditions. Well, one of our family traditions, taken from my childhood, is that we set out a doll or stuffed animal by the Christmas tree so that Santa will know where to leave each girl's gift. Then we set out the cookies and carrots for Santa and the Reindeer and then, off to bed.






Come on over Santa! We're ready for you!

Snow Date

The weather here this week has been very cold. Two days ago it snowed in Wildomar (about a mile away from us. See pictures below.)

(I love the contrast of palm trees against a backdrop of snowy mountains!)

So, today we were planning a family trip to the mountains to find some snow. We wanted to head in the direction of Julian, (Ca.) so we could make a stop at Dudley's Bakery for the best fresh bread around these parts. They have a jalapeno bread to die for! Well, as we were getting ready to leave, Abbey said that her tummy felt like she was going to throw up. No winding roads for her, please! Emily wasn't feeling great either, so I decided to stay home with them and the day turned into a father/daughter day for Chad and Megan.

They got to Dudley's. They ate bread. They found snow. They had a great time.

Winter Formal 2008

So, she went...she had fun. That's about all she'd say. I questioned, she responded with things like, "I guess", "sorta", "not really", "I don't know", and "I don't think so." The teens are officially upon us...

We Wish You an "ELF"y Christmas!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

It's raining, it's pouring...Yaaa!

The thing I miss most about Modesto is the weather. It is the middle of December and up until 3 days ago it was still 75 degrees here in Murrieta. It doesn't even feel like fall, let alone winter. But this morning I woke up to my favorite kind of day...RAINY!

I love the sound of the pitter patter against the glass. I love the sound of the clink clinking of the water flowing and dripping down the rain gutters. I love the clouds and the wind.

Rain, rain, please don't go away. Come again for another day...