I'd like an order of sunshine to go with that

When under stress, or when my sweet Emma has been Whining for hours, or when I am sick and tired of lazy tenants, or I am at the end of of my rope, I always try to picture myself at Laguna Beach.

When I heard I had an inkling of a chance that my daily fantasy was with in the grasp of my fingertips, I leaped at the chance.Even if I had to brave the city of LA by myself I was going to go.

Matt Has been such a hard worker in school and work and is 100%dedicated to doing his best as a result he was offered a stay in a close friends home in Palm Spring. Matt has had three opportunities to go yet with his dedicated perseverance he has been unable to juggle his school and work schedule.

So thanks to my ever loving, hard working. brain squeezing husband of mine who has made it possible for my daughter and I to go to the California.

Some pictures just speak for themselves.

In the beginning of July I took an apartment management position which has been a great blessing to our family yet, I feel the quality time that I had with Emma was lacking and I was determined to make it up to her on this trip. It was so wonderful to be in a place with no distraction or mind sparking need to clean the carpet or fold the laundry. The first day I broke out my camera, which has been so immensely missed along, with blogging and all other creative things that my business has eaten way at. I just had to snap some pictures of my little chick. I still can't believe how much she has grown. This Emma and I taking off on her first airplane ride to Phoenix..... The take off was great and then . . . . it was nap time. lets just say that as a mother you no longer become embarrassed over anything strange smells, screaming children, loud screaming kids, chocolate stuck to you pant due to the granola bar that you r baby finish of or rather didn't finish and did I mention a loud Screaming baby. My brother who was traveling with us said" I have never seen Emma act that way!" Yes this little face my look deceiving but their are sprouting horn bud sat the back of her head that seem to grow at the most in opportune time possible. By then we got off the plane in phoenix Emma had whimpered herself to sleep on uncle Chris's shoulder which did not last for long. We then flew to Long Beach and then rented a car went grocery shopping and ate t In and out burger. We did all this to avoid traffic from LA. My brother Chris did not think this necessary but, I having experiences in L.A. knew spending two hours shopping and dinning is better than two hours in the car with a screaming baby. As soon we hit the freeway Emma was out for the count I had to check on her twice to make sure she was breathing because this was the quietest she had been in eighteen hours

There is my sweet little Girl doesn't she have such a pleasant face when there are no horns.

The weather was absolutely perfect, not too hot not to cold.

Emma was pleased as punch
to be walking bare foot
in mid November

I had to take a picture of Emma and I and not wanting to brother uncle Chris. I set up my timer on my camera and took the picture myself. I love the exquisite magenta flowers. The more I think about, I think I need to move to a sunnier climate.

I keep thinking that spring was just around the corner sadly I was slapped in the face with reality when I flew into snowy Salt Lake.

I had told Chris that I had NO plans to do anything but sit at the pool side and soak up the sunshine. Or as the doctor my percribed Vitamin "D" Therapy.

Feeling pity on my board bother we took a trip to the mall I thought the mall would be allot bigger than the ones in Utah after all the ones in Florida were four stories tall and as big as six football feilds. I must say that malls in California are mindfully of family and children the was a "sweet" , family / changing room where you could change you baby watch sponge Bob nurse or just play with your little one. There were even s heated wipes, talk about cushy.Does California pay higher taxes than Utah???? Doesen't Utah have the largest number in the country for children under the age of eighteen, I say we start a petition . OH yeah I was talking about my vacation.. Anyway this is Emma playing at the mall on some cool foam toys.

We had to take this picture of Emma in the helicopter for uncle Nick

Finally a Cheese from Emma although she still wouldn't look at the camera

Here Is Uncle Chris climbing in to the big rig. Do you think Uncle Chris has a thing for diesel Trucks or what .

Your never to old to be a kid.
Jeffery the Griffie from TOY R US

Here are some pretty "dang" cute Piggies

Emma prancing around with her pretty, polished, pink piggies in her perfect pink polka dot suit

I just couldn't leave with out getting a picture by these beautiful flowers. It was like finding a pearl for me in the bitter beginning of winter

During my trip to California I was able to see an angel...

I thought it was unique for the light to catch a glimmer of Emma's golden hair can you see her halo?

This picture was defiantly a Kodak moment . Emma sharing uncle Chris's BBQ ribs

I Wanted to take a picture of the lovely home we stayed in but. . . the house was too big. It was as though I was staying in a home I toured in the parade of homes in St George . Theather Room and everything

Thousands of wind mills

Wind mill farm between LA and Palm Springs

Emma's First encounter with the ocean and the beach a moment that can not be replicated or replaced Mother and Daughter in hand

Ah finally the Beach. I must say there is something about the beach that give one tranquility. I could have spent my whole visit camping on the beach. I don't know if it is the found memories of childhood or the bright loving sunshine. I also have a confession to make get ready for this one Allreds....

I even love the beach more than Disney Land don't get me wrong I love Disney and Disney movies and Disney stuff, Heck how many peolpe do you know have a disney tree and has painted a dozen disney walls. I just love the calmness of a good day at the beach.

One happy little girl.

There is nothing like sand between your toes.

A beautiful baby with a beautiful back drop.

Th cutest crab on the beach
Emma got a little grumpy after she fell down in the water. . .
I told her she needed to hold my hand. she has become quite the little Miss Independant.

Born free. . .

Livin the dream

interpritive dancing. . . I'm free . . . I'm free

Don't you hate it when you get sand in your pants

Uncle Chris and Emma chilling at the beach

Her is the picture I would like blown up to the size of my front window so I don't have to look at the cold winter snow

My favorite sign

Children are never

more serious

than when at play

-William Shakspeare

Emma slept most of the ride home on the plane ant yes the trip was too short you don't even know how many times I tryed to work out in my mind how I could stay longer.

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.