Homecoming

Landen was the attendant for KWU's
Homecoming in October.


Looking so grown up! Love those baby blues.


Daddy pinning on the bout.


All smiles!

Mommy Magic

Apparently, I'm the only person qualified to remove Landen's pop tart from the toaster...and I quote, "When I do it, it's all broke. When Lauren does it, it's all burnt. When you do it, it's all perfect." :) One of the best compliments I've had all week. It sure is fun to be a five-year-old's mommy.

The Joy of Learning

The other day, I was in the office and Landen told me he was headed to the bathroom. Just as he was about to get there, he ran back to my office to share some exciting news, "Mom, B is for BATHROOM!"

First Day of School 2009

Today was the first day of school! Lauren began 3rd
grade and Landen began K-4. Our babies are growing
up!


Landen was soooooooo excited!

Colorado Vacation 2009

Our family enjoyed five days in the Breckenridge area in July.
It was a wonderful combination of fun activities and relaxation.
We especially enjoyed the alpine slide, our boat ride across
Lake Dillon and our day of hiking.


The kids from the top of Peak 7 in Breckenridge.


Our family at Lake Dillon.


Hiking Carter Park Trailhead



The kids taking a break from our hike.



The boys - our guide leaders. Landen kept saying,
"Keep up, guys!"


Beautiful Lake Dillon

Lauren loved walking in the river, even though it was ice cold.

Landen throwing rocks in the water.

Fun with Friends

The Hendrich family spent the night with us in mid July on their
way to Branson for a family vacation. The kids had a great time
playing and swimming!

Dear God...

Jim and I recently spent a few days in Chicago while the kids stayed with his parents. The evening after we picked them up, they were grumpy and fighting with each other...and it was bothering Landen. He told me before bed that he didn't want to fight with Lauren anymore. Landen's prayer that evening sums up how he was feeling pretty well:

"Dear God, don't let me be mean all the time. Help me be mean just a little bit."

Landen's Latest

Landen's answer any time I ask him where something is:

"I think I dropped it somewhere."

Outgrowing Grandma

On the way home from a get-together with friends tonight, Landen asked why parents don't keep growing taller like kids do. I explained that usually by the time girls are in high school, they're about finished growing and that the same goes for boys by the time they finish college. That seemed to satisfy him, which is when Lauren asked if people shrink. I explained that sometimes the curving of the spine in old age does probably shrink a person's height just a bit. That's when Lauren asked the question that inspired this blog post, "Great grandma must have shrunk!"

You see, my grandma (Lauren's great grandma) is not even five foot tall. I still remember outgrowing her by the time I reached junior high. It sure made me feel grown up to be looking down at Grandma. I had never thought of it before, but I guess Lauren's right...she must have shrunk.

Dinosaurs on Loan

My great grandpa, who we affectionately call Pa Pa Tom, spent the night at our house yesterday on his way back to Missouri from visiting relatives in Scott City. The kids have always enjoyed Pa Pa Tom’s visits and Landen was especially delighted to have a buddy to play with. They played some baseball outside and, later in the evening, Landen pulled out several different toys and games so he and Pa Pa Tom could play. They played everything from “bowling” to “dinosaur attack” with Landen’s little plastic dinosaurs.

This morning, Landen brought the dinosaurs out again. And, though sharing does not come naturally to Landen, I heard him ask Pa Pa Tom the following question just as he was getting ready to leave, “Do you want to borrow my dinosaurs?”

Play Time

Fun at the Lake

Cheer for Me

Landen finally got his wish! Two large water guns - one for him and one for Dad. Knowing that tomorrow will likely be the first big water gun battle was almost more excitement than he could bear.

After I tucked him into bed tonight, he whispered, "Mom, cheer for me when I shoot Daddy because I want to squirt him good." Almost as if reading my mind, he followed up quickly with, "Lauren can cheer for Daddy."

Babies Grow Up Fast!

One day, we noticed that a bird had made a nest
in my front porch decoration. Our whole family
enjoyed watching the birds grow over the course
of two weeks - until today when all but one of them
flew away. I'm sure glad we get to keep our youngin's
longer than that!

Peeking in!

April 20th - feed me!

April 23rd - growing bigger!

May 1st - look at those feathers!

May 5th - all but one has flown away!

Froggy Fun

Lauren is an animal lover and has always loved living creatures of all kinds. When she was four, she held a tarantula and a giant beetle, for goodness sake. So, it doesn't surprise me the other day when she captured a frog in the backyard and starting begging me to keep it as a pet.

Much to Jim's dismay, I was starting to give in. We made a little "habitat" for Mr. Frog out of a fish bowl and were planning to buy some crickets at the pet store this evening.

I had to run a few errands this afternoon and when I arrived home, Lauren dragged me to the backyard. "We lost him!" she exclaimed. Yes, while playing hide-and-seek with Mr. Frog, Lauren and the neighbor girl lost him.

Lauren is heartbroken. As her mom, I feel sad for her, but I must admit that I'm secretly happy I don't have to buy crickets tonight.

Siblinghood

It's been a long day and the kids have been driving me a little loco this evening with their arguing and fighting. However, I was reminded of the joys of siblinghood when I overheard the conversation they were having a minute ago.

Landen: "Lauren, I love you really, really, really, really, really, really much."

Lauren: "I love you that much, too."

Where are my Undies?

Actual quotes from this morning’s routine:

Adrienne: “Landen, please get dressed.”

Landen: “But, you didn’t set out any underwear.”

Lauren (yelling from her room): “Yes, she did. Macy is chewing on them in the living room.”

Got Milk?

Lauren thought of this all on her

own. She used Cool Whip. Makes

me wonder what the pros use for

the real ads?

Hoppy Easter!

The Allen Family on Easter morning


The cousins: Emma, Landen, Lauren, Kale & Matthew

Lauren & Mr. Bunny


Landen has always loved to visit the Easter bunny.
He talks to him and tries to get him to talk back.


Landen dying eggs with Great Grandma
standing close by.


Lauren's pretty egg & even prettier smile


The cousins after hunting Easter eggs.

This picture cracks me up! Don't they look happy?

Mom thought we should make it into a postcard titled,

"Wish you were here."

I talked him into pausing long enough
for a quick pic.

The boys playing soccer.

The kids with their Easter baskets.

Lauren & Grandma Wheeler

Bunny Matthew (sucking on his favorite fingers) and Grandpa.

My funny bunny

Day's End

I had just asked the kids to come inside and had given them some lemonade when Landen recognized my "it's almost bedtime" look.

Before I said a word, he turned to his sister and said, "Okay, Lauren. The party's over."

Heart Swelling Moments

Some days, we as moms get one of those heart swelling moments that make all of the weariness and frustration of life fade into the background. I got one this evening...

Jim called about 4:30 to tell me not to start supper because he wanted to take us out to the new Mexican restaurant in town. (I didn't argue).

We were all enjoying our chips and cheese dip when I heard Landen say, "I hope this day never ends." He said it quietly, almost under his breath. I almost missed it, but thankfully I caught the tail end. When I realized what he had said, I swear my heart swelled up to the size of Texas.

Isn't that the attitude we should strive for most days? No, this life isn't perfect. But each day is a gift from God and I think maybe His heart swells a bit when He hears us exclaim, "I hope this day never ends."

Snow Fun

We finally got some snow!


I love these smiles!


Snowball fight!


I love this shot of Landen right after he threw a snowball.


Watch out, Mom!


Lauren has always loved to eat snow.


Jim's version of playing in the snow.


Our back yard...will the lilacs bloom after this? I hope so!