the allen fam

Decision made - blog is moving!

I pretty much have everything moved over to the new blog www.allenfamily2002.blogspot.com.  Now I just need to get caught up on what we've been up to lately!  If you need access to the new blog, let me know and I'll add you as a user...

New Picture Blog

So I know I've been missing from the blog world lately (sorry!), but Jesse has been working on transitioning all of our pictures to a new site.  They are now on blogger at www.allenfamily2002blogspot.com.  It is still password protected for privacy and security reasons with our cute kiddos, so let me know if you want access and I'll add your email to the user list.

I'm debating whether to switch the whole blog over but have not made a decision yet.  Stay tuned for some catch up posts soon, I promise!  =)

Bob Books

Carter just read us his first 3-letter-word book! How exciting!! Our pre-school uses "Bob Books" for beginning reading. Carter read Book 1 of 18 in the first set, "Mat." (Mat sat. Sam sat. Mat sat on Sam., etc.) So proud of this little guy...especially since he won't start kindergarten until the fall of 2011.

Grandpa Kim

There's no doubt why Halle says "Grandpa Kim is silly!".  What preschooler doesn't love being pulled around on a blanket by their grandpa??!

Fun Weekend

A few weeks ago, we took the kids to James and the Giant Peach performed by the Youth Theatre at the University of Utah.  It was a great production, and I plan on taking the kids back again! 

The same weekend, I go front row seats to the University of Utah gymnastics meet (thanks Jodie!).  Lory and Zerena were visiting that weekend, so all of the girls got to go (me, Halle, Lory, Zerena, Nikki, and Jennika)!  It was so much fun!!

While Lory and Zerena were here, Carter and Halle slept in the same bed to free up another bed.  This is how I found them one night - how sweet!

Easter #1

We had a fun Easter at home yesterday, and we get to do it all again this weekend with the grandparents and cousins!

Instead of dyeing Easter eggs this year, Nikki and I decided to be adventurous and try these cake pops from www.bakerella.com.  They are SO yummy, and turned out to be not as difficult as I had expected!  We will definitely be making these again!

We woke up to snow on Easter morning!  Nevertheless, Halle still wore her new Easter dress (without a shirt underneath or sweater over top, since it just wasn't as cute that way!).  Seriously, aren't these the cutest kids ever?! 

After church (and naps!), we did the egg hunt and wonderful Easter dinner.  Mixed in with the eggs with candy were Resurrection eggs that told the story of Easter.  Each of the 12 resurrection eggs had something inside (i.e. donkey, silver cup, money, whip, nails, crown of thorns, and the last one was empty!) that the kids got to open as we went through the story of Jesus' betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection!  They will be great to use each year.

Easter egg hunt.

Reading the Easter story.

Eating cake pops. =)

Six months...already??

Well, it has been six months since we transitioned our family into community living with our friends, the Zyps (see original post).  In some ways, it seems like forever ago when we sold our house and moved everything, and then in other ways, it seems crazy that it has already been six months!!  I can say that we absolutely love it!  The pros far out-weigh the cons.  Seriously, why don't more people do this?!!  Before we embarked on this adventure, we had some great advice...make it your goal to "out-serve" the other family.  I feel like both of our families have done this which is probably the biggest reason for our success so far.

I'm going to do my best recap some of the great things we have enjoyed these last 6 months as well as some of the things we haven't (if I can think of any!).

Benefits

1. Community - how great it is to live in community!  Our society is so driven by individualism and selfishness.  For obvious reasons, there is little opportunity to be selfish with material goods around here now!  I love having 8 people around the dinner table each evening.  I love having conversations and hearing 3 other opinions.  Not that these relationships in any way replace those of a marriage relationship or parent/child relationship...they just add to them!  I think God created us to encourage each other and hold each other accountable, and there are countless opportunities to do that when you see close and respected friends every day!
2. It doesn't work out every week, but we try to take turns every Friday night for one couple to have Date Night.  All parents with small children (and especially those without any immediate family close by) understand that this is something not to be taken lightly!  It is hard (and expensive!) to find a trusted babysitter for regular date nights, so it is great to be able to leave the kids home where they can have their normal bed time schedules with people we trust 100% while Jesse and I have some time alone.
3. I am only in charge of dinners (and grocery shopping) for the week every OTHER week.  And on the other weeks, we still get to eat a wonderful home cooked meal...and dessert most nights.  =)  And if Nikki or I need to run to the grocery store, it is really convenient to be able to go alone while the kids are napping!  Also, it's wonderful to be able to prepare meals with a friend instead of doing it alone.
4. As I know Nikki has posted before, many hands make work light.  Even though there are twice as many people, it really feels like half the cleaning, vaccuuming, mopping, dishes, etc.
5. It takes a village to raise a child.  I wouldn't consider us a "village" but training children is easier when there are other parents to share your joys, frustrations, questions, and concerns with.  It's nice to have a more objective third party for Jesse and I to collaborate with on parenting ideas and trials.
6. Even though I am not much of a drinker (ok, I don't like ANY alcohol!), it's such a great atmosphere to stand around the kitchen after the kids are all in bed, everyone else with a glass of wine, and discuss whatever we want!
7. It is wonderful that Jesse and Kris can get up at 4:30 in the morning to do "Dawn Patrol" (telemark skiing in the back country).  I don't think either of them would have gone as often as they did this winter if they were not living in the same house!  Nikki and I have also enjoyed some girl time together going to plays, movies, shopping, etc.  It's great when it's so easy to have some adult time with friends.
8. Nikki has hooked us on homemade bread.  We make at least 2 loaves a week (dough in the bread maker but cooked in the oven).  I don't think I'll ever be able to go back to store-bought bread again!

Drawbacks (or better labeled opportunities!)

1. With 4 kids ages 4 and under, there are many more opportunities for disagreements.  I view this as a good thing...it's actually more opportunities for them to learn conflict resolution!  Most of their toys are shared and in the common areas of the house, so they don't have the "mine" factor with very many things.  Conversely, there is nothing sweeter than watching the 4 of them play peacefully together.  Carter often plays "knights" and now he has two princesses to rescue.  =)
2. Hmmm...can't think of any more.

That's our 6-month experience in a nut shell.  You may think we're crazy, but I wish we would have been able to do this sooner!

Help! Please!

While the kids were playing outside yesterday, Carter needed to go potty and asked if he could go outside. I have no idea where that came from, but I of course told him 'no' and that's why there are bathrooms inside.

Today, he decided to just pull down his pants outside and pee down the slide! I'm at a loss for words. Is this something that he has been thinking about for a while?? Something he just had to try once?? Those of you with boys, please tell me that this is normal?!!!

I am at a loss for words and the best course of discipline!!

Showing off my hubby

Most of the pictures/posts I post on here are of the kids, but this one is all about Jesse!  I've mentioned before that he has really gotten into back-country skiing (telemarking) this winter.  I think he's been skiing at least 20 times and never paid for a lift ticket!!  Here are some pretty good shots of him...yes, I'm bragging!  I'm so glad that we live in a place where he can do things like this that he loves.

P.S.  And for all of you wondering about the beard...don't worry, it's gone now!  =)  That's right, I don't like kissing facial hair.

Good morning Beautiful

That's what I say to Halle every morning when she wakes up.  Is there anything else to say to such a sweet little girl??  =)

This is the product of Halle dressing herself in the dress-up box, over her pajamas, first thing in the morning.