Question?

Cold/Flu is like a four letter word around here these days. We have been battling sickness for over a week now. All of the kids got sick at different times with similar symptoms. Madison's symptoms tend to linger longer, Easton usually gets the worst cough and doesn't sleep, and Kenzie gets the really high fevers. Just when the kids started getting better I came down with it. Making this fun journey even longer. I actually feel so much better if I could just breathe through my nose at night!

So, here is my question.

How do you feel about flu shots?

Do you get them every year?

Do your kids get them?

This is a question I have been pondering about lately. We have been on both sides of the fence, but I'm curious what your experience has been. This is the first year we haven't done them, but the kids get sick whether they get the flu shot or not every winter.

CHRISTMAS......

Christmas was fun with the kids this year. It was our year to spend Christmas with Boone's family. We had a fun family party at his parents house on Christmas Eve. We had good food, good fun, and a program from the kids. The kids loved opening their presents.

After the Christmas Eve get together, we headed home and put the kids to sleep. Santa had a lot of work to do that night. We could have used some magic, that's for sure! It was worth the effort, because the kids love their new clubhouse/slide/climber. They have played on it every day since they got it.

On Christmas Day we braved the snow storm and went to my sister's house to talk to my nephew who is on a mission in Brazil. It was wonderful to talk to him!

MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR from THE ALLEN FAMILY!

Madison's preschool class put on a fun Christmas program. It was short which made it even better! This is her last year of preschool. Next year she gets to ride the big yellow bus to kindergarten.

I had to throw this picture in. Boone brushes the kids teeth EVERY night and at least one of them gives him trouble. It's usually Easton, and Boone has to hold him down to get them brushed. They may be naughty kids, but by dang their teeth are clean!!

Missing my dad.....

The holiday's are bittersweet. I don't know if it will ever be any different. Anytime you lose someone close to you, there is a part of you that always misses them and just aches. There are so many things to be grateful for and so many reasons to live life to the fullest, and that is what keeps a person going. I am grateful for the family that I do have to celebrate the holiday's with and for the memories I have of those who are no longer here.

Snow!

We had our first "Real" snowstorm, so we headed off to Walmart when Boone got home from work to get the kids some snow gear. We bundled them all up "A Christmas Story" style, and headed outside. Easton slipped on some ice and couldn't get up because of how bundled he was. He just lay there on his back and cried! Too funny! It was dark, but the kids had a blast. We enjoyed some hot chocolate afterwards. It was a good family night!

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving was very fun this year. My brother Paul had all of us at his house. (over 40 people) The kids had a blast playing with each other and all of Paul's fun toys. The little kids stayed inside, but the older kids rode 4-wheelers. The guys watched a movie, while the girls looked at all the ads for Black Friday. I have most all of my shopping done, so nothing tempted me to get up at 4:00 am. Actually, there is very little that would ever tempt me to get up that early! It was a good day and we were reminded once again how much we miss my dad, especially on holidays. Here are a few pictures:

Looking at the Black Friday ads

Kenzie and Maddy playing with Barbies

Easton with Uncle Paul

My neices Daridee, Makayla, Shaelynn, and my mom.

Halloween!

I'm a little slow at posting our Halloween pictures. We've had a lot going on lately.

The kids really enjoyed it this year. The girls dressed up as Cinderella and Easton was a football player. We had a ward Trunk-0r-Treat on Thursday, which was so fun. After the kids finished getting all of their candy we left and went to see Grandma Jeniece, Paul, Soni, Danette, and Wade. They got a good laugh at the kids in there costumes.
On Friday, we went to Grandma and Grandpa Allen's house for a little party. Boone's brother and his family were there also. We had pizza and the kids went trick-or-treating in their neighborhood. Afterwards we went home to give out candy. I think Madison liked this just as much as receiving candy. She wouldn't even wait for the kids to come to the door. If she saw them in the street she would open the door and yell, "Come on guys, get some candy." She was very good at being on candy patrol, too. She made dang sure that Kenzie and Easton didn't get one piece of candy out of the bowl unless she had one, too. Which was about every few minutes!

The kids were on a sugar high for two days with all of the candy and I have to admit, Boone and I have had our share of candy too!

Here are some photos: