Pictures people. . . Pictures and a VIDEO!

Happy Halloween! This is how we served the food at our party. Yummy


Capt. Hook, Peter Pan, and Tinker Bell!
















Emma is a little ball of energy. Her most recent adventure is walking backwards! We are not sure why she does this, but she sure gets all excited about it. Here are a lot of pictures. She is a sweet little girl! Happy Fall!

The best of intentions. . . .

Hey Everyone Matt here. . . you know sometimes even the best laid plans don't turn out the way we want. When Karen and I were married 7 years ago, I wanted to give her everything and I still do. Here we are now 7 years down the road, still trying to make ends meet. I still haven't given her a house. I still haven't taken her to Europe. I still make the same stupid mistakes I always have. Heck, I am still in school for gosh sakes! There are times, I fear that I have failed her. I feel like a failure as a provider. I feel like a night with tarnished armor. I guess, I just feel human. . .all to human. In my eyes, Karen has only gotten more beautiful. She amazes me dailey. I married up. She makes wonderful things out of the simple things she obtains through great effort. She is my greatest inspiration, and my truest friend. She holds the very essence of happiness that is our marriage. This all might sound like a bit much to all of you. I am not in trouble, and we didn't have a fight. I am just being honest. I love her, and most of all I am glad she loves me.

Saying very little, but knowing all that really matters.

As a child I remember many cold winter mornings, being carried by my father out to our old clunker car in a blanket. We would fake as if we were asleep and he knew it. He would talk to me, and I would always respond in only fake moans and weak "whats?" He would laugh. He put the three of us kids in the back seat (we all fit lying down) and drove us to Grandma's house. He would carry us in and grandma would love us. She didn't just watch us. She loved us. How does a person define the unspeakable impact that the special people make in our lives. To my Grandmother Allred, I was precious. I felt safe, I felt protected, and I was taught by example. Her life was defined by patience and tolerance, with a spark of stubbourn resolve. She fed us at least 100 loaves of hand kneaded wheat bread, with butter, honey, and milk. I remember watching her take the cream off the top of the milk everyday. She would then start kneading bread for hours. She had a way of shaping things into something worth having. She did it over and over again, with love and goodness. She said very little with her mouth, but spoke volumes with her hands. She was the only person I let cut my hair until I was 7, and the only person I let cut my finger and toe nails until I was 5. She had a way of calming me. When she met my long awaited daughter she sat there holding my hand just as she always did and said what she always said. "Oh my precious, Matthew" "I love you", and I already knew. I told her the same, and she already knew. She always taught us to express our love for each other, and it has blessed my life everyday since. Grandma, Do you know how much you make up the best parts of me? You owed us nothing and you gave us all you could. Thanks for coming to Christmas Eve Dinner during my childhood and watching me spill the fruit punch. Thank you for all the socks you gave me for Christmas. Thank you for allowing me to feel great about me. Thank you for allowing me hour upon hour of time to run free through the hills behind your house. There are days, I still go there in my dreams. Thank you for raising my father. I believe that God will make all things right in the end, and I will see you. You will hold my hand and call me your precious. Then we will sit again saying very little but knowing all that really matters.

I love the mounatians, I love the fireside, when all the lights are low

I know it has been forever and three moons since I have been able to blog but, life is finally back to normal. At least I think so??? I recently took a management position in my apartment complex and I am loving the social aspect of it, but I feel as though my long awaited summer is slipping through my fingers. I had to do something summer so we all when up to Trial Lake up Mirror lake Highway. I really enjoyed myself but also remembered how challenging it is to look after Children in the great outdoors. I couldn't help but think of our honored pioneer mothers who conqueredthe great outdoors everyday. "Blessed honored Pioneer." There is nothing that attracts a child more than water and rocks here is Grandma Jen teaching Emma how to through rocks, and cute Gracie trying to get rid of the rock???? Grace was so cute she loved throwing rocks and making big splashes and sing. But don't try to sing with her she only like to sing a solo.

Here is my lovable, cuddly, whinny little one( come to find out she was Whinnining because her daddy put her diaper on funny and she had a perma wedgie)

Discovering the great Outdoors

Discovering the great Outdoors

The uncontrolable attraction with water (Grace for some reason had to "find a Potty" three times in an hour???) Does the sound of water make you need to pee?

Here is Emma and her Daddy kicking it around the campfire.

Grace and her Daddy

This is Emma testing the boundries of the quilt!

After we had all discoverd our share of the great outdoors the little ones settled down next to the campfire with a good book, and a someone to cuddle. Emma has her uncle wraped around her finger.

Turning one has never been so fun

Wow I really cant believe how time is a mere blink of the eye, yet it can seem as though some days or weeks will never end. There is one thing I do know is that I cherish ever moment I spend with my smiling chubby cheeked girl. People who look back on there life never wish they would have spent more time watching TV , working on careers, or Internet surfing, they always say how they wished they would have spent more time with the ones they love. Well enough of the sappiness. Emma had a party full of fun. I sent out the invitations with a cute picture inside so that all who were invited would be enticed to see the butterfly beauty. Her is the quick photo shot that I did at my uncle's house. I was able to get a few smiles despite the fact that it was totally bedtime. I must say I am one proud mommy and one pleased photographer (a.k.a. Me)

I know that a one year old doesn't really know what all the excitement is about but my one year old certainly loved all of the attention! And hey, I love to have any reason to have a party, just ask my mother. Emma was so excited to have her favorite Grandpa and Grandma Allred and awsome cousins come form St George for the momentousocassion. It was really a three day party. We had the get together at her grandma Jen's house in Kamas and then we all went swimming one Em's favorite things to do!

Here is the Birthday girl
I have to say that Em's Daddy picked out her birthday dress! super cute!

Hanging with the Awsome cousins

Awww Em's awe struck by the candle (I hope she doesnt become a piro like her daddy)
Emma's was a little confussed on was her daddy gave her a whole cake to eat but once she had a taste or two she was hooked. I hope she didn't get a tummy ache.

"Here Daddy you try some it tastes so much better after I licked it"

Present time !!! I think Em was a sugar over dose and didn;t know quiet what to think but she liked all of the new things to play with especially the paper!

Here is some of the party guests. Em's Second cuz Oakland. Mr Blue Eyes

Em's Friend Rachel she came clear from Idaho ( this is Rachel's Model pose )

And of course the grandparents

Emma would also Marie like to say "de-d0" wich trasanslates to "Thank You" to aunt Marie for coming and Aunt Jan, Cuz Sara and Lacy, Isabella, Isac, Isaiha, KJ, and Olivia, Krystal, Racheal, Grandma and Grandpa Allred and all other fabulouso people who came to party.

Turning One has never been so Fun!

Excuses

Okay, Okay, it has been like . . . . . forever since I personally have been able to blog here are my list of excuses.
1. I sleep + Emma sleeps = no blogging time
2. My husband is a computer and not to mention a bathroom hog. Every moment that I find that I can blog My hubby is happily playing the keyboard.
3. I don't feel like fighting with my computer.
4. My husband is a computer hog.
5. I feel guilty blogging while my daughter is awake because I feel I should be spending every blissful moment of my attention on her.
5. I just finish directing a play.
6. I am sooo tired that sleepping beauty wouldn't even wake up for a kiss from a young hottie.
7. Oh and did a mention my husband is a computer hog...(J/K I love You honey)