Surprise

The girls and I drove out to Keller to spend a few days with cousins. While we were there I decided to throw a spur of the moment surprise birthday party for Kaitlyn. My mom and I set it all up in the morning while she was over playing at her cousins house. Then we met up with everyone and went swimming at Carol's house. Conveniently Kaitlyn was in the last car that left Carol's so when she walked into Grandma's house all the cousins were there to surprise her with her very own PINK surprise party. She was so surprised and excited. I wish I had a camera pointing at her face when she realized the party was for her. Ashlyn and Sarah even sang her their own special birthday song with the help of Max and Kenzie.



It's been so fun the past 2 years to be able to celebrate Kaitlyn's birthday with cousins. Thanks everyone for the gifts and the fun times

Paking Up

This past week I flew back to Utah (no kids, no husband) and packed up our house. It was kind of bittersweet. Bitter because we are sad to leave our first home and our friends that we have made here. Sweet because we sold our house so fast, and for more than we had expected to. I planned an entire week to pack everything up, but after 3 days I was completely finished. I guess with the help of some awesome siblings (Owen, Alyssa, and Emily), and without the distraction of 3 kids and a husband, I was able to get everything done really fast. So the rest of the week I was able to look for a new place for us to move into after the summer, and enjoy just having some free time.

Kaitlyn's Surprise

This morning Dan and I woke up to a nice little surprise. Kaitlyn decided she wanted to make us breakfast...chicken noodle soup, a cheese stick, and a banana. She even went a step further and made breakfast for her and Makenzie (poured the cereal and milk without making any mess) She was so proud of herself it was so cute. I'm so glad she is such a good helper...she's just growing up way too fast!

2 for 1

We drove out to Keller again for my sister Cherry's birthday


And in true Allen fashion we double dipped and celebrated my birthday too (since is just a few days after Cherry's). It's too bad that Emily wasn't there too otherwise we could have had a 3 for 1


Scott striking a manly pose by his manly grill.


Cherry busted out the pool and we let the kids take their first 'swim' of the summer.




The water was a little chilly and this is how cute Max warmed himself up...


Grandma Allen and Heidi just hangning out. This little girl is getting so spoiled and is always being held. Oh well she is so sweet it's hard to resist


Grandpa Allen kept busy with the magnets


The best part of the party was Luke's present for his mom. I don't remember what the actual present was, but he worked so hard on the presentation of it. He stuck a helium balloon inside a tupperware tote so when Cherry opened it she got a nice surprise. I just LOVE Luke and his awesome creations.

Painting

The worst thing about summer time is having to go from a nice house with a yard, to a small apartment with a parking lot but the pool is always a bonus. Luckily and few years ago my mom gave me a great idea...a bucket of water and a paint brush! My girls LOVE to go outside and 'paint', and I LOVE to send them out on our balcony to do it.

Caldwell Zoo

Joselyne, Traci, and I decided that we should take our kids to the zoo before the summer heat came. Kaitlyn was so excited to have a map, after every animal she would look at the map and say "According to the map..." I think she'll make a good tour guide some day ;)


We took the kids in to feed the birds. Unfortunately the birds were pretty well fed for the day so despite the desperate attempt by Makenzie they weren't too interested in eating off her bird feeding stick.


Kaitlyn was lucky and after about 30 minutes was able to find the one hungry bird.
She was ecstatic!


Traci, Sawyer, Makenzie, Kaitlyn under the railings, and Tag in the stroller looking at the turtles


Lions
and the back of my girls heads


Giraffes, elephants, and a few very HOT and TIRED girls

My Little Helper

I asked Makenzie to put Heidi's bottle up, and this is what I got.
She was so proud of herself