My Birthday

My Birthday was yesterday and I celebrated my 24th year! Time has flown by so fast a little too fast maybe. During my 23rd year of life I grew a little older and maybe a little wiser. I've discovered its OK to be particular on things you feel strongly about but you have to give a little too. I've discovered that good people can act bad and that's OK sometimes too. I've discovered that I think an older man is better because he keeps me on track!

Casey and I Celebrated my Birthday on Monday by golfing and Kayaking. Casey's sister Shannon watched the kids ALL day and allowed us a day of freedom and some much needed Casey/Rosa bonding time. We started the day out early and dropped the kids off and headed to the ferry. We grabbed some food before we got on the mulkiteo boat. Casey had chicken and fries and I had a kids cone at Iver's. We arrived on Whidbey Island and went a golf'n. Casey forgot his backpack that has my shoes so I had to golf in flip flops.



It worked ok because I ended up beating him! I can't brag too much though because we both did horrible (except Casey's Birdie on hole 2). These are out first shots!

After Golf we headed to the Keystone Ferry and took it to Port Townsend on the peninsula. We arrived to the Kayaking place and rented a few single kayaks and headed out to see. Casey soon found out that his large muscles don't provide the stability he needs and his constant rocking made him sick. He decided to stay close to shore and paddle around and instructed me to go on without him. So I did! I only went down the coast for about 15 minutes and realized I missed him so I headed back and we ended our trip a little early.




We had about a half hour before the ferry left so we decided to get some Waterfront Pizza and sit on the beach to maow down or food. We had almost finished when some birds thought it would be fun to poop all over us! Seriously it splattered all over Casey and Myself! We died laughing (might have even dry heaved a little) and headed to the ferry!


4 ferry rides, 1 half-round of golf, 30 minutes of kayaking, free of 2 kids, and a little bird poop on top!~ It was the perfect birthday!!!

"Fat Verses Muscle" 5 rounds of intense ars whooping combat

In the Defensive corner we have the all-to-common, the lazy, the hard to get rid of ars fat. And in the Offensive corner is the rock solid, hard working lean mass of pure muscle. We have gone 5 month-long rounds of hand to foot combat! Who will come out victorious and who will wither away.... Stay tuned for more punishing rounds to come!

Yesterday Casey and I did the water dunking body fat test! Some things are personal and should remain that way so I wont divulge my body fat percentage but lets just say I was pleasantly surprised and am looking forward to losing even more. Only 10 more lbs to lose to get to 13%! Wish me luck!

America's Next top Model: Your's truely

I mentioned on my last "favorite 10 " an America's Next Top Model night with the girls. I finally got the pictures back and am happy to expand a little more about my embarrassing night! When Pam first approached me about her America's next top model night I was picturing some girls just getting together to watch a marathon or something. I was excited because I love watching skinny, food deprived girls smack each other around and model on the side... However I was wrong. What Pam had in mind was different.... We were going to be the models. She had some crazy ideas but I knew it would be fun and it was! We didn't do any of the crazy poses like she planned (such as being a tree :( ) but the pictures turned out great and us girls had a great night! Here's some of mine:

Top 10 things of last week in no particular order!

1. America's next top model night (pictures to come)
2. Visiting teachers at the park and Ice cream truck
3. Going to the beach with Casey and the kids.
4. Going to the beach with just monica and building sand castles.
5. Whirlyball fundraising event
6. I have to add gas can girl!
7. A special event for my sister (I wont give it away just yet!)
8. fitting into my old silvers
9. Spin class
10. Bubble gum ice cream

No words can describe

Today I was out for a jog and a passed a women walking toward me. She was bear footed, smoking and caring a gas can! Needless to say, I ran a little faster and was thankful she was going in the opposite direction!

Race for the cure

So this morning I woke up at 6:30 to Race for the Cure to benefit breast cancer research. I actually planned to wake up earlier because the race was in Seattle and started at 8:00 plus I had to check in and get my number and such. Well I woke up, threw on some clothes and running shoes and began the day. I went by myself :( and arrived in Seattle about 7:20, registered, put on my racing t-shirt, attached my number (4512) and made my way to the starting line. I got there with 10 minutes to spare and was anxious for the race. The announcer kept counting down "Ten minutes to the start of the women's competitive 5K race.... 7 minutes to the Women's competitive race...." Competitive!? I thought it was just a fun 5K run! Well foolish me found myself at the front of the starting line. Doing a few stretchies and knee raises (to pretend I knew what I was doing), I realized I was surrounded by women with racing shorts, tight aerodynamic tops and top of the line running shoes... I didn't belong in the front. Then I looked ahead of me and the race could have followed one of two course options. It could have gone straight or up. I asked the lady next to me which way the race went and of course... it went up! The race began and as soon as I reached 10 paces, I had been past by all those ladies with little clothing and some old ladies and some kids.... and some ladies with strollers... No joke! I found my pace and turned on the tunes. Shortly into the race I found a girl walking. She looked no older then myself and in better shape...everyone was just jogging by. I thought, 'this girl needs motivation' so I jogged up next to her and said "Don't stop, I am going sooo slow so just run with me!" She said "thank you" and started to jog. Feeling a small victory and quite proud of myself, that little brat takes off and I never saw her again! Oh well, so I continued on and at about 1.5 miles I saw the girls that were beside my at the starting line jogging on the viaduct coming back. They had to already be 7 minutes ahead. I cheered to them in support and continued to listen to a my Bon Jovi. At the halfway point I was met with volunteers handing out water to the runners that past. This is particularly tricky and I found myself half drowning with water all over the front of me so I tossed it aside and kept going. The course was all up hill the whole way (I Don't know how that was possible seeing as it was a round trip, but it was). I dry-heaved twice, dropped my IPod twice, and snapped a few pics along the way. The end of the race was lined with supporters and they fueled a generous spirt to the end. All-in-all I had a great time! I finished the race in 27 minutes 46 seconds and feel like it was a small victory! I didn't come in first but I was far from last, and that's just fine with me! PS... See if you can spot waldo. I am toward the front.... hehe!

woop woop

I've decided to mimic my sister Ivy (she has always been a good person to steal ideas from) and post the top ten things from my week. Here are this weeks top ten things in no particular order:

1. Spin class!
2. 5K race through Seattle
3. Going to the Park with the kiddos
4. Making up a new recipe for a yummy pasta salad
5. Splurging from my diet on some Junior Mints
6. Ordering some things from Victoria's secret
7. 4 people telling me I look skinny in less then 10 minutes (thanks for the ego boost!)
8. Nights with Casey
9. Paying off and canceling my credit card... (Dear Capital One, youre not "in my wallet" any more!
10. Losing 2 lbs!

My Dad Got Hitched!

So Last weekend Casey, Monica, Carter and I accompanied my sisters Ivy and Alex down to Sierra Vista, Arizona for my Father's wedding to his long lost love, Rosi years Isbell. Rosi and my dad were engaged in college and circumstances tore them apart many years ago. Well many years later, fate has brought them back together to share in each others company until death does them part. It was a beautiful ceremony in Rosi's back yard and we are so happy to have Rosi and her family join ours!

3 months and 3 years

So Carter just turned 3 months old! I cannot believe how fast time is flying by. He is growing fast and already has made into 9 month clothing!!! So much for all the cute baby clothes I bought for my little newborn! I don't think Carter was ever the size of a newborn ;) He is already trying to roll over and it wont be long until he gets his first tooth!
Monica too has hit a milestone as well. She has passed her 3rd birthday on may 20(although she claims to be 4 so she can play video games). We will celebrate her birthday on may 31st at the children's museum in Everett. She has invited many of her friends and is anxiously awaiting her "Finding Nemo" party, a theme she so excitedly chose herself. We bought her a big girl bike with training wheels pretty much just to see her face when we give it to her! I will post more about it after the party.

The 3 Day Walk for Breast Cancer

I am so excited! Even though my life has been struck with a lot of tragities and dissapointments including the death of my Grandma, Casey not getting the job at Everett P.D. and a dear friend on her deathbed, a little glimmer of hope and love is pushing me through this tough time! I recently have registered for "The 3 Day walk" to raise money for funding Breast Cancer research. I have pledged to raise $2200(after paying $90 myself) but I have a goal to raise $2500. My partner, Timerie, and I have formed the team "Titty Twister" and together our goal is $5000! I know it will be a lot of hard work including training for the 60 mile walk and doing hours and hours of fundraising but I cant think of a better thing to do with my spare time! I dont like asking for money. Its quite embarrassing to hit up my family and friends but I have to remember that its not for me, its for a good cause and they always can say "no". I am hoping though that people will be willing to donate even a small amount. Anything will help me reach my goal and even help reach the ultimate goal of finding a cure for Breast Cancer. Wish me luck!

PS: If you feel like donating, you can click the link:

http://08.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/SeattleEvent?px=1966103&pg=personal&fr_id=1189

Where is Heaven?

So last night Casey Monica and I were watching the newest Harry Potter movie. There was a scene where Dumbledore (Dumbledore is an old wizard with a long gray beard) is talking with Harry. Monica and I are snuggled up together but I see her looking a little confused. She turns to me and asks "Is that Heavenly Father or Jesus". Oh Boy! I told her "Neither sweetie, that's a wizard now watch the movie." Still unsatisfied she continues... "Well where is Heavenly Father." I respond, " Well he is in Heaven." She asks, "Where is Heaven?"
{Ok Casey, stop the movie!} How in the world did my 2 year old become so smart!? I thought these were questions that she would have when she was older. Maybe when her fish dies in a few years or something. "Well, Monica Heaven is a wonderful place in the sky (shifty eyes) where people we love and who have died get to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus, like Daddy's Grandma." Monica, "Daddy's grandma lives with Heavenly Father." "That's right."
{Ok, you can play the movie Casey.} Monica asks again, "So, is Heavenly Father in this movie?"
Having a 2 year old is fun. You never know the little things that they're going to say. Sometimes its really cute like when she told a stop light "Dude, stop Blinking." and sometimes its quite embarrassing like when she told my sister "that guy is old!" and they were still right next to him. Its always fun to wonder what she is telling others when we're not around. So be careful what you say, you never know what these little 2 year old sponges are soaking up just to regurgitate their newly found information elsewhere and usually at a real inappropriate time and place... especially ours. And if anyone knows how to teach Monica the complexities of Heaven and Earth, I am home most days.

The Allred Sigh

So I am new to this whole blogging thing but it seems everyone else has one and since I have an e-mail, cafemom, facebook and myspace account, etc..., I might as well add one more thing to manage. Besides, it will allow me a place to post my ramblings and incoherent thoughts that Casey may find weird and would respond with what I lovingly refer to as "The Allred Sigh". This is a quiet and sometimes hard-to-catch sigh of displeasure that most Allred's don't even notice doing. Even my daughter Monica might do it at times when I inconvenience or annoy her. It makes me wonder if it is a part of they're genetic make-up. A gene that passes from generation to generation publicly displaying a moment of unhappiness. Now, I don't have a problem with this particular gene, in fact it lets me know when I have made someone frustrated or mad without them knowing I know, however it is a phenomenon that puzzles me. Unfortunately, It seems that I too have started sighing so perhaps its not gene at all but an inheritance to anyone who joins the Allred clan. The question is.. can it be stopped? Sighhhhh...... we'll see....